Arnie and Fred begin this final episode about the church of Christ at Philippi by noting how they first dedicated themselves to God and consequently were involved in aiding God's saints in Jerusalem. We talk about how they abounded in the knowledge of the truth and how they attained that knowledge. Paul noted that they were genuine and blameless, and we discuss what he said. It is said that they produced the fruit of the Spirit. We talk about what that means and how they attained it. It is said also that they gave themselves to other disciples. We discuss this and note how important this is to the successful functioning of the local church. We return to notice the benevolent spirit that the church at Philippi had and its effect. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcript of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.
Arnie and Fred begin this final episode about the church of Christ at Philippi by noting how they first dedicated themselves to God and consequently were involved in aiding God's saints in Jerusalem. We talk about how they abounded in the knowledge of the truth and how they attained that knowledge. Paul noted that they were genuine and blameless, and we discuss what he said. It is said that they produced the fruit of the Spirit. We talk about what that means and how they attained it. It is said also that they gave themselves to other disciples. We discuss this and note how important this is to the successful functioning of the local church. We return to notice the benevolent spirit that the church at Philippi had and its effect. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcript of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.
This is a presentation of the Woodland church of Christ meeting at 3370 Broad Street in Sumter, South Carolina. We meet for worship on Sunday at ten thirty am and five thirty pm. We meet for bible study at nine thirty am on Sunday, and seven pm on Wednesday. If you have questions or comments on this lesson, you may email them to Fred Gosnell at fgosnell@ftc-i.net Or to Arnie Granke at agranke440718@twc.com.
Arnie:Good afternoon, this is Arne Granke and Fred Gosnell, this is what does the Bible say, brought to you by the church of Christ at Woodland in Sumter, South Carolina. And we certainly hope that if you happen to be in the vicinity, perhaps touring the area or assigned at Shaw Air Force Base, or here for some other reason, we hope that you would come and worship with us on the Lord's day in the in the morning for Bible class, and then worship services and also Sunday evenings. And then on Wednesday night, we also have Bible class that we would certainly invite you to come and and be glad to study the Word of God with you. Last week, Fred and I were talking about the church at at Philippi. And talking about the fact that it had grown tremendously. And what was it that had made that growth and and achievement possible? And and certainly the the answer to that might be in passages like second Corinthians chapter, chapter eight. And and beginning in verse one, Paul writes, and he said, Moreover, brethren, we do you to whit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, how that in great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty bounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord. And and unto us by the word of God. Israel, Jerusalem, the saints in Jerusalem over in Israel, were in a desperate situation, there was a huge, a huge famine, and there was help that was, was needed. And on the third missionary journey, Paul had been collecting some of that and, and then eventually was able to deliver that in, in Jerusalem. So these saints in Philippi, not only had dedicated themselves to that work, but that began with them dedicating themselves to, to God and and they apparently were tremendously helpful in aiding the saints in Jerusalem.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And when Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians, in the first chapter, there he he, he noted how they had had abounded in the knowledge of the truth. Beginning in verse nine, Paul says, And this I pray that your love may abound, yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment, that you may approve things that are excellent, that you may be sincere without offence, till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God. And of course, they didn't, they didn't attain that level of knowledge without some effort. And of course, Paul had had told Timothy, and I'm sure the Philippians knew the same thing. Second Timothy 2, 15 Paul says, Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. So, the Philippians had to do some some amount of study. And of course, they had the, they had the Old Testament available to them. And then of course, they had this letter that Paul wrote to them and gave them this guidance and noted how well they had prepared themselves in a study and in attaining knowledge. And so and so that it resulted in them being filled with the fruits of righteousness. They were rightous saints, busy in the Lord's work.
