Paul -- Author of Philippians -- 9/6/09

Sunday, September 6, 2009

PAUL, THE AUTHOR OF PHILIPPIANS
Phil. 1:1

Please turn to Philippians. Lord willing, we are going to expand on the first few words of the letter this morning. Then next week, we are going to look at the letter in its entirety. Now let’s read Phil. 1:1-2…
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.

As was customary in that day, Paul introduced himself as the author of this letter. When I write a letter, I sign my name at the bottom. By the way, if any of you are “illetterate,” let me explain what a letter is. Email and other electronic correspondence have become so dominant that some people are truly “illetterate.” A letter is a message that is written on a piece of paper and sent to the person for whom it is intended. In our day, we send letters through the mail (United States Postal Service), but things were different in the first century. Mail had to be hand delivered. It appears that Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Colossians were delivered by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21; II Tim. 4:12; Col. 4:7). We aren’t sure how the Philippian letter was delivered, but it did indeed reach its destination. As we will see later in the first chapter, Paul wrote this letter from prison, but some faithful servant (or servants) of the Lord took it from Rome to Philippi. As the crow flies, that is a distance of a little over 600 miles, but the mail route was probably well over a thousand.

This morning we want to take a closer look at Paul, since he is the one who wrote this letter. You will notice that the letter begins, “Paul and Timotheus.” So does that mean that Timothy was the co-author of the letter? Yes, and no. It is doubtful that Timothy actually wrote some of the letter, but there is a reason that Paul included his name. First of all, this indicates that Timothy was with Paul there in Rome. We learn from Acts 28:16,30 that Paul was able to receive visitors while he was imprisoned in Rome. You will remember from last week that Timothy accompanied Paul from the start of his second missionary journey. He also worked with Paul during the third journey. When Paul later wrote to Timothy, he referred to him as his own son in the faith (I Tim. 1:2). Because Paul had such a close relationship with Timothy and because Timothy was there with him in Rome, it was quite natural for Paul to include his name alongside his own. Because Timothy had been such a part of his work and because he had accompanied Paul to Philippi, there was a sense in which the letter came from Paul and Timothy. The Philippians would certainly appreciate the mention of his name, as they no doubt had fond memories of this young and zealous brother.

By the way, this isn’t the only time that Paul includes the name of others in the salutation of his letter. In I Cor. he mentions Sosthenes, and in I and II Thessalonians Silvanus (Silas) is included. But it is Timothy whose name appears most frequently alongside Paul’s, being included in five of his letters (Philippians, II Corinthians, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians).

I. Paul’s Conversion to the Lord

Before meeting Christ, this apostle Paul was known by his given Jewish name, which was what? Saul. Last week we read a little bit from Phil. 3 about his history, but now let’s read a bit more. Acts seven closes with the Jewish leaders stoning Stephen to death. Now let’s read Acts 8:1-3…
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

We could read of his conversion in Acts 9, but let’s read Paul’s own short account in his letter to the Galatians. Gal. 1:13-17…
For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14. And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Here in Phil. 1:1 Paul refers to himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. Other translations will render this word “servant” as “slave” or “bondservant.” In the Greek culture, it was used to designate one who by no choice of his own was forced to serve a master. However, Paul most surely uses it in its Hebrew sense. According to Ex. 21:5-6, if a slave loved his master and wanted to remain in his master’s house and serve him, the master would take him before the judges and his ear would be pierced with an awl, signifying that he would be the willing servant of his master from then on. That is the way Paul saw himself – a willing slave of the Lord Jesus Christ. He didn’t have to be Jesus’ slave, but the love of Christ constrained him!

Though not in this letter, in 9 of his letters Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ. No, he was not a replacement for Judas Iscariot, as some falsely teach. Nevertheless, he was an apostle of Jesus Christ. Please turn to I Cor. 15. After outlining the gospel which he preached, Paul then elaborates on the truth that Jesus did really rise from grave, being seen of many. Let’s pick it up in I Cor. 15:6-11…
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

Paul wasn’t one of the twelve, but he was indeed an apostle, “one born out of due time.” Though he wasn’t closely associated with the Twelve, he preached the same gospel that they preached.

