Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Paul writes to the Philippians – Part 2 Week 6, 2/9/2014 Week 6, 2/9/2014 Gene Wright, Gene Wright,

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Paul was in Philippi around 51 or 52 A.D. Paul was in Philippi around 51 or 52 A.D. Letter written around 63 or 64 A.D. Letter written around 63 or 64 A.D. So, based upon what had happened to Paul in Philippi, what does he write back to them about? So, based upon what had happened to Paul in Philippi, what does he write back to them about? So, last week? So, last week? Joy, Generosity and Citizenship Joy, Generosity and Citizenship This week ? This week ?

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Last week? Philippians 1:27: “conversation” (KJV) “conduct” (NKJV)? Last week? Philippians 1:27: “conversation” (KJV) “conduct” (NKJV)? Politeuesthe – Greek verb, first command in book. Our word “Politics” comes from this. Politeuesthe – Greek verb, first command in book. Our word “Politics” comes from this. “Only be sure as citizens to conduct yourselves so that your manner of life will be worthy of the Gospel of Christ…” (Amplified Bible) “Only be sure as citizens to conduct yourselves so that your manner of life will be worthy of the Gospel of Christ…” (Amplified Bible) “The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (ISV) “The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (ISV) Strong’s concordance: “Live the life of a citizen” Strong’s concordance: “Live the life of a citizen” Citizenship. Earthly citizenship. Citizenship. Earthly citizenship.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Citizenship – earthly but also … ? Citizenship – earthly but also … ? Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Old word from piliteu. The inscriptions use it either for citizenship or for commonwealth. Old word from piliteu. The inscriptions use it either for citizenship or for commonwealth. Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship and found it a protection. The Philippians were also proud of their Roman citizenship. Paul was proud of his Roman citizenship and found it a protection. The Philippians were also proud of their Roman citizenship. But Christians are citizens of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36). But Christians are citizens of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36).

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 4) Citizenship - Heavenly 4) Citizenship - Heavenly Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” This world is not your home, so don’t get caught up in it! This world is not your home, so don’t get caught up in it! However, this can be taken too far, it seems to me. However, this can be taken too far, it seems to me.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 4) Citizenship - Heavenly 4) Citizenship - Heavenly Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Consider David Lipscomb. Consider David Lipscomb. In the Restoration movement in the late 1800s / early 1900s, there was a big push toward pacifism and viewing ourselves as strangers in a strange land. In the Restoration movement in the late 1800s / early 1900s, there was a big push toward pacifism and viewing ourselves as strangers in a strange land. This led to many people teaching that Christians should not vote, hold political office and have nothing to do with the powers of this world. This led to many people teaching that Christians should not vote, hold political office and have nothing to do with the powers of this world.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Citizenship - David Lipscomb. Two quotes. Citizenship - David Lipscomb. Two quotes. “All the wars and strifes between tribes, races, nations, from the beginning until now, have been the result of man's effort to govern himself and the world, rather than to submit to the government of God.” - David Lipscomb, On Civil Government p.14 “All the wars and strifes between tribes, races, nations, from the beginning until now, have been the result of man's effort to govern himself and the world, rather than to submit to the government of God.” - David Lipscomb, On Civil Government p.14 “Every one who honors and serves the human government and relies upon it, for good, more than he does upon the Divine government, worships and serves the creature more than he does the Creator. - David Lipscomb, On Civil Government p.50 “Every one who honors and serves the human government and relies upon it, for good, more than he does upon the Divine government, worships and serves the creature more than he does the Creator. - David Lipscomb, On Civil Government p.50 While there is certainly some truth to what Lipscomb taught, there are some issues here as well. While there is certainly some truth to what Lipscomb taught, there are some issues here as well.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 4) Citizenship - Heavenly 4) Citizenship - Heavenly Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” Lipscomb’s view is not consistent with Philippians 1:27 Lipscomb’s view is not consistent with Philippians 1:27 “Only be sure as citizens to conduct yourselves so that your manner of life will be worthy of the Gospel of Christ…” (Amplified Bible) “Only be sure as citizens to conduct yourselves so that your manner of life will be worthy of the Gospel of Christ…” (Amplified Bible) We must be good citizens in the here and now. Help out our neighborhoods, our city, our state, our country. People should see Christians as the first ones to respond and help. We must be good citizens in the here and now. Help out our neighborhoods, our city, our state, our country. People should see Christians as the first ones to respond and help. But we cannot forget we are just passing through. But we cannot forget we are just passing through. We have dual citizenship. We have dual citizenship.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 5) Suffering 5) Suffering Paul and Silas had been beaten publicly - improperly Paul and Silas had been beaten publicly - improperly Usually on the backside. Almost certainly torn/bleeding. Usually on the backside. Almost certainly torn/bleeding. The usual formula of command was: “Go, lictors; strip off their garments; let them be scourged.” The usual formula of command was: “Go, lictors; strip off their garments; let them be scourged.” They had been beaten publicly without the opportunity to offer a defense. They had been beaten publicly without the opportunity to offer a defense. Then the rulers wanted them to leave quietly and privately? Then the rulers wanted them to leave quietly and privately? If the citizens had learned of this impropriety, they would have turned against their own rulers. If the citizens had learned of this impropriety, they would have turned against their own rulers.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 5) Suffering 5) Suffering This had embarrassed the local authorities. This had embarrassed the local authorities. Appears the city rulers may have taken this out on the Christians who remained behind. Paul says: Appears the city rulers may have taken this out on the Christians who remained behind. Paul says: “I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.” (1:7) “I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.” (1:7) The rulers appear to have made life very difficult for those who remained behind in Philippi. The rulers appear to have made life very difficult for those who remained behind in Philippi.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 5) Suffering 5) Suffering “so that … I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries…For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me” (1:27-30) “so that … I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries…For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me” (1:27-30) Paul more explicitly confirms they were having the same problems he himself had had. He tells them… Paul more explicitly confirms they were having the same problems he himself had had. He tells them… Live as good citizens here and now, but have confidence in your heavenly citizenship – even if you are suffering now. Live as good citizens here and now, but have confidence in your heavenly citizenship – even if you are suffering now.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 6) Epaphroditus 6) Epaphroditus It seems that the Philippians had sent another gift to Paul by Epaphroditus. They sent the gift and appear to have wanted him to stay with Paul – a dangerous thing to do for someone awaiting a capital charge! It seems that the Philippians had sent another gift to Paul by Epaphroditus. They sent the gift and appear to have wanted him to stay with Paul – a dangerous thing to do for someone awaiting a capital charge! “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you” (4:18) “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you” (4:18) But Epaphroditus became ill and word got back to Philippi, causing him distress. But Epaphroditus became ill and word got back to Philippi, causing him distress. Not easy to pick up a phone to call home! Not easy to pick up a phone to call home!

