Philippians Introduction

We learn from Philippians that the Christian life is the pursuit of joy in Jesus Christ. Christ is more valuable than everything we pursue in this life. To live is Christ and to die is gain because it means we get more of Christ. If we have Christ, we can be content in any and every circumstance because Christ is the One who gives us strength. Christ is our example of humility and He is the Savior who was obedient to death, even death on the Cross.

Let us learn from Paul that everything minus Christ is really nothing and Christ minus everything is really everything. Christ is more than enough.

In 1:3-8, Paul thanks God for the Philippians for 3 reasons:
1. Paul thanks God for them because of his own affections for them.
2. Paul thanks God for them because of their partnership in the gospel with him.
3. Paul thanks God for them because of God’s sovereign work in their lives and church.

• God is the sovereign initiator of His redemptive work ("He who began a good work in you...)
• God is the faithful completer of His redemptive work ("will bring it to completion").