Arnie:That word study there in First Timothy, Second Timothy, chapter two, verse 15, is a word that means give diligence. So it's not just a matter of them spending, oh, you know, a good bit of time reading the Epistles or listening to some preaching or things of that sort. But they were diligent in, in working on and learning the, the word of God. And something else that that attracted my attention while you were reading that Fred, was in verse ten first of Philippians chapter one and verse, verse 10. There are a number of things that kind of explained for us, how it was possible for these disciples to grow the way that they that they did, Paul said that you may approve things that are excellent. Well, apparently they did that. And they they weren't just playing at being at being Christians, they were serious about that, which would fit the next one, That you may be sincere, and without offense. So on a daily basis, they were applying the things, their faith, it wasn't that, that, Oh, well, we'll we'll just kind of go ahead and do this for that, even though it's not scriptural, It's just a small thing. They never thought that way. They always they always thought that, that it was important to live as, as the apostles had taught them. And as Paul and those that worked with him had, had taught them and and Luke was was one of those, that that had done that. And then and then in verse 11, Being filled with the fruits of, of righteousness. Paul talks about talks about fruit of the Spirit, the results of, of reading, studying, applying God's word. Galatians chapter five, and beginning in, in verse 22, The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there, there is no law. And it's fascinating that these are things that you don't see, generally speaking in the world. If you don't know Christians, then you probably are not seeing these kinds of characteristics being exemplified in in the life of most of the people that that you know, but saints should do that. And then then verse 24, They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections, and and lusts. Those behaviors are a thing of the past now, when when they become Christians. You may know some people that profess to be Christians, and yet yet they're doing some of these things that are, that are unscriptural that are that are listed in, in Paul's list of, of the works of the flesh, right in the adjoining passage in Galatians, chapter five. They need to change that. And certainly the the disciples in Philippi had done that.
Fred Gosnell:Of course, their their efforts were to, to end up going to heaven to be saved. And, and Paul notes that in Philippians 212, he says, Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. So, contrary to what some say, today, salvation requires some work. And then Paul said, Work out your own salvation. And they were doing that, they were, they were making lots of efforts and in their study and in their application in their righteous living and the ways that they treated other brethren, their their, their interest in helping the saints in Jerusalem by by taking up, giving up money in their first collections on the first day of the week. So they were they were busy and Paul noted that in chapter two, verse
Arnie:You know, maybe maybe people feel sometimes that, 12. well, I, you know, I don't want to give up the things in life that are that are pleasant that are enjoyable and, and whatnot, surely God wouldn't demand that of us. If we want to go to, to heaven. Well, he doesn't demand that you give up the good things that that make life pleasant and certainly Christians find that life really is more pleasant as a child of, of God. They don't wind up having to justify themselves for things that, that offended somebody, they, they wind up in a life of prayer, they wind up in a life of, of associating with, with other disciples that are serious about God's word. Life is good, as a as a Christian. It just doesn't look as good from from the outside to those that really don't want to be Christians. We want to continue drinking, we want to continue, you know, some, a little bit of immorality, we want to continue taking advantage of other people unfairly and, and we could just run down quite a list of, of those things. Christians, not only have pleasure in life in this life, but they're looking forward also to joy in Heaven, after a while, and those that are engaged in these kinds of things. They're just not looking for it. And they're not going to probably have that.
