Epistle to the Philippians

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Epistle to the Philippians
Phil 11-5, Greeting and Prayer

• Phil 11,2 NKJV Paul and Timothy,
  bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints
  in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the
  bishops and deacons Grace to you and peace from
  God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Paul, with Silas and Timothy, planted the Gospel
  there (Acts 1612) in Pauls second missionary
  journey in A.D. 51.
• Of the two, Paul is older, more seasoned,
  author of the epistle
• So why is Timothy included here?
• Because he was with him when he first preached at
  Philippi
• And so was known unto the Philippians, and
  respected by them
• And because Paul was about to send Timothy to
  them again Phil 219
• And to let them see, that there was a continued
  agreement between the two of them in affection
  and doctrine.
• Both are identified as bondservants

Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel
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Epistle to the Philippians
Phil 11-5, Greeting and Prayer

• bondservant - one who gives himself up to
  another's will
• Can we identify with this?
• to all of the saints who are in Philippi
• saints set apart ones
• Position or condition here?
• It is not to the church as in the letters to
  the Corinthians or the Thessalonians, but to all
  the saints.
• Thus, more directed to the believer himself
  rather than to the body?
• Perhaps reflects the purpose of the epistle?
• Joy and encouragement
• with the bishops and deacons
• bishop or episkopos - an overseer or presbyter

Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel
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Epistle to the Philippians
Phil 11-5, Greeting and Prayer

• a man charged with the duty of seeing that things
  to be done by others are done rightly (curator,
  guardian or superintendent)
• In the body of Christ, an elder, overseer or
  bishop
• Act 2017 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus,
  and called the elders of the church.
• Act 2028 Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
  and to all the flock, over the which the Holy
  Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church
  of God, which he hath purchased with his own
  blood.
• I Tim 32 A bishop then must be blameless, the
  husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of
  good behavior, hospitable, able to teach
• deacon or diakonos one who executes
• the commands of another, i.e. of a master
• a servant, attendant, minister

Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel
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Epistle to the Philippians
Phil 11-5, Greeting and Prayer

• John 1226 If anyone serves Me, let him follow
  Me and where I am, there My servant will be
  also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will
  honor.
• With the apostles now dead or far away (Paul long
  in prison), the elders and deacons needed to step
  up and be serve their roles in the local body.
• JFB The Spirit thus intimated that the
  churches were to look up to their own pastors,
  now that the miraculous gifts were passing into
  Gods ordinary providence, and the presence of
  the inspired apostles, the dispensers of those
  gifts, was to be withdrawn.
• In Philippi there was a plurality of both elders
  and deacons in the church.
• Today the pastor or senior pastor
• Pastor is a term not used in the Bible

Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel
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Epistle to the Philippians
Phil 11-5, Greeting and Prayer

• Phil 12 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God
  our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Why is this the same phrase, almost word for
  word, in all of Pauls epistles?
• Phil 33-4 I thank my God upon every remembrance
  of you, always in every prayer of mine making
  request for you all with joy, for your fellowship
  in the gospel from the first day until now,
• Really every remembrance of yours
• Perhaps referring to their kind/generous
  attention to Paul?
• in supplying his wants and needs?
• prayer or deesis refers to requests
• Lets look at Pauls prayer.
• What aspects of Pauls prayer are noteworthy
  here?

Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel
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Epistle to the Philippians
Phil 11-5, Greeting and Prayer

• always does that reflect the Philippian body or
  the frequency/consistency of Pauls prayer?
• in every prayer of mine for you all
• Don't we often say this too?
• Note the encouragement here!
• Remember, as stated in Acts 16, the principle
  outcome from all of the work in Philippi is
  progress (growth) through conflict.
• The progress characterizes that despite the
  conflict they are joyful and lifted up.
• And Pauls request for the body is made with joy!
• And remember, at Philippi both Paul and Silas
  were beaten, put into prison and then into
  stocks.
• Yet, Paul remembers Philippi with joy.
• Joy used 16 times in Philippians

Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel
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Epistle to the Philippians
Phil 11-5, Greeting and Prayer

• Paul looked upon his sufferings In Christ as
  Gods glory manifested.
• How do we pray for others when we pray?
• Does it begin with grace, thanksgiving and joy as
  Pauls does here?
• And its for your fellowship in the gospel
• Jude 13 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to
  write unto you of the common salvation, it was
  needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you
  that ye should earnestly contend for the faith
  which was once delivered unto the saints.
• Fellowship is viewed three ways in Philippians
• With Christ, which was revealed in suffering
  (Phil 129).
• With one another, which was revealed in unity
  (Phil 21-11).
• With Paul, which was revealed in financial giving
  (Phil 416).
• What does this fellowship in the gospel look
  like?
• koinonia - intercourse, intimacy

Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel
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Epistle to the Philippians
Phil 11-5, Greeting and Prayer

• The gospel is good news, a simple message of
  Gods great Grace
• so this must be where fellowship starts.
• But for the believer, why at times does this not
  occur?
• Gal 19 As we have said before, so now I say
  again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you
  than what you have received, let him be
  accursed.
• When this barrier ensues, what is our response?
• from the first day until now,
• Which first day is this?
• Does this relate to the furtherance of the
  gospel?
• Phil 16 - next week wow!

Jan 15, 2012 Bob Eckel
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