Someone might say, “But how could God use a man who had been so violently opposed to His church? Didn’t the Lord know what this man had done?” Indeed He did. Paul deals with this very subject in I Tim. 1:12-14…
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13. Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Come again to Gal. 1:21-24…
Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22. And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23. But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24. And they glorified God in me.

Though we may not have done the things Paul did, we were really no different than he before we came to the Savior. We were all dead in our trespasses and sins and walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. Yes, we were by nature the children of wrath. BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our sins, made us alive together with Christ and raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That is as true of us as of the man who first wrote those words, even Paul himself. God did it in Paul and in us that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. So how was it that we were saved? "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:1-10).

II. Paul’s Witness to the World

We’ve looked at Paul’s conversion to the Lord, so now let’s take a look at his witness to the world. The Lord saved Paul because He loved Him, but that isn’t the end of the story. He also had a plan to use Paul for His own glory, and a huge part of that plan had to do with Paul proclaiming the gospel to a lost world.

Now let’s go back to that day when Paul was struck down by a blinding light, as he was on his way to Damascus to round up Christians. The Lord was not only working on Saul/Paul, but He was also working on a Christian in Damascus who was named Ananias. Let’s pick it up in Acts 9:10-19…
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

We can certainly understand why Ananias was reluctant to approach this Saul of Tarsus. The Lord didn’t respond by telling Ananias that Saul wouldn’t harm him. Instead, he came straight to the point and told Ananias that He had plans for Saul. Notice especially what the Lord said to Ananias in verse 15, “For he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” The Lord said that Saul would bear His name. The Lord wasn’t saying that he would just go around speaking the name “Jesus.” It simply means that Saul would tell people who Jesus was, why He came, and about His death and resurrection. The word “name” speaks of a person’s character.

But to whom would he bear the name of Jesus? “To the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” While it is true that Paul was known as the apostle to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:7-9), that doesn’t mean that Paul wouldn’t also preach to the Jews, to the children of Israel. As a matter of fact, when Paul entered a city, where did he go first? His custom was to go into the synagogue first. Paul himself formally gave us his strategy in Rom. 1:14-16…
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (to the Gentiles).

Paul felt that he owed a debt to all, regardless of what kind of people they were. He always remembered that he too had been apart from God and the saving work of Christ. He also lived with the fact that the Lord Himself had commissioned him to bear His name to both Jews and Gentiles.

Acts 13-28 provides a commentary on how that commission was fulfilled. As a missionary sent out by the church at Antioch, Paul preached to many children of Israel. As we have mentioned, the synagogue was always his first preaching point, provided there was a synagogue, but that did not mean that Paul shied away from preaching to the Gentiles. Early on that first missionary journey Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch of Pisidia, where they preached in the synagogue. At first the Jews were eager to hear more. But when almost everyone in town came to hear Paul on the next Sabbath, the Jews became jealous and began to strongly oppose Paul and Barnabas. Listen to Acts 13:46-49…
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. 49. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

Over a period of years and on two continents Paul boldly proclaimed the Lord to both Jews and Gentiles.

But what of those words about bearing Jesus’ name before kings? After three missionary journeys in which Paul preached to anyone who would listen, whether Jew or Gentile, he began to encounter increasing opposition. The opposition came from the Jews in Jerusalem. The Romans actually rescued Paul from a mob of Jews that would surely have killed him just outside the temple. The chief captain (commander of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem) heard Paul defend himself before the Jewish religious leaders, but nothing was accomplished. In order to save Paul from a group of 40+ Jews who had vowed not to eat or drink until they killed Paul, this chief captain had him transported to Caesarea, where he was in the custody of a governor named Felix. Then two years later, he was in the custody of Festus, who took over for Felix. During his captivity, Paul was able to speak the gospel very clearly to these two governors.

