18th April 2021

Philippians – An End of a New Beginning!

Preacher:
Passage: Philippians 4:14-23
Service Type:

In this sermon, we will look at a brief summary of our journey and the conclusion to our study on the book of Philippians.

1. Purpose of life

The structure of the Book of Philippians begins with Paul opening with THE PURPOSE OF LIFE in chapter 1. The key verse is Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.". Paul did not want to escape this life on earth, but lived His life with the strong conviction, that to live would be to proclaim Christ, and at death would be to embrace Christ. So either way Paul's central focus in living or dying was in Christ alone. Paul continues to present to us in Philippians chapter 1, seven expressions in which Christ is the PURPOSE OF LIFE.

1.1) The Christian should have the feelings of Christ
1.2) The Christian should have the same interests of Christ
1.3) The very spirit of Christ is ours
1.4) Our concern and focus upon should be Christ
1.5) Christ is and should be our desire
1.6) Our conduct should be controlled by Christ
1.7) We share in the suffering of Christ

2. Our pattern for living

Chapter 2 now shifts to our pattern for living. The key verse for chapter 2 is found in verse 5 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,". Here we find Paul highlights 5 important principles in this chapter:

2.1) The mind of Christ
2.2) The humbling or the condescension of Christ
2.3) The exaltation of Christ
2.4) The mind of Paul as an example
2.5) The examples of Timothy and Ephaphroditus

3. Our goal in life

In chapter 3, Paul goes on to focus on our goal in life. The key verse of chapter 3:10: " that I may know Him-".

3.1) Paul begins this chapter with a warning for false teachers
3.2) There is no confidence in the flesh
3.3) The prize Paul gained

4. Christ our Power and Strength in life

Finally, in chapter 4, Paul closes the letter to the Philippians with a chapter on Christ our power and strength in life. The key verse in chapter 4 is verse 13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Paul knew that the strength of his flesh would not make him abound in the things of God, therefore for him to overcome challenges and be able to conquer the flesh He needed the power of God. Paul begins chapter 4 with:

4.1) Joy that comes from Christ as a source of power
4.2) The power of right praying, right thinking, and right living
4.3) The power of Christ who satisfies
4.4) The power of Christ who supplies

5. Conclusion

The presuppositions in the book of Philippians are important to us in our understanding for the application of these principles in our lives.

5.1) To be in Christ means Salvation
5.2) To work through Christ means Sanctification
5.3) To live for Christ means Dedication
5.4) To surrender to Christ means Consecration
5.5) To be with Christ means Glorification

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