In Service of the King

FULL SERVICE: See SERMON ONLY below

SERMON ONLY:

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Philippians 1:1-2 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. The background for the book of Philippians is Acts 16. Read v6, 7. Here we see Paul been directed by the Holy Spirit. Do you think Paul knows this while it is happening?
2. When you read v8-12, what does Paul understand looking back to the content of v6, 7? And what are the implications for our lives?
3. I say that, “It really is the story of God’s Sovereign love to orchestrate and build a church.” How do I get that from Acts 16?
4. I say that “God gave this letter, not written to us, but for us, to understand His compassion and purposes for Calvary Baptist Church, Killarney this morning until Christ returns.” What initial though came into your mind?
5. Here are the four conclusions based on Acts 16. (1) You do not exist as a church by accident. (2) You are here by outworking of the sovereign will of God (3) You are here by the specific purpose of God (4) You are here by the costly unconditional love of God. How does this challenge the idea that church is just a human institution? Secondly, how do these conclusions affect your thinking about belonging to CBC?
6. For in the crafting of this introduction in 1:1-2, the Spirit has given us four words or phrases, that describe the foundation for everything we do. (1) Slaves, (2) Saints, (3) Leadership (elders and deacons), and (4) grace & peace. Why do you think these things define the New Testament church?
7. Paul and Timothy see themselves on the same level playing field is that they both saw themselves equally as slaves of God. How is this like Christ Himself? (See Mark 10:45) Imagine what it would be like if the whole church had this attitude? (See Philippians 2:3)
8. To be a slave of Jesus means that, “I renounce my self-importance and personal comfort. All I see is Him, who died and rose again for us. All I desire is for Him to command my heart, focus my affection, direct my life, and for my ultimate reward, I aspire to nothing but His will be done, His Name be spread abroad, His purposes fulfilled, His Word understood and obeyed, His church unified and submitted to the cost of giving it all for the sole purpose to hear His words, well done good and faithful servant, slave. How do we become like this?
9. Saint means “to be set apart,” or to be sanctified. We tend to think of saint as set apart from sin, but it also means to be set apart for someone, or something. Look at Titus 2:11-14, especially 14. Who are we set apart for? What does that mean?
10. When you look at the three mentioned in formation of the church at Philippi (Lydia, the slave girl, and the jailer), what does that supplest about church?
11. Leadership is defined as overseers and deacons. One is spiritual, the other is physical. Why are both necessary?
12. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” is the way Paul summed up God’s provision for us to be church. Think hard about what means. If we are saved by grace, what does that mean? If we are to live by grace, what does that mean? God makes peace through the blood of Christ. We are reconciled to Him, even though we were enemies. What are the implications for our church?