Swindoll Study Bible and Searching the Scriptures - Flipbook - Page 13
1486
AL
IT
Black
Y
Rome
Puteoli
MAC
Mediter
Philippi
Thessalonica
Nicopolis
Syracuse
EDONIA
Sea
IA
HA
AC
Athens
Corinth
Sparta
ranean S ea
Pergamum ASIA
Thyatira
Sardis Philadelphia
Smyrna
Ephesus
Miletus
Colosse
Hierapolis
Laodicea
an
ge
Ae Sea
and affection for the
Philippian believers.
More than any other
church, the b
elievers in
Philippi had offered Paul
financial support for his
ministry (2 Cor. 8:1-5;
Phil. 4:1518). Paul’s
affection for this church
is clear throughout the
letter as he encourages
them to live out their
faith in joy and unity
(Phil. 1:3-5, 25-26; 4:1).
CRETE
Paul’s ministry in Philippi began the spread of the gospel
to Macedonia.
What’s the Big Idea?
Philippians brims over with o
ften-quoted passages: “God, who began the good
work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day
when Christ Jesus returns” (Phil. 1:6); “For to me, living means living for Christ,
and dying is even better” (Phil. 1:21); and “I can do everything through Christ,
who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13). These are just a few. But
Paul’s letter to
the portrait of Jesus Christ as a humble servant (Phil. 2:5-11)
serves as the core of Paul’s teaching in this letter.
the Philippians
Paul’s joy at the mere thought of the Philippian church is
showed them
undeniable. He wanted the recipients to possess that same
joy as well. To lead the Philippians to the source of all joy, Paul
that by centering
took them directly to Jesus, teaching them that a community
their lives on
of believers living in harmony with one another comes only
through mutual humility modeled after the Savior. Paul wrote
Christ they
that he was pouring out his life as an offering for the sake of
might live in
Christ, leading him to find great joy and contentment in the
Lord’s service. His letter to the Philippians showed them that by
true joy.
centering their lives on Christ they, too, might live in true joy.
How Do I Apply This?
Though we all have much to be thankful for, the pace and the pressures of life
often squeeze the joy from us. With shoulders slumped and heads bowed, we find
some days—or m
onths—very difficult to endure. Desperate, we often search for
joy in all kinds of ways: acquiring possessions, visiting places, seeing people. But
none of these can provide lasting joy. Think about it: Where do you try to find joy
in the midst of trying circumstances?
Paul knew, as did the Philippians, that true joy comes only through having
humble faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ. It occurs by joining ourselves in
harmony with other believers and serving others in His name. This was the life
experienced by the Philippian believers, and it is a life available to us today. Allow
the joy you find in Christ to keep you from useless quarrels and divisions and
instead guide you into harmonious relationships with God’s people.