Philippians / Philemon

If you have your Bibles, why don’t you grab them. Can I just make an off comment on that, by the way? If you do not have a Bible, can I really encourage you to get one? If you need one, we’ve got some at the iHubs at whatever campus you attend. The reason I say that is here at The Well, we are an equipping church. We want to be a teaching center, which means we are going to take the Book and teach you what it says.

Now, sometimes what we teach from the Word makes you say, “Wow, that felt good, thank you.” Sometimes what we teach from the Word is like a kick in the face, and hopefully afterward you say, “Oh wow, thank you.” But either way, we want you to be in the Book. We are living in a culture that is very passive. We just let life happen. We don’t lean in, so we come to church wanting to be entertained. When we don’t bring a Bible, we just sit there bored, looking at our watches or updating our social media. Instead of really entering in and asking, “God, what do you have for me?” we sit back passively. Because of that, we become spiritually lazy.

As much as I love time-saving devices—I love my phone, I love my iPad—the problem is that primarily those are used for entertainment or communication, not for study. There is something powerful about having the physical Book in your lap. The best way to go through a service here at The Well is to have your Bible in your lap and a pen in your hand, leaning into it and asking, “God, what do you want me to hear from Your Word?” When you hear something, write it down.

The Sufficiency and Supremacy of Christ

Last week, we heard a passion-filled message from Shay. I listened to it and thought, “Wow, that was so good.” He spoke from Ephesians and Colossians about both the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus in our lives. If you left last week and heard nothing else but that Jesus is both supreme and sufficient, you heard everything. He is supreme; none can compare to Him. His glory has no equal. He is also sufficient. You do not need Jesus plus something else to find fulfillment. It is Jesus alone.

Ephesians and Colossians both laid out chapters of rich theology before moving into practical application. If we only gravitate toward practical application, we become mere do-gooders—religious people who simply modify behavior. Over time, that becomes a house of cards that will not withstand testing. You must have solid foundations of good theology: Who is God? Who is man? What is sin? What is salvation? Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit? When you build your application on that foundation, it will endure the test of time.

Today, I want to explore the other two prison epistles: the short letter to Philemon and the book of Philippians.

The Story of Onesimus and Philemon

Turn for a moment to the end of Colossians, specifically chapter four, verse nine. I want to introduce you to a character in your Bible who is only mentioned twice: Onesimus. Onesimus is a tough name—it means “useless.” But he was one of the men who carried the letter of Colossians to the church in Colossae.

Colossians 4:9 (NASB)

and with him Onesimus, [our] faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your [number]. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

That is significant when you understand who he was. Onesimus was a runaway slave. He had fled from his master and gone to Rome to hide in the crowds. While in Rome, he met the Apostle Paul, who was under house arrest. Paul shared Christ with this runaway slave and led him to faith.

Paul then asks Onesimus to do a very difficult thing. As Onesimus escorts the letter to the Colossians, he also carries a short, 25-verse personal letter: the book of Philemon. It turned out that Paul personally knew his owner, Philemon. So Paul wrote to Philemon, imploring him to forgive and release Onesimus.

To understand this context, Roman slavery was distinct from the chattel slavery in our own nation’s history, though it was still a system of bondage. Roman slaves could be physicians, attorneys, or educated professionals. Yet, Onesimus had broken the law by running away.

The easy thing for Paul to do would have been to say, “Onesimus, you are a believer now. That was in the past, so just stay here with me.” But Paul sent him back to make things right. When I came to faith in Christ, one of the first things I had to do was begin my great apology tour, particularly regarding past dating relationships. I remember being at a Kinko’s in River Park, turning the corner, seeing someone from my past, and immediately saying, “I am so sorry.” Part of walking with Christ is making right what was wrong.

In the letter, Paul commends Philemon’s faith. He explains that Onesimus, who was formerly “useless,” is now useful in the gospel. Paul could command Philemon to release him, but instead appeals to love, asking him to receive Onesimus as a brother. That is the heartbeat of Philemon.

Philemon 1:10-11 (NASB)

I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.

The Church at Philippi

Now turn to Philippians. Unlike Ephesians and Colossians, which address theological controversy and correct doctrinal error, Philippians contains no harsh rebuke. It reads like a giant thank-you letter.

