Graphics of Philippians



Vital statistics


 Purpose: To thank the Philippians for the gift they had sent Paul and to strengthen these believers by showing them that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone 
 Author: Paul
 Original audience: The Christian at Philippi
 Date written: Approximately A.D. 61, from Rome during Paul's imprisonment there
 Setting: Paul and his companions began the church at Philippi on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:11-40). This was the first church established on the European continent. The Philippian church had sent a gift with Epaphroditus (one of their members) to be delivered to Paul (4:18). Paul was in a Roman prison at the time. He wrote this letter to thank them for their gift and to encourage them in their faith. 
 Key verse: "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!" (4:4)
 Key people: Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Euodia, and Syntyche 
 Key place: Philippi 



Adam and Christ: Comparison and Contrast
Adam
Christ
Made in the divine image.
Is the form and very essence of God.
Thought it a prize to be grasped at to be as God.
Though it not a prize to be grasped at to be as God.
Aspired to a reputation.
made himself of no reputation.
Spurned the role of God’s servant
Took upon Himself the form of a bondservant (slave).
Seeking to be like God.
Coming in the likeness of men.
And being made a man (of dust, now doomed).
And being found in appearance as a man (Rom. 8:3).
He exalted himself,
He humbled Himself,
And became disobedient unto death.
And became obedient to the point of death.
He was condemned and disgraced.
God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name and position of Lord.
New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (Flp 2.5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.








Training for the Christian life


    As a great amount of training is needed for athletic activities, so we must train diligently for the Christian life. Such training takes time, dedication, energy, continued practice, and vision. We must all commit ourselves to the Christian life, but we must first know the rules as prescribed in God's Word (1 Timothy 2:5)
  
 ReferenceMetaphors Training  Our Goals as Believers 
 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Race Go into strict training in order to get the prize. We train on ourselves to run the race of life. So we keep our eyes on Christ - the goal - and don't get sidetracked or slowed down. When we do this we will win a reward in Christ's Kingdom.  
 Philippians 3:13, 14 Race Focus all your energies toward winning the race. Living the Christian life demands all of our energies. We can forget the past and strain to reach the goal because we know Christ promises eternity with him at the race's end. 
 1 Timothy 3:13, 14 Training Training for godliness will help you grow in faith and character.  Just as we exercise to keep physically fit, we must also train ourselves to be spiritually fit. As our faith develops, we become better Christians, living in accordance with God's will. Such a life will attract others to Christ and pay dividends in both this life and the next.  
 2 Timothy 4:7, 8 Fight, Race Fighting the good fight and persevering to the end.  The Christians life is a fight against evil forces from without and temptation from within. Is we stay true to God through it all, he promises an end, a rest, and a crown. 



The Blueprint


 1. Joy in suffering (1:1-30)

 2. Joy in serving (2:1-30)

 3. Joy in giving (4:2-23)		  Although Paul was writing from prison, joy is a dominant theme in this letter. The secret of his joy is grounded in his relationship with Christ. People today desperately want to be happy but are tossed and turned by daily successes, failures, and inconveniences.
 Christians are to be joyful in every circumstance, even when things are going badly, even when we feel like complaining, even when no one else is joyful. Christ still reigns, and we still know him, so we can rejoice at all times.