"God's Grace Plan"; The book of Philippians
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
December 1, 2012
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Introduction:
December 1, 2012 "God's Grace Plan" The book of Philippians Any study in Philippians must begin with passages from the book of Acts. God's grace heard the cries of the people of Macedonia and birthed a church which would open all Europe to the gospel. Review its beginnings: Such a visage of a Macedonian man must have caused Paul to search for him after he arrived from Troas. Paul might have thought he would encounter this fellow and research the prayer request which moved heaven so deeply.Acts 16:6-10 The Spirit of God forbade Paul from going elsewhere. (It should be pointed out that the vision was acted upon immediately [v. 10]. These early church members were accustomed to hearing from God and acting upon their hearing. Paul obeyed God's vision and nothing else mattered. Gone were his plans, agendas, programs and strategies.) Acts is a book chronicling the phenomenal acts of the Spirit, using a quickly responding people. That's the way the kingdom works ... no time for dallying among the daisies! Grace has a plan of its own. These early disciples looked for signs of the plan to guide their ministry. When grace was shown to be extended to a people, they followed the work of grace. They knew that God's grace trumped kings and kingdoms and took supremacy over nations and cultures. Who would have considered that a humble man's prayer, and a women's prayer meeting, would be the catalyst for the gospel being spread throughout continental Europe? One must never underestimate the power of prayer and the place of praying men and women in Grace's plan. Without making too many assumptions, review the scene. Because this was a military city, established as such by the conquering Romans, it lacked a large contingent of Jews as would possibly have populated a commercial site. The faithful met by a river, on the Sabbath day, in order to pray. Paul and Silas joined them, which means there could have been other men present and participating. However, the Scripture focuses on Lydia and how the grace of God provided a response to her prayers and her devotion to God. She was first, among many, to receive salvation through the gospel (She and her entire family, along with others at that prayer meeting, were baptized). The Lord opened her heart. God's grace has an open ear to the sincere prayers of the "yet to be saints." All over the world, even without a formal meeting place, God is sending his servants to answer the pleas of the "yet to be saved ones."Acts 16:11-15 Lydia became the point of provision for the disciples as well. Her generosity and influence gave credence to the message of Paul. From her home came a powerful witness and it became the gathering place for seekers of the truth. Lydia was the local advocate for the gospel, for cultures need "locals" to provide a warm hearth for those seeking truth. Advocacy is not a shield against tribulation, however. Paul and Silas, working out of Lydia's home and the homes of others, soon found themselves housed in a prison-giving vent to the famous "Philippian jailer's salvation." In their deliverance of an abused girl, Paul and Silas wound up being beaten and castigated by a citizenry that knew nothing of their heavenly status. Soon, the entire city would evidence an earthshaking event, which would show Divine approval for their cause. A trembling jailer, professing his new salvation experience, was replaced by a trembling magistrate, who had ordered Roman citizens to be beaten without a trial. Such persecution would often characterize the ministry of Paul and those with him. In Acts 20:1, while ministering in Asia, Paul challenged the idol makers, who profited off the worship of the pagan deity, Diana. The riot which ensued also engulfed two Macedonians traveling with Paul. In the eleven years between Paul's first visit to Philippi and the writing of this epistle, many skirmishes and trials were the lot of Christians. (Ordinary church goers of today [more than likely] would have already abandoned their faith.) One can only surmise the value of their sacrifice when one ponders the multitudes of saints found historically in Europe. It began in Macedonia and concentrate first in Philippi.Acts 19:29 Although Paul began the Philippian epistle with his usual salutation, early on, he makes a Grace Confession. He virtually attests that this treatise falls under a single category: "Grace engendered works." Its genesis was born of a vision and its growth was a Grace adventure. So, as the reader continues, he must be aware of the epistle's unfolding revelation under the heading of: "God's Grace-Plan." At this point, Paul inserts a major premise in Christianity: "Those who support the Grace ordained ministries are partakers of its fruit." Not just the two men of the riot, but all of them, were both provision and support. God's Grace planned it all through a vision and a