It was Festus who asked Paul if he would be willing to go up to Jerusalem and face his accusers there. For Paul’s answer and Festus’ response, let’s read Acts 25:10-12…
Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

It is in the very next verse (25:13) that we read of King Agrippa and his sister Bernice coming to visit Festus. When Festus explained the circumstances of Paul’s imprisonment, King Agrippa said he would like to hear Paul for himself. Paul’s speech before Agrippa in Acts 26 is a wonderfully complete testimony of Paul’s conversion, how the Lord used him afterward, and of what Jesus could do in a person’s life. Paul pled earnestly with Agrippa to believe upon the Lord Jesus.

While Agrippa (technically Herod Agrippa II) had the title of “king,” he was really no more a king than Felix and Festus. All ruled Roman territories under the ultimate authority of the Emperor. When Paul spoke to these rulers, he was indeed bearing Jesus’ name before kings. But remember that Paul had appealed to Caesar and Festus had said that he would have his request. As a result, Paul was taken to Rome in order to be tried before the Emperor. Acts concludes with Paul imprisoned at Rome, waiting for his trial. Not only would Paul appear before the Emperor, but he would bear the name to many more Jews and Gentiles during his Roman imprisonment.

Though we do not have a specific commission to bear the name of Jesus before Gentiles, the children of Israel, and kings, the same Lord sends all of us believers to bear His name before the lost people of this world. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (a people for His own possession); that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (I Pet. 2:9). “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh thee a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Pet. 3:15). Though we are not apostles, we are chosen vessels to bear the precious name of Jesus, of Him who died and rose for us.

III. Paul’s Exhorting of the Saints

Something wonderful happened as a result of Paul’s witness to the world. Many people believed. Then what? Those people assembled together as churches. These were local bodies of Spirit-indwelt believers, whose Head was none other than the Lord Jesus Himself. And this is where Philippians comes in, because it is a letter which Paul wrote to the church at Phillipi. A casual reader might first conclude that this letter wasn’t written to a church, but rather “to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi.” There is nothing about the church. That conclusion is wrong for two reasons. First of all, the New Testament knows nothing of lone ranger Christians; Christians were members of local churches, as we see clearly in I Cor. 12. Secondly, the rest of Phil. 1:1 speaks of the church, when it says, “together with the bishops and deacons.” If there was no church, there would be no bishops and deacons. Paul wrote to saints, which literally means “the set apart ones.” They were set apart to God from the world, but they were not set apart from one another; they were a part of one another in the context of the local assembly.

Let me make one thing very clear – Paul loved churches. In the New Testament, we find 13 (some would say 14, considering Hebrews as a Pauline epistle) letters written by Paul, and nine of those letters were addressed to churches. Most of the churches to which he wrote were established by Paul himself. Because he loved the saints in those churches, he visited them and he wrote to them. At first glance, one might conclude that Paul didn’t love the saints at Corinth. After all, he rebuked them for quite a number of things. A careful reading makes it clear that Paul loved them dearly; he loved them enough to write to them and plead with them in the name of Christ to repent. No, all of Paul’s letters were not written to offer comfort; some contained strong admonition and correction, but make no mistake – all were motivated by Paul’s love for his brothers and sisters in the churches. Consider that strong letter Paul wrote to the Corinthians, but then look at its closing words – “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

I used the word exhort, when I titled this portion of our study: “Paul’s exhorting of the saints.” I remind you that the word translated “exhort” literally means “to call alongside.” That is why it isn’t accurate to translate it “encourage.” While it certainly includes encouragement, it is much broader. When I exhort a brother, I am willing to be called to his side to do whatever needs to be done, whether it be encouragement, comfort, gentle correction, or even a stern rebuke. The model for this exhortation is the Holy Spirit Himself, who is the paraclete” (literally, the one called alongside). As seriously as he took his mission to proclaim the gospel to the Lord, so he took his responsibility to exhort the saints.

