Philippians 1:1-3

Introduction: Many times, in our reading of the Bible, we tend to miss or read over quickly through the things that we are familiar with, or which seem to be so trivial. However, in this greeting from Paul to the local church in Philippi, we see some things that are said, which seem so normal and even familiar, however, by studying this greeting, we will see it’s purpose and application in our lives. 

Paul’s greeting to the church in Philippi shows us: 

1. A Discipleship Relationship– vs 1 “Paul and Timotheus”. In the greeting “Paul and Timotheus, we see a father and son in the faith- I Timothy 1:2 “unto Timothy, my own son in the faith” II Timothy 1:2 “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son”. These two had a strong bond and a deep affection for each other. We also know that Paul was much older than Timothy and yet Paul took the time to invest in Timothy. Older and mature believers have the responsibility and privilege of investing in young people. Young people get to learn from the experience, wisdom, and Bible doctrine. 
   • Young People are Important- Young people are the future, the next generation not only in Christianity but also in the local church. I Timothy 2:2 “and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also”. We often overlook a young person in the church and see them as insignificant, but you never know how God will use that young person. 
   • Discipleship is important- This the method that Jesus Christ chose to keep the Christian faith going for over 2,000 years now because it is effective, and it works. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”. Every Christian should have the humility to sit and learn from mature believers and mature believers should be faithful and patient in teaching others. 

2. Whom we Should Serve– vs 1 “the servants of Jesus Christ”. This statement shows us that although Paul and Timothy were both apostles, the considered themselves nothing more than the servants of Jesus Christ. A servant is free to serve and work for whomever he chooses to, I Corinthians 7:22. At any given time, every believer is serving someone or something, the question is this, are we serving Jesus Christ? 

1. • A servant follows Jesus- John 12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour”. There is a great need today for men and women to serve Jesus Christ, and to follow him closely. 
   • A servant doesn’t please men- Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For it I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ”. When we please men, we don’t please God. 
   • A servant serves from the heart- Ephesians 6:6 “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart”. No one is forcing you to serve the Lord. 

3. The Saints in a Local Church– “to all the saints which are at Philippi”. Notice how the saints were addressed, which means they were living at that time and they were a part of that local church. Certain religions today refer to saints as people who lived many years ago, who have already died, and who intercedes on the believer’s behalf. A saint is not a person that is recognized, honored, or reverence in a certain religion or by a certain person, such as a pope. Someone to whom we light a candle too or pray through. A believer is called to be a saint but as with any other things, he has the choice to be saintly or not, Romans 1:7 “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints”. 

1. • A saint is a Saved person- “to all the saints”. Philippians 4:21 “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus”. A true saint is someone that has placed their faith in Jesus Christ and who is now in Jesus Christ. It’ about his or her position not her place in the church. 
   • A saint is Sanctified- I Corinthians 1:2 “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”. This person is sanctified which means set apart for service unto God. 
   • A saint is Faithful- Colossians 1:2 “To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse”.  

4. The Leaders in a Local Church- “with the bishops and deacons”. This group of saints found in Philippi had “bishops and deacons”, who are the leaders of a local church. A healthy church organizes for ministry and has leaders who lead by example. These “bishops and deacons” are set apart from the members, who are addressed as “saints”. 

1. • Bishops- Also referred to as Elders and are known as Pastors today, Titus 1:5,7-9. This man is to oversee and feed the flock of God Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore not yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood”. 
   • Deacons- I Timothy 3:8 “Likewise” The deacons are to serve along side the bishop or pastor today. This man is to be spiritually minded and meet the spiritual qualities. The bishops and deacons are often mentioned together, Philippians 1:1, I Timothy 3:8.   

5. What we Should have– “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ”. 

1. • Grace from Jesus Christ- Jesus Christ wants you and I to experience the grace that is offered by him toward us. The only reason we can do anything for God is because of the grace of God. I Corinthians 15:9-10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am”. 
   • Peace from Jesus Christ- John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you”. Jesus Christ has given us his peace and we shouldn’t let this world trouble us. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace”. The more we get away from Jesus Christ, the less we have His peace. 

Conclusion: The next time you read in your Bible a greeting, be sure to pay close attention to what is said. In this greeting we saw a discipleship relationship, whom we should serve, who the saints in a local church are, the leaders of a local church, and the grace and peace we should have.