OUTLINE
I. Jesus advances the gospel through us as we suffer for His name's sake (v. 12-13)
II. Jesus advances the gospel through us as we are confident in Him (v. 14a)
III. Jesus advances the gospel through us as we boldly speak the word of God without fear (v. 14b)
APPLICATION
I. Whatever comes your way, learn to see it not as an obstacle but as an opportunity to proclaim the ultimate value of Christ Jesus.
II. Jesus’ plans are always better than our plans.
III. Suffering with joy as you proclaim the Gospel is the best way to show the magnificent worth of knowing Jesus.
IV. Look at the example of others whom Jesus has used to suffer for the sake of the gospel, and become more confident and bold by their example—see how God sustained them to be faithful and worked mightily through them.
V. Good words are the seeds and good works the fertilizer that we scatter and water; God causes the growth.
DISCUSSION
I. What does Paul want his brothers and sisters in Christ to know, according to verses 12-13? What is he referring to when he says “what has happened to me”? What has his imprisonment produced in the “imperial guard”? Who is this all “for” according to the end of verse 13? What can we learn here concerning how Jesus advances the gospel in the world?
II. What did Paul’s suffering for Jesus’ sake do to “most of the brothers” according to the first part of verse 14? This is crucial: who are they confident “in”? What can we learn here concerning how Jesus advances the gospel in the world?
III. According to the second part of verse 14, what did this “confidence in the Lord” result in? What can we learn here concerning how Jesus advances the gospel in the world?
THE ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL: Philippians 1:12-14
Philippians 1:12-14
June 21, 2020 • Brett Baggett
SLAVES AND SAINTS: Philippians 1:1-5
May 31, 2020 • Brett Baggett
OUTLINE I. The Slaves who wrote it (v. 1) II. The Saints who received it (v. 1, 3-5) III. The Source of their every need (v. 2) DISCUSSION I. Who is the author of this letter according to verse 1? What do we learn about Paul from Acts chapter 26? Who is with Paul as he writes? What do we learn about Timothy from Acts 16:1-5, Romans 16:21, 1 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Corinthians 1:19, 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 1 Timothy 1:2, and 2 Timothy 1:2? II. What title does Paul give both himself and Timothy in verse 1? What does this word mean? How should this help us understand a key component of the Christian life? III. Who is Paul writing to according to the second half of verse 1? What title does he give them and what does that word mean? How should this make us joyful? Where do these “saints” reside? What do we learn about the origins of the church at Philippi in Acts 16:6-40? IV. Which two church offices does Paul mention in verse 1? How does 1 Timothy 3:1-13 shed light on these offices? What do we learn about Church government in verse 1? V. What does Paul want the saints at Philippi to receive, according to verse 2? What do these words mean? Who is the source of this “grace…and peace”? VI. What do we learn about Paul and the Philippians in verses 3-5?
HE WILL BRING IT TO COMPLETION: Philippians 1:6-7
June 7, 2020 • Brett Baggett
OUTLINE I. The certainty of our glorification (v.6) II. The rightness of our confidence (v.7a) III. The strength to stare down affliction (v.7b) DISCUSSION I. What is Paul sure of in verse 6? Who is the “he” in verse 6? What will “he” do? What does Paul mean by “began a good work in you”? What does he mean by “will bring it to completion”? What is “the day of Jesus Christ”? How does Romans 8:28-30 help clarify? II. In verse 7, why does Paul say “It is right for me to feel this way about you”? *hint. Notice the word “because.” What does Paul mean by “I hold you in my heart”? How does 2 Corinthians 7:2-4 help clarify? What do you think Paul means by “for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel”?
PAUL'S PRAYER: Philippians 1:8-11
June 14, 2020 • Brett Baggett
OUTLINE I. The Basics of our Sanctification (v.8-10) II. The Fruit of our Sanctification (v.11a) III. The Source of our Sanctification (v.11b) IV. The Goal of our Sanctification (v.11c) DISCUSSION I. What does Paul pray for according to verse 9? What do these words mean? Is this like or different than typical prayer requests you have witnessed? How can you better pray like the Holy Spirit guides us to in the Bible rather than how our flesh would guide us to? II. What does Paul desire to come about from answered prayer, according to verse 10? *hint: notice the words “so that.” What do these words mean in verse 10? What is “the day of Christ”? III. According to verse 11, what does Paul desire the Philippians to be filled with? What does he mean? How can Galatians 5:22-24 help clarify? Where does this “fruit of righteousness” come from? Why does it come through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, according to the last part of verse 11?