Many today and throughout history have been on the same mission to find joy and most then as well as today have looked in the same obvious places. One place in particular people try and find joy is away from others in solitude.
I think if people were honest, many would agree that that they have felt like Eddy Arnold at one time or another when he sang, “Make the World Go Away.” There are times when we think the best solution for life's difficulties is to "shut the door on the world." Paul, however, teaches us in Philippians 1:1-11 that true joy comes from others.
EXPERIENCING JOY THROUGH OTHERS
1. BE A TEAM PLAYER (vv. 1-2)
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul begins this letter by saying “Grace and peace to you.” This is a standard greeting given by Paul that basically means, “May God’s Grace be with you” or “May all things be well with you.” What is so ironic about this statement is that Paul is writing to encourage others while he sits in jail uncertain about whether he will live or die.This was Paul’s mentality throughout his ministry. In fact, the reason he was in prison was for the cause of Christ and the sake of others.
The reason Paul was able to have this kind of mentality was because he saw himself for what he truly was—just a piece of the bigger picture. Paul understood that what God was doing was much bigger than himself. His only concern was for God’s people to continue to be faithful and avoid falsehood so that the Gospel would continue to advance.
2. SEE YOUR NEED OF OTHERS (vv. 3-6)
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Paul’s joy comes as a result of the Philippians faithfulness and continued partnership. The church at Philippi had been a big help to Paul in ministry and he did not take this support for granite.
For example…
1. During Paul’s second missionary journey, He receives money from the Philippians at least twice, once in Thessalonica and once in Corinth.
2. On Paul’s third missionary journey, he raised money for the Jerusalem church. He went to visit Philippi and told them not to give since they had already given so much and since they did not have very much. The Philippian church insisted on giving money once again.
3. Paul then took the money to Jerusalem. Shortly after, he was arrested and sent to Rome. While in Rome, the church sent one of their members, Epaphroditus, to visit Paul and take another love offering to him. Paul sent Epaphroditus back to them with this letter.
Although these are the only times mentioned, I think it's safe to assume that the Philippians partnered with Paul more times than this. In fact Paul said that they had partnered with him "...from the first day until now." In other words, day after day they had supported Paul in one of a number of ways.
So Paul needed them and they also needed Paul. Paul's faithfulness to the call was one of the reasons the gospel went to the Philippians in the first place. We also learn from this letter that Paul continued to pour his life into the Christians at Philippi from that day until the time of this letter. He encouraged them, challenged them to grow in godliness and also instructed them on the importance of unity and how to obtain it and warned against falsehood.
Notice the great word of encouragement Paul gives to the Philippians in v.6. He says,"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Paul is basically saying, no matter what you go through, no matter the inward struggles, the spiritual defeats--God finishes what he starts. He assures them that their fabulous beginning and faithful continuance will end with God's finishing touches.
So Paul needed them and they needed him and we as believers need one another. We must avoid having a "lone ranger" view of the Christian faith and see our need of God's appointed people for our spiritual benefit.
3. DEVELOP MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS (vv. 7-8)
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Paul’s love for the Philippians is obvious in this passage. Although he had a love for all the people he ministered to, his relationship with the Philippians was special and brought him great joy.
How many deep, meaningful and god-honoring relationships do you currently have--relationships like Paul had with the Christians at Philippi? We as believers should be seeking out these types of relationships because they will bring us great joy and do nothing but benefit us spiritually.
4. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER IN GODLINESS (vv. 9-11)
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Because Paul enjoyed such a deep, meaningful and god-honoring relationship with the Christians at Philippi, he was not ok with “status quo Christianity." This is why in vv. 9-11 he prays for them to be growing in godliness.
Notice Paul doesn't simply pray for them to love and do the right thing, but prays that the Philippians would have an ever increasing love for God and an unconditional love for others that stems from an accurate knowledge of God's Word. He also prayed that their knowledge and discernment would result in them living as fully and as faithfully for God as possible.
May we adopt this mentality from Paul. You want to be a true friend? Refuse to be ok with “status quo Christianity," but instead encourage one another in godliness. The more loving we become and the more fully and faithfully we follow God, the more healthy we will be as Christians and as a church.
CONCLUSION
Although we think that joy is often found away from the crowds by our self, Paul shows that the opposite is true. Joy is found in a loving, caring and supportive Christian community.
