Philippians For Times Like These #2 – Letter To A Thriving Church

The Start Of A Great Church Paul wrote the letter to a thriving church The church at Philippi was begun by Paul and his traveling companions We can learn much in the Bible about how this church became so vital in the first century.

How the Philippian church began Acts 16:8-9 – “…passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Paul went immediately.

The Importance of philippi Acts 16:12 – “…and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days.” Leading city: site where Mark Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius, who had assassinated Julius Caesar.

A Roman colony When Octavian then defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra, he assumed the title Caesar Augustus. Made Philippi a colony/soldier outpost. Gave them the right of ius italicum – the right for citizens to own land and file civil lawsuits.

Important Location 10 miles from the seaport of Neapolis Located on the Egnatian Way, a major land route connecting the Adriatic and Aegean seas. Travel from Asia Minor to Rome. Urban center – Roman and Greek.

Important For Commerce Gold deposits yielding 1,000 talents per year. Location of a famed school of medicine has been cited by many, but [Keith] has not yet located source material for that claim.

Paul’s companions Second Missionary Journey Silas – Acts 15:39-40 After disagreement between Barnabas and Paul they go different directions and Paul takes Silas (Silvanus)

Paul’s Companions Timothy Acts 16:1-3 – “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple there, named Timothy…and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him….”

Paul’s Companions Luke Acts 16:10 – “When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” First of the WE passages in Acts

The First Converts In Philippi Acts 16:14-15 – “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira…a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul…and when she and her household had been baptized….”

The Philippian jailor Acts 16:27-34 Paul and Silas imprisoned Placed in stocks and singing hymns. Earthquake frees them but they stay “They said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household’…and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.”

Saints with biblical leadership From those two households the Philippian church began. By the time of the epistle, they were well established with “overseers and deacons” (vs. 1). 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1

Paul and Timothy As Servants DOULOS – slaves, bond servants One of few epistles where Paul does not assert his apostleship Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves….”

The Saints 1 Peter 2:9 (meaning) – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

A Church with a mission Philippians 4:15-16 --You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. A SENDING church

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 “…we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia…[in] their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of the liberality…..but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. A benevolent church

Philippians 4:10, 14 “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity….Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.” A caring church

Do We Have A Mission? Why does the church at Southside exist? What is our vision? What is our direction? How do we best serve the Lord? Grace and peace to them … and to us as well.