N EW T ESTAMENT C HURCH T HE C HURCH AT P HILIPPI

I NTRODUCTION An important city of Macedonia, commercially, politically, and historically. Philip of Macedonia, Alexander the Great, great Grecian philosophers made history in this city. Much history and progress and spread of Christianity centers around the Philippian church. First to be planted on the continent of Europe.

I TS E STABLISHMENT Events leading up to it Paul’s 2 nd tour – Acts 15:36 “ Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”

I TS E STABLISHMENT Events leading up to it Visited churches established on the 1 st tour – Acts 16:5 “And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.”

I TS E STABLISHMENT Events leading up to it Spirit intervenes and prevents Paul from turning aside unto Asia— journeys to Troas. – Acts 16:6-8 “ After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.”

I TS E STABLISHMENT Events leading up to it Macedonian Vision and Call. God leading him to the continent of Europe – Acts 16:9,10 “ And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. ”

I TS E STABLISHMENT Events leading up to it Goes to Philippi and searches out Jewish place of worship. – Acts 16:11-13 “ And from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. ”

I TS E STABLISHMENT The Philippian church begins with the conversion of Lydia at a prayer meeting of Jewish women. – Acts 16:14 “ Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”

I TS E STABLISHMENT Paul preached Lydia heard Heart open to give heed. She was baptized – Acts 16:15 “ And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ So she persuaded us. ”

I TS E STABLISHMENT The jailer converted Inquired by earthquake Paul preached Jailor believed and baptized – Acts 16:25-34 “ And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. ”

I TS C HARACTER Such as to make Paul continually thankful to God whenever he thought of them – Philippians 1:3,4 “ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy. ”

I TS C HARACTER A liberal church Gave liberally to the poor – 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 “… grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. ”

I TS C HARACTER A liberal church Consistent in their support of Paul’s preaching – Philippians 4:10-20 “Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. ”

I TS C HARACTER A liberal church Gave of their own accord – 2 Corinthians 8:3,4 “For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. ”

I TS C HARACTER A missionary church Fellowshipped in spreading the gospel – Philippians 1:5 “ For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. ”

I TS C HARACTER Steadfast in service – Philippians 1:7 “Just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because 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. ”

I TS C HARACTER Zealous and diligent Did not wait for a large congregation and things of this life to begin to help! – Philippians 1:3,4 “ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy. ”

I TS C HARACTER Growing in faith and standing fast. Paul confident of their character! – Philippians 1:6, “And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. ”

I TS C HARACTER Consecrated. Others first! – 2 Corinthians 8:5 “ And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. ”

I TS C HARACTER Duly organized. Followed pattern! – Philippians 1:1 “ Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. ”

I TS C HARACTER Strong ties of brotherly love and devotion. Epaphroditus to Rome! – Philippians 2:25 “ Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need. ”

I TS C HARACTER Strong ties of brotherly love and devotion. Longed for them and receive him on return with joy! – Philippians 2:28,29 “Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem. ”

I TS C HARACTER Strong ties of brotherly love and devotion. Paul’s personal attitude toward them! – Philippians 1:8; 4:1 “For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ…Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. ”

I TS C HARACTER A happy church joyful church. Rejoice and joy dominant tone of the Philippians epistle. – Philippians 4:4,5 “ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. ”

P AUL E NJOINS Prayer for them. – Philippians 1:9-11 “ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. ”

P AUL E NJOINS Manner of life worthy of the gospel. – Philippians 1:27,28 “ Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, 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, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. ”

P AUL E NJOINS Unity and humility. – Philippians 2:1-11 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. ”

P AUL E NJOINS Work out own salvation— holding forth word of life. – Philippians 2:12-16 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

P AUL E NJOINS Glory in Christ and have no confidence in the flesh. – Philippians 3:3 “ For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

P AUL E NJOINS Be of the same mind in the Lord. – Philippians 4:2 “ I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.”

P AUL E NJOINS In nothing be anxious. – Philippians 4:6 “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

P AUL E NJOINS Think on these things. – Philippians 4:8,9 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.”