Fred Gosnell:That's right. And of course, their their interest was not just in themselves, they they gave themselves to other disciples, and Paul notes that in chapter two of Philippians, and verses one through four. Notice what he sa`ys, he says, If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye should be like minded, having the same love being a one accord, one mind, let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. Look, not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. And of course, that's the example Jesus gave us when he went to the cross, Jesus went to the cross, he wasn't there for his own good, he was there for other people, for everybody else to save them. And, and the Philippians had learned that lesson. And Paul noted that, don't know don't be selfish, don't look at your own interests, look to the interests of others, for the betterment of others. And, of course, one of the things that Jesus, Paul approached Jesus as saying is, it's, It's better to give than it is to receive. And that's one of the things that the saints there at Philippi, had implemented and were doing and Paul noted that in his second, second chapter of Philippians, verses one through four,
Arnie:So they not only gave themselves to one another, being helpful to each other, encouraging each other and, and so forth. But they they had really a unity, of of purpose. And of course, verse two that Fred has just read here a few minutes ago, pretty much, pretty much shows that to be to be the the case. Philippians chapter four, and, and verse two, there, there were a couple of disciples there, that that seemed that, maybe they weren't getting along as well as they as they should. And that wasn't a situation where where someone was going to say, well, they'll let it go, they'll they'll get that straightened out. They were going to be helpful to them to get that straightened out. So in Philippians chapter four, and and beginning in verse two, Paul said, I beseech Euodia and beseech Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat the also true yokefellow, help those women who labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers whose names are in the book of of life. So we don't know exactly how you Euodia and Sybtyche and possibly some other women as well, who were a part of Paul's team, exactly what part, what role they had in the work of the gospel, maybe they were teaching other women the gospel, that would certainly be a possibility, maybe they had spiritual gifts as, as well, there's not enough detail given in a in that. Or another possibility would be perhaps they took care of, of some of the women womanly type businesses that a family would, would have, perhaps preparing meals for. for those that were out working and spreading the gospel or helping them with their laundry or things of that sort. We just, we just don't know. But they had been a part of Paul's team, and they had been essential to the team. And he realizes that it would just be a sad thing for them not to be able to, to be of one mind in, in the Lord. So that that was his objective for them there to resolve whatever personal disagreements they had, whatever kinds of issues that were that were keeping them separate.
Fred Gosnell:Yeah. And he had, he had emphasized that in chapter one, really, when he began in verse 27, he said, Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. So it was important for them to work together. So when Eupdias and Syntyche had that had that problem, Paul beseeched them and said, you know, you've got to fix that. So, so we can stand fast and have our our efforts be united. And so that we can, you know, consider, continue to teach the gospel, all the times all the opportunities that we most that we have. And of course, that that would, that would help them to share mutual respect when when they look at each other's best interests and work together. And Paul, Paul said that in Philippians, two, verse three said, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. So rather than trying to do everything by myself, and I'm the one in charge, and I'm gonna get it all done, that's not the way that that the gospel is propagated, or the local church works. You've got to work together, we're a team, and we're working for the Lord. And we have to have that mindset so that we can do the best we can in the Lord's work. Yeah,
Arnie:Yeah, you know, what he what he described, there really is sort of a definition of, of humility, isn't it? Being being humble, and not expecting others necessarily to respect you, but certainly respecting them. And it'll automatically happen if that's the case, if that's what we're what we're doing. So that they mutually loved one, one another, looking not every man on his on his own things, but every man also on the on the things of other,down in, down in verse four. So there was a, not only a respect but a mutual love among these disciples. And Peter addressed that as well. spoke of that in first Peter chapter, chapter one and verse, verse 22. He said, Seeing ye have purified your souls, in obeying the truth through the Spirit, unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another, with a pure heart fervently. A couple of things just pop out of that. For it's, not not only a matter of loving, not just faking it, we're not faking it. It's not not feigned, but it's but it's genuine. So if we, if we consider what each one is adding, to the work of, of the, of the gospel, it's easy for us to respect them and think highly of them and and love them and recognize a pure heart. So, you know that, that's certainly that something that would be, that would be a hopeful thing. And I go back to you Syntyche and and Euodia again, a lot of times you find in churches there, there's maybe a couple of little groups that sit, tend to tend to huddle together, and others aren't really welcome in, in that group. Paul is making sure that they don't have that problem there in, in Philippi by by getting unity formed there in the group.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And, and we had mentioned several times of this famine that that was going on in Jerusalem. And of course, the Philippians they that at a benevolent spirit, and Paul, Paul mentioned that in Second Corinthians nine, or Second Corinthians eight, verses one through four. And, of course, he begins in verse one, he says, Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia, of course, he includes Philippi, and the other groups that were there, How that in a great trial of affliction, at the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record yea and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves, praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. So they weren't rich people there, they, they, but in spite of that, they still poneyed up and they gave the money on the first day of the week, as as Paul told the Corinthians, and so it would be there and be collected and waiting for Paul to and those that were with him to come by and pick that benevolence up and take it to Jerusalem to the brethren there that needed it. So, so they were, they were busy studying, they were busy working for the Lord, they were working together, and they were benevolent people that had the interest of others at heart.
