Sermon Notes for Philippians 3:10-14

Key Verse: Philippians 3:12 “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me..”

Philippians ought to be a somber letter, composed as it is by Paul while he was a prisoner (“in chains for Christ”, see Philippians 1:13-14), probably facing execution in Rome in 61 AD. Paul’s only recorded visit to Philippi, recorded in Acts 16, resulted from a detour commanded by a vision.  Paul experienced initial success, converting Lydia, a “dealer in purple cloth” who began a church in her home. After casting out a demon from a fortune teller who made her handlers a lot of money, Paul and Silas were mobbed, beaten and thrown into prison. The jail keeper converted when Paul and Silas did not escape when an earthquake opened all of the prison doors, and Paul and Silas left for Thessalonica after being exonerated and encouraging the believers at Lydia’s house.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians from prison is filled with encouragement and warm expressions of love. He uses the word rejoice (Greek: kai’-row) 9 times in seven verses (only Luke uses the word more – 12 times, in his much larger Gospel). In Philippians, Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed even by his enemies (1.18), that the sacrifice of his freedom and life might strengthen their faith (2.17-18), and that the departure of his friend, Epaphroditus, will mean that Epaphroditus can enjoy a reunion with the Philippians (2.28). Paul closes the letter repeatedly rejoicing in the Lord greatly and in all circumstances, and especially for his experience of the love and concern of the Philippian church for his welfare (3.1, 4.4 and 10).

Paul’s letter to the church gathered at Philippi holds together the tension of life that holds joy and sorrow together. He notes that his own imprisonment has served to advance the gospel (1.12). In chapter two, Paul quotes what must have been an early hymn proclaiming Christ’s deep humility and ultimate exaltation (2.6-11). Paul seeks to know Christ by participating in Christ’s sufferings and becoming like Christ in his death (2.10) and encourages the Philippian Christians to claim God’s gift to them, not only of belief in Christ, but of the privilege of suffering for Christ (1.29 – see also 2 Cor. 4.7-12). Rather than focusing on the pain of suffering with and for Christ, Paul encourages the Philippians to compare life in Christ (even while suffering) to the “garbage” of anything that is not life in Christ (3.8-9).

I am struck by the passion with which Paul writes of his desire to know (Greek: jin-oh’-skow) Christ. This word stresses the act of understanding rather than mere sensory perception. Interestingly, Mary uses this word when she asks the angel how she will conceive Jesus in Luke 1:34: “Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’” This knowing gives birth to new life, and transforms our lives. Jeremiah 22.16 equates knowing God with “defending the cause of the poor and needy”. Jesus defines knowing God as eternal life in John 17.3. Paul writes to the Ehpesians (in 4.13) that Spirit-empowered ministry to others will lead them to unity and maturity in the faith and to “knowledge of the Son of God”. And the opening chapter of 2 Peter tells us that the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord brings us grace and peace in abundance (verse 2) and enables us to “participate in the divine nature” (verses 3 and 4 – see also 2 Cor. 5.11-21).

Truly, this kind of knowledge and experience enables us to live in this world as citizens of heaven (Philippians 1.27 and 3.20) to do all things in Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4.13).

Questions for Reflection
1. How in your life have you experienced a knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ as Lord? How has your experience of the church helped or hindered your knowledge of Christ? How does your experience of Christ resonate with the parable in Matthew 25:31ff and the prophecy in Jeremiah 22.16?

2. How would you describe the Lord Jesus Christ in your personal experience? Do you experience Jesus Christ as a revelation of God or more as a mediator between you and God?

3. In your life experience, what does it mean to share in the sufferings of Christ? Why do you think it is necessary to share in Christ’s suffering and death in order to share in his resurrection? Please read Philippians 1:27-30. How has suffering together with God been a gift from God in your life? How have you been able to rejoice in all things?

4. How has the Holy Spirit spoken to you this morning?