Citizens: A Study On Philippians (Part 2)

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Citizens: A Study on Philippians 

(Part 2)

Review

• If you weren’t hear last week… please check out Part 1 here (https://youtu.be/xGRlG0-xjhQ)
  • We did an overview of the Book
  • The significance of what Paul says and how he says it
  • And looked at the THESIS of the entire letter in verses 27-30
• And the main point is getting across to this church and to you and I
  • Paul has called us to be
  • And where to all of Rome that had to be Caesar
  • As believers… it has to be Jesus
• Jesus has to be KING of our lives – And not just in our mind
  • Because when Jesus is given the place of authority
  • Regardless of the darkness you face
  • You will find joy that won’t let you down

Today: Going to cover all of Verse 1

Phil. 1:1-6

Paul starts by talking about a “First day”

• Meaning Paul and this church have a history – They go way back
  • And there was a first day when God started a
  • And according to Paul… that work is still going on
• Now keep in mind that Philippians was a real life letter
  • And lets say you were to stumble across a letter in a bottle
  • What is the first thing you want to know…
    • Who is the writer
    • Why did she write this letter
    • How was it found and what is that reader like
  • Before you do into the meaning/phrasing/imagry
    • First you would answer some basic questions

That being said… We know Philippians is a letter

• And before we can really jump in next week
  • Need to understand not only Paul/Rome/Gospel (last week)
  • But Paul’s relationship with the church at Philippi

For that we need to go to Acts

(Stick with me for a few minutes… I promise there’s a payoff)

Story starts with Saul who hates Christians and loves to kill them

• Saul has a radical encounter with Jesus
  • Turned into a missionary, evangelist, miracle worker (Acts 9)
  • Paul is sent on a mission to tell the WORLD that Jesus is Lord
  • Map of Paul’s Journey

Acts 16:6-7 

• So Spirit of Jesus actually stops them…. what does that look like
  • Was it a physical barrier
  • Was it a feeling or a text message
  • Was there an angel w/ a flaming sword (I think I need that one)
• But somehow God says… “nope wrong way”

Acts 16:8-10

Reading this makes me feel much better about my thick headedness

• Because this is Paul… writer of half the New Testament
  • He keeps making decisions
  • And he keeps finding out he’s wrong
• I don’t know about you… but when I am doing something 4 God
  • I except it to be the right move on the first try (I prayed)
  • And if it isn’t… it’s pretty deflating
• But look at Paul
  • Lets go Asia minor… nope
  • Lets go to Phrygia… guess not
  • Okay… maybe its supposed to be Bithynia
  • Dang… it’s gotta be Troas… good we are finally hear
  • And then comes the dream… lets go to Macedonia
• Do you ever feel like that… What am I supposed to do
  • Hit so many … well so did Paul
  • Which means keep your head up because its OK

But look at what happens thru his ping pong journey (easy 2 miss)

• Acts is written by physician named Luke… but it’s the story Paul
  • The language in Act 1-16:10 – all in 3^rd person (they, he, them)
  • After verse Acts 16:10 – All in 1^st person (we)
• Which means in all of Paul’s being told “NO” or “THAT’S NOT IT”
  • Paul runs into Luke in Troas
  • If this didn’t happen… we wouldn’t have Acts
• Its amazing how we can have … missed opportunities
  • But in the end you can look back and see how God worked
  • That even though I might have been a knuckle head
  • AND will work thru MY bad decisions for good

Acts 16:12-13

• Paul skips Neapolis and goes straight to Philippi
  • Because it is Roman colony and leading city in the area
  • This was what Paul’s goal was… to go to the leading cities
  • Because culture is created in influential city’s like Phoenix
• Over next couple verses we find out who starts the church w/ Paul
  • First is a wealthy business woman named Lydia
  • Second there is a demon possessed slave girl
  • Third is a roman prison guard
• So wealthy woman/former possessed slave girl & suicidal guard

But the church should look this diverse

• The church shouldn’t just look like you… or me…
  • It shouldn’t be one color
  • It shouldn’t be one political party
  • It shouldn’t be one age group
• And if that’s hard 4 u to wrap your head around… look at disciples
  • Jesus picked for the 12 that would bring the gospel to the world
  • Everything from Zealots to people working for Roman
  • They come from all walks of life…
• And of course they all wanted Jesus to take a side…
  • Roman Occupation
  • Jewish Revolt
  • Interpret the law like a Pharasee or Saducee
• And every time people tried to get Jesus to take a stance
  • It was: Give Caesar what is Caesar’s and God what is Gods
  • When will you overthrow Rome…
    • Not the point… but go tell people about the Gospel (H.S.)