Arnie:And in the meantime, you remember, they started out with two families, and two families and a preacher. And, and and grew from there. So and they became a powerhouse, as far as, as supporting gospel preachers and supporting other needs elsewhere, among disciples, throughout throughout the world. I'm looking looking now at at at Acts chapter four, and, and beginning in in verse three with regard to these disciples, and helping the saints there in, in Jerusalem. The multitude of them that believed in Acts chapter four. And these are the this is in Jerusalem, The multitude of them that believed were of one heart, of one soul. Neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own. Oh, that's my property, you know. But they had all things common, and with great power, gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the pieces of the prices of the things that were sold, laid them down at the apostle's feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. So there was there was a close connection among these saints in Jerusalem. And that same kind of closest connection had had gone with Paul and those that were working with him to the various places where they had studied. So certainly that would be, studied with the people and certainly that would be something that Euodia and Syntyche would probably want to be a part of, as as well.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And of course, when they took up these, these, these funds on the on the first day of the week, as as Paul told them in First Corinthians 16, one and two, in the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul talked about the attitude that we ought to have when those funds are collected and given. In Second Corinthians nine, six and seven Paul says, This, I say, he that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purpose in his heart so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful, cheerful giver. Of course, giving as part of our worship. And notice that he says that every man according is a purpose in his heart. It's, there's no tithe mentioned there. Everybody has a different financial situation, and in some people may be able to give more, some people less, but individual makes up that determination in his own heart, and then he says, Let him give and not grudgingly not like, oh, you know, I gotta give some money today. So I will, you know, look and see, when I got left. He said,
Arnie:Oh, here's a quarter.
Fred Gosnell:But make your make your determination. And usually people will do that based on their, their financial situation. And so the reason is, Well, God loveth a cheerful giver, it's a good thing to give to the work of the of the church, for you know, preaching, to support preachers, which the Philippians did, they supported Paul's several times, they were the first ones to do so. And then take up, use that money to help saints that are in need that and they did that, for those in Jerusalem. And then of course, in order to do the work of the church, to preach the gospel funds are needed to do that. So whether you write articles or tracs or those who travel, they need some funds to travel those. So all of those things that the church at the Philippi was doing. And of course, they were cognizant of the importance of the work that they were engaged in.
Arnie:Well, and Philippians 4, 4, 3, again, kind of fits into, into that. Paul says, I entreat thee also true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me, in the Gospel with Clemwnt also, and with other my fellow laborers whose names are, are in the book of life. At the end of the book of Revelation, you have a recognition of the fact that, that God's got a list of all of those who have obeyed him and done His, His will and have been, have been faithful. Those are the ones that are in the, in the book of of life. And these disciples that he's writing to, had worked together in the gospel and, and had served, and that was true, it wherever they were churches that had been established that that disciples generally got along well, there, there were some situations that had to be that had to be corrected. But generally speaking, the disciples were were righteous people, and they had changed their life, and and worked with one another, recognizing the importance of each one's part in the, in serving the gospel.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And of course, you know, sometimes the disciples in small churches, sometimes they think they're powerless to prosper and perpetuating the gospel and the kingdom of God. Of course, that's, that's not so. Whatever, whatever it is that you can find to do, do it. So some, so, and sometimes people that they kind of look at the larger congregations, they think they're more important, and but notice that, you know, the church at Philippi started out with a couple of families and a preacher. And they then they built on that, and they continued to do that work and, and that's what we need to do here. And remember that the two churches that were not criticized in Revelation one was poor and the other was weak, so small, is not necessarily a problem.
Arnie:So, here's here's where we've been here. We've talked about the church being established around AD 52 in Philippi, during one of Paul's journeys, preaching the gospel. We've discussed its growth and its its achievements and, and now how it was possible for for all those things to occur. And that was repeated in a lot of places. Perhaps another time we'll, we'll look at the church being established in some some of those other places as well. We appreciate you listening In and studying with us we hope that you'll study with us again next Lord's day. Have a good week.