Consider one example: Rom 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." The word translated “beseech” is that same word we are talking about – exhort, call alongside. Paul was urging them, begging them, to present there bodies a sacrifice to God because of the mercies God had poured out upon them, mercies which are detailed in the first 11 chapters of the letter. He urged them not to be poured into the mold of this world, but to be radically changed by saturating their minds with the Word of God. Why was that important? So they could demonstrate through their own lives what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. We might say that all the rest of Paul’s exhortations somehow point back to what he says here.

Now how do we apply Paul’s example to our own lives? After all, we haven’t gone around starting churches. Surely we don’t have the authority to write letters to churches. While those things may be true, the basic principle of exhorting the saints is as much our ministry as it was Paul’s. How do we know? Because the Word of God tells us so. Let’s read that passage that God is using to mold and shape us in the body of Christ. Heb. 3:12-14,
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.

Brothers and sisters, we are commanded to exhort one another daily. In Heb. 10:24, along with the idea of exhorting one another, the Spirit-inspired writer tells us to consider how we may spur one another on to love and good works. While different members have different gifts and therefore function differently, this is an area where we all share the same general ministry. Everyone in the body is to exhort his brothers and sisters and receive exhortation from them. This ministry is crucial for the body of Christ. Apart from this, regardless of what else happens, the church will not be healthy. This is how we build upon the foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

IV. Paul’s Passion for the Lord’s Glory

From the time he was converted to the Lord, in both his witness to the world and his exhortation of the saints, Paul passionately sought to bring glory to the Lord. This attitude of seeking God’s glory permeates everything in the life of Paul. He received this attitude from His Lord Jesus. Just a couple of weeks ago we looked at John 12:27-28, where Jesus faced His greatest crisis. Let’s read it again (John 12:27-28): "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28. Father, glorify thy name…" Over and over we see that attitude reflected in the life of Paul. Just a few verses will demonstrate that fact…

Acts 20:24… But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Phil. 1:19-20… For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20. According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Gal. 6:14… But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Paul had a burning compassion for the lost, as we read in Rom. 1:14-16 and which we see in I Cor. 9:16-23 (NKJV)…
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Paul had a consuming love and concern for the churches of Jesus Christ. But above all else, his desire was to bring glory to his Lord. That is the only reason he was content to remain in this world. Let’s read it in Phil. 1:21-25 (NKJV)…
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith.

This is the place where we can most closely identify with Paul. No less than Paul, we must seek to glorify our Lord. Yes, let your light shine, but remember that the ultimate goal is that others may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16). When Paul said, “But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 6:14), the Spirit was speaking to us. That is to be our consuming attitude. There is no biblical warrant for thinking that an apostle must glory in the cross of Jesus more than the “common Christian.” If Jesus is our life, then our glory, our boasting, our rejoicing is found in Him. As Paul was shaped by the words of his Lord, may we also be shaped by Jesus’ prayer, “Father, glorify your name” (John 12:28).

Conclusion

You might say, “Why look at Paul? He was an apostle. He had a very unique calling. We can’t hope to follow his example. Looking at Paul is almost like looking at Jesus.” No, Paul was a man, as much a human being as any person here. Though he had a particular function in the body that is different from all of us, his calling was the same. That is why Paul could say in I Cor. 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am a follower of Christ.” Again in Phil. 3:17, “Brethren, be followers together of me…”

Don’t ever get the idea that Paul and Jesus were in one class and we are in another. Never. Jesus was the Lord of Paul and He is our Lord. Paul was just as lost as we were. We who are in Christ are as justified before God as we are. The same Lord lives within us as lived within Paul. The things we have talked about this morning marking the life of Paul are to mark our lives as well. Paul was not perfect. He had not arrived, as he tells us in Philippians 3. He was a man who longed to live for the glory of God, and God gave him grace to do just that. Praise His name that He is doing the same in us.