Philippians 4:21-23
Verse 20 seemed like end of letter: “Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” A prayer to finish what Paul wanted to tell his friends in Philippi. Perhaps secretary told him was more room at bottom of page, anything else? Typical Paul, of course had more he could write! So includes affectionate greeting, and important encouraging word about advance of Gospel. Would mean much to Philippians to hear how support for Paul’s ministry bearing fruit, people being added to Christ’s church b/c of their sacrificial giving.
Something comes through loud and clear here: whether single local church, all churches in our community, those in distant lands, we are all in this together. Just as hardship for believers in one location stirs up compassion among fellow Christians elsewhere, Gospel advance provides joy and encouragement in same way. Often think first of what we have in common with other believers – is true we hold much together: beliefs, experiences, joys and sorrows. Most important is who we have in common, Christ Jesus, who draws us to himself and to one another.
Writer identifies who he is addressing, where they are, and how he expects them to be blessed.
A. who are they
saints
word here used 200+ in NT, appears as “saint” often in Paul’s writings – has in view those known by God as such, not declared to be so by a church b/c of special works they have done
applies to present condition, “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” 1Co 1:2
“sainted” in Christ Jesus, set apart, devoted to God’s use – made holy, God said “be holy…”
“Holiness may be described by these five necessary ingredients of it. 1. An aversion to and hatred of all sin. 2. A contempt of the present world, in comparison of the future. 3. A delight in the worship and society of God. 4. Zeal and activity in his service. 5. A hearty love to fellow-creatures, and more especially to fellow-saints.” Isaac Watts
an essential component of our calling – called by God out of sinfulness in world into relationship w/ Jesus and life of holiness
in Christ Jesus
not one option among many, by God’s eternal purpose is only option – describes everyone in Christ, regardless of anything else
salvation both event and process – declared righteous, justified at moment of regeneration, sanctifying/making holy takes time
no first or second class saints – all have equal access to God, receive his grace w/o distinction b/c of who we are, where from
remember: Col 1.27 “…the riches of the glory of this mystery…: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” – we in him, he in us
the whole church
begins with greetings from Paul and Timothy (1:1) to every saint in Philippi – possibly several house churches by this time
then greetings from all the saints in Rome, city of 1 mil. est., several hundreds of Christians meeting in many locations
really greetings from / fellowship with one another in community of all believers bound together b/c of unity in Christ Jesus
B. where are they
in Rome
by far largest city in world of 1st century, nearest rivals maybe half the size – doesn’t count all traffic passing through city
many people groups, most ethnically diverse in world – socio-economically diverse also: from every segment of society
picture who saints in Rome rubbing shoulders with every day… people w/ connections to people in all parts of the world
the Gospel to all the world made Rome ideal springboard to lands north and west especially… including our hemisphere
should encourage us to think more seriously about sharing Gospel more purposefully with people connected to other places
in Caesar’s household
“the vast network of slaves, freedmen, civil service officials, guards, and other workers who managed the daily operations of the imperial estates and business.”
“it is no common evidence of divine mercy, that the gospel had made its way into that sink of all crimes and iniquities.” Calvin
I’m sure many like to think of Wash. DC as “sink…” – this gives courage to remember Christians in govt, pray for more
those in Caesar’s household particularly thankful for Philippians – first European Christians who helped Paul take Gospel to Rome
in Philippi
much smaller but still strategic city, 40/60 Roman/Greek – included Roman military veterans and families/descendants
many Christians there were poor but… city generally very prosperous – resources there for God to use to spread Gospel
they also had connections to other places – e.g. Lydia a merchant from Asia, engaged in what would be intl. commerce now
more reminders still that God has his people, the saints, spread throughout world and its cultures, more now than ever before
C. how are they blessed
grace
apostle could write “by the grace of God I am what I am” – remember Saul of Tarsus, God’s grace a good thing for him
God’s grace a good thing for everyone, is his grace of faith that brings into family, starts work of making us like Jesus
everything w/o exception we receive from God comes through Christ to us and is all of grace, none of our own merit
is apostle’s sincere desire for all the saints to experience God’s grace through Christ in ongoing way, not just brief periods
unity
greeting is kind often expressed by a hug – not what many tough Mainahs do often… but communicates things words cannot
don’t allow just anyone in personal space… usually only friends we trust – one way fellowship together in Christ is shown
amounts to putting into practice what Jesus prayed for, that we would be one, having unity of purpose and fellowship in him
zoom out some, do we place too much emphasis on denominational distinctives – only things that harm Gospel should separate
community
unity in Christ and the Gospel applies outside walls and borders – we only see tiny piece of Christ’s church that spans globe
all of those who are in Christ Jesus in any part of world are saints, members of one community of millions of individuals
is good when all members of community proclaim same truth, work together to love God and neighbor helping Kingdom grow
If “saint” not to be empty and meaningless label, requires particular kind of life to back it up: growing in our hatred of sin, releasing grip on things of the world, delighting in fellowship with God and his people, serving God in all we do, loving neighbor esp. fellow saints. Cannot be successful on our own, God doesn’t expect us to do only with his help. Has put us together in church families to help one another follow Christ more closely.
Truth is it’s already really hard for saints in many places to make it through the day. We see about some of those places on news, far more never make even local news. They need our encouragement and prayers and faithful example just as we need theirs. Together as we serve Jesus we will face enemies – sometimes we can see them, often not. Can be confident of this – if we are in Christ, his grace will be with us always and guard our souls until we see him face to face.
Reformanda 