TEACHING NOTES Introduction Last week we began a series about changing our minds and having a thankful attitude and a thankful way of life. This is a difficult practice in a culture that is teaches us to be entitled, impatient, and selfish. However, faithful Christians are called be thankful in all circumstances. The problem is usually our mindset. We need a change of mind. ‌ Romans 12:1–2 ESV 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ‌ Introduction to Philippians from the ESV “Philippians overflows with joy and thanksgiving. Paul wrote to the church in Philippi to thank them for a gift. He reported the joyful news that Epaphroditus, who had brought their gift to Paul, had recovered from his illness and was returning to Philippi. Paul said that he had learned the secret of being content in any situation, and he told them about his situation in prison. He expressed joy that more people were hearing about Christ even if some were proclaiming the gospel with bad motives. Wanting the Christians in Philippi to be unified, he challenged them to be servants just as Jesus was when he “emptied himself” and became a man rather than clinging to the rights of his divine nature (2:1–11). Paul wrote this letter while in prison, probably in Rome about A.D. 60.” ‌ Philippians 3:17 ESV 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. ‌ Join in imitating me = Grk. symmimetai - This is where we get our word “mime” or imitate. This Greek word is a relational term meaning, “to imitate together” which is why the ESV includes “join in.” As disciples we are called to follow Jesus together as a family. Paul tells the Philippians to imitate himself because he is following Christ. Paul displayed to these former pagans an example of how to follow Jesus. ‌ Keep your eyes on those who walk = Paul says to “keep your eyes on” or “pay close attention to” those who are following Paul’s way of life. In other words, pay close attention to people who are godly and faithful. Why? Because following Jesus can easily become limited to an abstract or theological idea. Watching and learning from another faithful person makes following Jesus real and visible. ‌ The Problem: In American culture, we are taught to keep our eyes on “successful” people, like rich and famous people. We’re told to keep our attention on worldly success. This is why we struggle to be thankful, because we are constantly looking at what we don’t have. Paul taught the opposite by saying we should keep on eyes those who are successful in the kingdom of God. ‌ Philippians 3:18–19 ESV 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. ‌ Many enemies of the cross of Christ = Paul is referring to people who claim to be Christians, but actually live as enemies of God. These are people in the church who are self-seeking and self-interested. Paul will go on to explain that they are a kind of liberal group, living in sin and taking advantage of grace. ‌ Their end is destruction = Paul is clear that those who live in sin will end up in destruction. We cannot follow Jesus and live however we want. Sin leads to destruction whether you claim to be a Christian or not. ‌ Their god is their belly = On the surface it sounds like these people are gluttons. Greed or gluttony may be in view, but also something more. Paul is likely using this phrase as an idiom for sensuality or sexual immorality. Paul says something similar in 1 Corinthians 6:13 ““Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” Just as the stomach is meant for food but can be misused, so also sexual organs are meant for sex but can also be misused and destructive. ‌ They glory in their shame = These people, who claim to be Christians, are proud of their sinful lifestyle. They give glory or honor to behaviors that should be shameful. ‌ Minds set on earthly things = Notice what Paul is saying here—when set our minds on earthly things it leads us to become enemies of the Christ. ‌ Philippians 3:20–21 ESV 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. ‌ But = Paul has been talking about the practices of the enemies of Christ. Now he turns to faithful followers of Christ to tell us who we are and what we should do. ‌ Our citizenship is in heaven = The unfaithful have their minds set on earthly things, but the faithful have their minds set on God’s kingdom. The Greek word Paul uses for “citizenship” is politeuma, which refers to a commonwealth or community or city. As faithful believers, we are citizens of the kingdom of God. As Jesus taught, “You are a city set on a hill” (Matt. 5:14). ‌ From heaven we await a Savior = Paul is referring to the return of Christ. ‌ Transform our lowly body = When Christ returns, the dead in Christ will be resurrected and Christians who are still alive will be transformed into a glorified body (1 Cor. 15:42-43, 50-57; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). ‌ The power to subject all things = If Jesus has the power to raise the dead and transform us into a glorified body, He certainly has the power to put all things under His feet. ‌ Philippians 4:1 ESV 1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. ‌ Stand firm in the Lord = To “stand firm in the Lord” is to stay faithful no matter what. In the first