Our New Mind In Christ | Philippians 1:9-10

The year is approximately 60 AD. It has only been roughly 30 years since the ascension of Christ. Paul is under Roman imprisonment. It was his first Roman imprisonment. He will eventually be released and carry on more missionary work, and eventually be rearrested and then executed.
But during this imprisonment, he is allowed visitors. And the Philippian church has sent a man, who may well have been their pastor, Epaphroditus, to bring support to Paul and to offer to him their love and encouragement, and to make his imprisonment more tolerable.
This is not the first time that this church has supported Paul. In fact, on at least three other occasions they have supported him.
ESV Philippians 4:15 And you Philippians yourselves know that ain the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, bno church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 aNot that I seek the gift, but I seek bthe fruit that increases to your credit.1 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, ahaving received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, ba fragrant offering, ca sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. (Phi 4:15 ESV)
ESV 2 Corinthians 11:9 And when I was with you and was ain need, bI did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia csupplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain dfrom burdening you in any way.
This church is unlike the Corinthian church. It is not a church that is problem free, no church like that exists. But it is a healthy church and without any major doctrinal issues, or any major behavioral issues.
About the most we see here are a couple of women who are at odds with one another (4:1-2), and a warning to the church about Judaizers (ch.3). In both cases it doesn’t seem to be something major, but in the first case, something easily corrected, and in the 2nd case, something they were simply to be on the lookout for.
What Paul writes in this letter is warm, encouraging, and it is celebratory. He celebrates what the Lord has done and is doing in them, and he takes joy in the love that he has for them and that they have for him.
He and Timothy are familiar to them because they were used by God to bring this church into existence.
It was on Paul’s second missionary journey that Timothy joined Paul, Philippi was visited, and people were converted. It was at Philippi that Lydia and her family came to Christ. It was at Philippi that a jailor and his household were converted. It was at Philippi that a demon possessed girl was delivered. You can read about all of this in Acts 16.
So, this is a special church to Paul and Paul is dear to them (4:15).
NOTE: I THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE WELLBEING OF THIS CHURCH BECAUSE IT IS A REMINDER TO US THAT THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS BOOK IS NOT EXPLAINED BY THE NEED TO ADDRESS A CRISIS.
This is not something extraordinary for a church facing some immediate danger. THIS IS INSTRUCTION FOR ORDINARY CHRISTIANITY IN AN ALWAYS CHALLENGING WORLD.
These are truths we need to hear REGARDLESS of our circumstances.
These are truths we need to hear WHEN WE ARE DOING WELL.
*THIS LETTER HAS A FEW NOTABLE THEMES AND AN INTERESTING ORGANIZATION.
*There is an emphasis on Joy
*There is an emphasis on fellowship.
*There is an emphasis on practical Christian living - how to LIVE the Christian life.
*But what we are especially focused on this weekend is that there is an emphasis on the mind - how the believer is to think.
IN TERMS OF ORGANIZATION - I THINK J. SIDLOW BAXTER WAS ON TO SOMETHING WHEN HE ORGANIZED HIS STUDY AROUND WHAT CHRIST IS TO THE BELIEVER.
CHAPTER ONE - CHRIST IS THE BELIEVER’S LIFE
ESV Philippians 1:21 For to me ato live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phi 1:21 ESV)
CHAPTER TWO - CHRIST IS THE BELIEVER’S MIND
ESV Philippians 2:5 aHave this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,1 (Phi 2:5 ESV)
CHAPTER THREE - CHRIST IS THE BELIEVER’S AMBITION OR GOAL
ESV Philippians 3:8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of athe surpassing worth of bknowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I chave suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Phi 3:8 ESV)
CHAPTER FOUR - CHRIST IS THE BELIEVER’S STRENGTH
ESV Philippians 4:13 I can do all things athrough him who strengthens me. (Phi 4:13 ESV)
But what we are focusing on this weekend is a theme that is on display through every chapter and every truth and that is the mind of the believer.