Philippians 1:1-2

Philippians 1:1-2: “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Cor. 11:23-27:

“…countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was

stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from

rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the

wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in

hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

The Contagious Joy

of Being a Servant of Christ.

- “servants”: better translated, “bond-servants”

- δοῦλος (doulos): describes someone who is subservient and dependant upon their master

- Paul used this term often to describe himself (Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1;

Titus 1:1)

I. Christians Take Joy in WHO they Serve.“Paul and Timothy servants of Christ Jesus” (1:1a)

Keith Bradley: “The material life of the slave in the Roman world, as in later slave societies was determined [largely]… by the degree of responsibility with which the master met his (or her) material obligations to the slave… in comparison with the free poor, therefore, slaves may often have been at something of a material advantage: given that they were to some degree provided for, they must in many cases have enjoyed security in their lives that the free poor could never have known.” (Keith Bradley, Slavery and Society at Rome Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press, 1994), 89, 92)

Dr. John MacArthur: “To be a slave of Jesus Christ is the greatest benediction imaginable. Not only is He a kind and gracious Lord, but He is also the God of the universe. His character is perfect; His love is infinite; His power, matchless; His wisdom unsearchable; and His goodness, beyond compare.” (John MacArthur, Slave (Thomas Nelson, 2010), 93)

Philippians 4:19:“God will supply every

need of yours according to his riches in glory in

Christ Jesus.”

Romans 8:28“God causes all things to

work together for good to those who love God, to

those who are called according to his purpose.”

Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green

pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in

paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the

valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod

and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall

follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.”

We must remember WHO we are serving, if we expect to find true and

lasting joy in our service

II. Christians Take Joy in WHY they Serve.“Saints in Christ Jesus” (1:1b) - “saint” = ἅγιος (hagios) meaning holy, or set apart, called out, chosen

- “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

If you are in Christ, you are a “saint”

This is the ultimate reason WHY you serve

III. Christians Take Joy in WHERE they Serve. “…who are at Philippi with the overseers and deacons…” (1:1c)

Martin Luther: "To gather with God's people in united adoration of the Father is as necessary to the Christian life as prayer."

Ways we display our joy in service where we are:

A.) Being here. - Hebrews 10:25: “not forsaking assembly”

- There is no such thing as a “lone-wolf” Christian.

Jesus: “If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)

- If you can openly disobey a command of God regularly, and unabashedly, with no conviction, do you really love Jesus?

Jesus: “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

Philippians 1:27: “Only let your

manner of life be worthy of the gospel

of Christ”

B.) Battling Sin Together. 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

C.) Working. James 2:17-20: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

Philippians 1:27: “that… I may hear of you

that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one

mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel”

IV. Christians Take Joy by Remembering HOW they Serve.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1:2)

A. “Grace…from God…and Jesus”Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one may be able to boast.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23: “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the

coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will

bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”

B. “peace…from God… and Jesus”Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Take joy in who we are serving, why we are serving, where we are serving and

how we serve