I would like to invite you to join me in the next few weeks as we consider themes of one of
the most encouraging books in the Bible – Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi.
Each lesson will be announced weekly on our Crossfire Facebook page and shared here on our blog. Hopefully it will bring encouragement and promote insights as you consider the advice that Paul gave to the young church. You don’t have to enroll or come to a meeting, even online. Just read and hopefully grow in your understanding. The devotional-length lessons will begin Thursday, September 17th, and will be posted each Thursday afterward. While this is not a verse by verse study, it will be helpful to read the entire chapter as we take a closer look at specific sections of the letter.
I have included a little background on the church and Paul’s affiliation with it. I look
forward to sharing these thoughts on the Philippian Letter with you.
Background on the Church at Philippi
The city of Philippi was a Roman outpost, settled in part by Roman citizens, many of whom
had served in prestigious military groups. It has been called “a little Rome,” free from
taxation and enjoying the citizen rights of Romans. Part of this could be due to its position
as a gateway into Europe. Another reason revolved around the gold mines in the territory
and their importance to the Empire.
The Apostle Paul’s association with Philippi was an interesting one. It was one of the first
cities visited after he received the Macedonian Call (Acts 16:9-10). It was here that he
encountered Lydia, a business woman dealing in purple-dyed cloth and a member of the
local believers. It is to them that he preaches for the first time on European soil. It was
in Philippi that, after casting an evil spirit out of a local fortune teller, he and Timothy
were accosted by her controllers and dragged before authorities. There, without benefit
of trial, they were stripped and beaten with rods, then thrown into prison. They encounter
the Philippian jailer when God sends an earthquake to free them. As a result, the jailer and
his household are baptized. When Paul departs from Philippi, he leaves Luke behind to look
after the young church that was established there. He revisits the church on another
missionary trip and later, sends them a letter from jail.
The letter to the Philippians is a personal epistle. As in any personal correspondence, there
are parts which deal with situations and personalities peculiar to that group. But within the
writing are pearls of advice and encouragement for us today. For the problems we face
may differ in content from that early church, but remain the same in origin. And the God
we serve is always the same, never changing, worthy of our praise. And so we look to the
Philippian letter for advice, for encouragement and most of all, for the delight of joy in
the Lord.
- marilyn
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