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece “Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the servant to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.” (2:25,26) “Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the servant to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.” (2:25,26) Note the word choices: brother, worker, soldier and… Note the word choices: brother, worker, soldier and… Messenger = Apostolos, Apostle. Very honored. Messenger = Apostolos, Apostle. Very honored. Servant = Leitourgos, someone who out of their own pocket had contributed much to a city / state. Often used for a military servant or a servant of the someone in authority. Servant = Leitourgos, someone who out of their own pocket had contributed much to a city / state. Often used for a military servant or a servant of the someone in authority. Here, a minister / servant to Paul. Here, a minister / servant to Paul.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 6) Epaphroditus 6) Epaphroditus “for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me” (2:30) “for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me” (2:30) Word here is parabolani. A gambler’s word. It means to stake everything on a throw of the dice. Word here is parabolani. A gambler’s word. It means to stake everything on a throw of the dice. In the early church, there were groups of women whose chosen work was to visit prisoners and the sick, particularly those who were sick with dangerous and infectious diseases. In the early church, there were groups of women whose chosen work was to visit prisoners and the sick, particularly those who were sick with dangerous and infectious diseases. They were called the Parabolani. They were called the Parabolani.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 6) Epaphroditus – Parabolani 6) Epaphroditus – Parabolani They voluntarily undertook the care of the sick and the burial of the dead. They risked their own lives to take care of the sick and dying. They took care of the lepers, those infected with the plague. They voluntarily undertook the care of the sick and the burial of the dead. They risked their own lives to take care of the sick and dying. They took care of the lepers, those infected with the plague. The Parabolani loved the ones the rest of the world cast out and declared “unclean.” They did the job no one wanted to do. The Parabolani loved the ones the rest of the world cast out and declared “unclean.” They did the job no one wanted to do. They handed over their very life and well-being to show God’s unconditional love. They handed over their very life and well-being to show God’s unconditional love.

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 6) Epaphroditus – Parabolani - God’s unconditional love. 6) Epaphroditus – Parabolani - God’s unconditional love. Sometimes we don’t understand that word: unconditional. Sometimes we don’t understand that word: unconditional. It means “not withheld at all”, “unrestrained”, “at all expense”. It means “not withheld at all”, “unrestrained”, “at all expense”. God does not care about what’s wrong with you. He loves you. No questions asked. No restrictions apply. God does not care about what’s wrong with you. He loves you. No questions asked. No restrictions apply. That’s what the Parabolani were about. Love. Hope for those who had given it up. That’s what the Parabolani were about. Love. Hope for those who had given it up. Ephaphroditus was a Parabolani. He dove head first into whatever God had for him to do. Ephaphroditus was a Parabolani. He dove head first into whatever God had for him to do. What do we do? What do we do?

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece 6) Epaphroditus 6) Epaphroditus What Paul is saying is that for the sake of Jesus, Epaphroditus willingly chose to put his life at risk. What Paul is saying is that for the sake of Jesus, Epaphroditus willingly chose to put his life at risk. Paul, who is at the very door of death, is making it easy for Epaphroditus to go home – as a very honored servant of God. Paul, who is at the very door of death, is making it easy for Epaphroditus to go home – as a very honored servant of God. The church could use more Parabolani. The church could use more Parabolani. What do we put at risk for Jesus? What do we put at risk for Jesus?

Crieve Hall church of Christ Spring 2014 Following Paul in Greece Philippi appears to have remained a strong congregation. Polycarp writes to the “very ancient” church at Philippi in 140 A.D. and praises their work for the gospel. Philippi appears to have remained a strong congregation. Polycarp writes to the “very ancient” church at Philippi in 140 A.D. and praises their work for the gospel. Next week? Next week? Paul passes through Amphipolis and Apollonia. Paul passes through Amphipolis and Apollonia. Come with us. Come with us.