Outline - Chapter 1
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To all God’s holy people (saint's) in Christ
Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deaconsa :
How does Paul introduce himself?
o slaves of Christ Jesus.
o servants of Christ Jesus
o bondmen of Jesus Christ
o bond-servants of
Christ Jesus
1. What is a bondservant?
-A bondservant is devoted to another to the
disregard of one's own interests.
-disregarding your
own desires and will in all things to lay your life at the cross and follow
Christ.
-it is dedication....not being perfect
2. What is a saint?
- If you are in Christ Jesus, you are a
saint! (Ephesians 1-1)
- How do we become saints? Catholic church has a long list of do's and
don'ts...bible says that we are saints when we believe on Christ for our
Salvation, and accept Him into our hearts.
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You are a SAINT !!!
A saint is somebody who is holy, and we have been made holy with
the righteousness of God through the blood shed by Christ Jesus! 2 Corinthians
5:21, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we
might be made the righteousness of God in him."
1 Corinthians 1:2, "Unto
the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ
Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord"
"Grace and Peace" (v.2)
- the "siamese
twins" of the new testament!
- First came "grace"
and then there was peace...in that order (after Christ comes into our
hearts...peace also
arrives in our lives!)
-grace:
·
-the energizing power
that God gives me to to the right thing!
·
-the precious unmerited favour
of God has been extended to me!
·
-God's Riches At Christ's Expense (GRACE)
·
James says "...to get more grace...we are to humble ourselves"
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3I thank my God every time I
remember you. 4In all my
prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because
of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being
confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this
way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains
or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with
me. 8God can
testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your
love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that
you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the
day of Christ, 11filled
with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory
and praise of God.
3.
What are Paul's feelings toward the Philippians (vv. 3-8)?
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4.
Why does he feel this way about them? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
What do verses 3-8 reveal about healthy Christian relationships?
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6.
What are Paul's prayer requests for the Philippians (vv. 9-11)? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Why would
each of these qualities be essential to spiritual maturity?
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12Now I want you to know, brothers
and sisters,b that what
has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.13As a
result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guardc and to
everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.14And
because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in
the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15It is true that some preach
Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The
latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the
gospel. 17The
former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that
they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what
does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false
motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I
know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.d 20I eagerly
expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient
courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by
life or by death. 21For to
me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am
to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what
shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn
between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is
more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced
of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for
your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that
through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on
account of me.
- What does Paul
say has happened as a result of his imprisonment (vv. 12-14)? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Compare the
motives of the two groups described in verses 15-18. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- What are Paul's
considerations in choosing between life and death (vv. 20-26)?
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- What does it mean
to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel (vv. 27-30)?
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- To what extent
have you adopted Paul's attitude toward life and death? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- What are the most
difficult circumstances you are presently facing? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- How can Christ be
exalted in that situation? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Outline - Chapter 2
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Imitating Christ’s Humility
1Therefore
if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort
from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and
compassion, 2then make
my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit
and of one mind. 3Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, 4not
looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5In your
relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6Who,
being in very naturea God,did
not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7rather,
he made himself nothing by taking the very natureb of a
servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being
found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to
death—even death on a cross! 9Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every
name, 10that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under
the earth,11and every tongue acknowledge that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Do
Everything Without Grumbling
12Therefore, my dear friends, as
you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my
absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is
God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14Do everything without grumbling
or arguing, 15so that
you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped
and crooked generation.”c Then you
will shine among them like stars in the sky 16as you
hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of
Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17But even if
I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming
from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you
too should be glad and rejoice with me.
1. How can
our experience of Christ and his Spirit (v. 1) help us to achieve the unity
Paul desires in verse 2?__________________________________________________________________
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2. How do
verses 3-4 help us to understand the nature of humility?_______________________
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3. How did
each of Christ's actions illustrate humility and a concern for the interests of
others (vv. 6-8)?
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4. In your
own words, describe God's response to Jesus' humility (vv. 9-11). _______________
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5. In verses
12-13 Paul says you are to "work out your salvation" because God
"works in you." How are these ideas related?
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6. Who might
you be tempted to impress during the next few days? ______________________
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7. What act
of humble service could you do for this person instead? ______________________
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Timothy
and Epaphroditus
19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send
Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20I have no
one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21For
everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you
know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has
served with me in the work of the gospel. 23I hope,
therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24And I am
confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25But I think it is necessary to
send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is
also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he
longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he
was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but
also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore
I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be
glad and I may have less anxiety. 29So then,
welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30because
he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the
help you yourselves could not give me.
Is it possible to have a good self-image and still be humble? Can
a person want to be the best without being conceited? In Philippians 2:1-18
Paul directs us to Jesus Christ, a person equal with God yet whose incarnation
and life are the supreme example of humility. This passage urges us to imitate
Christ's attitude.
8.
What is the difference between humility and a poor self-image?
