I Thank My God For You!
I Thank My God For You! Philippians Week1 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 7 viewsThe Epistle of Philippians is the Epistle of Joy
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I Thank My God For You! The Epistle of Joy
I Thank My God For You! The Epistle of Joy
Background to Philippians
Background to Philippians
People today are consumed by the passionate pursuit of happiness. Self-help books, motivational speakers, and advice columnists claim to offer the key to happiness, but for many people the door remains locked. Unable to control their circumstances, they find themselves instead controlled by their circumstances. When their job, relationship, or house (or, in the case of Christians, church) fails to make them happy, they dump it and look for a new one. But on the merry-go-round of life, they can never quite seem to reach the brass ring. Having fruitlessly pursued happiness through pleasure and self-gratification, they arrive at the jaded view of life expressed by the Preacher in
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
:“Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” But if happiness, the fleeting feeling of exhilaration, is elusive, joy is not. Biblical joy, the settled conviction that God sovereignly controls the events of life for believers’ good and His glory, is available to all who obey Him. In fact, God commands believers to rejoice (2:18; 3:1; 4:4; cf. ; ). That divine joy is the theme of Philippians; the Greek word for joy, in both its noun and verb forms, appears more than a dozen times in its four chapters (1:4,18,25; 2:2,17,18,28,29; 3:1; 4:1,4,10).
But if happiness, the fleeting feeling of exhilaration, is elusive, joy is not.
Biblical joy, the settled conviction that God sovereignly controls the events of life for believers’ good and His glory, is available to all who obey Him.
In fact,
God commands believers to rejoice (2:18; 3:1; 4:4; cf. ; ).
That divine joy is the theme of Philippians; the Greek word for joy, in both its noun and verb forms, appears more than a dozen times in its four chapters (1:4,18,25; 2:2,17,18,28,29; 3:1; 4:1,4,10).
I chased the circumstances and the worldly goods trying to obtain joy. Sometimes I found happiness for awhile but I never found Joy.
I pray we come out of this study with a greater sense of Joy and contentment in the Lord.
The circumstances of both the writer and the recipients of this brief epistle were not those that would be expected to produce joy and happiness. When the apostle Paul wrote this letter to his beloved Philippian congregation, he was a prisoner in Rome. Little in his tumultuous life since his dramatic conversion on the Damascus Road three decades earlier would have been expected to produce joy. He had faced fierce and unrelenting opposition, both from Gentiles and from his unbelieving Jewish countrymen (cf. ). Immediately after his conversion, Paul’s bold, fearless proclamation of the gospel aroused the ire of Damascus’s Jewish population. They sought to kill him, and he was forced to flee the city by being lowered from the city wall at night in a basket (). Later he was forced to flee from Iconium (); was pelted with stones and left for dead at Lystra (); was beaten and thrown into jail at Philippi (); was forced to flee from Thessalonica after his preaching touched off a riot (); went from there to Berea, from where he was also forced to flee (); was mocked and ridiculed by Greek philosophers at Athens (); was hauled before the Roman proconsul at Corinth (); and faced both Jewish opposition (; cf. 20:18–19) and rioting Gentiles at Ephesus (; cf. ). As he was about to sail from Greece to Palestine, a Jewish plot against his life forced him to change his travel plans (). On the way to Jerusalem, he met the Ephesian elders at Miletus and declared to them, “Bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me” (). When he got to Jerusalem, he was recognized in the temple by Jews from Asia Minor, savagely beaten by a frenzied mob, and saved from certain death when Roman soldiers arrived on the scene and arrested him (). While Paul was in custody at Jerusalem, the Jews formed yet another plot against his life, prompting the Roman commander to send him under heavy guard to the governor at Caesarea (). After his case dragged on without resolution for two years and two Roman governors, Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar (). After an eventful trip, which included being shipwrecked in a violent storm, Paul arrived at Rome (,). As he wrote Philippians, the apostle was in his fourth year of Roman custody, awaiting Emperor Nero’s final decision in his case. The Philippian church also had its share of problems. Its members were desperately poor, so much so that Paul was surprised at their contribution to the offering he was collecting for the poor in Jerusalem (). Like Paul, they were being persecuted for the cause of Christ (1:27–30). Worse, they were being attacked by false teachers (3:2, 18–19). On top of everything else, a feud between two prominent women in the congregation threatened to shatter the unity of the church (4:2–3; cf. 2:1–4,14). Yet despite the circumstances of both writer and recipients, joy permeates Philippians,
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Paul is the beloved apostle who wrote thirteen New Testament epistles and is arguably the most noble and privileged servant of Jesus Christ the world has ever known. Yet, he referred to himself and Timothy simply as bond-servants of Christ Jesus. He made no mention of his apostolic authority or his being chosen to record part of God’s written Word. He viewed himself and every believer primarily as a slave of the Lord. Perhaps the most concise and clear look at Paul anywhere in the New Testament comes from the apostle himself later in this letter. Speaking of his life in Judaism, he wrote,
though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Paul’s human credentials were remarkable. He was the epitome of Jewish manhood, an exemplary, traditional, zealous, and legalistic “Hebrew of Hebrews.” In the eyes of his peers, he was blameless and righteous.
