× Notes Bible Add Sermon Notes This note will be displayed at bottom of your sermon note when you save to pdf or email them Interact Jesus Church Citizens: A Study On Philippians (Part 2) June 21, 2020 View All Past Notes View This Note w/o Blanks Share Citizens: A Study On Philippians (Part 2) June 21, 2020 GUEST CHECK-IN! MEMBER CHECK-IN! 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 3rd person (they, he, them) After verse Acts 16:10 – All in 1st 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 1/3rd 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 1st 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 Give: Tithes & Offerings GUEST CHECK-IN! 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