In our message, ADVANCING THE GOSPEL (Philippians 1:1-18), we started a new series in the book of Philippians which focuses on JOY. There is great joy in partnering with God in His work when it is done with the right heart attitude (John 15:11; Phil. 1:15-17; 1 Cor. 4:5, etc.).
Like the book of Colossians, Paul wrote the book of Philippians during his first Roman imprisonment “in his own rented house” awaiting trial before Caesar (see Acts 28:30-31). However, while Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon were written toward the beginning of that time and sent to the province of Asia Minor (circa 60 A.D.), the book of Philippians went to Macedonia and was most likely penned at the end of the apostle’s two-year incarceration (circa 62 A.D., Acts 28:30; Phil. 2:24, etc.).
Paul had followed the specific call of the Holy Spirit to evangelize the city of Philippi on his second missionary journey (Acts. 16:6-10), and though it had been over a decade since that time, the apostle still had ‘great affection’ for them and cared for them deeply (Phil. 1:8). The church was born there in a place that had little knowledge of the true God- as this Roman city of Philippi did not even possess a synagogue (Acts 16:11-13), yet many came to faith in Jesus Christ from diverse backgrounds! (Acts 16:14-40). In fact, when Paul wrote this book, the Philippian church had grown enormously, possessing a well-ordered leadership structure with multiple “bishops [i.e. elders] and deacons” (Phil. 1:1-2).
In addition to this, the believers there were known to give to God’s work “beyond their ability” and even out of their “deep poverty” (2 Cor. 8:1-5). It was in this way that they also gave to the imprisoned apostle Paul, because they wanted to partner with him in the “defense” (Gk. apología) of the Word of God (Phil. 1:5, 7). Paul’s JOY overflowed as he saw their love for him and their love for the Lord (Phil. 1:3-4, 8). And they also had supernatural JOY in Philippi as they gave (Gal. 5:22; 2 Cor. 8:2, etc.). The Holy Spirit in this section of praise additionally declares the truth that God will “complete” the “good work” He started at salvation in every Christian’s life (Phil. 1:6). Paul then prayed for them out of thanksgiving- desiring they each would have abundant “fruit that abounds to [their] account” all the way to “the day… Jesus Christ” comes for them (Phil. 1:9-11; 4:17b).
The Philippians may have thought the gospel was hindered or possibly even stopped by Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, but the truth was God’s Word had advanced in miraculous ways that it never could have- had these things not happened to Paul (Phil. 1:12). In fact, “the whole palace guard” of Caesar’s government had heard the message of salvation as well as others in high positions of the world government (Phil. 1:13). And this encouraged other brothers and sisters in the faith to share the gospel of grace boldly (Phil. 1:14). Paul rejoiced, even though some brothers (v.14) shared the gospel “from selfish ambition, not sincerely” hoping to hurt him (Phil. 1:15-17). All that Paul cared about was God’s Word going out and that people were being saved! (Phil. 1:18). *For more information on this message, please see Springhill Bible Fellowship Church’s February 1st sermon above.