Culver Community Church

Pastor Chris Sweeney

Sermon Notes

January 5, 2020

Introduction to Philippians

Philippi once held great importance as a prominent city in Rome!  Although once famous, today, it is best remembered for this letter from Paul!  Originally known as Krenides (little fountains); it was named after the numerous springs nearby.  It was later renamed for Philip II of Macedon (the father of Alexander the Great) who conquered the area because of its plentiful gold deposits.  Much like our own gold rush the region quickly grew and became a center for trade and commerce.  Then in 42 B.C., the forces of Antony and Octavian defeated those of Brutus and Cassius at the Battle of Philippi, ending the Roman Republic and ushering in the Empire.  After the battle, Philippi took on new fame, became a Roman colony, and many veterans of the Roman army settled there.  As a colony, Philippi had autonomy from the local provincial government and was seen as we do embassies today – as a bit of sovereign soil, even though it was far from Rome.  Being a colony was also the source of much civic pride for the Philippians, who used Latin as their official language, adopted Roman customs, and modeled their city government after that of Italian cities.  They enjoyed the same rights granted to cities in Italy, including Roman citizenship, Roman law and exemption from taxes!

The book of Philippians is a book written by the Apostle Paul out of thankfulness to the church at Philippi.  This letter is a direct response to their generous giving to him and the ministry (repeated gifts, really their partnership with him in this work).  It is not unusual for those being ministered to, to support those serving as ministers (that’s right and proper) however, this fellowship continued to give to Paul long after he had left them!  The current gift, carried in person by a Philippian named Epaphroditus was in response to this church hearing that Paul had been imprisoned.  Epaphroditus was to bring the funds and remain with Paul, serving him in any way necessary while he remained imprisoned (money is of little use if you can’t go out and spend it).  This particular confinement was the first time Paul was sent to Rome (A.D. 60–62).  Paul was originally captured at the temple in Jerusalem, imprisoned at Caesarea for approximately two years and then sent by land and sea to appeal before the emperor.  While this is a short book, only four chapters long – with no Old Testament quotations and no major spiritual problems that need to be addressed – it remains important and a favorite of believers.  One of the reasons for this might be found in the most prevalent theme of joy (who doesn’t want joy?), which we will learn much about over the following weeks!  Paul is the prime example, his joy remains in spite of his imprisonment, despite the difficulties of those preaching the gospel for ulterior motives, notwithstanding the impending judgement (which could mean his death) and considering his great concern for Epaphroditus who suffered a near-fatal illness either on the trip to Rome or after he arrived.  Paul’s message to the Philippians is an exhortation to be overcomers – to live above the level this world and focus on their heavenly position, responsibilities and rewards! - to be joyful in a world of people settling for happiness.

You and I know that this is not a world filled with Joy!  This is a world filled with problems, hunger, sickness, misery and despair only punctuated by the occasional seasons of happiness, which we convince ourselves is joy.  It’s not hard to prove this – look to the news and we see rumors of war, political turmoil and infighting and new predictions that the world will end in ten to twelve years (to replace the old ones that the world would end by 2020!)  All of the things that advertisers say will bring us joy, given time will end up on the trash heap.  Relationships, while great (especially when new) are never perfect; and that prince in shining armor or your rescued princess will never give you the happily-ever-after the storybooks promise. The achievements – they only last a moment and then it’s on to the next goals.  What in this world ravaged by sin can bring true joy?  Nothing!  That answer may shock or at least surprise you but true joy can only come from outside of this broken system.  True joy only comes from God and sadly, that is usually the very last place that we seek it!

{Philippians 1:1-2 NIV} The opening or address of the letter is pretty standard.  However this is one of the few times that Paul does not specifically pronounce and confirm his Apostolic title or calling and authority.  This is probably due to the familiar and loving tone taken in this letter.  There is no need to remind those who are freely submitting to God and Paul’s teachings and who have no major rebellious issues that Paul is called by and speaks for the Lord.  The love shared by Paul and this fellowship already guaranteed that it would be well received.  Paul includes Timothy (literally Timotheus) as a co-sender and servant of Christ.  Paul’s young apprentice is mentioned here because he was with Paul in Rome at the time the letter was written and well-known to the Philippians (being commissioned and circumcised to travel with Paul just before the team first came to Philippi - Act 16).  This does not imply that Timothy had any share in writing the Epistle because Paul uses the first person singular, "I," not "we".  That being said, it may in fact have been Timothy who took down the letter from Paul’s dictation.  This main reason for mentioning his name must have been to remind them that Timothy joined Paul in affectionately remembering them and to remind them of the early days when they first encountered them.

Servants – this is the Greek word Dulos frequently used and very often misinterpreted as ‘servant’.  There are many Greek words that translate to various types of servants (like the one we derive deacon from) – however this word describes a slave!  Now to us, slavery is extremely distasteful!  Whether images of the unthinkable treatment of men to their fellow man come to mind or more selfishly, we imagine the distasteful prospect of losing our own freedoms and ability to choose the course of our lives.  This might explain why Bible translators often use the word servant here.  When the word is used in the symbolic (i.e. slave to sin) it is clearly translated but when applied to ourselves – it becomes watered down to servant or perhaps bondservant.

