Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It Is To Men As They Are

"Preach The Word"

"THE PROMINENT PERSONALITY OF THE PHILIPPIAN CHURCH"

PHILIPPIANS OVERVIEW:

I want to examine the outstanding character of the Philippian Church. In the four chapters of Philippians we find the distinguished trait and the notable nature of the church. The excel- lent virtues of the Philippian Church are celebrated by Paul in his personal letter to them. Let us examine these and seek to cultivate them ourselves in our own local assembly:

Note what Paul emphasized about the character of the Philip- pian Church:

I. THEY WERE A GROUNDED CHURCH

(READ CH.1:27-30; IICOR.8:1-2)

The Philippian Church could be described as being rooted,fixed, and established. From reading Paul's letter to them and the reference made to the churches of Macedonia in II Cor.8:1-2, they were experiencing POVERTY and PERSECUTION!

Three things can be said about this quality of the Philippian Church:

A. They Were Faithful: (ch.1:5) "For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now."

B. They Were Joyful: (II Cor.8:1; cf.ch.2:17-18,28; 3:1,3; 4:4)

C. They Were Dutiful: (ch.2:12) "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed..."

II. THEY WERE A GOSPEL-ORIENTED CHURCH

Paul mentions the "Gospel" nine times in this letter.

1. "...the fellowship of the gospel..." (ch.1:5)

2. "...in the defence and confirmation of the gospel..." (ch.1:7)

3. "...the furtherance of the gospel..." (ch.1:12)

4. "...the defence of the gospel..." (ch.1:17)

5. "...becometh the gospel..." (ch.1:27)

6. "...the faith of the gospel..." (ch.1:27)

7. "...he hath served with me in the gospel..." (ch.2:22)

8. "...laboured with me in the gospel..." (ch.4:3)

9. "...the beginning of the gospel..." (ch.4:15)

Two truths Paul declares about the Gospel:

A. Redemption: (ch.2:8) "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

B. Righteousness: (ch.3:9) "And being found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

C. Return: (ch.3:20-21) "For our conversation is in heaven; from when also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to sudue all things unto Himself."

III. THEY WERE A GLAD CHURCH

The words "joy" and "rejoice" are emphasized in Paul's letter to the Philippian Church. Of the 104 verses which make up this letter to the Philippian church, 18 times Paul uses the word "joy" or "rejoice." Approximately 1 out of every 6 verses deals with joy. There joy was in a:

A. Person: There are at least 6 times in which Paul challenges the Philippian believers to "rejoice in the Lord...rejoice in the day of Christ...rejoice in Christ Jesus."

They did not have much in possessions but overflowed with an abundant joy. (cf.II Cor.8:1-2)

B. Partnership: (1:5) "For your fellowship in the gospel..." Thru their prayerful and financial support, they were working together with Paul to herald the gospel to a lost world. Church works together within its body to seek the salvation of sinners.

The church prays together, visit the community, ...

C. Prospect: Their was an anticipation and expectancy from their partnership with the apostle Paul. They were expecting and anticipating:

1. Salvation of Sinners:

2. Glorification of the Saints: (ch.3:9)

IV. THEY WERE A GIVING CHURCH

A. Motivation: They loved the man of God. They did not for- get Paul in prison.

B. Measure: (ch.4:16)

C. Memorial: (ch:4:17)

Sermon From Steve Dagenhart- Pastor Calvary Baptist Church- Taylorsville, NC--USA

E-Mail

Site created by Tom Walker