06 February 2022 (am) – Philippians 1:1-11

Andy Bruins preaching from Philippians on Sunday 6th February 2022.

The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians to express his gratitude and affection for the Philippian church, his strongest supporters in ministry. Scholars agree that Paul drafted the epistle during his two years of house arrest in Rome.
Paul had established the church in Philippi approximately 10 years prior, during his second missionary journey recorded in Acts 16. His tender love for the believers in Philippi is apparent in this most personal of Paul’s writings.
The church had sent gifts to Paul while he was in chains. These gifts were delivered by Epaphroditus, a leader in the Philippian church who ended up assisting Paul with ministry in Rome. At some point while serving with Paul, Epaphroditus became dangerously sick and nearly died. After his recovery, Paul sent Epaphroditus back to Philippi carrying with him the letter to the Philippian church.

A key theme in Philippians is joy/rejoicing in the Christian life.

Q What is Paul grateful for (v3)? Is gratitude an activity or an attitude? What difference does gratitude make in our lives? Practically, how can we cultivate greater gratitude in our lives? What stops us?
Q In v5 Paul uses the Greek word that is often translated “fellowship”. What is the difference between fellowship and friendship? What does it mean to partner in the Gospel?
Q What do we learn about God and our salvation from verse 6? What does “good work” refer to? What other Scriptures can we find that help us to understand this verse? Does this verse encourage us? Why?
Q In view of what Paul says in verse 6, how would you define “sanctification”? Is it something that God does or that
we do?
Q What does verse 7 reveal about Paul’s heart as a pastor?
Q Read v9-11. What does it mean for our ‘love to abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight’? Practically, how can we discern what is best in a given situation?