Shownotes
Welcome to Day 2314 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Philippians-1 Insights into Philippians – Daily Wisdom
Putnam Church Message – 11/05/2023 - (10/29 was missions Sunday) Joy in Living - Insights into Philippians Last week was our Outreach/Mission focus with Jeff & Candy Waite of the Gospel Mission Food Pantry. Partnering with others worldwide to build God’s kingdom is a blessing. This week, we begin a new series in the letter to the Church in Philippi, where our focus for this month will be Joy in Living for this Thanksgiving season. Today, we will explore some insights into this letter, and next week, we will begin walking through Philippians. As an introduction today, let’s read Philippians 1:1-2, on page 1825 in your Pew Bibles. 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons[a]: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As we sang the song ‘I’ve Got The Joy’ along with our children’s message today, it makes you wonder why some church gatherings seem to have lost their joy. There certainly are exceptions where there are joyful believers and rejoicing congregations. I’m thankful I’ve have the privilege to serve in such a congregation here at Putnam. But sadly, truly joyful Christians are a rare species in some congregations. To be clear, when I say “joyful Christians,” I’m not talking about silly or foolish Christians. I’m not talking about Christians who think everything’s a joke. And I’m certainly not talking about sarcastic, cynical, or sneering Christians. I’m searching for genuinely joyful Christians—the kind of joy that looks more like contentment and peace than excitement or happiness. This type of joy is what the letter to the Philippians is about. It is the joy mentioned during our children’s video this morning in Psalm 16:11. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Let's ask ourselves a few questions if we think it does not apply to us. Are we together, and each of us individually, part of the joyful remnants? Or have we forgotten how good it is to smile? Have our burdens caused our shoulders to sag and our backs to slouch? When was the last time we really let the joy of the Lord change our countenance? If we’re like most people, we could probably use a healthy dose of real joy. Thankfully, that’s the theme of the book of Philippians. Paul’s letter is saturated with joy from the first word to the last. Talk about a message desperately needed today! In our world of downers and disappointments, setbacks and failures, tragedies and disasters, how easy it is to let despair take over. I can’t think of anything that reveals the person and work of Jesus Christ in the lives of believers more than the manifestation of joy. The Christian’s most obvious advertisement is that they have something that can make a real difference in a world scraping for just an ounce of contentment and happiness. The Background of Philippians I’ve never spent time in jail, but when we lived in NC, I did visit almost every week a co-worker and fellow believer who was wrongly accused and kept in the county jail for 18 months before he was completely exonerated. I learned much about the legal system during that time. I know men and women who are involved in prison ministry. Along with hospitals and cemeteries, jails are among the most joyless places on earth. How strange it seems, then—from an utterly worldly perspective—that Paul and Silas were singing for joy while chained up in a dingy prison in the city of Philippi. On one occasion, having been arrested, beaten with rods, and thrown into jail, Paul and Silas had every reason to be bitter. They could have been angry at their enemies, unhappy with their circumstances, or even upset with God for allowing it all to happen. But instead, come midnight, the beleaguered apostle and his associate sang joyous praises to God—with every tormented prisoner and every sour-faced guard within earshot (Acts 16:22–25). Fast-forward a dozen years. Paul is again under arrest—this time not languishing in a dank cell awaiting an uncertain punishment, but under house arrest in his own rented home in the city of Rome (Acts 28:30–31). Between ad 61 and ad 63, Paul was forced to stay put in the Roman Empire's great capital while waiting for a hearing before Caesar’s court. But he wasn’t cut off from the outside world. Even though a soldier was guarding him day and night (Acts 28:16), Paul enjoyed a measure of freedom that enabled him to continue his teaching and writing ministry. During this lengthy house arrest stay, Paul drafted the four letters that New Testament scholars call the “Prison Epistles”: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. The first is considered a “circular letter,” addressed to the church in Ephesus but written to a more general audience with the intent that it would be circulated among the churches in Asia Minor. As such, Paul discussed some profound theological issues that would be doctrinally foundational and practically fruitful for many believers. The shorter letter to the Colossians shares some similar themes with Ephesians. Still, Paul wrote it to a specific church with particular challenges from false teachers, even though he expected it to be passed around to other churches (Col. 4:16). Although brief in comparison to other New Testament letters, Paul’s pointed letter to Philemon—a leader in the church of Colossae—dealt with the specific issue of what to do with a particular runaway slave, Onesimus, who had become a Christian. The letter of Philippians was sent separately to Macedonia instead of Asia Minor and is unique not only when compared to the other three Prison Epistles but also within the New Testament itself. For example, unlike most New Testament books, there aren’t any significant problem passages for scholarly puzzle solvers to wring their hands over, such as the letter of Hebrews. It’s a pretty straightforward presentation with an easy-to-follow argument. Remarkably, the letter doesn’t contain a single Old Testament quotation, perhaps indicating that its original audience comprised mostly Gentile Christians and few Jewish believers. Also, Philippians sustains the theme of joy throughout the letter, using the word in each of its four chapters and mentioning “joy” or the