Philippians 1:4-6 - The Marks 0f Mature Believers

Sermon  •  Submitted
0 ratings
· 1,116 views
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →

Introduction

The Marks 0f Mature Believers, 1:3-11

The Fellowship of the Gospel 1:1-11

 

INTRODUCTION –      Go over what we have learned so far through the study of Philippians

                                            Remember,

Paul had an Attitude of Gratitude (v.3)

                                                            Paul thought of others rather than himself (2:3-4)

What A Lesson For Us About a Thankful Heart v.3!

·         Do you thank God for all believers everyday?  Remember, we are not alone in the world. 

—    Colossians 3:15 says, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

·         If Paul thanked God for believers who were so far away from him, how much more should we thank God for each other?

·         What kind of impression are you leaving in other people’s mind?

·         Are you the kind of person who, when people think of you, they want to “thank God for you”?  

·         Or do they complain about you?

·         EVERY TIME PAUL REMEMBERED THE WORK OF GOD IN PHILIPPI, HE THANKED GOD FOR THEM

#2 Paul had the Mark of Prayer

 Verse 4a . . .always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy

A.   THEY WERE CONSTANTLY ON HIS MIND AND IN HIS PRAYERS

1.     The idea is that he prayed all throughout the day for them “always” not sometimes but always

2.     The phrase “for you all” is for all the saints so that one group could not say to the other, “He is writing to us and not to you.”  Because there was a little bit of discord in the church (Phil 4:1-3).

What Else Does the Bible Say About Prayer?

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 cf. Eph. 1:16; Rom. 1:9 – “pray without ceasing”
  2. Luke 18:1 – “men always ought to pray and not lose heart”
  3. John 17:20 – “Jesus prays for all who will believe in Him”
  4. Ephesians 3:14 – “Paul bows his knees to the Father”
  5. Colossians 1:3 – “Paul gives thanks to God & prays always for the church”
  6. Colossians 4:12 – “Epaphras always labors fervently in prayer”
  7. James 5:16 – “the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”

3.     There are times throughout the day when certain people come to my mind, and I believe this is the Holy Spirit prompting me to pray for them.

4.     It might only be a 15 second prayer but I prayed for them

ARE YOU BEING SENSITIVE TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN YOUR LIFE?

WHEN PEOPLE COME TO YOUR MIMD, DO YOU PRAY FOR THEM?

TELL ABOUT HOW I WAS AT WORK AND GOD PROMPTED MY HEART TO PRAY FOR DILLAN   

#3 Paul had the Mark of Joy

Verse 4 b  . . . making request for you all with joy

A.   REAL JOY IN THE LIFE OF THE BELIEVER

1.     Joy is the keynote of Paul’s letter.

2.     Paul is a happy prisoner, as in Philippi, when he and Silas sang praises at midnight even though they were in prison (Acts 16:25).

HOW COULD SOMEONE WHO HAD JUST BEEN BEATEN AND THROWN INTO PRISON HAVE JOY LIKE THIS?

Paul has the “Single Mind”

In spite of his difficult circumstances as a prisoner in Rome, Paul is rejoicing.  The secret of his joy is the single mind; he lives for Christ and the Gospel (Christ is named 18 times in Philippians 1, and the gospel is mentioned six times.)

What really is the “Single Mind”

It is the attitude that says, “It makes no difference what happens to me, just as long as Christ is glorified and the Gospel is shared with others.”  (Phil. 1:21 – just like those who stood up and said they believed in God, and were shot right on the spot in Denver). 

When you have the single mind, you will not complain about circumstance because you know that difficult circumstances will result in the strengthening of the fellowship of the gospel.

Jesus had the “Single Mind” – he did not complain about His having to die for the sins of the World, in fact the Book of Hebrews says that, “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross”

Paul said in Philippians 2:1 – “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”   

So we see that:                       

a.       Joy appears nineteen times in the book of Philippians

b.      Jesus Christ over 40 times

c.       Therefore, He is the center of this study

d.      He is the source of joy

e.       The emphasis should be put on seeking Jesus rather than seeking joy. 

—    The Philosophy of Christian living has to do with Him

—    The pattern of Christian living has to do with Him

—    The price of Christian living has to do with Him

—    The power of Christian living has to do with Him

—    Actually it is a personal relationship with Christ that brings joy to a believers life.

 

As I said earlier,

Joy does not depend on outward circumstances, but real joy depends upon the inward condition of the individual.