prayer meeting. Participants of the plan were rewarded as they went, even though viewed from prison bars. Every reference in this text is predicated on this premise, "all who participate in God's Grace Plan are rewarded by His Grace.'Philippians 1:7 Ending this paragraph with one of the most quoted passages in Philippians, Paul reveals how the Lord has used his persecution and chains for the furtherance of God's Grace-plan. The man who heard God say, "My grace is sufficient," knew it was!Philippians 1:12 Timothy and Epaphroditus, both fellow laborers, were being sent to Macedonia in order to bring unity and restore fellowship within the Philippian church. Both were proven men. Both of them were used in the plan of Grace to provide for Paul and to comfort him in prison. Grace always comes to the rescue.Philippians 1:29-30 Paul knew of the division in the church at Philippi (coming through deception) and how most of them were more interested in their own welfare than in carrying out the will of God. He brought matters back into perspective, first, by showing how Christ divested himself of heaven in order to minister to man, and second, how he too was willing to sacrifice everything to facilitate the gospel. The great trilogy of verse 10 is a study to itself. Grace allows entrance to these three arenas. "To know Him" is to be intimately in the circle with Him. Those who have His mind abide in His fellowship. To fellowship with Jesus is to "enter in" to the power of His resurrection, which leads to the community of His sufferings. Companionismo is the Spanish synonym for such fellowship. Companionship is far different than tertiary acquaintance. Grace carries us to the place where these three aspects are the primary motivations and focus of our existence.Philippians 3:7-10 What part does personal aggrandizement play in verse 10? Where do private interests enter this picture? Nowhere! Paul passed over to the place where worldly matters were of no significance. He found himself astonished when he encountered the priorities of the Philippi church. (He would be more astonished by entering today's church arena) The universe changes for the believer, as he matures in Christ. Some former interests are just not there and if they are-God is continually challenging them and bringing one to Christ's higher standard. (If you don't see this happening in yourself and in those around you ... it is cause to weep.)Philippians 3:13-20 Realizing his chains and possible death, Paul began to issue mandates for life (small fragments of seemingly disconnected thoughts---which are actually highly connected to the deeper walk in Grace). Some of the most quoted passages in Christendom are in these thoughts. If the saints will adhere to these principles, most of the pitfalls surrounding personal issues, home, church and business will be avoided. One must train oneself to be "anxious for nothing." (A troubled world increases ones anxieties, but when a man in chains, faced with condemnation from government and society, gives advice---take it.) Lonely hours of dismal confinement required the principles found verse 8.Philippians 4:6-8 Hear Paul testify of God's great grace flowing toward him always! In order for these oft quoted passages to be understood, one must see the circumstances of their author. The Scripture says, "He learned." Listen to him. "He learned," through experience, that God's Grace is sufficient. Oh, that the vast numbers who attend worship would "learn" to be content. (The very competitiveness of the world's culture demands one to be malcontent, but such is not from God.) Oh, that the cruel future, coming to pass on earth, could be met with verse 12 and 13. (Let us memorize these verses, until they are a part of us, for they are the mind of Christ.)Philippians 4:11-13 Now comes verse 10, perhaps, the most quoted of all the Philippian passages: After commending them on caring for his needs and supporting him in distant fields, Paul demonstrated a restraint little known to the "offering takers" of the church at large. He described the altar of the Old Testament, which received the sacrifices of the people and called their provision "a sweet-smelling sacrifice." It was God who provided for him through their obedience and willing sacrifice. It was God's Grace upon them which urged their participation and netted fruit and wealth to their spiritual account. (Philippian type sacrifice still happens today, though little regarded in many arenas.)Philippians 4:15-19 The cyclical nature of such giving is pointed out in verse 19. (The realization that God is our source and supply, transforms us to a place of wonderful freedom. To ruminate on the vastness of His resources is cause célèbre, alongside our connection to Him.) The end of this year causes us to recount the times He has done exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ask or think. We rise to testify, "His Grace is Sufficient." Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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