related verb “rejoice” a dozen times throughout. /Finally, this letter mentions Jesus Christ over forty times, with the obvious implication that Jesus and joy go hand in hand. Overall, Philippians comes across as warm, encouraging, and affirming, the most positive of all Paul’s letters … even though he wrote it while under arrest! The Author, Audience, and Occasion of Philippians Philippians 1:1 leaves no doubt that Paul authored this letter with the assistance of his longtime companion Timothy, who had been with Paul when the church at Philippi was established (see Acts 16). Though a few scholars have proposed alternate locations for the composition of Philippians, the majority hold that Paul wrote this letter while under house arrest in Rome. This is my view, too. Bulletin Insert - Map The audience is clear: Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi, a city in Macedonia on the northern shore of the Aegean Sea. Because of the relatively small Jewish population in Philippi during the first century, the majority of Christians in the Philippian church were Gentiles—Romans, Greeks, local Thracians, and perhaps displaced peoples from Asia Minor and Egypt. By the time Paul wrote Philippians, the church had been in existence for over a decade and had steadily grown from its humble beginnings as a small house church in Lydia’s home (see Acts 16:40). In Philippians 1:1; Paul mentions not only “the saints” but also a plurality of leadership: “overseers and deacons.” This suggests a church of dozens of members. Even in its infancy, however, the Philippian church was known for its generosity in rendering financial aid to Paul’s mission (4:15–16). Paul wrote this letter first to thank the Philippians for supporting his ministry (4:14–16). They had distinguished themselves in self-sacrificial giving. Second, Paul wrote to give them a general warning against false teachings (3:2, 17–19). Third, he wrote to encourage them to stand firm and strive for the faith (1:27–28). Fourth, he wrote to encourage the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord, despite their outward circumstances—to find Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered joy in living, serving, sharing, and resting. Rejoice in the Lord … Always! It’s usually challenging to capture the essence of a letter in one word, but in the case of Philippians, that one word is joy. Paul didn’t write to answer any profound theological question, solve some knotty practical problem, or deal with a specific sin. Instead, he wrote to express and encourage joy. In a way, the book of Philippians is a showcase of joy. Like a treasure on display in the center of a gallery, joy can be examined from several angles to appreciate its brilliance better. Each of the four chapters reveals one of the distinct facets of that joy. (Treasure Box) (Bulletin Insert) Let’s look at Philippians at a Glance. In Chapter 1, we learn there is joy in living, even when we don’t get what we want (1:6–7), /when there are difficult circumstances (1:12–14),/ or when there are conflicts (1:21–30)./ To find joy in living, there has to be something more than good feelings and comfortable settings. That something is actually Someone—the Lord Jesus Christ (1:21). In Chapter 2, we learn there is joy in serving. It starts with the right attitude—humility (2:3–8);/ it’s maintained through the right theology (2:12–13); /and it’s encouraged by the right models, /such as Christ, Timothy, and Epaphroditus (2:5–8, 19–23, 25–30). In Chapter 3, we learn there is joy in sharing. Paul shares a warning (3:1–2), /a testimony (3:3–11),/ a goal for living (3:12–16),/ and a command (3:17–21). Finally, in Chapter 4, we learn there is joy in resting. In one of the finest passages ever written on contentment, Paul explains how to find joy in resting that’s not undermined by circumstances (4:6–7, 10–13). Philippians truly is a precious gem of joy, one that shines with enthusiasm and pulsates with encouragement. As we study its principles and adopt its precepts, it can also turn our drab lives into brilliant jewels—jewels that shine with a living, serving, sharing, and resting light in a world that desperately needs it. Starting more in-depth next week in Part 1, Joy in Living (Philippians 1:1–30), Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians to encourage them to find Christ-centered, /Spirit-empowered/ joy in living, serving, sharing, and resting. Though it contains sound doctrine and practical insights that have proven relevant throughout the centuries, Philippians is not primarily a theological treatise, /but a loving letter of friendship from one brother in Christ to his extended spiritual family. Even when he warns the Philippians about false teaching, he does so warmly and graciously, expecting the best from his readers. In Chapter 1, this theme of joy is exemplified as Paul encourages the Philippians to find Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered joy in living—even when things don’t seem to be going their way. It opens with Paul’s cheerful admission that his prayers for the Philippians always kindle the warmth of joy in his heart (1:3–4). He also demonstrates personal joy and optimism amid challenges and difficult circumstances beyond his control (1:6–14). This is a message every generation of believers needs to hear! Whether we face conflicts or setbacks, we can find joy in living if Jesus Christ is the source and center of our lives. Regardless of whether we continue on in this world, striving for the gospel, or we pass on to the next to be with Christ, we’re to keep our focus on Him, the source of our joy (1:21–25). As the children sang, let us all apply to our lives…let us have… joy, joy, joy, joy,…down in our hearts…because of the love of Jesus. Next week, we will continue this month of Joy in Living as we dig into the meat of the letter in a message titled Confident Enough to be Joyful. Please read Philippians 1:1-11.Transcripts
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Philippians-1 Insights into Philippians – Daily Wisdom
/:Joy in Living - Insights into Philippians
Last week was our Outreach/Mission focus with Jeff & Candy Waite of the Gospel Mission Food Pantry. Partnering with others worldwide to build God’s kingdom is a blessing.
