Paul’s Prayer
For The Philippians
Sermon Summary
6 August 2000
Reading - Phil 1:1-11
If a person traveled to the site of Phillipi today, they would only find bare remnants of a city that was small even in Paul’s day. Founded by Phillip of Macedon, site of the battle between the Roman Generals Cassius & Brutus on one side & Antony & Octavius on the other in 42 BC. It was rebuilt as a Colony of Rome ie. It was Rome in miniature; in layout, civil regulation, and architecture and outlook.
Paul & Phillipi:
Approx. AD.52 Paul, Silas, Timothy & Luke initiated the beginnings of mission to Europe there. Paul developed an extremely close relationship with them. He had at least 4 stays with them, and extensive contact and support.
The reason for the letter: The Philippian Church had sent Epaphroditus as their representative to Paul out of concern for his imprisonment. He had in turn become gravely ill, though had recovered. Meanwhile the Philippians had heard of Epaphroditus’ illness and become worried. Paul was now concerned about their anxiety not only for himself, but for Epaphroditus as well. Hence, he sent him back with a letter explaining his own situation, to address particular issues in the church, and convey his thanks for their unqualified support of him.
What was the church like?
- They were of mixed ethnicity eg. Most likely Macedonians, Greeks, and Italians, with a sprinkling of others.
- Was extremely supportive of mission, particularly Paul the missionary 1:5,19,2:25,4:15,16
- Was capable of turning out a person like Epaphroditus 1:29
- Were a prayerful people 1:19, & a practical people 2:25,4:16
- Had ordinary church problems: minor divisions and disunity 2:2; pride, selfishness & self interest 2:3-4; grumbling, complaining & some general arguing 2:14, and a squabble between two important women in the church 4:2
- Had two potentially dangerous problems: a) legalism 3:2,3 b) perfectionism 3:12.
All in all they were not dissimilar to many churches today. They had been established long enough (8-10 years) for relationships to fray, and pride, selfishness and grumbling to set the day to day tone of the church, while still reaching out lovingly to others beyond themselves. They were probably relatively unaware of their shortfalls.
The Content & Purpose of Paul’s Prayer For Them:
- That their love may increase more & more. Why? Because it needed to. Love that allowed for bickering, selfishness, complaining etc. had a long way to go. The love that they showed him needed to be extended to personal relationships within the church. Religious zeal & compassion needs to be earthed in loving personal relationships.
- That their love increase not only in quantity, but in quality – ‘in knowledge & discernment so as to be able to choose what is best’. Their love lacked judgment and self-awareness ie. They overlooked their own poor relational quality, and were potentially accepting of persons and doctrines that were dangerous eg. Legalists and Perfectionists. They were unable to discriminate between persons and doctrines. They needed to deal with their own selective and partial ‘loving’ and separate gushy and thoughtless sentiment from real love.
- That they be pure & blameless and filled with the fruit of righteousness so as to bring praise to God. Their loving discrimination needed to move into right action so as to ripen into right fruit! Thoughts & feelings were not enough.
Conclusion:
Several things need to be learnt from this prayer:
- Let the circumstances help shape our intercessions.
- Be particular in our prayers eg. Prayer Calendar, not just general "bless'ems"
- Genuine love isn’t blind, and it should be married with thought, judgments, prayer, exhortation, encouragement, and advice.
- Relationships within the church should never be overlooked no matter how effective the ‘mission’ programme is going.
- No matter how long a church has been established, it is still not a ‘completed’ work. There is always more to do! Eg. Establish new missionary involvements.
Blessings