STUDY OF PHILIPPIANS (part-5)

Study of Philippians (part 5)

LESSON TITLE: Serving Faithfully

PHILIPPIANS 2:

VERSES 12-13:
Question:
Obeyed who?

“work out your salvation” – This does not mean salvation by works:
    1. “work out” – Translated from a Greek word that means to carry
         something to its completion (God wants us to realize
         the potential we have in our salvation).

    2. Paul’s letter was addressed to Christians and not to unbelievers.
         (Philippians 1:1 – “saints”)

    3. In Verse 13, he points out that God works in us to accomplish His will.

As far as serving God, Paul says we should do it with “fear and trembling”,
which relates to the reverence and awe we experience in God’s presence.

VERSES 14-15:
Paul gives us guidelines for serving God:
    – Do not complain or argue about our service.
      Question:
      What are some complaints we might hear?
      Question:
      What are some things people might argue about?

    – Be blameless and harmless
      (don’t do ANYTHING that would hurt the cause of Christ).

    – Let our actions reflect that we are God’s children
      (similar attitudes, priorities, humility, concern for others, etc.).

    – Make sure our life is reflective of our faith.
      Question:
      Why?
          So others will not view us as hypocrites (be consistent).

    – Conduct ourselves in a manner that is so different from
      the world that we will be like a light compared to darkness.

      Question:
      What are some ways Christians can be a light in our world
      today (what things should we do and things we should not do)?

      Question:
      Is the world Paul describes different than ours?
      Question:
      If not, what can we conclude?
          – The world is always bent toward sin?

    – Cling to the truth, regardless of the circumstances (don’t let situations
      cause us to react as a worldly person would…or start doubting our faith).

Paul said he would know his efforts were fruitful, if the
Philippians proved to be committed and consistent Christians.

VERSES 17-18:
Paul hints at sacrificial service. We may not have to die for Christ,
but we can live for Him (this includes putting aside our desires at
times, and instead do what we know God wants us to do).

VERSE 19:
We can see the confidence and trust Paul has in Timothy.

Question:
What are some ways we can encourage
others to have trust and confidence in us?
    – Be consistent?

    – Don’t gossip?

    – Be willing to share the facts, even when we know it may be
      something the other person doesn’t like (because we know
      its for their good, and they need to know)?

    – Be honest and transparent?

VERSE 20:
Paul gives his reason for sending Timothy;
he has a genuine interest in the welfare of the Philippians.

Question:
Do you think others can tell when our interest in them is insincere?

Question:
What effect does it have on a person when
someone shows genuine interest in them?

VERSE 21:
Question:
If you could choose one word to describe the
ones Paul is talking about, what would it be?
    – Selfish?
    – Self-centered?

VERSE 22:
Paul quickly points out that Timothy is not like the ones he just
mentioned. Timothy had proven himself; he had worked faithfully
with Paul in spreading the gospel.

Question:
Why do you think he used the analogy of a father and son?

VERSE 23:
Paul said he would not send Timothy until he knew his own fate.

Question:
Why did he want to wait until then?
    – So Timothy could give them an update on Paul?

VERSE 24:
Paul had faith that God was going to extend
his life and he would be able to visit them.

Question:
How do you think he acquired this confidence?
    – Through much prayer?

VERSE 25:
We can see how much the Philippians cared for Paul. They sent
Epaphroditus to minister to him; Epaphroditus also brought Paul
information about the Philippians.

VERSE 26:
While there with Paul, Epaphroditus became homesick;
he also became physically ill and was upset because the
Philippians knew he was sick.

Question:
Why did this upset him?
    – They might feel guilty for sending him?

    – They would worry and wonder about his condition?

    – They would be disappointed that he could not minister
      to Paul (he would be more of a handicap than a help)?
      Question:
      When people are sick, who are they generally concerned about?

VERSE 27:
Epaphroditus had more than a little cold.

Paul was grateful to God for two reasons:
    1. He spared Epaphroditus.

    2. In sparing him, He prevented Paul from additional distress.

VERSES 28-29:
Apparently Paul was concerned that some in the
church would object to Epaphroditus returning home.
Question:
Why?
    – They may have felt he should have stayed and ministered to Paul?

Paul must have been burdened over the condition of Epaphroditus;
his return would bring relief to Paul and reduce his anxieties.

VERSE 30:
Paul reminds them that Epaphroditus risked his life to help him.

“the help you could not give”
    – Probably did not mean they were neglecting Paul, they just
      could not do from a distance what Epaphroditus could do in person.

SUMMARY
– Christ challenges us to follow Him in faithful service.
– This lesson points to five qualities of service:
      1. Reverent service.
      2. Consistent service.
      3. Sacrificial service.
      4. Caring service.
      5. Devoted service.
– Service is a show of appreciation for the salvation we have received
  (the more we are thankful for our salvation, the great desire we will
   have to serve the Lord in some way).
– Each of us have special talents and gifts given specifically to us;
   we should look for, and welcome opportunities to use them, for Christ.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Your
merciful and gracious gift if salvation. Create a
desire in me to serve you as proof of my gratefulness
for what You have given me. Help me to discover the
spiritual gift you have given me and then show me
how and where to use it in serving You. Don’t let me
neglect this incredible gift You have given me, but
help me to realize I have received my spiritual gift
from You as a venue for You to communicate with
others and influence their lives for eternity. For me
to withhold the use of Your gift would be an act of
selfishness and I know you want those in Your family
to be kind and unselfish.”

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