·         It is a depth of assurance and confidence in Jesus that ignites a cheerful and rejoicing heart.

·         It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful and rejoicing behavior as Paul and Silas had In prison.

·         This kind of heart only comes through  knowing Jesus Christ personally.

WHAT DOES PHILIPPIANS SAY ABOUT JOY?

Paul prays with joy (v.3).  Paul rejoices when Christ is preached (v.18).  Having faith in Christ brings joy (v.25); and the Philippians will rejoice when Paul returns. Paul says fulfill my joy (2:1).

Paul will rejoice in the day of Christ (2:16).  Paul rejoices in giving his life for the gospel and says I will die happy knowing that God has worked in your life through my ministry.  He tells them to rejoice as well (2:17,18).

The Philippians rejoice when seeing their friend Epaphroditus (2:28).  Rejoice in the Lord & Rejoice in Christ Jesus (3:1,3; 4:1).  Paul’s converts are his joy (4:1).  Paul rejoiced when the Philippians cared for Paul (4:10)

 

We must make note that the joy of the Lord is not the same as the joy of the world.

The joy of the world is more of a temporary pleasure than joy.

a.       The world’s joy is always incomplete and unfulfilling

b.      Not a complete sense of assurance, confidence, and satisfaction

c.       REMEMBER THE ROLLING STONES SONG “I CANT GET NO SATISFACTION?”

d.      YOUR WANTS WILL NEVER BE SATISFIED, YOU WILL ALWAYS WANT MORE

e.       JOHN 4:7-14 JESUS SAID, “WHOEVER DRINKS OF THIS WATER WILL THIRST AGAIN”

B.   RECAP OF THE BELIEVERS JOY

1st.             JOY IS DIVINE

It is possessed and given only by God (Jn 15:11; Acts 13:52; Rom 14:17; Gal. 5:22)

ILLUSTRATION – 1 Thessalonians 1:6 “affliction and joy”

Give example of football player having joy even though he is being crunched and smashed but winning the game.

Affliction and joy are two words that are as far apart as the east is from the west, extreme as the night is from the daylight, as cold is from heat.  They are two things we would not associate together

Paul says the Word was received “in much affliction” – there was suffering, persecution, and heartache, but there was joy in the Holy Spirit.

That is the bittersweet of life, like “sweet and sour pork” – for the Christians there can be that which is sour and bitter in life, while at the same time there is sweetness in the heart and life.

 

2nd.          JOY DOES NOT DEPEND ON CIRCUMSTNACES OR HAPPINESS

God gives joy even in the matters of life and death (James 1:2-3; Ps. 5:11; 2 Cor. 6:10; 7:4)

3rd.           JOY SPRINGS FROM FAITH

(Rom 15:13; Phil. 1:25; 2 Tim. 1:4; Matt. 2:10)

 

4th.            JOY OF FUTURE REWAED MAKES AND KEEPS THE BELIEVER FAITHFUL

(Matt. 25:21,23; Acts 20;24; Heb. 12:2)

C.   THE SOURCE OF THE BELIEVERS JOY IS SEVERALFOLD

1 John 1:3-4 -- The fellowship of the Father and His Son brings joy

1 John 1:3-4 -- The presence of fellowship of believers brings joy 

John 14:28; 16:20-22 -- Victory over sin, death, and hell brings you

Luke 15:7, 10 -- Repentance brings joy in heaven over one sinner who repents

Romans14:17; Heb. 12:22; 1 Pet. 4:13 -- The hope of glory brings joy

John 15:11 -- The Lords Word, -- Revelations, commandments, and promises which He made  brings joy

John 15:11, 32; 17:13; Acts 13:52 -- The Commandments of Christ and the will of God bring joy.  Obeying and doing a good job stirs joy within the heart of the believer

2 Corinthians 8:2; Hebrews 10:34 -- Converts bring joy

#4 Paul Had The Mark of Fellowship

Why Does Paul Make Request for Them With Joy?  V. 5

Verse 5. . . for their Fellowship of the Gospel from the first day until now

The word fellowship seems to mean many different things to many different people.  Perhaps like a worn coin it may be losing its impression.

 

Fellowship means “to have in common.”

True fellowship is much more than sharing coffee and pie, you cannot have fellowship with someone unless you have something in common; and for Christian fellowship, this means the possession of eternal life within the heart. 

 

Believers have fellowship “with” Christ.

