Background
- A thank you letter from Paul to the church in Philippi; the sort you write to your nan after Christmas.
- Lots of gratitude going on.
- Theme of unity in Christian community, and rejoicing.
Philippians 1
- v 3-6 Paul gives thanks for the Philippians, due to what Jesus has been doing in them and what is being worked to completion. Who are you thankful to God for?
- Paul’s prayer is fascinating (v 9-11). He prays for an increase in love, which has more knowledge and insight. This leads to discernement; being blameless and pure; having the fruit of righteousness and all for the praise and glory of God.
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)
- Paul’s chains advance the gospel, which is awesome.
- v 18 is perhaps surprising: as long as Christ is being preached, the motives are unimportant.
- End of chapter has some challenging truths about facing opposition: that we are to stand firm in unity and in one spirit, and we are to be without fear.
- v 29 suggests that we treat suffering for the gospel as an equal gift as faith in the gospel (see Acts 5:41).
Implications for Mosaic/others
- We need to love one another in order to have discernment and to be blameless
- We need to rejoice due to one another
- We are to face opposition together and without fear
- Do you have a favourite book of the Bible? Why do you love it so much?
- Who are you thankful for?
- Is it possible to treat suffering as a gift? How do you do it?
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