This week, we begin a new series in the letter to the Church in Philippi, where our focus for this month will be Joy in Living for this Thanksgiving season. Today, we will explore some insights into this letter, and next week, we will begin walking through Philippians.
, on page:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons[a]:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we sang the song ‘I’ve Got The Joy’ along with our children’s message today, it makes you wonder why some church gatherings seem to have lost their joy. There certainly are exceptions where there are joyful believers and rejoicing congregations. I’m thankful I’ve have the privilege to serve in such a congregation here at Putnam. But sadly, truly joyful Christians are a rare species in some congregations.
s video this morning in Psalm:Let's ask ourselves a few questions if we think it does not apply to us. Are we together, and each of us individually, part of the joyful remnants? Or have we forgotten how good it is to smile? Have our burdens caused our shoulders to sag and our backs to slouch? When was the last time we really let the joy of the Lord change our countenance? If we’re like most people, we could probably use a healthy dose of real joy.
Thankfully, that’s the theme of the book of Philippians. Paul’s letter is saturated with joy from the first word to the last. Talk about a message desperately needed today! In our world of downers and disappointments, setbacks and failures, tragedies and disasters, how easy it is to let despair take over.
I can’t think of anything that reveals the person and work of Jesus Christ in the lives of believers more than the manifestation of joy. The Christian’s most obvious advertisement is that they have something that can make a real difference in a world scraping for just an ounce of contentment and happiness.
The Background of Philippians
I’ve never spent time in jail, but when we lived in NC, I did visit almost every week a co-worker and fellow believer who was wrongly accused and kept in the county jail for 18 months before he was completely exonerated. I learned much about the legal system during that time. I know men and women who are involved in prison ministry. Along with hospitals and cemeteries, jails are among the most joyless places on earth. How strange it seems, then—from an utterly worldly perspective—that Paul and Silas were singing for joy while chained up in a dingy prison in the city of Philippi.
ed guard within earshot (Acts: ome in the city of Rome (Acts:During this lengthy house arrest stay, Paul drafted the four letters that New Testament scholars call the “Prison Epistles”: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. The first is considered a “circular letter,” addressed to the church in Ephesus but written to a more general audience with the intent that it would be circulated among the churches in Asia Minor. As such, Paul discussed some profound theological issues that would be doctrinally foundational and practically fruitful for many believers. The shorter letter to the Colossians shares some similar themes with Ephesians. Still, Paul wrote it to a specific church with particular challenges from false teachers, even though he expected it to be passed around to other churches (Col. 4:16). Although brief in comparison to other New Testament letters, Paul’s pointed letter to Philemon—a leader in the church of Colossae—dealt with the specific issue of what to do with a particular runaway slave, Onesimus, who had become a Christian.
The letter of Philippians was sent separately to Macedonia instead of Asia Minor and is unique not only when compared to the other three Prison Epistles but also within the New Testament itself. For example, unlike most New Testament books, there aren’t any significant problem passages for scholarly puzzle solvers to wring their hands over, such as the letter of Hebrews. It’s a pretty straightforward presentation with an easy-to-follow argument. Remarkably, the letter doesn’t contain a single Old Testament quotation, perhaps indicating that its original audience comprised mostly Gentile Christians and few Jewish believers. Also, Philippians sustains the theme of joy throughout the letter, using the word in each of its four chapters and mentioning “joy” or the related verb “rejoice” a dozen times throughout. /Finally, this letter mentions Jesus Christ over forty times, with the obvious implication that Jesus and joy go hand in hand. Overall, Philippians comes across as warm, encouraging, and affirming, the most positive of all Paul’s letters … even though he wrote it while under arrest!
