A vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. (Acts 16:9-12)
And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us. (Acts 16:13-15)
Later after being charged by the Roman citizens, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” (Acts 16:20-22) They were thrown into prison; but while in there, But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:25-30)
From that experience, the Philippian jailer and his whole household were saved and baptized. So the church in Philippi started from a vision from God of a man in the region pleading with Paul to come there; to Paul meeting a woman named Lydia by the riverside and she being baptized and allowing her home to be used by the apostles; to Paul casting out a demon from a slave girl and her master having in thrown in prison; to Paul and Silas praising God while in prison and the Philippian jailer and his whole household being saved. The Word of God is like a vine, planted in one person, then spreads to many. "The church that Paul established there was probably the first in all of Europe."*
The book of Philippians was written by God by the hand of the Apostle Paul, to the church in Philippi. "Philippi was named for Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, who seized the city in 358 B.C. from the Thracians. Later, Octavius (Augustus Ceasar) made Philippi a Roman colony. It was a principal city on the great Egnatia highway in Macadonia (this highway extended from Rome to Byzantium), and traders from [many] countries stopped their often. This made it a strategic place for the spreading of the gospel."*
The Apostle Paul went on three missionary journeys to countries all around the Mediterranian Sea, teaching non-Jews about God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, and helping to start churches, before he finally went to Rome to stand trial. "Paul, who was a tentmaker by trade (Acts 18:3), ordinarily refused to receive any finanical assistance from the churches (II Corinthians 11:7-9). However he did accept gifts from the Philippian brethren when he was in Thessalonica (Philippians 4:16,18). "* During Paul's Roman imprisonment, he wrote this letter to the church in Philippi, and Epaphroditus carried the letter back to Philippi, after he recovered from a serious illness (Philippians 2:25-30, 4:18) *Strong's Key Word Study Bible Notes
Paul and Timotheus [Timothy], the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 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,... (Philippians 1:1-5)
Because this letter was written while Paul was in prison, he was more than able to write on keeping our faith in Christ, even when things are very difficult. We must continue in The Truth, Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6-8).
The Lord lead Paul to start the church in Philippi, and he wanted to encourage them that he would continue to support them through prayer, even if he couldn't physically be there. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11) We are to live in such a way that no matter who "sees" us, we know that God sees us, and that should cause us to behave sincerely and not do anything to offend God or others. (Matthew 6:1-23)
The next lesson in this chapter is to understand that for as many people who proclaim the Word of God for the right reasons, there may be just as many doing it for the wrong reasons: But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. (Philippians 1:12-17)
Many times we want to criticize and complain about a preacher, some churches even kicking the preacher out, but What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice yea, and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:18-20). Just as Gamaliel advised the Israel leaders regarding Peter and the other apostles with him, the same applies here: And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” (Acts 5:38-39)
The final lesson in this chapter is for us to not get so caught up in the things of this world, that we should not love this life more than the eternal life we have through Christ: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. (Philippians 1:21-22) Nothing here comes close to all we will have there, but we should want to make a difference for Christ while we're here: For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:23-26)
While here, we who are Christians will have difficulties, but it is not in vain: Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. (Philippians 1:27-30); "These things I [Jesus] have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33); For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. [Deuteronomy 31:6]" (Hebrews 13:5)
No comments:
Post a Comment