The world of Paul’s day was hostile to the message, and the early church was beset by disagreements, but Paul finds reasons for thanksgiving and praise. Looking back we see that God works through all those people and circumstances to move God’s kingdom forward. We are still partners in this great adventure.
Worship with Holy Communion this weekend: Saturday – 5:00 p.m. in Chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
10:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship (with graduate recognition)
May 24-25, 2014
Philippians 1:1-18a
Key Verses: “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-4
Time: 54-61 CE
Background: Paul planted churches throughout his missionary journeys. One of the churches he planted was in Philippi. This letter to the Philippians celebrated their partnership in spreading the gospel through their work in the church.
Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter with Timothy. Contrary to what we might expect, Paul was in quite high spirits in prison, having converted a number of the imperial guard, who were elite Roman soldiers charged with protecting the Roman emperor and his family.
There were others preaching the gospel who did not agree with Paul’s understanding of the gospel. Those disagreements sometimes arose in Paul’s writings, as it did here. He addressed the issue, pointing out that it didn’t matter why people proclaimed Christ’s gospel as long as they proclaimed it.
Community: How does your community work out its differences? Can you have differences of opinion and still work together to further the work of the gospel?
At Home: Do your life’s challenges limit you? How could you use challenges in your life to further the work of the gospel?
Read This Week:
Monday, May 26, PartnRership in the Gospel, Philippians 1:18b-30
Tuesday, May 27, Timothy and Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:14-30
Wednesday, May 28, Breaking with the Past. Philippians 3:1-11
Thursday, May 29, Pressing toward the Goal, Philippians 3:12-4:1
Friday, May 30, Exhortations, Philippians 4:2-9
Saturday, May 31, Acknowledgment of the Philippians’ Gift, Philippians 4:10-23
Next Week: Sunday, Jun 1, Mind of Christ, Philippians 2:1-13
