The Christian’s Joy in the Lord Philippians The Christian’s Joy in the Lord

Paul’s Prison Epistles Ephesians: Wealth and Walk in Christ Philippians: The Christian’s Joy in the Lord

Background Author: Paul (1:1) Date: c. A.D. 60-63 Place of writing: Paul’s Roman prison house (1:7,12-14,17; 4:22; see Ac.28:16-31; there are 4 “prison epistles”: Eph., Phil., Col., & Phile.)

Background Recipients: The saints at Philippi (Ac.16:6-40 [c. A.D. 51]; and Ac.20:1,6; 2 Cor.2:13 [c. A.D. 54]). The epistle was delivered byEpaphroditus (2:25-30)

Background Occasion of writing: Paul used his time in prison to thank the Philippians for their recent gift (2:25-30; 4:10-18) and to encourage them to have joy in the Lord

Background Theme: The Christian’s joy in the Lord Theme: Rejoice and joy is found in the following verses: 1:4,18,25; 2:2,17,28,29; 3:1; 4:1,4,10; the noun chara is used 5 times; the verb chairein is used 9 times

Background Paul was in jail and beaten the first time he was in Philippi (Ac.16). When he writes to Philippi, he is in bonds in a house and in conflict again (Phil. 1:30). Yet, he writes of joy in the Lord! Amazing!

Outline Philippians 1-4: Joy Opening salutation (1:1-2) Joy in suffering (1:3-30) Joy in serving (2:1-30) Joy in salvation (3:1-21) Joy in satisfaction (4:1-20) Closing salutation / benediction (4:21-23)

Joy in Suffering (1:3-30) Thank God for good works (1:3-7) and for good Christians (1:8-11) Ungrateful and unthankful people can never be truly happy

Joy in Suffering (1:3-30) Focus on preaching the gospel of Christ (1:12-30) Preaching the gospel: the example of Paul (1:12-14); the example of other preachers (1:15-18); the example of Paul (1:19-26); and the example of Philippi (1:27-30)

Joy in Suffering (1:3-30) When you stop talking about the gospel, you’ll lose your happiness Joy in suffering (Mt. 5:11-12; Ac. 5:41; Heb. 10:34; 1 Pet. 4:13) Joy in suffering makes us a better person (Jas. 1:2)

Joy in Serving (2:1-30) Continue in unified, humble, sacrificial, selfless service (2:1-4) Follow the examples of service: the example of Christ (2:5-11); the example of Philippi (2:12-16); the example of Paul (2:17-18); the example of Timothy (2:19-24); and the example of Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

Joy in Serving (2:1-30) Divisive, selfish, lazy people are never really happy in life Sacrificial, serving Christians are joyous (2 Cor. 8:2)

Joy in Salvation (2:1-30) Focus on what you’ve gained spiritually in Christ (3:1-21) The spiritual salvation in Christ (3:1-11); the spiritual goals for Christ (3:12-16); and the spiritual home with Christ (3:17-21)

Joy in Salvation (2:1-30) Paul does not command “rejoicing” in this book, he commands rejoicing “in the Lord.” There is a temptation to put our joy in persons, places or things other than Christ.

Joy in Salvation (2:1-30) Earthly, fleshly, material or social things in life can never make you truly happy (see the book of Ecclesiastes) Joy in salvation (Lk. 10:20; Ac. 8:39)

Joy in Satisfaction (4:1-20) Satisfaction in standing fast in Christ (4:1) - those who have fallen away from the Lord are never truly happy Satisfaction in uniting together in Christ (4:2-3) – those who divide are never truly happy

Joy in Satisfaction (4:1-20) Satisfaction in peace in Christ (4:4-9) – those who worry (4:4-7) and who do not think right (4:8-9) are not truly happy Satisfaction in the contentment of Christ (4:10-20) – those who are discontent are never truly happy

Joy in Satisfaction (4:1-20) Joy because we possess “all things” in Christ (2 Cor. 6:10)

Joy in the Lord Joy in suffering, serving, salvation, and satisfaction “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10)