5/24/10 Philippians 1
One Step Backward Three Forward
Philippians is a letter to the Philippian church from Paul who is imprisoned at Rome. Paul and Silas founded the church on Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16). The Phillipian church heard about Paul’s imprisonment in Rome and sent him some funds and support through a man named Epaphroditus. While in Rome Epaphroditus nearly dies and Paul then sends him back to the Philippian church with this letter.
This letter is meant to encourage them in what they see as discouragement. The Phillipian church no doubt understood, believed, shared, and financed the gospel. In verse 5 Paul refers to their participation in the gospel from the first day until now. Paul lets them know of his joy and love for them as they have stood with him in the defense and confirmation of the gospel in verse 7.
He wants to assure them what they see as a hindrance to the gospel, his imprisonment, has actually turned out to propel the gospel further. So instead of the common phrase “three steps backward and one step forward” Paul assures them that just the opposite has happened. That is so like our God to reverse the ordinary and create the extraordinary. He says that his imprisonment has brought greater attention to the cause of Christ which is giving him further opportunity for the defense of the gospel. There are some that have joined him out of love to speak boldly the word of God and there are others who have done it for selfish ambition seek to discredit Paul. As Paul sees the whole situation there is a great deal to rejoice in because Christ and His gospel are being proclaimed.
He goes on to encourage the Philippian church to live in a manner that is consistent with the gospel of Christ. They are to be of one spirit and one mind as they strive together for the faith of the gospel. The church is the one entity that is responsible to know, live, share, and finance the gospel. In God’s grand design there is no reason to lose our joy based on your circumstances, because He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Let each of use unite with one spirit and one mind around the gospel of Christ asking God to bring about the obedience of faith among all people.
Prayer: Father I pray that I will see your divine hand at work in our attempts as a church to participate in the gospel and defend the gospel for your name. Give our church the strength to walk in a manner that is worthy of the gospel. Increase our unity of spirit and mind as we strive together for the faith of the gospel. I pray that people in the vicinity of this church will hear the gospel message accurately and they will not make their own assumptions or conclusions about what the gospel is from a lack of teaching or as a result of poor teaching or from disobedient living of those who claim your name. My prayer is that you will bring all people into the obedience of faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in his name I pray. Amen.