STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS- PART 3

                  Oct. 3, 2004

 

Intro: Ch.1:12-20- Paul interprets the events of his

imprisonment—

I. WE MAY DISCOVER DIVINELY APPOINTED

LIMITATIONS ARE, IN FACT, GIFTS OF ENLARGE-

MENT. 1:12-13  Paul answers, “How are you?”

  1) What appeared as a set-back was an

advancement !

  2) Two important circumstances resulted:

> Gospel advanced right to heart of Rome

> Believers developed “backbone”

 

II. THE PRESENCE OF A BELIEVER CAN BE AS

IMPORTANT AS PERFORMANCE. 1:13-14

  1) Presence says, “I care for you.”

  2) Where has God placed you?

 

III. OBJECTIVITY PREVENTS REACTION TO

THOSE WHO WOULD DISTRACT US. 1:15-18

  1) Those “of envy/strife” have ill feeling toward

Paul- not to be confused with 3:1-2, 18-19

  2) Paul refuses to be distracted by these

see Mark. 9:38-41

 

IV. THE BELIEVER’S ULTIMATE GOAL IS THE

EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 1:19-20

  1) Discern God’s use of others

  2) Excitement must focus on Christ

 

V. SUBMISSION TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE

CHARACTERIZES THOSE WHO ARE POSITIVE

FOR CHRIST. 1:19-20 “salvation”=deliverance

from neg. attitudes.

  1) Resistance often brings bitterness/anger

  2) Paul’s hope was promotion of Christ