Sermon Series: Philippians

The Church broke new ground as Paul and team entered the city of Philippi. Their first encounter was with the ‘God fearers,’ notably Lydia. In her story we see the blueprint for mission, the Lord opened her heart to receive the good news proclaimed by human agents. This is the typical pattern in the early church, there are clear implications for us if this is a how mission bears fruit, not least the priority of prayer and proclamation. Inevitably, as the mission in Philippi progressed, so did the opposition. Paul and Silas were stripped and shackled, however, rooted in Christ and privileged to serve, they responded remarkably to their adversity and it didn’t go unnoticed, indeed their witness would play a significant part in an entire household joining the Church. Let us heed the principles of this mission past, to inform and encourage us in our own mission present.

Acts 16 reminds us Philippi was a Roman colony, the residents may have dwelt in this leading city of the district, but their citizenship was in Rome; when in Philippi, do as the Romans do. Paul plays on this idea in his letter to the church, from the outset he reminds them they were ‘at Philippi’ but ‘in Christ,’ when in Christ, do as… The Apostle Paul wants the church he planted to grasp the privilege and priorities of their new status, to realise their unity, joy, hope together in Christ, standing firm and shining as stars even and especially in the midst of testing opposition. He encourages lived out discipleship, heavenly citizenship, as they press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God had called them ‘in’ Christ Jesus. We consider this letter together this term, that we too may be so equipped and rejoice in who we are ‘in Christ.’

Paul wrote to the Philippians from prison, in chains for Christ, yet remarkably, his letter is full of joy, confidence and hope. Rather than being focussed on his circumstances, Paul rejoiced that what had happened to him had in fact ‘served to advance the gospel’ (1:12). Even in suffering, God is at work. As we continue our series in Philippians, we’ll see that when Jesus is at the very centre of our lives, he reshapes our priorities, our perspective and even how we face hardship. Paul’s great desire was not first for comfort, but that Christ would be honoured and made known. This week we explore what it means to live with that same joyful confidence. In a world often driven by fear, success and selfpreservation, Paul points us to something greater: a life centred on Christ and the advance of the gospel. Join us as we discover the encouragement and eternal perspective found in Jesus.

In a world of the consumer choice we can tailor our lives around our preferences. Discipleship couldn’t be more different. Discipleship is following after the pattern of Jesus who for our sake laid be made royal and rich. Here is both the engine and example for the Christian life. When the Apostle Paul urged the church in Philippi to conduct themselves ‘in a manner worthy of the gospel,’ he was calling them to functional unity, the fruit of that other-centred mindset of Christ, that would not only enable them to thrive, to stand firm in the face of opposition, but also speak a word of the victory and power of the cross. Discipleship costs yet it is gain, it is the joy living out what Christ has made us, a bonded community, displaying and experiencing the wonder of his reconciling love.

This Sunday in Philippians 2:12–30, we’ll see that the Christian life is not about trying harder to earn God’s love, but living out the new life God has already given us in Christ. Because God is at work in his people, shaping us more and more into the likeness of Jesus, we are called to “shine like stars” in a dark world — living with humility, obedience, joy, and gospel purpose.
Paul points us to faithful examples like Timothy and Epaphroditus, ordinary believers whose lives were centred not on themselves, but on Christ and the good of others. Together we’ll be encouraged to see that the Christian life is not simply about knowing the gospel but growing to reflect it in everyday life as God continues his work in us.

The Apostle Paul urged the Philippian church to live out the staggering realities of their partnership in Christ, that they might ‘shine like stars in the sky’ in the midst of those around. This is both to his and to the church’s rejoicing. No wonder he speaks in the starkest of terms against those who would undermine and rob that joy by peddling a false gospel. He will not have the glory, the sufficiency, the amazing grace of Christ compromised by a doctrine of works. If there was any merit in such, then Paul would be exemplary, but he calls them ‘rubbish,’ not only because they contribute nothing to salvation, but also because they detract from grace, a stumbling block to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, and united to him by faith, being clothed in his righteousness, sharing his verdict and validation. In this is our rest and relief, ‘in the Lord’ our reason for rejoicing.

The Apostle Paul has declared his confidence, not in his own performance, not in a righteousness grafted but gifted. He stands clothed in that which he has received from God through faith in Christ. Bound to Christ, he can claim what is his, citizenship of heaven. However, he is not yet there, though bearing the status he is not the finished article – his driving passion therefore is to live ‘up’ to what he has been made, living in the way of Christ towards the day of Christ. Like an athlete running competing in a race, he strains towards the finish line to ‘win the prize for which God had called him heavenward.’ His singleminded approach is the example for the church existing in the midst of potential distraction, those around with sight set only on earthly and fading glories. Heaven’s citizens run fixed on the greater glory. This then is how you stand firm, by straining forward, eye on the prize.

‘whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things’ (Phil. 4:8). ‘It’s all in the mind’ is something we often hear in the world of sport. In Philippians 4:2-9, Paul reminds his readers that the Christian life is shaped by the mind too, but not by selfconfidence or positive thinking. Instead, Paul calls them to have minds shaped by Christ. As he applies the gospel to everyday life, Paul shows how the mind of Christ transforms our relationships, helps us face anxiety with prayer and trust, and fills our thoughts with what is true, good and pleasing to God. The more our minds are shaped by Christ, the more our lives will reflect Christ, and the more we will shine together as his people in the world.

In our series in Philippians we’ve learned much about discipleship, living in the way of Christ towards the Day of Christ. Having reminded the believers ‘at Philippi’ of their true identity as those united ‘in Christ,’ Paul then urged them to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, echoing him together, and so shining out like stars, displaying the difference union with him makes. In Christ everything is transformed – chains for the gospel become freedom to proclaim; the arsenal of self-promotion becomes a unifying self-forgetfulness; the striving to earn approval becomes the rest of a righteousness gifted; the pursuit of the earth becomes a straining for eternity. As Paul closes his thank you letter, contentment is realised in its redirection, from ‘outside in’ to ‘inside out,’ from external circumstance to the overflow of a heart secure in the sufficiency and strength of Jesus