They suffer with Christ, have been crucified with Him, died with Him, were buried with Him (Rom.8:17; 6:6, 8 cf. 2 Tim. 2:11; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12). 

They also are made alive with Christ, are raised with Him, are joint-heirs with Him, glorified with Him, enthroned with Him, and reign with Him (Col. 2:13; 3:1; Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim 2:12 and cf. Rev 20:4).

Fellowship means Separation

Unless a person has trusted Christ as his Savior, he knows nothing about “the fellowship of the Gospel.”

Attachment to Christ always means detachment from the world, from worldly thoughts, purposes, words, ways, etc. 

      Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV)

      Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4 NKJV)

      Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15 NKJV)

Fellowship means Warfare

Believers struggle side by side against a common foe (Phil 1:27-30; 2:25).

Fellowship means helping each other; contributing to each others needs

(Rom. 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:4).  Missionary work (Phil 4:15).

Fellowship means having a love for one another. 

The One who draws us to Himself, is the One who draws us the each other (Phil 1:7, 8; 2:2; 4:2; cf. John 13:34).

Fellowship means promoting the work of the Gospel

(Phil 1:5; cf. 1 Cor. 9:23; Gal 2:9)

And it is this very fellowhship that existed from the “First day until now”

The question arises, “What did they continue in”? 

 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42 NKJV)

 
Doctrine -- The apostles teaching = Instruction in the Word of God.

Doctrine (Pastor Bryan’s specialty)

                                    Illust                Hunger & Thrist

These first believers wanted to know everything they could about this new life they had.

Often we see a new believer having this same zeal, and the new believer is always rewarded.  They have this intense hunger for the Lord.  It seems the only place satisfaction comes for them is the teaching of the Word, Worshipping the Lord, and Praying at His throne of Grace.

                                    Application     No Growth can be expected if a person doesn’t get any nourishment.

                                                            In fact, a lack of hunger expresses a lack of life.

                                                If we want growth, we must be feeding on the Word of God.

Fellowship -- Koinonia – a common sharing

Breaking of Bread

Our Communion (once a month – get invovled).

It is an intense time to draw close to the Lord and one another.

Prayers (notice the plurality)  small but crucial point

What was the result????                      REVIVAL

These are the things we must do to see a revival happen in our country today!!!

We also see that:

#5 Paul Had The Mark of Confidence in God’s Salvation

Verse 6  . . . being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

 

1.               The God who began a good work in us continues it throughout our lifetime and will finish it when we meet him face to face.

—              The Gk. verb translated “has begun” is used only here and in Gal. 3:3  --- both times in reference to salvation itself.  When God begins a work of salvation in a person, He finishes and perfects that work OUR GOD IS NOT A QUITTER!  Thus the verb “will complete” points to the eternal security of the Christrian (John 6:39, 40, 44; Rom 5:10; 8:29-39; Eph. 1:13, 14; Heb. 7:25; 12:12)

2.               Salvation includes a threefold work:

—              The work God does for us – salvation

God’s work for us began when Christ died on the cross in our place.

—              The work God does in us – sanctification

His work in us began when we first believed.

                                    Now the Holy Spirit lives in us, enabling us to be more like Christ every day.

—              The work God does through us – service

The purpose is not for a purely selfish purpose but is for service.

—              The Result is their own willing and working for God’s good pleasure – Cooperation

The result had been their own willing and working for God’s good pleasure     (Phil 2:12-13 cf. 2 Thess. 2:13). 

3.               So we see that:

—              The believer has absolute confidence in the work of salvation which God began

—              The work began by God is a good work

—              The good work is incomplete as long as the believer is on earth

—              The work is to be completed when Jesus returns to this earth

          “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. (John 17:11 NKJV)

          Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (Philippians 1:6 NKJV)

          For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. (2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV)

          Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV)

          And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.  (2 Timothy 4:18 NKJV)

          Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5 NKJV)

          Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10 NKJV)     

          Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25 NKJV)

APPLICATION

          Do you sometimes feel as though you aren’t making progress in your spiritual life?  When God starts something, He completes it!  As with the Philippians, God will help you grow in grace until He has completed His work in your life.

          When you are discouraged, remember that God won’t give up on you.  He promises to finish the work He has begun.  When you feel incomplete, unfinished, or distressed by your shortcomings, remember God’s promise and provision.  Don’t let your present condition rob you of the joy of knowing Christ or keep you from growing closer to Him.

Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more