century AD, being a faithful Christian was very difficult. Christians were persecuted and many Gentile believers lost their jobs and social status because they refused to worship the gods of paganism. However, the early Christians remained faithful in the most extreme circumstances. Therefore, American Christians have no excuse to be unfaithful. We have nearly unhindered freedom to be faithful to Jesus and very little, if any, pressure against us. ‌ Philippians 4:2–3 ESV 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. ‌ Euodia and Syntyche = Apparently, these two women are faithful believers who are in some kind of disagreement. These women have “labored side by side” with Paul, Clement, and others to further the Gospel. Paul asks some particular church member in the Philippian church (he doesn’t say who) to help these women reconcile. Remember, this letter would have been read out loud in the church gathering. These two ladies were being told in front of the church family to reconcile and agree. ‌ Philippians 4:4–6 ESV 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ‌ Rejoice in the Lord always = As we learn from 1 Thess. 5:16, believers are called to rejoice at all times. Faithful Christians should be the most joyful people on earth. But many modern Christians are too often known for being angry, jaded, doom-and-gloom, and contentious. These attitudes show that many Christians are led by circumstances and emotions rather than being led by the Spirit. ‌ Let your reasonableness be known = The Greek word for “reasonableness” here is epieikes, which means to be gentle and kind. Faithful Christians are known for displaying the fruit of the Spirit which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). ‌ The Lord is at hand = We remain faithful because we believe that the coming of the Lord is at hand, or could happen at any time. We want to be found faithful when Jesus returns. ‌ Do not be anxious about anything = Jesus said this in Matt. 6:25-34. Being anxious and worried about our needs can be a sign that we are not trusting that God will take care of us. God promised to care for His people. Therefore, He can be trusted to fulfill His promise. ‌ Prayer, supplication, with thanksgiving = Faithful Christians pray at all times in all circumstances. And we pray with an attitude of thanksgiving, not entitlement. We realize that all we have came from God and we thank Him continually. ‌ Let your requests be made known to God = Jesus taught us not to worry but to ask God to “give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11). In fact, most of the Lord’s Prayer is a list of requests. God wants us to ask and He loves to give good gifts to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:11). ‌ Philippians 4:7 ESV 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ‌ The peace of God = God has peace because He knows all things and is never worried. He is a God of peace and wants to share His peace with His family. ‌ Surpasses all understanding = Grk. hyperechousa panta nous - Literally, “is far better than any other attitude or way of thinking.” Having the peace of God as our attitude is better than any other attitude. ‌ Guard your hearts and minds = The peace of God helps guard our deceitful hearts and worried minds. ‌ Philippians 4:8 ESV 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ‌ True = Grk. alethe - true, reality, honest, integrity. ‌ Honorable = Grk. semna - worthy of respect, noble. The Greco-Roman society was a culture of honor and shame. ‌ Just = Grk. dikaia - right, righteous, whatever put things right. ‌ Pure = Grk. hagna - pure, holy, innocent. ‌ Lovely = Grk. prosphile - pleasing, whatever causes delight. ‌ Commendable = Grk. euphema - admirable, appealing. ‌ Excellence = Grk. arete - virtue, goodness, wonderful act. ‌ Worthy of praise = Grk. epainos - expressing approval, admiration. ‌ Think about these things = Grk. logizesthe - reason about, ponder, keep mental record, dwell on. ‌ The Problem: In our culture, we’re constantly led to focus on all the bad things. The media rarely publishes good news and thrives on drama and strife. Social media does the same and also displays a false version of life that keeps us in the comparison trap. If we’re honest, we can live without the news and social media. In fact, we know we would be better off without it. If we know we would be better without media, why are we still devoting hours to watch and scroll? ‌ Philippians 4:9 ESV 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ‌ What you have learned, received, heard, seen = As disciples of Jesus, we are continually learning, receiving, hearing, and seeing things that teach us how to follow Jesus. But we are never to stop at learning, hearing, and watching. We are called to put it into practice. ‌ Practice these things = Grk. prassete - do, behave, experience, accomplish through activity, make a habit of practice. ‌ And the God of peace will be with you = The result of practicing our faith (faithfulness) is experiencing the presence of God. This is the whole point of the Bible, that God wants to be with us. When we practice faithfulness, God gets what He has always wanted—to be with His family and active in their lives. ‌