Berean Bible Church, Edgewater, Florida – Pastor Doug Dodd s.b.g.
Part 1
Phil 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus
which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our
Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
In this study we will look at six points they are:
1. Signature
2. Servants
3. Saints
4. Strategy – City (Acts 16)
5. Structure
6. Salutation
Signature
First is the Signature. Paul signs all of his letters. This is important to note for at least two
reasons.
One because as Bereans we need to know where to go and get our information for today. As we
read through the books of the Bible we notice that Paul always starts his letters with his name.
Paul is our pattern, this is evidenced in two ways. Firstly because religion, tradition and
denominationalism fights against this truth. It is "almost" an axiom to say that we are safe in
believing the opposite of what mainline Christianity teaches today. Mainline denominationalism
rejects Paul as their "pattern" and "apostle" in the light of clear scripture. Secondly and more
importantly are the verses themselves.
Rom 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify
mine office:
1 Cor 9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine
apostleship are ye in the Lord.
1 Tim 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and
lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
2 Tim 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the
Gentiles.
2 Th 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly
among you;
2 Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow
us.
Phil 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for
an ensample.
2 Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow
us.
1 Tim 1:16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ
might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to
life everlasting.
1 Cor 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the
things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Could anything be any clearer?
The Second reason we need to know that Paul signs all his work is to know what he did write. During
Paul’s day many were writing letters that some claimed Paul wrote. This was the very case in
Thessalonica where some were disturbed by "letters as from us"… 2 Th 2:1 Now we beseech you,
brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye
be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as
from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Paul, later reminds them as he does us… 2 Th 3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine
own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
Servants
The next phrase we see in the verse is "the servants of Jesus Christ".
What else would you want to be? David writes and says… Psa 84:10 For a day in thy courts is
better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the
tents of wickedness.
Paul writes to the Romans and says… Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things
of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally
minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
And again… Rom 6:22But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God,
ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
A friend of mine is want to say… I have been rich and I have been poor… Rich is better! Be rich in
service to Christ. Be rich in service towards God. Be rich in service towards God’s people!
Which brings us to the next division in this verse.
Saints
We are called to be saints! We are called saints! You do not have to wait until some religious
institution makes you one. You become one the moment you trust Christ as your savior!
Now we are reminded and instructed by our Apostle that there are two kinds of saints.
Saints and the Faithful saint! Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to
the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ
Jesus:
It is possible to be a saint and not be faithful! This is the responsibility of grace. God wants us
to serve him from a heart of gratitude not grudgingly. You can be saved and live your life anyway
you want but keep in mind that you were living that way "before" God saved you from the penalty and
power of sin.
D. L. Moody once said… "the world has yet to see what God can do with one soul completely
surrendered to him"… I believe that… Paul believed that and God the Holy Spirit believes that
because he told Paul to write… Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints,
is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
There are two things for you to learn about Paul right now… 1. He was the chief of sinners. God
saved the worst when he saved Paul. If he could save Paul he can certainly save you… 2. Paul was
the least of all saints. On the ladder wrung of saints Paul is at the bottom. No matter your state
or lot in life you are at least one wrung above Paul and look what God did with Paul!
Now I must ask the question… the crunch question. Dear saint of the most High God, what is He doing
through you. Are you saved and satisfied with the meat of this world? Are the fleshpots of Egypt
enough for you? Or do you stand with the faithful?
Next we look at the…
Strategy
Here we look at the way set up his approach to ministry. The city of Philippi was not a choice of
accident for Paul. Paul chose it for its strategic location. Acts 16:12 And from thence to
Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in
that city abiding certain days.
It would be good for us to consider this when we are planning a new "grace church". The church at
Philippi became as did Thessalonica a bee hive of activity for the gospel of the grace of God. Its
strategic location was, no doubt a big factor in this.
Structure
We now turn to the structure Paul mentions in this verse. In the church at Philippi there are
saints, bishops (elders) and deacons.
This is the structure needed to build and establish a local assembly. The elders or bishops are
charged with the task of maintaining sound doctrine. 1 Tim 5:17Let
the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the
word and doctrine. This is so that the saints are protected. Eph 4:14 That we henceforth
be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Sound Doctrine is the word of the day in Pauline established assemblies.
Rom 16:17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
1 Tim 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into
Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Tim 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister
of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast
attained.
1 Tim 4:13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine.
1 Tim 4:16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in
doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Likewise the deacons lead the saints in service. 1 Tim 3:8 Likewise must the deacons be grave,
not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the
faith in a pure conscience.
Salutation
Our final "S" for this part of this study is the salutation of Paul which like his name is always
present in the first few verses of each of the letters he wrote.
This salutation sets the tone an attitude of God towards mankind in the dispensation of the grace
of God. That salutation is "grace and peace". Not wrath and war which is what we deserve but grace
and peace.
Wonderful grace of Jesus
Greater than all my sin
How shall my tongue proclaim it?
Where shall his praise begin?
Taking away my burden
Setting my spirit free
For the wonderful grace of Jesus
Reaches ME!
Wonderful grace of our loving Lord
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt!
Paul says it like this… Rom 8:31What shall we then say to these things? If God be
for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all,
how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge
of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died,
yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession
for us.
Continued Next Lesson…
