Philippians Chapter 1 Verses 3 – 5
· Paul had a super power. A secret to being joyful and content even in the toughest of situations and scenarios. Actually, he had a few. One of them is that he was a grateful person. He’s in prison, he’s lost everything and he has no rights, far from home and without any physical comforts, and he writes to the church in Philippi, “As I’m thinking about you, I’m thankful and filled with all joy…”
· Gratitude has two opposites. Entitlement and laziness. These are horrible diseases to our lives and relationships. The hard/easy part is that gratitude is a choice. There will always be things to be thankful for and there are always things we won’t and don’t have. What you decide to focus on is entirely up to you, but that decision will change everything, including how you feel and who you are!
· Matthew Henry, the eighteenth-century Puritan preacher was once mugged while living in London. Of the event, he wrote, “Let me be thankful, first, because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”
· It’s been said, “You’ll find evidence to support what you are looking for, so be thoughtful in what you choose to seek.” Paul is in a far worse position than any of us and yet how is it that he writes a letter on joy? He chooses to be grateful and in that, even now, thousands of years later, we regard him as great! Gratitude is a seed from which grows humility, joy, endurance, resilience, a sense of value and peace. It unlocks talent and happiness giving quality of life to the one who chooses it.
· You say today that you don’t have much to be thankful for… You have a focus problem, not a circumstance problem. You are beloved. Highly favored, cherished and eternally important to God the Father. So much so that He has provided not only forgiveness for all your wrongs, but grace, mercy, love and even all things that pertain to life and godliness! You have far more to be grateful for in just those statements than you think… And yet there even is more, no doubt, for each of you in your own personal lives/stories…
· Paul has a second secret super power expressed here as well. He has decided to pray. A praying Christian is powerful because its all you, has nothing to do with anyone else, its you taking time to settle things with and in the Lord and that is crazily more powerful than thinking, computing, or discussing with another person. Prayer changes you. It’s you allowing God His right to fashion your heart. The importance and power of prayer is unmatched!
· There’s a third thing here as well mentioned by Paul and that is fellowship. Paul was a Christian of fellowship which is a basic need of all of us, and few know this. Fellowship is not just hanging out, being friends, having a good time. Fellowship is a spiritual blessing, discipline and activity. It’s two saved saints, putting God first, putting each other second and putting themselves third, together…, doing whatever.
· Fellowship, or the word Koinenia in the Greek, is simply loving God and loving others actively. Walking out the two commandments of God, the original design, the reason for mankind, the original code… And so, Paul, worst of conditions, situations…, and yet look at this guy. Happier than anyone I know! Why? He was grateful. He was in prayer. And he was a man of fellowship that even sustains him somehow from within a solitary prison environment.
Philippians Chapter 1 Verse 6
· I want you to know that this statement is itself a part of the Gospel! That God so loved the world, that He so loved you, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life! AND that includes this promise that where you are today, who you are today, how you are today, what you are today, God is working, will work and won’t stop working until we are face to face with Jesus!
· Other promises/truths (same thing) in this verse…, God is the one who began the work in me. Not the other way around. Hebrews 12:2 says that we looking unto Jesus, who is the Author and the Finisher of our faith! He was responsible to save me, He is responsible to preserve me, and He has promised to see me through until the end. Complete me…
· Last thing He said before ascending to the Father in Matthew 28:20, “Behold, I am with you always even unto the end of the age.” The earthly husband is commanded in Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Why is it that we think so often less of our perfect Bride Groom?
· God is not finished with you yet! He is working, even when He’s silent, even when you can’t see it or perceive it, God is not on break and you have not been forsaken! You will yet see Him faithful to His Word and promises! Benefit the most from His integrity by walking in faith!!
Philippians Chapter 1 Verses 7 - 8
· Perhaps this is why Paul was so close with them. They were first in his heart. There was a connection, a fellowship and an affection. Then there was difficulty, Paul describes as “chains.” They’ve weathered some storms together which always brings folks closer to each other. Then in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel. This sort of life agreement that priority is priority, man… And their shared priority is Jesus Christ…
· Finally, grace. Not just sharing in the grace of God together but sharing grace with each other. These elements describe a friendship that will certainly pass the test of time. Again, there was a connection, a fellowship, a friendship formed. Then that friendship endured through hardship or difficulty. And through that, a common life priority was proven, to live unto Jesus Christ. And finally, grace is the culture of the bond. How many true friends do you have? That’s the path…
Philippians Chapter 1 Verses 9 – 11
· Truly the more you know Jesus, the more you will love Him. There’s just no doubt about that. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Why? Because the more you learn of Him, the more you learn how much you are loved and how secure you are in what He has accomplished.
· However, Paul qualifies his statement so that it means far more than what we just discussed. He says his prayer is that your love increases in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent. It’s important, ultra-important that we don’t just grow in the grace of Jesus Christ but also in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Lest you and I miss the mark and in thinking we are following God, while possibly following the flesh. Truth without grace is harsh, but grace without truth is a lie…
· Paul knows all about this. And so does the modern church. Listen, it’s as simple as this. What does the Word of God say? Grow in that. People get all up in arms and turn on each other and make up phrases like “conservative Christians” and “liberal Christians.” These are inventions of men and not of God. What does the Bible say? I know nothing of any qualifier before my title of Christian other than…, biblical. And that way, there’s just no emotion in it at all… It’s just simply objective.
· Jesus said of the faithful church in Revelation 3:8, “You have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied My name.” Take all the emotion out of it. The personal experience. The self-you-centered thinking, and then define what is right…, and do that. (As Paul wrote there in verse 7, “Just as it is right…”) There is a significant shortage of people that will do that in these last days. And Paul knew it, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and so he wrote, “Be sincere and without offense.”
· That’s not just offending others. Don’t let yourself get so offended either! How! By holding to the Word of God as your definition of right and then doing that. So objective. So simple. So SO rare! But leads to being filled with the fruits of righteousness! Love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control! Oh, so rare even and especially in the family of God in these last days! Grow up in grace…, grow up in knowledge, man wouldn’t it be amazing if folks in these last days…, would just grow up…?