Mere Rubbish
What he had considered to be positives before God he came to realize were actually destructive negatives. His former imagined righteousness was really unrighteousness, which he gladly forsook to gain the true righteousness that comes only
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Bond-servants translates the plural of the oft-used Greek word doulos, which describes a person owned by someone else and thus subservient to and dependent on that person.
Paul used it of himself at the beginning of three of his epistles (; ; ), and in each case it precedes the mention of his apostleship. James (), Peter (), and Jude () use it in the same way.
In that spirit Paul and Timothy did not think of being bond-servants of Christ Jesus in anything but positive terms. Nor did they think of themselves as bond-servants of the church, of Rome, or of any other person or institution, but exclusively of Christ Jesus. Paul reminded the elders from the Ephesian church of that single-minded devotion when he met them near Miletus:
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
That devotion is required of every believer, but especially of those called to the ministry.
That devotion is required of every believer, but especially of those called to the ministry.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Even if a pastor’s or teacher’s primary devotion is to the church, it will inevitably bring some measure of compromise, disappointment, and spiritual failure. But devotion to Christ Jesus can never be disappointing or in vain. If his ministry is concerned with other believers’ standards and opinions, a pastor will invariably stray from the gospel to some form of compromise. But devotion and obedience to the Lord and to His Word will just as invariably keep him on a godly and faithful course.
Paul addresses his letter to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Like qodesh, its Hebrew equivalent, hagios (saints) refers to someone who is set apart; specifically believers, who are set apart by God for Himself.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
We live in a generally sad world, a fallen world well acquainted with despair, depression, disappointment, dissatisfaction, and a longing for lasting happiness that often never comes to pass.
Moments of pleasure and satisfaction are scattered through the general pain and sorrow of life.
Many people have little hope that their situation in life will ever change much, if any, for the better.
Hopelessness tends to increase with age. Long years of life often become long years of sorrow, unfulfillment, loss of loved ones and friends, and often physical limitations and pain. Such decreasing times of happiness tend to produce a morbid sadness and lessening satisfaction with life. This leads us to a problem in this life.
Where does “JOY” factor in?
Where does “JOY” factor in?
Paul reminds us that ultimate joy isn’t derived from comfortable circumstances, but from a living, vibrant communion with Christ.
The leg does not feel the chain when the mind is in the heavens.
The leg does not feel the chain when the mind is in the heavens.
Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in Philippians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (p. 4). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Tertullian. The Sacred Writings of Tertullian . Jazzybee Verlag. Kindle Edition.
The problem could lie in our misunderstanding of Joy as Happiness.
The problem could lie in our misunderstanding of Joy as Happiness.
Most people define happiness as an attitude of satisfaction or delight based on positive circumstances largely beyond their control.
Most people define happiness as an attitude of satisfaction or delight based on positive circumstances largely beyond their control.
