1. A LETTER TO A DISGRUNTLED CHURCH
PHILIPPIANS

2. BACKGROUND Church established on 2nd MJ (Acts 16)
Paul, Silas, & Timothy intended to go further northward into Asia, but were “forbidden by the Spirit”
Summoned to N. Greece by a vision of “a man of Macedonia”
Earliest converts in Philippi:
*Lydia & her household
*Jailer & family

3. WHERE WAS PAUL? In prison – but where? (1:7, 12-18)
Numerous possibilities, but Rome seems most likely (Acts 28)
*Reference to the “imperial guard” (1:13)
*Reference to “Caesar’s household” (4:22)
If so, written in A.D

4. PURPOSES
To encourage the church in face of intimidation by opponents (1:27-30, 3:1-3)
To counter the effects of the teachings of “Judaizers” (3:2-11)
To address the problem of disunity in the church (probably aggravated by false teachings; also, a dispute between 2 women (4:2-3)

5. SOLUTION TO DISUNITY: Follow the best examples of selfless behavior:
Paul (1:12-26)
Timothy (2:29-24)
Epaphroditus (2:25-30)
Jesus (2:1-11)

6. WORDS OF BEAUTY & POWER
“For me to ______ is Christ, & to die is ______.” “Have this ______ among yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus ” “Whatever gain I had, I counted as _____ for the sake of Christ.” “________ in the Lord always. Again I will say, _________!” “___________ on these things.” “I can do ____ things through Him who ____________ me.”

7. LESSONS FOR TODAY:
There are always plenty of ______ examples. We should follow only the ____________ ones.
The ______________ provides the pattern for how we should relate to one another.
The only ______________ worth having is what comes from God, not our ________.
How we choose to _________ about one another affects both our attitudes & our behavior.
________ is a decision.