The Author, Audience, and Occasion of Philippians
Philippians 1:1 leaves no doubt that Paul authored this letter with the assistance of his longtime companion Timothy, who had been with Paul when the church at Philippi was established (see Acts 16). Though a few scholars have proposed alternate locations for the composition of Philippians, the majority hold that Paul wrote this letter while under house arrest in Rome. This is my view, too.
Bulletin Insert - Map
The audience is clear: Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi, a city in Macedonia on the northern shore of the Aegean Sea. Because of the relatively small Jewish population in Philippi during the first century, the majority of Christians in the Philippian church were Gentiles—Romans, Greeks, local Thracians, and perhaps displaced peoples from Asia Minor and Egypt.
h in Lydia’s home (see Acts:They had distinguished themselves in self-sacrificial giving. Second, Paul wrote to give them a general warning against false teachings (3:2, 17–19). Third, he wrote to encourage them to stand firm and strive for the faith (1:27–28). Fourth, he wrote to encourage the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord, despite their outward circumstances—to find Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered joy in living, serving, sharing, and resting.
Rejoice in the Lord … Always! It’s usually challenging to capture the essence of a letter in one word, but in the case of Philippians, that one word is joy. Paul didn’t write to answer any profound theological question, solve some knotty practical problem, or deal with a specific sin. Instead, he wrote to express and encourage joy. In a way, the book of Philippians is a showcase of joy. Like a treasure on display in the center of a gallery, joy can be examined from several angles to appreciate its brilliance better. Each of the four chapters reveals one of the distinct facets of that joy. (Treasure Box)
(Bulletin Insert)
Let’s look at Philippians at a Glance. In Chapter 1, we learn there is joy in living, even when we don’t get what we want (1:6–7), /when there are difficult circumstances (1:12–14),/ or when there are conflicts (1:21–30)./ To find joy in living, there has to be something more than good feelings and comfortable settings. That something is actually Someone—the Lord Jesus Christ (1:21). In Chapter 2, we learn there is joy in serving. It starts with the right attitude—humility (2:3–8);/ it’s maintained through the right theology (2:12–13); /and it’s encouraged by the right models, /such as Christ, Timothy, and Epaphroditus (2:5–8, 19–23, 25–30). In Chapter 3, we learn there is joy in sharing. Paul shares a warning (3:1–2), /a testimony (3:3–11),/ a goal for living (3:12–16),/ and a command (3:17–21). Finally, in Chapter 4, we learn there is joy in resting. In one of the finest passages ever written on contentment, Paul explains how to find joy in resting that’s not undermined by circumstances (4:6–7, 10–13).
Philippians truly is a precious gem of joy, one that shines with enthusiasm and pulsates with encouragement. As we study its principles and adopt its precepts, it can also turn our drab lives into brilliant jewels—jewels that shine with a living, serving, sharing, and resting light in a world that desperately needs it.
Starting more in-depth next week in Part 1, Joy in Living (Philippians 1:1–30), Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians to encourage them to find Christ-centered, /Spirit-empowered/ joy in living, serving, sharing, and resting. Though it contains sound doctrine and practical insights that have proven relevant throughout the centuries, Philippians is not primarily a theological treatise, /but a loving letter of friendship from one brother in Christ to his extended spiritual family. Even when he warns the Philippians about false teaching, he does so warmly and graciously, expecting the best from his readers. In Chapter 1, this theme of joy is exemplified as Paul encourages the Philippians to find Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered joy in living—even when things don’t seem to be going their way. It opens with Paul’s cheerful admission that his prayers for the Philippians always kindle the warmth of joy in his heart (1:3–4). He also demonstrates personal joy and optimism amid challenges and difficult circumstances beyond his control (1:6–14). This is a message every generation of believers needs to hear! Whether we face conflicts or setbacks, we can find joy in living if Jesus Christ is the source and center of our lives. Regardless of whether we continue on in this world, striving for the gospel, or we pass on to the next to be with Christ, we’re to keep our focus on Him, the source of our joy (1:21–25). As the children sang, let us all apply to our lives…let us have… joy, joy, joy, joy,…down in our hearts…because of the love of Jesus.
Next week, we will continue this month of Joy in Living as we dig into the meat of the letter in a message titled Confident Enough to be Joyful. Please read Philippians 1:1-11.