THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11
Continual reluctance to start a study in Philippians/
Missions conference in Costa Rica
Nothing new!! So much that we’ve all heard before!
But always a significant reminder of fundamental lessons we need to keep in mind.
A matter of perspective!
The church at Philippi was started by Paul on the Second Missionary Journey.
It was the first church established in Macedonia following Paul’s vision to go help them.
From the beginning the churches in that region suffered persecution on account of their faith.
In the midst of that persecution, the Philippian church became, in many ways . . .
THE IDEAL CHURCH!
They are doctrinally sound –since no corrections are included.
The suffering they have endured for their faith has caused them to understand the truth of the gospel.
When the church suffers because of what it stands for, it usually understands what it stands for!
They are generous.
They gave to support Paul (4:15; 2 Cor. 11:8-9)
They gave to help other brethren in need-way beyond their ability (2 Cor. 8:1-5).
They are suffering–but they are standing firm in the midst of the affliction.
Paul praises them for these positive characteristics.
TWO PROBLEMS are revealed in the letter.
They are discouraged. (DEPRESSION)
Times are hard.
They are suffering.
Their leader is in jail.
Their messenger to Paul is sick.
Everything seems to be going wrong.
They are divided.
There is a personal conflict between two women in the church (others seem to have taken sides!)
The larger problem of Judaistic divisions, between Judaizers and Gentiles, are evident here as in other places Paul ministered.
DISCOURAGEMENT LEADS TO DIVISION!
It’s a circle. They build on each other. It works both ways!
PURPOSE AND THEME
The two problems indicate the two major purposes of the letter:
1. Paul wants to encourage them in the midst of their affliction. Therefore he writes concerning joy.
2. Paul wants to resolve the conflicts between the brethren.
Therefore he emphasizes unity.
The content follows the format of a personal letter:
Paul’s Greeting 1:1-2
Paul’s Prayer for them 1:3-11 –A model to follow in our prayers for one another
His Thanksgiving 1:3-8
Causes for an attitude of gratitude.
When he remembers them he thanks God for the memories he has of them and for the fellowship they have enjoyed together. (1:3-5)
Paul takes a look at them and rejoices- ==> ENCOURAGEMENT
He praises God for what He has done in their lives.
Bob Hope–“Thanks for the Memories”
1. Thanks for the memories. 1:3-4
As Paul remembers their past, he is filled with joy.
He wants them to know that
because at the moment they are filled with all kinds of pessimistic thoughts.
They are ANYTHING but joyful!
In the midst of their suffering, while he’s in chains in a jail cell, he’s still filled with joy, when he thinks of them.
He doesn’t think back to the cold jail cell he was thrown into there, and mourn the hard times.
He remembers what God did there!
It makes it all worthwhile!
Every memory of them brings Paul joy.
There’s plenty to be grateful for!
2. Thanks for their fellowship. 1:5
3. Thanks for God's continuing work in them. 1:6
He praises God because he is certain that God is going to continue the work in them that He has obviously begun.
He looks at what God has already done and he’s grateful.
He’s especially grateful to know that God isn’t finished with them yet–nor with us!
4. Thanks for his love for them. 1:7-8
His love for them isn’t conditional.
It isn’t based on the fact that they have arrived at perfection.
Paul loves them because of what God has already done in them.
They haven’t arrived yet! –But God is at work in them.
His Petition: That their love might grow 1:9-11
His prayer for them: that the love which they already have might grow greater. ==> UNITY1:9
Rather than sitting around, complaining about what they lack.
He praises them for what they have.
He prays that God will work in them to cause that love to grow.
Do WE spend as much time praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ,
as we do complaining about their shortcomings?
As our love grows, we will have knowledge and discernment to know how to demonstrate that love to one another
Spiritual “exercise” leads to the development of habits of holiness(Heb. 5:10-12)
The love Paul wants to see develop in us will be evident by its combination with knowledge and mature understanding (discernment/wisdom).
We grow in our knowledge of new ways to demonstrate love.
As our love grows, we will learn to discern what is best. 1:10a
This will enable us to determine what is most important in life.
As our love grows, we learn to distinguish between what’s good and what’s best.
Guess what’s best? It’s ALWAYS a response of love!
With experience in demonstrating love, we learn to discern the best way to show that love in each situation we face.
Paul prays that we’ll learn to sense the appropriate response.
As our love grows, we will live pure and blameless lives. 1:10b
Sincere, blameless lives are the outgrowth of appropriate relationships.
Those relationships develop as our love for one another grows.
As our love grows, it will become apparent that God is at work in us 1:11
Cause of its development in us: God’s work in us!
Such a demonstration of love can only come as the result of God's work in us to produce His own character.
It’s a fruit of what God is doing in us.
The righteousness isn’t ours.
It’s not based on our works.
It’s the result of what GOD is doing in us.
Therefore, HE gets all the glory!
SO HOW SHOULD WE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER?
WHAT SHOULD WE BE THANKFUL FOR?
For the memories that we have to look back on as we consider our relationships with one another.
For our partnership in serving God together.
For God’s continuing work in the lives of those we love.
NOT for perfection! None of us have arrived yet.
But for the assurance that God will keep up the work and finish what He started!
For the love relationships God has given us with one another.
WHAT SHOULD WE ASK GOD TO DO IN EACH OTHER’S LIVES?
That God might give us a growing love for one another . . .
That we might learn how to apply that love in our relationships with one another.
That we might discern what’s really important in life–our relationships with one another.
That we might live sincere, blameless lives–especially in our relationships with one another.
That it will be obvious to people watching us that God is at work in us.
PRAYER:
We ought to pray this for ourselves.
Pick a friend—Pray this for others.
Pray this for our church family.