First Christian Church - El Centro
Bonded Together in Christ - Philippians 1:1-11
Joy - A Study Through Philippians
Locations & Times
First Christian Church - El Centro, CA
450 S Waterman Ave, El Centro, CA 92243, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
I. BONDED TOGETHER THROUGH SERVING (Vs. 1-6)
1. Paul calls himself and Timothy “Bondservants” of Christ. A bondservant was one who was purchased by his master as a slave but was given his freedom because of his sacrificial work, yet he remained completely loyal and committed in service to his master.
2. Before Christ, we were all slaves to sin. But in Christ, we are purchased through the blood sacrifice of Christ. I Corinthians 6:20 “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
3. Our service should not be out of obligation, but out of devotion to Christ.
4. The meaning of the word saint is HOLINESS.
5. In Christ Jesus, we are set apart from the world because Jesus set us free from the destructive nature of the flesh and imparted His holy nature in us.
The Saints Of God Are Granted Two Dynamic Gifts From God In Vs. 2
Grace – Which is God’s blessing, mercy, and favor being upon us.
Peace – Which is God’s presence and promises to help us live for him.
6. In verses, 3-5 Paul expresses his joy in remembering their partnering with him in the mission of building God’s kingdom. He lets them know that in prayer he is bringing them up before God’s throne by name and in praise.
7. We have a partnership that is not just between people in the church but between all Christians, the Holy Spirit, and God.
8. Paul refers to the Philippian believers as partners in the Gospel with him. The word PARTNERS comes from the same root word as the word FELLOWSHIP. (Koinonia-Shared in, out, with)
9. “And he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ’s return.” (Philippians 1:6).
1. Paul calls himself and Timothy “Bondservants” of Christ. A bondservant was one who was purchased by his master as a slave but was given his freedom because of his sacrificial work, yet he remained completely loyal and committed in service to his master.
2. Before Christ, we were all slaves to sin. But in Christ, we are purchased through the blood sacrifice of Christ. I Corinthians 6:20 “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
3. Our service should not be out of obligation, but out of devotion to Christ.
4. The meaning of the word saint is HOLINESS.
5. In Christ Jesus, we are set apart from the world because Jesus set us free from the destructive nature of the flesh and imparted His holy nature in us.
The Saints Of God Are Granted Two Dynamic Gifts From God In Vs. 2
Grace – Which is God’s blessing, mercy, and favor being upon us.
Peace – Which is God’s presence and promises to help us live for him.
6. In verses, 3-5 Paul expresses his joy in remembering their partnering with him in the mission of building God’s kingdom. He lets them know that in prayer he is bringing them up before God’s throne by name and in praise.
7. We have a partnership that is not just between people in the church but between all Christians, the Holy Spirit, and God.
8. Paul refers to the Philippian believers as partners in the Gospel with him. The word PARTNERS comes from the same root word as the word FELLOWSHIP. (Koinonia-Shared in, out, with)
9. “And he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ’s return.” (Philippians 1:6).
II. BONDED TOGETHER THROUGH SUFFERING (Vs. 7-8)
1. When we suffer for Christ we bond with him. Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for Him.”
2. Phil 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death…”
3. Vs. 7 Paul affirms that God’s grace (blessing, mercy, & favor) is upon him, “whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel.”
4. “All of you share in God’s grace” When we suffer for the cause of Christ we are not overlooked by him and receive the gift of his grace.
5. I Corinthians 1:3-11 He is a God who wants to comfort us when we hurt.
1. When we suffer for Christ we bond with him. Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for Him.”
2. Phil 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death…”
3. Vs. 7 Paul affirms that God’s grace (blessing, mercy, & favor) is upon him, “whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel.”
4. “All of you share in God’s grace” When we suffer for the cause of Christ we are not overlooked by him and receive the gift of his grace.
5. I Corinthians 1:3-11 He is a God who wants to comfort us when we hurt.
III.BONDED TOGETHER IN SANCTIFICATION (Vs. 9-11)
1. Paul's prayer is that these new disciples of Christ will grow in their love for God and one another. Spiritual maturity comes from understanding God’s will and purpose for them as Christians and the ministry of the church and sharing it with each other.
2. Usually, the missing ingredient that causes an empty life is understanding and experiencing God’s LOVE.
3. As we gain more and more knowledge of how much God loves us, we are “able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”
4. Who fills us with the “fruit of righteousness” for living in Vs.11
“Through Jesus Christ”?
Righteousness is defined as HOLINESS, GODLINESS, or DOING RIGHT.
Filled with - Not partial, not lacking.
Purpose - For glorifying and praising God.
5. Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
1. Paul's prayer is that these new disciples of Christ will grow in their love for God and one another. Spiritual maturity comes from understanding God’s will and purpose for them as Christians and the ministry of the church and sharing it with each other.
2. Usually, the missing ingredient that causes an empty life is understanding and experiencing God’s LOVE.
3. As we gain more and more knowledge of how much God loves us, we are “able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.”
4. Who fills us with the “fruit of righteousness” for living in Vs.11
“Through Jesus Christ”?
Righteousness is defined as HOLINESS, GODLINESS, or DOING RIGHT.
Filled with - Not partial, not lacking.
Purpose - For glorifying and praising God.
5. Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
To be “in Christ” and to be a part of Christian fellowship is a source of joy when things become difficult. Here is Paul, a prisoner in Rome, reminiscing and rejoicing because of the fellowship he has in Christ and with others in sharing the Gospel. Such expressions are very common in Paul’s writings:
“In the Lord” occurs 50 times
“In Christ Jesus” occurs 48 times
“In Christ” occurs 34 times
Paul understood the power of having his position relationship in the spiritual realm. He needed to be “in Christ” if he was going to find grace, peace, and joy in living. Staying connected to Jesus was vital for him to understanding his purpose for living and to have the power to accomplish God’s will. So, he iswriting this letter to encourage us to embrace Jesus with our whole heart and God will then transform us into His glorious image and use us for His glorious purpose.
“In the Lord” occurs 50 times
“In Christ Jesus” occurs 48 times
“In Christ” occurs 34 times
Paul understood the power of having his position relationship in the spiritual realm. He needed to be “in Christ” if he was going to find grace, peace, and joy in living. Staying connected to Jesus was vital for him to understanding his purpose for living and to have the power to accomplish God’s will. So, he iswriting this letter to encourage us to embrace Jesus with our whole heart and God will then transform us into His glorious image and use us for His glorious purpose.