Philippians 1:1-8

Philippians 1:1-8

True Joy

I.                    True joy is found in whose you are not where you are; so we must rejoice by sharing in Christ (Vv. 1-5)

a.       Paul is imprisoned under house arrest in Rome. Continually chained to a Roman guard, he could receive friends and visitors freely. Upon receiving a delegation from the church at Philippi who came and brought a monetary gift to Paul to support his physical needs, and gave him news from the church back in Philippi, Paul is moved to write his correspondence to the Philippians. He’s reminded of the Lordship of Jesus Christ which directs his life, the lives of the saints in Philippi, unites them together, and gives them peace, thanksgiving, and reason for joy. (Vv. 1-2; Acts 16)

b.       Even though he’s incarcerated and cut off from most others, the love and grace shown by the Philippian believers moved Paul to thankful and joyful remembrance, and joyful prayer for all of them. He isn’t indicating that all the people in the church at Philippi were always delightful and easy to love. His memories of the people there are stirred by his heart for Jesus, and in remembering them, Paul is moved to remember and consider the sacrifice of Christ for himself and all the Philippian believers. It is the grace of Christ which knits them together, stirs Paul to feel joyful gratitude towards Christ for them, and moves him to continual and joyful prayer on their behalf. Regardless of where he was, Paul was able to maintain his joy, because his joy rested outside of his circumstances, in Christ. Regardless of whether the people in the church in Philippi were always perfect, loveable, and delightful to pray for, Paul was able to joyfully remember them and pray for them sincerely, not merely as a matter of duty or task, because he saw all things and people through the large lens of God’s grace in Christ Jesus. But Paul also testifies to the truth that these wonderfully imperfect Christians from Philippi lived in a way that evidenced God’s grace working in their lives, partnered in gospel ministry with Paul, and gave him tangible reason to rejoice in them in Christ. Therefore, Paul was truly joyful, even in less than joyful circumstances, because he knew the true and deep joy of salvation and true gospel fellowship in the grace of Christ. (Vv. 3-5; Deut. 6:4-9; Ps. 42; 43; Matt. 5:43-44; John 16:33; Acts 2:42; Rom. 12:12; 2 Cor. 5:14-16; 6:4-10; Eph. 4:1-7, 11-13; 6:18; Phil. 1:27-30; 2:1-2; 3:10; 4:1-3; 1 Thess. 5:16-18)

II.                 True joy is found in whose you are not where you are; so we must rejoice by trusting in Christ (v. 6)

a.       Paul was joyful further still, because he was absolutely convinced that the grace of God in Christ Jesus which began the work of sanctification in him and the Philippians, would be carried through to completion in Christ. It didn’t matter where Paul was, what he had or didn’t have, or who he was or wasn’t with, he could be truly joyful because he was confident that God was in control, wouldn’t waste anything, and would work for His maximum glory and the greatest good of those who belonged to Him. Simply put, God always finishes what He starts. There is no set of circumstances or isolation which separates us individually, or collectively as His church, from the grace of God in Christ which saves us, keeps, and will complete us. But we must trust in His grace and lean on His grace and strength, to grow in joy, even in what seems to be the worst times. (v.6; Ps. 73:23-24; Jer. 29:11-13; Matt. 16:18; John 3:16; 6:37; 10:27-29; Rom. 5:10; 8:28-39; 11:29; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; Eph. 1:13-14; 2:8-10; 4:30; Phil. 2:12-13; 1 Thess. 2:19-20; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Tit. 3:5-7; Jas. 1:16-18; 1 Pet. 1:3-5; 5:6-11; Jude 24-25; Rev. 21:1-7)

III.              True joy is found in whose you are not where you are; so we must rejoice in our affection for others in Christ (Vv. 7-8)

a.       Paul is certain he’s right to feel such joy and encouragement in the Philippians because he clearly sees how they share with him in both gospel faith and work. They shared with him in gospel ministry since the beginning, defending, and commending the gospel and Paul’s mission, and supporting him prayer, financially, and labor, even now while he’s imprisoned. The strength of Paul’s feelings for them is seen in the nature of his proclamation of his affection. His  affection for them and joy in them is so strong that he says he has them in his heart, and then confirms the magnitude of his affection through an oath, which literally describes his love for them as emanating from Christ’s inward parts. Through this amazing statement, Paul reveals the mechanisms of grace functioning within him which manifest such strong feelings. He literally loves them with the heart of Christ! Hearts knit that tightly together in grace and love by Christ, and held tightly by the Holy Spirit, don’t look for perfection before they show gratitude, and produce true thanksgiving and joy by His grace, which transcends any circumstance or distance. (Vv. 7-8; Luke 15:4-7; John 13:34-35; 15:11; 1 Thess. 2:8; Heb. 12:1-3; 3 John 4)