But this is the makeup of one of the earliest

• And with all that in mind lets go back to Philippians on more time
  • Fast forward 10 years – Paul is in prison… probably in Rome
  • And He has a GREAT relationship with this church
• Roman prisoners didn’t get food/clothing/anything
  • Philippians send him money (800 mile journey)
  • Really saves Paul’s life – Paul sends back a letter
    • Partially to thank them…
    • But more to encourage the Philippians
• They are starting to face persecution and suffering like Paul
  • They’ve become enemies of the state (Jesus is Lord not Caesar)
  • Paul wants them to know “God is not done”… he will be faithful

So this is how Paul opens…

Phil. 1:1

Paul and Timothy – Timothy isn’t a co-author

• He is a son in the faith… probably also is Paul’s scribe
  • But Timothy was there way back when they started the church
• Then Paul calls himself a (Greek: Doulos)
  • Actual word really doesn’t mean servant… bond-servant/slave
    • 1/3^rd of empire were slaves
    • Not subhuman… but were the property of someone else
  • Paul saying: In the midst of the freedom that I have in my King
    • I have given my life to my King and His cause
    • And I could never consider leaving His service

And the king Paul has given his life to is… Christ Jesus

• Contrary to popular thought Christ isn’t Jesus’ last name
  • Christ doesn’t mean divine one… or Son of God
  • Christ comes from the Hebrew word for Messiah
• When Paul says Christos – the emphasis isn’t that He is God (true)
  • Problem: That’s the only thing most of us care about
  • It doesn’t matter where he came from… history… storyline
  • As long as he dies on the cross… he could be from Mars
• But that is not what God wants for you to limit ur understanding to
  • Jesus has a history… and it reflects the fulness of God
    • To Jews: Jesus is the Prophesied King of Israel… not Herod
    • To Rest: Jesus is Savior of the world… not Nero or Julius
  • And this comes out of Paul with every breath he takes
    • And it is changing the world around him
    • No wonder he’s in chains and the want him dead

To all Gods holy People (Saints… you need to hear today – ur a saint)

• That phrase is one word in the Greek: Hagios 

Ex. 19:3-6

• But Paul says this to a church made up of mostly Gentiles
  • In Philippi there’s no synagogue… only needed 12 men for that
  • So these people are not Jewish for the most part
    • But Paul says “You are Israel”
    • You are “The people of God”
• When u accept Jesus…. You step into the legacy of God’s people
  • And God’s been saving the world 4 awhile…
  • And the crazy thing is that God does it through people
    • First through Abraham… Jacob… and now thru
• You are Holy… set apart for God’s special purposes in the world
  • You’re not just a random number saved into a heaven vacuum
  • No… you are special and unique – Made by God for a purpose

How am I holy: Next line

B/C you are In Christ Jesus

• And this whole thing only works “In Christ Jesus”
  • This is one of Paul favorite ways to talk about you and me
  • He uses that phrase 86 times in his letters
• That phrase is really full of Theology – Idea of a Union
  • Meaning when you are saved… you are made one with Jesus

Rom. 6:3-5

So what is true of Jesus… is also true of you as well

• Jesus died and came back from the dead
  • And Spiritually you and I came back from the dead in Him
  • And one day we will be resurrected into a new reality w/ Him
• And Jesus is the Son of God
  • You we are sons & daughters of God by adoption in the family
  • And because Jesus is Holy… we are too

Col. 3:1-3

• You died and now is hidden… and you’re with Jesus in God
  • Where we get the idea: When God looks at you, he sees Jesus
  • Doesn’t see your problems… issues
  • Because you are in union with your King

