TO KNOW CHRIST AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN A Devotional ...

TO KNOW CHRIST AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN

A Devotional Commentary on the Book of Philippians

by Paul G. Apple, April 2001 revised January 2003

TRUE JOY COMES FROM FELLOWSHIP AND UNITY IN FURTHERING THE GOSPEL (IN DEPENDENCE UPON GOD) AS WE SEEK TO FULLY KNOW CHRIST

For each section:

- Thesis statement

... to focus on the big idea

- Analytical outline

... to guide the understanding

- Devotional questions

... to encourage life application

- Representative quotations ... to stimulate deeper insight

Philippians 1:27 "striving together for the faith of the gospel"

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OUTLINE OF PHILIPPIANS

OUR GOAL: TO KNOW CHRIST AND TO MAKE HIM KNOW

TRUE JOY COMES FROM FELLOWSHIP AND UNITY IN FURTHERING THE GOSPEL (IN DEPENDENCE UPON GOD) AS WE SEEK TO FULLY KNOW CHRIST

I. (1:1-26) TRUE FELLOWSHIP PROMOTES THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL (DESPITE PERSECUTION) AS WE FOCUS ON EXALTING CHRIST "in view of your participation in the gospel"

(1:1-11) AS WE LABOR TOGETHER UNTIL CHRIST RETURNS, FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL SPARKS THREE RESPONSES:

JOYFUL THANKSGIVING INTIMATE BONDS PURPOSEFUL PRAYER (FOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY)

(:1-2) INTRODUCTION -- THE SUBJECTS OF FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL

A. "Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus"

B. "to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi"

(:3-6) FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL SPARKS JOYFUL THANKSGIVING

A. The Recipient of Our Thanksgiving is the God who Cares for us so Personally

B. The Occasion for Thanksgiving Should be Our Memories of fellowship with the saints "my whole remembrance of you"

C. The Natural Twin of Thanksgiving is Consistent Petition

D. The Reason for Our Thanksgiving and Petition is Fellowship in the Gospel

E. The Confidence for Our Thanksgiving and Petition is the Perseverance of God

(:7-8) JOYFUL THANKSGIVING IS APPROPRIATE BECAUSE FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL SPARKS INTIMATE BONDS :

(:7) CLOSE UNITY (:8) DEEP AFFECTION

A. Such Joyful Thanksgiving is Appropriate

B. Close Unity is Rooted in Partnership in the Grace of of God that extends to both imprisonment and the defense and confirmation of the gospel

C. The Depth of Affection Can Be Attested by God

(:9-11) FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL SPARKS PURPOSEFUL PRAYER FOR ABUNDANT LOVE EXERCISED IN WISDOM (SPIRITUAL MATURITY)

A. Request -- abundant love exercised in wisdom

B. Reason -- make wise choices; don't let the good be the enemy of the best

C. Result -- be sincere and blameless, manifesting the fruit of righteousness; this achieves the ultimate result of bringing God glory and praise

(1:12-18) THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL CAN ACTUALLY BENEFIT FROM DIFFICULT PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

BY SHOWING UNBELIEVERS THE REALITY OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST;

BY SHOWING BELIEVERS OUR EXAMPLE OF JOY AND FAITHFULNESS (WHICH GIVES THEM COURAGE TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL)

I. (:12) STATEMENT OF HIS THESIS: THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL CAN ACTUALLY BENEFIT FROM DIFFICULT PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

A. The Apostle Paul's Personal Circumstances Looked Bleak

B. These Difficult Circumstances Have Promoted the Advancement of the Gospel

II. (:13-18) TWOFOLD EXPLANATION -- TWO POSITIVE RESULTS FROM HIS DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES

A. Showing Unbelievers the Reality of His Relationship to Chris t

1. His bonds were an instrument of freedom and opportunity and rejoicing rather than enslavement and limitation and bitterness

2. His bonds were plainly seen by all to be in fellowship with Christ and in His service rather than on account of any wrongdoing

3. The scope of his testimony was unlimited

a. the strategic palace guard (praetorian guards) b. all other unbelievers as well throughout Rome and the empire

B. Showing Believers His Example of Joy and Faithfulness Which Gave Them Courage to Proclaim the Gospel

1. The gospel advances more effectively through the testimony of many than just through the testimony of one superstar

2. There is a natural fear of witnessing that needs to be overcome in order for us to advance the gospel

3. The right response to difficult circumstances can mobilize the ministry of others by encouraging them to step out in faith

4. People might proclaim the gospel from either good or bad motivations

a. out of a sense of competition and personal ambition b. out of a genuine love and sense of good will

5. We should rejoice in the proclamation of the gospel irregardless of the motives of the proclaimers or their good or bad intentions towards us personally

(1:19-26) FOCUS ON EXALTING CHRIST AND YOU CAN COUNT ON SUPERNATURAL BOLDNESS IN FRUITFUL MINISTRY --

ONE THAT WILL GLORIFY CHRIST AND EFFECTIVELY IMPACT OTHERS

I. SUPERNATURAL BOLDNESS IN FRUITFUL MINISTRY COMES FROM FOCUSING ON EXALTING CHRIST (:19-21)

A. The Power of Intercessory Prayer and the Help of the Holy Spirit Give Confidence that We Will Persevere in the Faith (:19)

B. Supernatural Boldness is the Key to a Ministry that Glorifies Christ (:20b)

C. Focusing on Exalting Christ is the Key to Being Able to Count on Such Supernatural Boldness in Ministry (:20a,21)

II. THE PURPOSE OF THIS LIFE IS FRUITFUL MINISTRY -- ONE THAT GLORIFIES CHRIST AND BENEFITS OTHERS (:22-26)

A. The Opportunity for Continued Fruitful Ministry Counterbalances Our Desire to Escape the Difficulties of This Life and Enter Glory (:22-24)

B. Fruitful Ministry Involves Fellowship in the Gospel that Furthers the Gospel (effectively impacts others) and Focuses on Exalting Christ (:25-26)

II. (1:27-2:30) TRUE UNITY PROMOTES THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL (DESPITE PERSECUTION) AS WE SUBMIT TO HUMBLING OURSELVES "striving together for the faith of the gospel"

(1:27-2:2) THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SHOULD INSPIRE LOYAL SOLIDARITY (TRUE UNITY) AND SUPERNATURAL CALM AS WE STRIVE TOGETHER TO FURTHER THE GOSPEL (WHILE ACCEPTING THE INEVITABILITY OF PERSECUTION)

I. (1:27a) THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST SHOULD BE THE INSPIRATION FOR OUR LIFESTYLE

A. General Exhortation (1:27a) "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ"

B. Specific Reasons (2:1) -- the fruit of the gospel in our life should inspire us to live worthy of such a high, privileged calling

1. Encouragement from being united with Christ

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