26-0712p - Detailed Summary

Steve greeted the audience warmly, noting it was good to see everyone. The lesson continued the study of Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. He referenced the morning sermon, emphasizing that the recipients were first-generation Christians. Unlike Steve, who is a third- or fourth-generation Christian raised in a Christian home with Christian grandparents, these believers lacked the full body of Scripture and established guidance on how to conduct themselves before God. This letter is among the earliest Scriptures Paul wrote. Paul began writing letters to address problems reported by the churches he established, similar to the Corinthian letters. This provides insight into the behavioral guidance Paul offered. When working with his protégés Timothy and Titus, Paul provided detailed instructions for them to share with the congregations regarding worship and church conduct. Reading Timothy and Titus reveals these admonitions.

The lesson picked up in Philippians chapter 2, starting at verse 12, using the New International Version. Steve planned to comment selectively and possibly skip some verses to cover the entire book, particularly reaching chapter 4 on anxiety and concern. Paul gave forthright advice on self-protection and proper conduct. He had spent some time with the Philippian church. The text reads: "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Steve highlighted God’s role of divine intervention, providence, and preservation. God prompts and works within believers to fulfill His good purpose. This prompting applies today, as illustrated by Steve’s own calling to preach.

Steve shared his childhood experience of pretending to preach to his siblings in the attic around ages eight or nine. During long drives to church (30 miles each way on Sundays and Wednesdays), he asked his father questions and learned in Bible classes. He desired formal preaching school training but initially did not pursue it because his wife did not want to be a preacher’s wife, having seen its challenges. He remained active in the congregation and served as an elder. In 1977, at age 36, his wife agreed but with strict stipulations: insurance, support, and suitable housing (not an apartment or trailer park). A friend in West Monroe, Louisiana, helped fulfill these conditions. An elder covered health insurance. Support and housing were provided, leading them to attend the school. Steve attributes this entirely to God’s divine intervention, providence, and preservation, rejecting explanations of mere happenstance. Many subsequent events in his ministry confirmed this.

Upon arriving at school, initial support fizzled, leaving only the insurance-paying elder and Steve’s mother providing funds. A local elder provided housing and gave Steve’s wife a part-time cleaning job. Steve graduated debt-free. He contrasted this with starting at Coca-Cola in 1972, deeply in debt, yet earning $9,000 in the first six months and becoming the second-highest paid man within five years. When entering preaching school, he was financially solvent with no debts. God ensured this freedom. Paul similarly shares experiences of God working with him. The verse is reiterated: "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

Verse 14 instructs: "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Grumbling includes complaining about the preacher, song leader, Lord’s Supper service, seating, or fellow worshipers. Steve referenced the biblical account of grumblers against Moses, where the earth swallowed them and their families. God hates grumbling and complaining. Believers should concern themselves with one another’s welfare rather than comparing or grasping for equality, following Christ’s mindset. Holding firmly to the word of life allows them to shine like stars. Paul expressed joy in their faith, even if poured out like a drink offering, urging mutual gladness and rejoicing. This is an admonition to the church in Philippi.

Paul commended Timothy as his unique right-hand man, unlike self-seeking others. Moving to chapter 3, verse 1: "Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you." Paul reminded them repeatedly for their protection, as Peter did in his epistle. "Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh." Paul had ample reason for confidence in the flesh: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, tribe of Benjamin, Hebrew of Hebrews, Pharisee regarding the law, zealous persecutor of the church, faultless in legalistic righteousness. He was aggressive and prominent in the Sanhedrin, striving for importance. However, believers should not strive for importance in the church; God promotes faithful servants.

Whatever gains Paul had, he counted as loss for Christ. He considered everything loss compared to knowing Christ, for whose sake he lost all things when the Jewish leaders rejected him after his conversion. He now pursues righteousness through faith in Christ, not the law. Paul desired to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, participation in His sufferings, and conformity to His death, attaining the resurrection. He had not yet obtained perfection but pressed on toward the goal, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead—the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

The thing we need to recognize is that when Paul became a Christian on the road to Damascus, when he saw Jesus and was baptized, he did not know everything. The Holy Spirit had to provide him with knowledge and experience. Paul points out that he has not finished learning. He has not obtained everything, but he knows the Holy Spirit is working through him and God is using him. The Holy Spirit provided Paul with the information needed to write to the Philippian church. Paul does not have it all together yet. Steve illustrated this point by turning to 2 Corinthians chapter 1, particularly verse 8.