Bondservant is at least close to the original meaning.  This word is derived from the root deo meaning to bind, fasten with chains, to throw into chains, put under obligation or to be bound to someone (like a master, wife, or husband).  This was originally the lowest term in the scale of servitude and also came also to mean "one who gives himself up to the will of another."  Somehow, we have allowed this word to be modified to make it more palatable.  However the difference is obvious: a servant is hired for wages (today we call them employees) but a slave is the property of the master.  Slaves have no rights, no options, no recourse in the courts, no property of their own - - - no dignity.  The difference is drastic!  They understood this in Paul’s day; Rome had slavery – it’s estimated between 30 to 40 percent of the Italian population was enslaved!  When Paul says he is the bondservant or slave of Christ – he means that his entire life and being is tied ( bound) to Jesus.

If this word dulos is only servant, then we have a choice to serve or not and in that self-deception we’ve lost something!  We only find freedom when we have lost ourselves in Christ.  As believers we are literally blood-bought by Christ at the cross.  He redeemed (purchased) our freedom from sin and death and upon receiving Christ as our Lord, we declare as much!  A Lord is nothing more than a master!  It’s one of those wonderful paradoxes in God’s design – to be the lowest servant of Christ is the highest place in His Kingdom!  Jesus is the ultimate example of this – “He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant [yes this is our word dulos or slave!], being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:7).  It was Jesus who at the most desperate hour in the garden prayed what?, “not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) – the essence of a slave’s existence!

Why make so much of this?  Because in this play on words, we have elevated our lot in life.  Paul, Peter, Jude and James all claimed to be slaves of Christ – not choosing to focus on their chosen status or apostleship.  You and I, as believers are oh, so often found to be disobedient slaves. Why?  Because we have been convinced that serving the Master is optional.  IT IS NOT! There is no ‘calling in sick’ with God!  No looking for another position in the company or for another employer.  We owe Christ everything and it is folly to think of ourselves as anything more than slaves.  Granted, slaves who are well cared for (dependent on our Lord for everything), who are dearly loved (even when disobedient) and who have in our servitude been granted adoption into the family of God and will be co-heirs with Christ!  But slaves none the less and we need to stop focusing on our wants, our plans and our will so that we can seek our Lord’s will!  Unbelievably, when we are aligned in God’s will, we will be far more content than when we are running around seeking our own desires!

This letter is addressed to three groups of people: 

· First, to God’s holy people, literally to the saints - a word we really don’t use or understand anymore.  Most people think of the Catholic church, artwork or statues when this word is used.  The Catholic idea is someone who is dead (now why would Paul write to the dead?) and who has at least two miracles attributed to them (which is silly because all miracles are of God, even if a human is used in the process)!  So, getting that out of our heads, who are the saints?  This Greek word hagios is straight forward and simple – a holy thing, separated or devoted to God.  When used of people, it refers to those who are God’s – no longer part of the sin-filled system but taken out and set apart for God’s kingdom.  It is important to recognize that the holy thing or person is not holy by some virtue of its own – they are sanctified from the outside.  Temple tools are ritually devoted to God.  Believers are washed in the blood and daily sanctified as they walk in this world (by the Holy Spirit).  That said, when Paul uses this word he is referring to all the believers.  It is the lowest common denominator of the fellowship – those who are in Christ (set apart for Him).  Now that means if you are a believer, if you’ve been saved - - - good news!  You’re a saint!  Every person is either a saint or an ain’t – there is no hierarchy here. These next two groups are separated out because of the function they serve in the fellowship, but are obviously saints as well.

· The second group is the overseers – this word epískopos it means one who is charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done correctly.  Today we would say a supervisor.  In religious circles it is often translated as bishop or elder and is synonymous with "presbyters" in the apostolic churches.  This is a person who has matured in the Lord, who has gained some wisdom (heavenly not worldly) and can help to lead others individually or collectively.

· The third group is the deacons – diakonos, meaning one who executes the commands of another, especially of a king or master, a servant or attendant.  In religious circles it is used of a deacon, someone who, by virtue of the office assigned him by the church, cares for the poor and has charge of and distributes the money collected for such use.  Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 6:5 – 8:2) is a prime example.

Now the greeting: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  This is Paul’s common greeting.  It no doubt comes from a combination of the common Greek greeting charis or grace and that of the Jews shalom or peace.  However, taken together they have a beautiful spiritual meaning - “I wish you grace, I wish you peace.”  Grace is the gift of God and peace is the result.  Because of God’s grace, we are saints, we have peace.  So Paul, not just using a common ‘hello’ or ‘hey there’ is wishing  them grace and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ.  This is not just some ordinary favor and peace or peace of mind but it says, I want the best for you – God’s best.  In the context of this letter, we can say that Paul is telling the Philippians I’m wishing you God’s best.  I’m concerned about you (not myself).  And we will see that he writes them to say, “Thank you for your gift.  I didn’t really need it, but I’m so glad you love me so much.  Thank you for Epaphroditus also, but I’m sending him back because I know that you’ve heard about his illness and are worried about him.  I want you to see that he is alright.  Don’t worry about me, I’m rejoicing.”  It’s not that Paul was some exalted saint or unflappable leader in and of himself -  there are times that we see him anxious, that we see him react in an unchristian way – but in Christ, he is not only good but joyful.  And since I’m sending Epaphroditus back – let me share with you all my circumstances, how I trust in the Lord, how Christ is keeping me and how you too can be kept and filled with this unearthly joy!