Happiness, therefore, cannot be planned or programmed, much less guaranteed.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
It is experienced only if and when circumstances are favorable.
It is experienced only if and when circumstances are favorable.
It is therefore elusive and uncertain.
Spiritual joy, on the other hand, is not an attitude dependent on chance or circumstances.
Spiritual joy, on the other hand, is not an attitude dependent on chance or circumstances.
It is the deep and abiding confidence that, regardless of one’s circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord.—John MacArthur
No matter what difficulty, pain, disappointment, failure, rejection, or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of that eternal well-being established by God’s grace in salvation.
Thus, Scripture makes it clear that the fullest, most lasting and satisfying joy is derived from a true relationship with God.
The verb rejoice (chairo) appears ninety-six times in the New Testament (including those times when it is used as a greeting) and the noun joy (chara) another fifty-nine times.
The two words appear thirteen times in Philippians.
So your task is to faithfully carry out the work that God gives you day by day, and to be ready and willing to change directions as the Holy Spirit leads.
Perhaps you’re spending too much time trying to plan the next 10 years of your life and not enough time planning the next 10 days.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in Philippians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (p. 7). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Joy is sustained by the Lord, Happiness is sustained by circumstances.
Joy is sustained by the Lord, Happiness is sustained by circumstances.
So, let’s spend the remainder of our time today focused on.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Where this JOY comes from
Where this JOY comes from
First, joy is a gift from God.
First, joy is a gift from God.
You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Second, God grants joy to those who believe the gospel.
Second, God grants joy to those who believe the gospel.
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:112
Christ came to proclaim a gospel that would give true supernatural joy to those who receive Him as Savior and Lord.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Third, joy is produced by God the Holy Spirit.
Third, joy is produced by God the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Fourth, joy is experienced most fully as believers receive and obey God’s Word.
Fourth, joy is experienced most fully as believers receive and obey God’s Word.
Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts.
And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Fifth, believers’ joy is deepened through trials.
Fifth, believers’ joy is deepened through trials.
The full reality of joy is experienced when it is contrasted with sadness, sorrow, and difficulties.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
). In his second letter to the believers at Corinth, Paul spoke of being “sorrowful yet always rejoicing” (). James counseled believers to “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (), and Peter encouraged them with these words: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. ()
In his second letter to the believers at Corinth, Paul spoke of being “sorrowful yet always rejoicing.
as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
). James counseled believers to “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (), and Peter encouraged them with these words: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. ()
)James counseled believers to “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
), and Peter encouraged them with these words: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. ()
and Peter encouraged them with these words:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
(
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Sixth, believers’ joy is made complete when they set their hope on the glory of heaven.
Sixth, believers’ joy is made complete when they set their hope on the glory of heaven.
Tertullian said, “The legs feel nothing in the stocks, when the heart is in heaven”
Merida, Tony. Exalting Jesus in Philippians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) (p. 9). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
The love bond between Paul and the Philippian believers may have been stronger than the one he had with any other church. It was in large measure because of the joy that their love brought to him that the theme of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is joy. The depth of their relationship with him encouraged the apostle during his imprisonment and added to his joy. He was concerned about their unity, their faithfulness, and many other important spiritual and practical matters. But his overriding concern was that their sorrow over his afflictions would be tempered by their joy over his faithfulness to the Lord and the great reward that awaited him in heaven. Paul wanted them not to be sad, but to share in the fullest measure his deep, abiding joy in Jesus Christ. It is a noteworthy testimony to the maturity of the Philippian believers that, although Paul warned and encouraged them, he made no mention of any theological or moral problem in the church at Philippi. That also brought the apostle joy.
We find Joy in the Lord.
We find Joy in the Lord.
Where are you trying to find it?
Where are you trying to find it?
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Your faithfulness brings me Joy as well.
Your faithfulness brings me Joy as well.
Let God’s faithfulness grow, establish and fulfill your joy
Let God’s faithfulness grow, establish and fulfill your joy
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.
MacArthur, John. Philippians MacArthur New Testament Commentary (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) . Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.