At Philippi TOGETHER with the overseers and deacons

• This is the only letter that says together with…
  • Because the Gap between rich & poor was huge in the Empire
  • Lydia and Slave girl as equals – that was unheard of
  • But it is such a beautiful reflection of the Kingdom of God
• And it all starts w/ a woman & a slave and a parole officer
  • 10 years later it’s a full blown church
  • Almost like God had a plan

2 Things

Looking at how this makes us

1: Lets look at this idea of being a bond servants…

• Paul opens: I am a bound to serving King Jesus (slave)
  • I don’t know about you… I don’t want to give up my rights
  • Q: How do u see ur relationship 2 Jesus (Tons of metaphors)
    • Son/Daughter to Father
    • Bride to a groom (weird to guys)
    • Disciple to Rabbi
    • Slave to Master
  • Because we emphasize the ones we like – Ignore rest
    • Jesus take the wheel… but I get to stay in the seat
    • We want Jesus to be a life coach, not master
• But to Jesus… it’s in giving up ur rights that you find freedom
  • There’s a difference b/w worlds freedom & Jesus’ freedom
    • Worlds freedom: to do what you want to do
    • Jesus’ freedom: to do what you have to do
      • And there is a GIGANTIC difference

Western freedom used to be the ability to choose good/true/beautiful

• But an idea started taking root in 60’s 
  • Freedom mutated… Do what u want w/ no fear of consequence
  • No one saying stop and “judging you”
• To Jesus THAT IS slavery… it’s a sub human way to live
  • Why: Because it is less than what you were created to do & be
    • Where you are ruled not by what is true and beautiful
    • Ruled by Lust and Addictions… cravings become ur master
• To Jesus – Freedom is found when He’s the master
  • Not just a life coach, vending machine, emotional experience
  • So… Where are you at with Jesus
  • B/C if you want freedom… you have to give up your freedom

Jesus will b involved in ur life 2 the degree u give him authority in ur life

• It’s at that point Jesus jumps in… makes a difference… change you
  • The more place you give to Him
  • The more he can look into your life and write your story
  • And the more amazed you will be at who God is
• I think one of the biggest questions we ask as humans 
  • How do you know the WILL OF GOD
  • The most important part isn’t… peace/prophecy/community
    • Most important… Live from
    • God I am yours and I give u the rights to my freedom
• And I have no clue what it looks like… but whatever it is – its yours
  • You might get a vision from a man in masedonia
  • Might sit next to a woman in a park named Lydia
    • But it’s God at work… living by giving up your rights
    • Living as a bond-servant

2: Is this idea of vision and how it plays out in ur life

Story starts with vision – man from Macedonia

• 10 years later that vision turns into reality – Full on church
  • But vision is a strange thing
  • Vision is always longer/harder/different & better than u think
• … it takes times (10 years in this story)
  • For months Paul just goes to pray at the river every Sunday
    • Vision can take a long time
    • Larger the vision, longer it takes to happen
  • Time between conception to birth is brutal – Long 9 months
    • And maybe ur there right now
    • Asking “Where is God in all this”… “thought God said this”
    • Be faithful, don’t give up, wait, trust, pray
• … Paul shows up and is beaten up & thrown in prison
  • “Hey that part wasn’t in the vision”
    • But I think a lot of time our visions are romanticized
      • If I could just get married… marriage is pretty hard
      • If I could just have kids… that’s funny
      • If I could just get a promotion… 80 hours a week
  • The reality of the vision is almost always harder
    • If you aren’t there – It’s okay to look forward and hope
    • But that will not fix your problems and make you happy
    • Live where you are and enjoy the world God has you in
• than expected… A vision of a man in Macedonia
  • Was actually a woman hanging out down by the river 
    • B/C we interpret what we see/hear God saying
    • When God puts something on your heart…
    • A lot of the time it’s a sign posts pointing to the fog
  • Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape
    • And there’s a ton of truth in that
    • Have to just be open to God…
• But the good news is… it will always be  
  • Paul sees a man – turns out to be a full on church
  • One of the healthiest churches we find in 1^st century
    • A church that would save his life

And its better because once thru the Harder/Longer/Unexpected

• It’s no longer about you…

Give God ur here and now

• You can’t give ur future to God b/c you don’t live in the future
  • You can promise him your future… But you can give him today
  • Make him the Master and you become the servant
  • And trust Him even though it doesn’t make sense

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