Exalting Jesus in Philippians

Tony Merida, Francis Chan, David Platt, Dr. Daniel L. Akin, Tony Merida, David Platt, Dr. Daniel L. Akin, Tony Merida

• Publisher: Holman Reference
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN: 9780805497588
• eBook ISBN: 9780805497595
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

Edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, this new commentary series, projected to be 48 volumes, takes a Christ- centered approach to expositing each book of the Bible.

Rather than a verse-by-verse approach, the authors have crafted chapters that explain and apply key passages in their assigned Bible books. Readers will learn to see Christ in all aspects of Scripture, and they will be encouraged by the devotional nature of each exposition.
Projected contributors to the series include notable authors such as Russell D. Moore, Al Mohler, Matt Chandler, Mark Dever, and others.
 

Philippians

Partnership and Church Planting in Philippi

Philippians 1:1-2

Main Idea: After planting the church in Philippi, Paul writes exhorting them to advance the gospel with joy in the face of opposition.

I. The Relevance of Philippians

II. The Back Story

A. Flashback: Acts 16:6-40

1. Submission to the Spirit

2. Evangelistic encounters

B. Let’s do the work of evangelism and church planting.

III. The Big Picture: Six Challenges

A. Recognize that gospel advancement will cost us, but Jesus is worth it.

B. Fight for joy in Christ.

C. Maintain the unity of the Spirit.

D. Become a “Macedonian giver.”

E. Let’s learn what gospel partnership looks like.

F. Let’s give the world a picture of the coming kingdom of God.

IV. The Beautiful Greeting (1:1-2)

A. Grace is displayed in the life of the senders of the letter: Paul and Timothy (1:1a).

B. Grace is displayed in the receivers of the letter: the Philippians (1:1b).

C. Grace is displayed in this Trinitarian blessing (1:2).

Recently our kids (the Merida children) have been reading Scripture every morning and then journaling about their verses. They typically reflect on the passage and sometimes write a prayer. Then they give their journals to their mother, who writes back to them. The other day Joshua wrote a humorous but thoughtful thank-you to his mother, saying, “Dear Mom, thank you for making breakfast. You are a good cooker. I don’t understand what this verse means. But thanks for breakfast, and for making my room look good!”—an honest and sincere thank-you note!

Have you written or received an affectionate thank-you letter lately? We’re about to read one—Paul’s thank-you letter to the church in Philippi. A guy named Epaphroditus brought a gift on behalf of the church to Paul, and Paul writes back to thank them for their support and partnership. He opens the letter, “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you” (1:3; cf. 4:14-20). He deeply loves this church. But Philippians is more than a mere thank-you letter. Paul also uses this occasion to encourage the believers to persevere together with joy in spite of opposition. Drawing on known military language of the time, Paul exhorts the Christians to advance the gospel bravely, as fellow servants of the true King, in the face of terrifying opponents. One must not miss this theme of partnership for the advance of the gospel. It’s not just an epistle of joy. It’s about fearlessly advancing the gospel with joy, working together in hardship.

Indeed, Paul’s overarching concern is with the gospel, a word that appears more in Philippians than in any other letter (per hundred words), as scholar Gordon Fee points outs (Fee, Paul’s Letter, 14, 82). Paul writes much about the glorious nature of the gospel that believers must defend and declare. He writes about the sovereignty of God in salvation, the person and work of Christ, the imputed righteousness of Jesus received by faith, sanctification, and our citizenship in heaven. He also touches on doctrines related to the kingdom, unity, generosity, and more. Perhaps you would say about this letter, like my son, “I don’t know what these verses mean.” Or perhaps you’re very familiar with this letter. In either case, I invite you to study it carefully. For this letter isn’t just a message from the ancient past (ca. AD 62). It’s the living Word of God, written by the apostle Paul. It’s only four chapters, 104 verses, and about 2½ pages in most Bibles. But there’s gold here.

The Relevance of Philippians

Just how relevant is this letter? Let me ask you some questions to demonstrate its relevance. Is it easy to be a Christian in today’s world? No. If we follow Christ, we will encounter opposition. This letter should encourage us to live for Christ courageously. Where are you going for true joy? Paul radiates a contagious joy here. Though he writes from a Roman prison, he can say, “I rejoice, so you rejoice” (paraphrasing 2:17-18). Paul reminds us that ultimate joy isn’t derived from comfortable circumstances, but from a living, vibrant communion with Christ. He doesn’t say, “Look at my house; now rejoice,” or “Look at my wife . . . my kids . . . my bank account.” No, he says, “Look at Jesus, like I am doing, and rejoice with me.” Where will you find meaning and purpose in life? Welcome to Philippians. Paul says, “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain” (1:21). Do you need deep and encouraging Christian friendships? This letter provides marvelous application for building and sustaining true community. Does your church need to grow in unity? What church doesn’t? Then read this letter. Paul loves the church at Philippi and refers to it as his “joy and crown” (4:1), but disunity exists in the body (4:2). He provides wonderful instruction for us as we seek to unite in the gospel. It isn’t hard to understand why this letter is a favorite of many Christians. Just stop and consider how many “life verses” are found in this little book:

I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (1:6)

For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. (1:21)

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. (2:12-13)

My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead. . . . Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. (3:10-11,13-14)

Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (3:20)

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (4:6-7)

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. (4:13)

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (4:19)

I didn’t even mention the amazing Christ hymn in 2:6-11! Many Christians have built their lives on these rock-solid verses in Philippians, and rightly so. Perhaps you’re new to the Bible, and you find some of this difficult to understand. I often tell my kids, “Keep reading. I didn’t say to go understand all of the Bible. I said to go read it.” Paul told Timothy, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Tim 2:7 ESV). If you don’t know what these life verses mean, you aren’t alone. Many struggle to understand the Bible, but the biblical writers teach us that God opens up our minds to understand the message of the gospel. In fact, that’s how it all got started in Philippi—God opened up the mind and heart of a lady named Lydia. Luke writes, “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul” (Acts 16:14). Our introduction to the book of Philippians is divided into three parts: (1) the back story (Acts 16:6-40); (2) the big picture (of the whole book of Philippians); and (3) the beautiful greeting (Phil 1:1-2).

The Back S...

Table of contents

• Acknowledgments
• Partnership and Church Planting in Philippi 1:1-2
• The Happiest Man in Rome 1:3-8
• Praying for Your Partners in the Gospel 1:9-11
• How to Maintain Joy in Ministry 1:12-18
• A Life Worth Living and a Death Worth Dying 1:18b-26
• Living Worthy of the Gospel Together 1:27–2:4
• A Christ-Centered Mind-set 2:5-11
• Shining Like Stars 2:12-18
• Model Servants 2:19-30
• The Glory of Knowing Christ 3:1-11
• Making Every Effort to Know Christ 3:12-21
• Shepherding a Church’s Heart 4:1-9
• Models of Giving and Receiving 4:10-23
• Works Cited