In 2 Corinthians 1:8, Paul writes that the brothers and sisters should not be uninformed about the troubles experienced in the province of Asia. They were under great pressure, far beyond their ability to endure, so that they despaired for life itself and felt they had received the sentence of death. This happened so they might not rely on themselves but on God, who raises the dead. God delivered them from such a deadly peril and will deliver them again. On Him they have set their hope that He will continue to deliver them. As the Philippians help by their prayers, many will give thanks for the gracious favor granted in answer to the prayers of many. Paul is learning; he had to wait on God rather than rely on his own ability or intellect. He and his companions despaired and feared death, but God brought them out. Paul gives God credit for divine intervention, providence, and preservation. He learned to wait on God from then on and shares experiences not previously shared widely except now with the Philippians.

Steve skipped ahead in the letter to focus on Paul’s gratitude for the Philippians' support. It is believed Paul was grateful they had supported him but had apparently stopped for a time. The likely reason was that the Philippian church itself fell on hard times and could barely meet their own needs, so they could not support Paul and his entourage. In this chapter, Paul expresses gratitude that they have renewed their support now that opportunity has returned.

Picking up at verse 10: "I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but had no opportunity to show it." Paul is not saying this because he is in need. He has learned to be content whatever the circumstances. He knows what it is to be in need and to have plenty. He has learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. "I can do all things through him who gives me strength." Paul learned to be content. Contentment is a lost art. Believers need to trust God to meet their needs and be content. This alludes back to experiences like those in Corinth. Paul admonishes others to take on the same attitude, believing in God’s divine intervention, providence, and preservation.

Verse 14 continues: "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles." Paul recalls that in the early days when he set out for Macedonia, no other church shared in giving and receiving except the Philippians. Even in Thessalonica, they sent aid more than once when he was in need. Paul does not desire the gifts themselves but that more be credited to their account. He has received full payment and more than enough from Epaphroditus, describing the gifts as a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God. "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Steve connected this to 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, where Paul collects for the famine-stricken church in Jerusalem. God knows what is given and will replenish so that givers can continue to meet others' needs. "You give and I will replenish" is a repeated principle.

Paul teaches not to be anxious about anything. When God created the heavens and the earth—as covered in Steve’s ongoing Genesis series on chapters 1-10—He set up the entire system to support humanity. Everything Adam and Eve needed was already provided in the Garden; they only needed to toil the land. The same holds today. Jesus teaches this in Matthew 6:25-34 (Sermon on the Mount). Do not worry about life, food, drink, or clothing. Life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Look at the birds: they do not sow, reap, or store, yet the Heavenly Father feeds them. Humans are far more valuable. Worrying cannot add an hour to life. Consider the flowers: they do not labor or spin, yet surpass Solomon’s splendor. God clothes the grass of the field, which is temporary, so He will much more clothe believers of little faith. Pagans run after these things, but the Father knows our needs. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these will be given. Do not worry about tomorrow; each day has enough trouble of its own. God meets our needs.

Steve shared another personal experience from when he started as a driver-salesman for Coca-Cola, deeply in debt and near bankruptcy. While filling vending machines, stocking shelves, and handling cans and bottles, he frequently found coins on the ground that had missed the slots. Initially he kept them, but realized Christians must be 100% honest. Honesty is the number one policy. He began turning the money in to store owners. Afterward, his sales started increasing dramatically. Driving down the highway, he would tell God he was worn out and to stop the blessings. Steve believes that 100% honesty solves many Christian problems. Jesus and Paul point out we do not need to be concerned or anxious about material needs.

Is it possible to live without anxiety? Yes, it is. What pleases God? Hebrews 11:6 states that without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God tests faith. Steve concluded the lesson with this point. He extended an invitation: if anyone needs to respond to the gospel, become a disciple of Jesus, and be baptized for the remission of sins, the congregation is ready with water and garments. If anyone needs prayers or has other needs, come forward. The service closed by standing together to sing a psalm of encouragement.