“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!” (Phil 1:2)

 

Over the past four weeks our readings for the second lesson have come from the book of Philippians. Our Bible Study group has been reading Paul’s letter to the Philippians and discovering the riches that it has to offer.   

We began by exploring the background of this letter and found that was written by the apostle Paul around 50 CE to the first Christian church that he had established in Europe.  The city of Philippi in Macedonia, modern day Greece, was on the Via Egnatia, a road that was used to transport goods and supplies between Rome and the eastern part of the Roman Empire. Paul and his fellow evangelist Timothy wrote this letter while Paul was in prison, although it is not clear where he was in prison at the time he wrote the letter. 

The Letter to the Philippians despite Paul being imprisoned is a joyful one. It is filled with thanksgiving, rejoicing, and the message of God’s abundant grace through Jesus Christ.  Our group uncovered the themes of living for the gospel of Christ and living in unity with one another in Christ’s name.  Paul considered the loss of all things including his freedom as loss because of Christ.  Even in prison, Paul was still proclaiming the gospel message of the risen Christ to all who would listen including the guards, servants, and other prisoners.  He urged the saints in Philippi to “live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.”  In a call to live in unity, he says we should live out our lives in faithful service to one another, putting aside selfish ambition, and looking toward the needs of others.  Paul also talks about being content with what we already have and seeking what is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, and commendable.  His message for the people of Philippi and us today is to fill our lives with prayer, thanksgiving, and supplication and keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 

“The Grace of the lord Jesus Christ be with

your spirit.”   (Phil. 4:23)

Blessings,

Pastor Karla