Step By Step Through the New Testament (Part II)

1. Step By Step Through the New Testament(Part II) • Lesson 14: • Philippians: Prolegomena & Overview • Rev. Christopher J. Respass • Antioch Bible Institute • Spring 2014

2. Paul & Philippi • Philippi was located in the province of Macedonia and was a Roman colony. As such, the citizens had special rights and privileges within the Roman governmental structure. Philippian citizens engaged in occult activities, but were generally intolerant to other religions. There, however, a Christian church was planted by a Gentile woman named Lydia (Acts 16:12-40). The Philippian opposition to the Church eventually led to Paul’s imprisonment. Once released, Paul completed his 2nd missionary journey, but maintained contact with the new congregation. (Lea & Hudson, 173).

6. Date of Philippians • Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon are coined the “Prison Letters” because Paul was in prison when he wrote them. Most scholars date Paul’s first Roman imprisonment in the early sixties—around 61-63AD. • In Philippians, Paul was optimistic that he would soon be released (Phil. 1:24-26, 2:24), but Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon do not share that same optimism. This suggests that Philippians was written later in Paul’s prison term, maybe 62-63 AD.

7. Theme of Philippians • Theme: God’s Word to a Healthy Church • I. Paul’s Commendation & Advice (1:1-2:30) • II. Paul’s Warning (3:1-4:20) • A. Against Judaizers (3:1-21) • B. Against Disunity (4:1-18)

8. Key Teachings • Prayer of Encouragement for the Philippian Church (Phil. 1:3-11) • A. Thanks God & prays for them (v.3-5) • B. Views the believers as partners in the gospel ministry (incl. his imprisonment)(v.7). • C. Encourages them to grow in love, knowledge and discernment (v.9-11)

9. Key Teachings • II. Paul’s perspective on His imprisonment (1:12-18). • A. It served to advance the gospel (v.12) • 1. his suffering for the gospel was known throughout the Imperial Guard and all the rest. • 2. Brothers became confident in the Lord and became bolder in their witness (v.14)

10. Key Teachings • B. Paul rejoices that Christ is preached (v. 15-18) • 1. Some preach from envy & rivalry. • a) not sincerely • b) seeking to afflict Paul • 2. Others preach from goodwill • a) out of love • b) with knowledge that Paul is imprisoned for the his defense of the gospel.

11. Key Teachings • C. In either case, Paul rejoiced because Christ is preached. • “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.”(Phil 1:18)

12. Key Teachings • III. Believers should have Christ’s Humility (2:1-11). • A. His deity was voluntarily relinquished to do the Father’s will (v.6) • B. He “emptied” himself, becoming nothing and taking the form of a servant. • C. was made in the likeness of men. • D. Humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death

13. Key Teachings • D. Results of Christ’s humility • 1. God highly exalted him (v.9a) • 2. Received a name above all names (v.9b). • 3. All will bow and worship him as Lord (v.10-11)

14. Key Teachings • IV. Pressing toward the mark (3:12-16). • A. Every believer remains “under construction” but should be intentionally striving for Christian maturity (v.12) • B. Believers should not be discouraged by past failings, but should continue to press forward (v.13). • C. Receiving the prize of God’s upward call should be your goal (v.14) • D. Mature believers should think this way.

15. Key Teachings • IV. God will provide for you (4:10-13). • A. We must learn to be content in every situation (v.11). • B. The secret in facing need and abundance is the Strength of Christ (v.13).

16. Questions