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9. How can
our experience of Christ and his Spirit (v. 1) help us to achieve the unity
Paul desires in verse 2?
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10. How do
verses 3-4 help us to understand the nature of humility?_______________________________________________________________________
- How did each of
Christ's actions illustrate humility and a concern for the interests of
others (vv. 6-8)? ________________________________________________
- In your own
words, describe God's response to Jesus' humility (vv. 9-11).
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13.
In verses 12-13 Paul says you are
to "work out your salvation" because God "works in you."
How are these ideas related?
Chapter 3
Philippians 3: Rejoice in
the Lord
No Confidence in the Flesh
1Further, my brothers and sisters,
rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you
again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2Watch out
for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is
we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in
Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I
myself have reasons for such confidence.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in
the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised
on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew
of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for
zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7But whatever were gains to me I
now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is
more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them
garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be
found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but
that which is through faith ina Christ—the
righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10I want to
know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his
sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so,
somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
- How does
rejoicing in the Lord (v. 1) differ from other reasons for joy?
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- Why were the
people Paul warns against in verses 2-3 so dangerous?
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- Contrast Paul the
Pharisee (vv. 4-6) with Paul the Christian (vv. 7-11). How have his
reasons for confidence changed?
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12Not that I have already obtained
all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of
that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers
and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one
thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press
on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in
Christ Jesus.
Following Paul’s Example
15All of us, then, who are mature
should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently,
that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let
us live up to what we have already attained.
17Join together in following my
example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your
eyes on those who live as we do. 18For, as I
have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as
enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their
destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their
shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20But our
citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus
Christ, 21who, by
the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will
transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
- In verses 12-14
Paul compares himself to an athlete who is running a race. Why is this
such an appropriate description of the Christian life?
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- In verses 17-21
Paul contrasts Christians with "enemies of the cross." What are
the concerns and destiny of each group?
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9. Reflect on Paul's words
"We eagerly await . . . the Lord Jesus Christ." Worship Christ with
your anticipation of his return.
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Chapter 4
Philippians 4:1-9: Stand
Firm in the Lord
Closing Appeal for Steadfastness
and Unity
1Therefore, my brothers and
sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord
in this way, dear friends!
2I plead with Euodia and I plead
with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and
I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my
side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my
co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Final Exhortations
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I
will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your
gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be
anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things. 9Whatever
you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into
practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
As Paul thinks of the Philippians, his greatest desire is that
they will stand firm in what they have been taught. But he is also aware of
some problems which may cause their faith to weaken. He writes to warn them
that in order to stand firm they must put an end to disagreements, rejoice always
and fill their thoughts with good things.
Do you find your stand in the Lord to be firmer or weaker than it
was a year ago? What has made the difference?
- Paul opens this
chapter with the statement "that is how you should stand firm in the
Lord." Look back at 3:12-21. How are we to stand firm in the Lord?
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- In verse 2 Paul
pleads with Euodia and Syntyche "to agree with each other in the
Lord." Why do you think he is so concerned about their relationship?
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- How can each of
the promises and commands listed in verses 4-7 help you to be joyful,
peaceful and free from anxiety?
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- How can improper
thoughts rob us of the peace God desires for us?
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- How can true,
noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy thoughts
help to cleanse our minds and restore our tranquility (v. 8)?
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- What should be
your response to disagreements within your church or fellowship group?
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- In verse 9 Paul
tells us that the God of peace will be with us as we practice what we have
learned. What have you learned in this passage that you need to put into
practice?
Philippians 4:10-23:
Paul's Thank-You Note
Thanks for Their Gifts
10I rejoiced greatly in the Lord
that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but
you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not
saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the
circumstances. 12I know
what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned
the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or
hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do
all this through him who gives me strength.
14Yet it was good of you to share
in my troubles. 15Moreover,
as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the
gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the
matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even
when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17Not that
I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18I have
received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that
I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant
offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19And my
God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ
Jesus.
20To our God and Father be glory
for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21Greet all God’s people in Christ
Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22All God’s
people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s
household.
We've all written thank-you notes for gifts received for a
birthday or for Christmas. Such notes usually include rather conventional
phrases about the thankfulness of the recipient and the thoughtfulness of the
giver. In Philippians 4 Paul thanks the Philippians for a gift of money they
sent. However, it is a most unusual thank-you note. First he breaks the
conventional rules by waiting until the very end of the letter to say thank
you. Then he writes as though he didn't really need the gift!
- Paul thanks the
Philippians not for the money but for the concern they have shown (v. 10).
Why would this have been more important to Paul?
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- Many people
believe they can only be content once they have reached a certain level of
economic prosperity. How does their view differ from Paul's secret of
contentment (vv. 11-13)?
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- How had the
Philippians helped Paul both in the past and the present (vv. 14-18)?
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- What benefits
does Paul expect the Philippians to receive from their giving (vv. 17-19)?
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- How
will this passage affect your giving?
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