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GOD'S PROMISE FOR THE YEAR 2015

GREAT REWARD

Genesis 15:1: After these things, the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying; Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

PEACE & HEALING

Isaiah 53:5: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he wasbruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

FAITHFULNESS & STABILISATION

2.Thessalonians 3:3: But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.

Priority & PROSPERITY

OUR LORD JESUS SAID:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

 

 

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Lesson 11 The Epistle of Apostle Paul to the Philippians:

Author: Apostle Paul
Date: A. D. 61
Theme: Joy in Christ
Key words: Joy, Rejoice

1. Outline of Philippians:

Introduction 1:1-7
I. Christ, the Christian's life: Rejoicing in spite of suffering 1:8-30
II. Christ, the Christian's Pattern: Rejoicing in lowly service 2:1-30
III. Christ, object of the Christian's faith, Desire and Expectation 3:1-21
IV. Christ, the Christian's strength: Rejoicing through Anxiety 4:1-19
Conclusion 4:20-23

2. Background:

Acts 16:12-40 records the founding of the Philippian church. Paul established the church during his 2nd Missionary Journey, about A. D. 51. From its inception, the church displayed a strong missionary seal and was consistent in its support of Paul's ministry(4:15, 16;see 2.Cor.11:8, 9). Paul enjoyed a close friendship with the Philippians than with any other church.
Several times the church sent Paul financial help and contributed generously to his offering for the distressed christians in Jerusalem(cf.2.Cor.8-9). It appears that Paul visited the church twice on his third missionary journey(Acts 20:1, 3,6).

3. Purpose of Philippians:

From Prison(1:7, 13-14), most likely in Rome(Acts 28:16-31), Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian believers for four reasons:
1. To thank them for their recent generous gift of support carried to him by Epaphroditus (4:14-19) and to update them on his present circumstances,
2. To assure the congregation of the triumph of God's purpose in his imprisonment(1:12-30) ;
3.To reassure the church that their messenger(Epaphroditus) had fulfilled his charge faithfully and was not returning to them prematurely(2:25-30), and
4. To counsel them about some church concerns and to exhort them to press on to know the Lord in unity, humility, fellowship and peace.

4. Content of Philippians:

Christian joy is independent of outward conditions, and is possible even in the midst of adverse circumstances, such as suffering and persecution. Joy arises from fellowship with the risen,glorified Lord Jesus. Joy is the confidant conviction of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, based on His resurrection power. Paul attained meaning for life. " For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain"(1:21).
Joy involves eager expectation of the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This expectation was was dominant in Paul's thinking(1:6, 10; 2:16:3:20;4:5).
Paul further describes a joy that springs from fellowship in the spreading of the gospel. He thanks the Philippians for their partnership in spreading the Gospel through their missionary gifts. 4:17 says: "the fruit that abounds to your account".

5. Keys to Philippians:

# key word: To live in Christ
# key verses: Philippians 1:21;2:5;3:10, 11;4:13, 19.
# key chapter: Philippians 2

The grandeur of the truth of the NT seldem exceeds the revelation of the humanity of Jesus Christ when He left Heaven to become a servant of man. Our Lord Jesus Christ is clearly the Christian's example, and Apostle Paul encourages:" Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus"(Philippians 2:5).

6. Survey of Philippians

Philippians is the epistle of joy and encouragement. Apostle Paul expresses his fond affections for the Philippians. Philippians focuses on Paul's account of his present circumstances(1), Paul's appeal to have the mind of Christ(2), Paul's appeal to have the knowledge of Christ(3) ;Paul's appeal to have the peace of Christ(4).

From Salutation(1:1) to Benediction(4:23), the the letter focuses on Christ Jesus as the purpose for living and believer's hope for eternal life.

Within this letter, Paul does address three minor problems at Philippi:
(1) their discouragement over his prolonged imprisonment(1:12-26),
(2) small seeds of disunity between two women in the church (4:2, cf. 2:2-4) ; and
(3) the ever present threat in the church of disloyalty because of Judaizers and the earthly minded(ch.3).

In connection with these potential problems, we have Paul's richest teaching about:
(1) Joy in the midst of all life's circumstances (e.g.1:4, 12;2:17, 18;4:4, 11-13).
(2) Christian humility and servanthood(2:1-18) ;and
(3) the surpassing value of knowing Christ(ch.3).

7. Special Features:

Five major features characterize this letter:
(1) It is highly personal and affectionate, reflecting Paul's close relationship with the Philippian believers;
(2) It is highly Christo centric, reflecting Paul's close relationship with Christ(e.g.1:21;3:7-14).
(3) It contains one of the most profound Christological statements in the Bible(2:5-12) ;
(4) It is pre eminently the NT "letter of joy";
(5) It presents an especially vigorous standard of the christian life, including living in humility and as a servant(2:1-8), pressing earnestly toward the goal(3:13-14), rejoicing in the Lord always(4:4), experiencing freedom from anxiety(4:6), being content in all circumstances(4:11) and doing all things through Christ's enabling grace(4:13).

8. Christ Revealed:

According to Philippians, Jesus Christ is the sum and substance of life. The believers should have the mind of Christ. Apostle Paul describes the attitude of Jesus Christ that moved Him to renounce the glory of Heaven and suffer and die for our salvation(2:5-11). Paul presents the most concise statement in the NT concerning the pre existence, the incarnation, and the exaltation of Jesus Christ. Both the deity and humanity of Christ are stressed.
" Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father(Philippians 2:5-11).

9. The Holy Spirit at work

The Holy Spirit's work in three areas is mentioned in the letter. First, Paul declare that the Spirit of Jesus Christ will direct the accomplishment of God's purpose in his own experience(1:19).

The Holy Spirit also promotes unity and fellowship in the body of Christ(2:1). Fellowship in the Spirit. Common participation in Him breeds singleness of purpose and maintains community of love.

The Holy Spirit inspires and directs worship of true believers. We worship God in the Spirit(3:3).

10. Reading Philippians:

The Book of Philippians should be read in 2 days, according to the following scedule:
# 1:1-2:30 # 3:1-4:23.

11. Memory verses:

# Philippians 1:6, 21
# Philippians 2:5
# Philippians 3:10, 11
# Philippians 4:6, 7,13,19.

12. Review Questions:

1. Write the following memory verses from your heart: Philippians 1:6, 21;2:5;3:10;4:19.
2. What are the five major features of the Book of Philippians?
3. Explain the Survey of Philippians.
4. Explain the Christ of Philippians.
5. Explain the purposes of Paul's writing to the Philippians.

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