Philippians 1:1-11
Q.1. Was the church at Philippi well established? Can we depend on God to keep us to the end? – (Phil.1:1-6)
Paul had fond memories of his time at Philippi. After the initial opposition to the Gospel which resulted in Paul’s imprisonment (c.f. Acts 16:14-40), the jailer and his family were miraculously converted. A church had been established in the home of Lydia, the first convert in Europe (c.f. Acts 16:14-15). Now the church had developed with – … overseers and deacons (Phil.1:1). Paul extended the benediction – Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil.1:2). He recalled their – participation in the gospel from the first day until now (Phil.1:5). He shared a wonderful promise that has been a blessing for countless believers over the succeeding generations – For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil.1:6). God is not in the business of losing. He will keep on working towards completing what He has started in every newborn child of God, until He finally redeems whom He has purchased with His own precious blood (c.f. Eph.1:7, 14; 1 Pet.1:19).
Q.2. What was the real thrust of Paul’s prayers and hopes for the Philippian believers? – (Phil.1:7-11)
Christians often pray for success, health, or wealth. By contrast, Paul was in prison and appealing for his life (Phil.1:7). Paul prayed for enduring spiritual benefits to be given by God to the Philippians – 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ (Phil.1:9-10). Paul did not simply pray that God would bless them. He prayed that the transformation would continue and be completed in them, so – 9 … that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Phil.1:9-11). He desired that they would gain discernment, so that they could grow more faithful and be pleasing to the Lord.