STUDY OF PHILIPPIANS (part 3)

Study of Philippians (part 3)

LESSON TITLE: Serving in One Spirit

PHILIPPIANS 1:

VERSE 27:
Paul was concerned about the lifestyles of the Christians in the church at Philippi.

Question:
Why was this important to him?
    – Their actions could affect the church’s witness in the community?
      Note:
          Paul had already dealt with a divided church at Corinth;
          he knew what selfish pride and bickering could do to the church.

      Question:
      What effect does it have on us when we have turmoil in the church?

      Question:
      How does it affect Christians when other ‘professing’ Christians
      live a lifestyle that’s not a reflection of their faith? Can we cause
      discouragement of other believers by the way we live our lives?

      Question:
      What are some ways Christians hurt their witness, (which also
       hurts the witness of others)? When we fail to live the life God
       expects us to live, could we cause others to categorize all of
       our brothers and sisters in Christ, as hypocrites?

“stand firm” – A military term that means to hold one’s ground.

    Question:
    How does that apply to Christians?
    Note:
         Look at what we are told in God’s Word:
         The words “once more” indicate the removing of what
         can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what
         cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are
         receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be
         thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence
         and awe.
         (Hebrews 12:27-28)

    Note:
        As God continues to sanctify us, He removes the things that
        can cause us to be shaken (fearful) and replaces them with
        what cannot be shaken. God is giving us a confidence and
        certainty that we have been saved, and as a result, we can
        overcome our fears (including the fear of Satan’s attempts
        to ‘shake’ our faith to the point that we start having doubts
        about our salvation).

    Note:
        ‘standing firm’ is a challenge for all believers. Why? Because
        we are challenged by Satan and his ‘angels’ every day. Being
        ‘unmovable’ is not something we can do in our own strength.
        And, that is precisely why God gave us the Holy Spirit when
        He saved us.
        Think about this:
        Satan wants to convince us that we can stand our ground
        against his attacks, in our own strength. If he can cause us
        to be prideful in our ability to resist all his temptations, then
        he has us right where he wants us! Not only that, but he has
        caused us to be detestable in God’s eyes.
            There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are
            detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands
            that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked
            schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false
            witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up
            conflict in the community.
            (Proverbs 6:16-19)

        From this scripture, we can see that ‘pride’ (identified as
        ‘haughty eyes’) is the first one in the list of things that are
        detestable to God. Not only that, but we can assume that
        ‘pride’ makes us susceptible to the other six things which
        are also detestable to God. We can understand why God
        hates pride, and why Satan uses it to weaken our ability
        to ‘stand firm’.

Question:
What are some factors (external or internal)
that cause Christians to lose ground?
Note:
    The Philippians lived in a hostile environment and had
    to contend with harsh government officials and unpopular
    public opinion
    (Ref. Acts 16:16-24).

Question:
Why do you think Paul asked them to
be the same whether he was with them or not?
    – Because some people put on a front when others are
      around, but live a different way when they are alone,
      or with a different group of people?

Question:
“as one man” – What does that mean?
    – They are like-minded?
      Note:
          One person does not usually argue with himself;
          or do things that hurts his own feelings; etc.

VERSE 28:
He challenged them to not be afraid of their opposition.
    Why?
    Because their lack of fear would serve as a sign to the others that
    they would be destroyed, but the people of the church at Philippi
    would be saved.
    Note:
        The way we live as followers of Jesus does have an impact on
        others. How we live is our opportunity to be a witness to others.
        For instance, think about this:
        Some believers think drinking is okay, and others think God does
        not approve of drinking alcoholic beverages. Rather than debating
        what is right, we need to think about how our actions affect others.
        If a lost person believes God does not want a follower of Jesus to
        drink alcohol and they see us drinking, how will that change his or
        her opinion of Christians? We could very well cause them to think
        that they are as good as a Christian, so they don’t need Jesus in
        their life. Think of the impact we could have on where another
        person will spend eternity! It is not something to be taken lightly;
        we will be held accountable for how we have influenced the lives
        of others, their lack of salvation, and where they will spend eternity.

    Question:
    How could their lack of fear have an impact on their opponents?
        – When someone knows a threat will eventually be
          overtaken and removed, it can result in an attitude
          of confidence. Their confident countenance affects
          their opponents.

    Question:
    If you could sum up Paul’s point in one phrase, what would it be?
        – Keep the faith?

    Question:
    What are some factors that frighten churches today?

VERSE 29:
Question:
Is Paul saying that those who follow Christ should expect suffering?
    Question:
    If so, what kind of suffering?
        – Suffering brought on by others?
        – Suffering we bring on ourselves through sin?

    Question:
    Do you think the churches today devote enough
    attention to the topic of suffering? Why, or why not?
    Note:
        Paul implies suffering for Christ should be considered an honor.

VERSE 30:
Paul puts it on a personal level.

Question:
Do you think this was encouraging or discouraging to the Philippians?
Why?

PHILIPPIANS 2:

VERSES 1-2:
Paul lists the things that would bring him joy:
    – A church body that found encouragement
      in being united together with Christ.

    – A church body that found comfort in knowing God loves them.

    – A church body that allowed the Spirit to guide them in harmony.

    – A church body that has tenderness and compassion for each other.
      Question:
      What are some signs that a person is tender and compassionate?

    – A church body that is unified as indicated by:
          – Having the same level of concern for each other, and the gospel.
          – Having the same level of love for each other, and the Lord.
          – Having the same desires and goals for the church,
             and for the advancement of the gospel.
          – Having the same level of commitment to serve as needed.

VERSE 3:
Paul challenges them (and us) to practice humility.

Question:
When a person is conceited,
what does that say about what he or she thinks of others?
    – They think others are not as good as him or her.
      Note:
          No matter how great a person may think
          he or she is, there is always someone better.

Question:
Is it easier, or more difficult for a conceited person to be saved?
    Question:
    Why?

Question:
Is it easier, or more difficult for a conceited person to serve in the church?
    Question:
    Why?

Paul gives us a very simple formula for humility:
    – We should consider others as better than ourselves.

VERSE 4:
To this he adds, we should have concern for the interests of others.

Question:
What are some ways that people show a lack of concern for others today?
    – How many times do we start talking before another person has finished?
    – How many times do we show a lack of interest in what someone is saying?
    – How many times do we turn and start talking to someone else while another
       person is talking to us?
    – Have we ever walked off while someone is talking to us?
    – How many times do we want to start giving someone advice,
       instead of patiently waiting for them to share their heart with us?

SUMMARY
As Christians,
    – We should serve together in one spirit.
    – We should be steadfast in our commitment.
    – When we suffer as a result of our belief, we should consider it an honor.
    – We need to develop an attitude of humility.
    – We need to have love and concern for each other.
    – We need to purge ourselves of any, and all, selfishness.
    – We need to use our gifts and talents in any way we can to serve God.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for considering me important
enough for Jesus to give His life for my sins. Thank You for
teaching me to consider the importance of others that You
have created. Help me to be aware of any pride that may be
creeping into my life and causing me to be detestable in Your
sight. Teach me how to be humble and not arrogant to those
around me. Show me how to be an encourager to others by the
way I live and the things I do and say. Help me to look for ways
to make others feel valuable and loved. Forgive me for the things
I have said or done that made others feel unimportant and ignored.
Remind me that since You encourage me and lift my spirits, as a
follower of Jesus, I need to seek opportunities to treat others in the
same way. May Your love flow through me!”

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