A Study in Philippians – A Changed Mind
This series, A Study in Philippians, delves into Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This book explores themes of joy, humility, purpose, and peace amidst life’s challenges. Each week will unpack key passages, offering practical applications to deepen our faith and strengthen our walk with Christ.
Philippians is commonly known as the Epistle (letter) of joy. The idea that serving Jesus is associated with misery is contrary to scripture. Christianity is intended to be joyful.
Before he became one of the most influential apostles of the early church, Paul was known as Saul, a fervent persecutor of Christians.
As we look at the life of the Apostle Paul, we’re going to find that God will use the most unlikely of
1. Saul persecuted the Church
Acts 7:54-58 NLT “The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
2. Saul encounters Christ
Paul has an encounter that would leave him
Acts 22:6-10 NLT “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’ The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me. “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’”
When we have an encounter with Jesus, it will leave us
Saul: In Hebrew, “Saul” (ָשָׁאוּל, Sha’ul) “asked for” or “prayed for”
Paul: The name “Paul” (Παῦλος, Paulos) in Latin means “small” or “humble”
3. Paul builds the Church
Colossians 2:8 NLT “Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.”
The “Prison Epistles” generally refer to four letters written by the Apostle Paul while he was under house arrest in
Even though he was enduring his own trials, Paul was still
Five truths about the Church:
1. The Church is a family (Spiritual Family)
Philippians 4:1 NLT “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.”
2. The Church’s strength is unity (Relational Unity)
Philippians 4:2 NLT “Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.”
3. The Church’s work is discipleship (Personal Discipleship)
Philippians 4:8-9 NLT “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 3:18-20 NLT “For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”
4. The Church’s attitude is joy (Servant Leadership)
Philippians 4:4-7 NLT “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again— rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
5. The Church’s testimony is generosity (Generosity)
Philippians 4:15-16 NLT “As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.”
When Paul died, his mission was picked up by another saved person, then another…
Together we are on a mission as saved people, telling people far away from God, that God isn’t far away from them
Galatians 6:9 NLT “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”