Building a strong church through Christ
Philippians

Lesson One

To be a strong church, we need to –

Have a right relationship with God. Philippians 1:1,2 ‘in Christ…’
A saved membership.

I. The message for the world. The message –

A. Commanded. Mark 16:15 “…Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel…”
B. Preached. Acts 13:26-32; see also 1 Corinthians 2:1-4
C. Explained. There is only one message for the world 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
“…Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.”

1. Man’s need. Genesis 2:16,17; Psalm 51:5; 2 Corinthians 5:14,15; Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13, 1 John 3:14
2. God’s provision.

a. Purpose – He atoned for man’s sin. Isaiah 53:1-9; Ephesians 1:7;
1 Peter 1:18-21, 2:21-24
b. Power – propitiated God. Isaiah 53:10-11
c. Prepared – ready and willing. John 10:11-18
d. Proof – resurrected. 1 Peter 1:3

3. Your decision – Romans 10:9-13

This is the only message for the world!

II. The message for the church. Matthew 28:19b-20

A. Obey Matthew 28:19b “…baptizing them in the name of the Father…”
B. Observe Matthew 28:20 (“to conform one’s action or practice to…”)

Lesson Two

To be a strong church, we need to –

Have a right relationship with Man. Philippians 1:3-11
We should have the testimony that they had –

I. Forgiveness. 1:3,4
They chose not to bring up the rough handling received in Philippi. Acts 16:16-24

A. Enjoined. Matthew 18:21-35

1. The right attitude. 18:21,22

Note the consistent teaching of this subject. Refer to Mark 11:25,26; Luke 11:2-3; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-14

2. The righteous judgment. 18:23-35

a. Compassion. 18:23-27
b. Cruelty 18:28-30
c. Consequences 18:31-34

3. The rule of forgiveness. 18:35

Note that the servant did not lose his relationship but he did lose his master’s favour. The servant was then judged according to the standard which he set – without mercy.

B. Encouraged. Ephesians 4:31,32; 1 Peter 3:8,9
C. Enjoyed. Colossians 3:12-15 True forgiveness leads to –

II. Fellowship. 1:5-8

A. Based on their relationship. 1:5,6 Refer to Romans 8:14-18
B. Built up on their partnership. 1:7,8 They all served the Lord together.
Refer to 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

III. Focus. 1:9-11 Refer to 2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:15,16

Their love to be developed through –

A. The Word of God. 1:9 Knowledge
B. The will of God. 1:10 Discernment Refer to Proverbs 2
C. The works of God. 1:11 Evidence Refer to Galations 5:22,23

Lesson Three

To be a strong church, we need to –

Have a right attitude. Philippians 1:12 – 2:30

I. Explanation of Paul’s circumstances. 1:12-30

A. Comfort and encouragement, an example of God’s grace. 1:12-20
B. Confidence in his circumstance. 1:21-26
Blessings in fellowship/compare attitude with 2 Corinthians 10:10
C. Character (Strength in adversity). 1:27-30
Example of Paul and Silas, the salvation of the jailor. Acts 16:22-34

II. Exhortation to unity (Single mindedness) 2:1-4

A. Reverence for the Lord leads to unity. 2:1,2
B. Regard for others leads to humility. 2:3,4
C. Results in fullness of joy in the ministry unto the Lord. “…fulfill ye my joy…”

III. Exhortation to submission. 2:5-13

A. The Example of submission. 2:5-11 Refer to John 6:38
B. The exhortation to submission. 2:12,13

IV. Exhortation to service. 2:14-18

A. Faultless service. 2:14,15
B. Faithful service. 2:16
C. Fearless service. 2:17,18

V. Expression of love. 2:19-30

A. His care. 2:19
B. His commendation. 2:20-30

1. Titus. 2:20-24
2. Epaphroditus. 2:25-30

Lesson Four
To be a strong church, we need to –

Remain steadfast. Philippians 3:1-4:1

I. He reminded them of their standing. 3:1-3

A. Rejoice in the Lord. 3:1a The object of their affection.
B. Remember the truth. 3:1b
C. Reject the profane. 3:2 why? – That which is profane exalts the flesh. 3:2
D. Resolute in the truth. 3:3 See John 1:12,13

II. He rehearsed his own experience. 3:4-4:1

A. His past. 3:4-7 He was zealous of the law. Acts 22:3; 1 Timothy 1:13
Refer to Romans 7:14 to see the rewards of the flesh.
B. His passion 3:8-11 The Lord Jesus Christ.
Refer to 2 Timothy 1:12; also Matthew 16:24; John 19:19-22
C. His pursuit. 3:12-21 To fulfill his calling

1. His course. 3:12 He was set on the course by Jesus.
2. His focus. 3:13,14 He was still in the race.
3. His plan. 3:15-17 He, as a coach, instructed the participants, Refer to Hebrews 12:1-3

a. The Participants. They are not spectators, they have run the race, finished their course, and are watching how we run.
b. The Preparation. To put away –

1). Encumbrances. Weights Refer to 1 Corinthians 9:25,26; 2 Timothy 2:4
2). Entrapments. Sin Refer to Ephesians 4:21-23

c. The Pace. Practical guide to long distance runners.

1). Stay focused. “…let us run…” To keep on running
2). Maintain good form. “…with patience…”
3). Know the course. “…the race that is set before us…”

d. The Purpose. 12:2,3

1). The pattern. 12:2,3 Refer to Isaiah 50:6; 53:3
2). The prize. Refer to 2 Timothy 4:6-8

4. His warning. 3:18,19
5. His victory. 3:20,21

D. His petition. 4:1 ‘…Therefore….’

Lesson Five

To be a strong church, we need to –

Have a regard for others. Philippians 4:2-19

I. Reconciliation urged. 4:2,3

A. Exhorted to reconcile. 4:2
B. Encouraged to intercede. 4:3
C. Examples of reconciliation.

1. Paul and Barnabas. Compare Acts 15:39 with 1 Corinthians 9:6
2. Paul and Mark. Compare Acts 15:37,38 with Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11
3. Paul and Peter. Compare Galations 2:11-14 with 2 Peter 3:15,16

Refer to 1 John 4:7-11; 19-21 The testimony of the believer.

II. Reliance on God. 4:4-9

A. He is our Sustainer. 4:4 Refer to Habakkuk 3:18
B. He is our Satisfaction. 4:5 The believer’s state of being is in the Lord, not in the display of worldly fashions.
C. He is our Supply. 4:6
D. He is our Stability. 4:7,8

III. Rejoice in fellowship 4:10-19 Fellowship in ministry –

A. Encourages – boldness in the work 4:10-13
B. Enables – focus on the ministry of the Word 4:14-16
C. Encompasses – all those involved 4:17
D. Exalts – the Lord 4:18
E. Enlarges – believer’s faith. 4:19

Conclusion Philippians 4:20-23