Foundations: The Books of Philippians, Colossians, Titus & Philemon
17 Day Devotional
These letters to New
Testament believers teach us about basics of the faith as well as practical
instruction on everyday life. Sometimes with tender and gentle words of
encouragement, other times with passionate, firm correction these letters
become part of our handbook on living a life of faith in Christ. The goal of
these letters is spiritual maturity in the lives of the readers. This is a
great motivation to study and apply what was written in them.
Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV)
"And it is my
prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all
discernment, so that you
may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of
Christ, filled with the
fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise
of God."
READ If your
Bible has an introduction to the book of Philippians, read that.
INTRODUCTION
The book of Philippians is a letter written by Paul to the Church at Philippi.
Although Timothy is mentioned in the introduction, the writer is Paul. Likely
Timothy was his companion and so by proxy the letter was also from him. The
city of Philippi was located in what is now Northern Greece. ‘The Church at
Philippi’ refers to the whole body of Christ in Philippi. Paul felt a type of
Father-like responsibility and love toward the Philippian Church because they
were all his direct converts, or spiritual children of his. The letter reveals
the heart of a man who would love to be right there with them but can’t this
time.
He visited there several times. On his second missionary trip to
Philippi Paul was led there in a vision by a Macedonian man. While he was there
he baptized the first Christian convert: Lydia, the merchant of purple dye.
Later, in his third trip, Paul exorcised a demon from a slave girl. This threw
the city into an uproar and he, along with Silas, were arrested and thrown in
prison. While in prison, God caused an earthquake to shake the prison so hard
the shackles of the prisoners came off and the guard was about to commit
suicide assuming the prisoners had escaped. Paul kept him from taking his life.
This prison guard became a Christian. From these two converts the Church at
Philippi began to develop into a stable and growing body of believers.
Most scholars believe Paul was under arrest in Rome when he wrote this
letter to the Philippians. Epaphroditus, who was a leader in the Philippian church,
was the deliverer of a care package sent by the church to help Paul.
Epaphroditus got very sick while in Rome. When he was fully recovered Paul sent
him back to Philippi carrying this letter.
If we were to choose one word to describe the theme of
Philippians it would likely be joy. Paul, often imprisoned and persecuted for
his faith, is the perfect person to write a letter on joy. If he could live in
joy through the situations he’d been in, with God’s grace, anyone could! In
this letter he encourages the Philippians to have joy in suffering, in service,
in faith, in giving and in all circumstances.
Philippians also reveals the tender, vulnerable heart of Paul,
as he speaks to the church members with kindness and encouragement. He portrays
himself as a sinner who falls short, identifying with the letter-recipients.
Yet he also uses his words to empower them to abundant living and raises the
standard of excellence in holy living to that of Christ. He is not over-bearing
or pushy. Although he is passionate, his tone in this letter is gentle,
father-like, and compassionate.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Reflect on the people who had a part in your
conversion or spiritual growth and maturity. Have you respected them and
treated them with loving care and kindness like the Philippian church cared for
Paul? Evidently, the Philippian Church also took his letter to heart, took his
advice and used it to grow even stronger. Do you take the advice and spiritual
exhortation of your spiritual leaders to heart? Ask the Lord to speak to you
about your relationship and responsibility toward those who have led you and
grown you up in the faith. Thank Him for them.
2. As we head into a book with the theme of joy,
reflect on how much joy you have in your life right now. Is it true joy based
on Christ? Or is your joy based on your circumstances or feelings? Ask the Lord
to show you where the source of your joy comes from and to give you a word,
thought or picture of how He wants to deepen and grow your joy through the Book
of Philippians.
3. Take some time to thank the Lord for the leaders
you have in your church. If you know of specific needs your church leaders
have, pray for those. If not, ask the Holy Spirit to give you specific things
you can pray for them. Pray they will have joy in great abundance today!
