Thanksgiving For the Sake of the Gospel
For the Sake of the Gospel • Sermon • Submitted
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Thanksgiving For the Sake of the Gospel
Thanksgiving For the Sake of the Gospel
Philippians 1:1-11
Philippians 1:1-11
April 19, 2020
April 19, 2020
Hopewell Baptist Church
Hopewell Baptist Church
New Sermon Series going through Philippians – “For the Sake of the Gospel”
At least the next seven weeks, maybe longer, depending on how things going with the “stay at home” order, allowing people to meet again, and everyone’s comfort level with doing so. Though I am praying fervently that we can meet together again sooner than later!
Today, we are going to be looking at Philippians 1:1-11 and…
Big Idea: For the sake of the Gospel, we must be thankful for the ways in which God works in our lives.
Philippians 1:1-11
Pray
I. Background on Philippians – Philippians 1:1-2
a. v.1 – Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi with the overseers and deacons;
i. Written by Paul, with Timothy serving as his “secretary”, transcribing the letter
ii. Paul is most likely writing this letter from Rome, where he is imprisoned, and can receive regular updates (And visitors) from Philippi (and other churches).
iii. “Servants” – Greek word doulos, which means “slave”
1. Here, Paul refers to himself and Timothy as “slaves” of Christ Jesus, legally owned by and bound to Jesus Christ.
iv. The Recipients: Saints, Overseers, and Deacons at Philippi
1. Saints – The believers. All believers in Christ are saints
2. Overseers – Pastors/Elders (same thing). These are the ones tasked with the Spiritual oversight of the saints at the church in Philippi
3. Deacons – Greek diakonos, meaning servant. These are the servants of the church, i.e. the one’s tasked with the practical service: widows, orphans, etc.
b. v.2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
i. Here, in v.1-2, we see a traditional Greco-Roman greeting for a letter. However, Paul gives his own flare to it, in that everything he touches, in some way, Paul points it to the Gospel!
1. He wishes them Grace
2. He prays for peace from God and Jesus for them.
3. Always giving things he does which are normal things in that time period a distinct Christian flare.
II. Thanksgiving for the Partnership in the Gospel – Philippians 1:3-8
a. v.3-4 – I thank God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making prayer with joy
i. Paul is very thankful for the church in Philippi, so much to the point that he praised God every time he thinks of Philippi.
ii. Paul finds great pleasure in praying for the saints, overseers, and deacons (all the believers, really) in Philippi.
iii. Paul is also thankful for the opportunity to pray for them!
iv. Paul prays with joy because not only does prayer bring him joy, but the church in Philippi does so as well.
b. v.5 – because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
i. This verse is the reason behind verses 3-5
ii. Your (Philippi) partnership in the gospel
1. Twofold partnership: 1. Helping Provide for Paul, and 2. Their continued living out the gospel in their lives…
iii. They have manifested this partnership since the very beginning, when Paul most likely helped plant this church, so it began then.
1. “from the first day until now.” Gives a sense of the church’s immediate response to the gospel to give and do so sacrificially.
c. v.6 – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in your will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
i. The life of a believer from salvation to resurrection:
1. Began a good work – Salvation
2. a good work in you will – Sanctification
3. bring it to completion – Glorification
4. at the day of Jesus Christ – the Resurrection (Jesus’ return).
ii. Doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints
1. The saints will persevere unto salvation. Romans 8:38-39, no one
2. God will never let one of His sheep fall. We will fail, we will sin, we will fall down, but never be out.
3. Paul is so sure of this for the Philippians!
a. That they are true believers who will all persevere to the end!
d. v.7 – It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
i. This shows that Paul was imprisoned when he wrote this letter
ii. Paul was greatly encouraged not only by the partnership in the Gospel (“defense and confirmation of the gospel”), but also in their support of him while he was imprisoned.
iii. The Philippians are very gracious towards him, both in ministry and provision.
e. v.8 – For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus
i. “For God is my witness” - Paul finishes this stretch of thanksgiving with an oath of his love to the church in Philippi
ii. Paul yearns for them with deep, great affection– this goes back to v.3-4 and how we see Paul says he gives thanks to God for them every time he thinks about them.
iii. Paul truly, greatly, deeply loves the saints at Philippi.
III. Prayer for continued fruitfulness in living the Gospel – Philippians 1:9-11
a. Here is the beginning of Paul’s prayer, or petition to God.
b. We must remember that God is thankful to be able to pray for the church in Philippi! (v.3-4)
c. v.9 – And it is my prayer that your love may about more and more, with knowledge and discernment
i. Prayer for: abounding love – That this love emulates God’s love for His people
1. A love of God and a love of one another (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37-40).
ii. Pray for: knowledge and discernment
1. An ever-increasing knowledge of God, His will, and moral insight.
i. All things needed to walk worthy of the gospel
2. To what end? – v.10
d. v.10 – so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
i. Paul prays for wisdom and discernment that we may be ready for when Jesus comes back
ii. “approve what is excellent” – i.e. be able to recognize and know what is good and what is not. What would edify and what, despite how good it may look or sound, would tear us down.
iii. “be pure and blameless” – that they are pure, without mixed motives, when they stand before Judge Jesus.
e. v.11 – filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ
i. the “fruit of righteousness” is the life we live through Jesus Christ.
1. Through Jesus, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God.
2. We bear fruit as a result of salvation – good works, etc., flow out of the Christian as a result of their salvation.
IV. All to the glory and praise of God – Philippians 1:11
a. v.11 – “to the glory and praise of God”
i. As it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
ii. Paul gives this thanksgiving and petition of prayer to God all to God’s Glory
iii. The church in Philippi is partnered with Paul in the Gospel all to the glory and praise of God.
V. Application – I have a wonderful children’s book that I love reading to the kids called “Scarlett’s Spectacles”, about this young girl named Scarlett. She wakes up and is constantly wearing her “grumbly” glasses, constantly upset about what she does not have. Until one day, she puts on her “glad” glasses, and she realizes that being grateful for what she has/gets is so much more rewarding and fulfilling. Scarlett, by the end of the book, is reminiscent of Paul, who, imprisoned, knowing he’s going to die soon, in failing health, having to have someone else transcribe his works, with so many reasons to be grumpy…yet Paul is still finding all the things to be grateful for…all For the Sake of the Gospel!
a. So for the sake of the Gospel…We must be thankful for what we have/what we get – next time you go to complain about something, take a moment to remember what you can be thankful about regarding it
i. Thankful for the church – Despite not being able to meet as we want to, God has given us the ability to still do so (internet, videoconferencing, phone calls, letters, etc.)
ii. Thankful for our families – more time together, meaningful memories, etc.
iii. Thankful as individuals – In this time we are forced to self-examine ourselves more, and we must praise Him for that, as we learn more about who God made us to be.
iv. We must be thankful for what God has provided for us: Everything!
1. Salvation
2. Provision (God is our provider)
3. Protection
v. When people see us being more thankful (which will turn into grateful), they will see that in us and realize something is different, they will realize that we are set apart in some way, opening up the door for a possible Gospel conversation.
b. And, just like Paul was thankful to be able to pray for the Philippians, we must be thankful for the amazing privilege of prayer! That we get to pray to the Creator of EVERYTHING and know that He hears our prayers!
i. The privilege of petitioning God for:
1. Ourselves
2. Our loved ones
3. Our church family, etc.
VI. Invitation
a. Repent and Believe
b. Be Baptized
c. Surrender to the call of ministry