In Acts 16, during Paul’s second missionary journey, the Holy Spirit redirected him through a vision of a Macedonian man calling for help. Paul went straight to Europe, arriving in the city of Philippi.

Acts 16:9-10 (NASB)

A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

When he arrived, instead of finding open doors in the city square, he found a group of women praying down by the river. He shared the gospel with a businesswoman named Lydia, and she was saved. Later, Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison. In the middle of the night, an earthquake shook the prison doors open. The jailer, terrified that his prisoners had escaped, was about to take his own life. But Paul shouted out that they were all still there. The jailer saw their faith, heard their hymns in the dark, and surrendered his life to Christ.

The church in Philippi was born from a businesswoman by a river and a Roman jailer. Years later, hearing that Paul was imprisoned in Rome, this church sent their pastor, Epaphroditus, with provisions to care for him. In response, Paul wrote this letter of deep gratitude and joy.

Finding Joy in All Circumstances

The central theme of Philippians is finding joy in all things. When our focus is on the Lord and His unchanging character, we can experience supernatural joy. But when our sights drop to the distractions and worries of this world, joy vanishes. The world can offer temporary happiness, but happiness is fleeting.

Think about Peter walking on the water. When his eyes were on Jesus, he did the impossible. But the moment he looked at the wind and the waves, he began to sink. That is the battle of perspective. When you focus on your circumstances—freaking out about your job, your grades, or your finances—you lose your joy.

Paul begins by reminding the Philippians of where their confidence belongs.

Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

[For I am] confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

What God started in you, He is faithful to complete. Your joy does not have to depend on your circumstances, because life is not always easy.

Paul was imprisoned under the authority of Emperor Nero—a brutal ruler who impaled Christians and burned them to light his gardens, or threw them to wild beasts. Yet look at Paul’s perspective.

Philippians 1:12 (NASB)

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

Paul tells them, “Do not panic. My imprisonment has actually advanced the gospel.” He shared Christ with his cellmates, the imperial guard, and even members of Caesar’s household. His hardship became a platform for the gospel.

Philippians 1:14 (NASB)

and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

The Credibility of Suffering

Suffering gives your message credibility. When someone who has never experienced pain tells you how great God is, it is easy to dismiss them. But when someone walks through deep sorrow and still clings to Christ, people listen.

A good friend of mine lost his five-year-old son, Trevin. We spent forty days praying at Stanford Hospital, crying out for healing. I remember my friend praying through tears, “God, take my life instead. Just let my boy live.” But the boy died. At the memorial service, this father stood up holding his son’s baby blanket. With tears streaming down his face, he said, “My five-year-old boy is dead. But if my son’s death would bring any of you to faith in Jesus Christ, it is worth it, because I love my Lord and I trust Him.”

That kind of faith carries undeniable credibility. When you have joy in the midst of tragedy, people take notice because they see that God is real, faithful, and sufficient.

Philippians 1:21 (NASB)

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul says, “If I live, I live for Christ. If I die, I go to be with Him. Either way, He is my focus.” He then explains that this path of faith includes hardship.

Philippians 1:29 (NASB)

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Believing in Christ is a gift, and suffering for His name is also a gift. We rarely view suffering that way, but walking faithfully through difficulty in obedience to God is far better than living in comfortable disobedience.

The Mind of Christ and Daily Obedience

How do we develop this kind of perspective? Paul points directly to the humility of Jesus.

Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB)

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, [and] being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus did not cling to His divine privileges. He emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and submitted entirely to the Father’s will, even unto death on a cross. We, by contrast, constantly fight to grasp control. But our control is an illusion. Joy comes when we surrender control and trust the Father’s sovereign plan.

Paul then shows how this mindset plays out in daily life.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure.

We are called to take responsibility for our spiritual growth—to work out our salvation with reverence. Yet we do so knowing that God is the one working within us, providing the desire and the power to obey Him.

Counting All Things as Loss

If anyone had reasons for worldly pride, it was Paul. He had the right pedigree, education, status, and religious resume. Yet he surrendered all of it.

Philippians 3:7-8 (NASB)

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

Paul counted all his earthly achievements as garbage compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. His joy was anchored not in credentials or reputation, but in Christ alone.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NASB)

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of [it] yet; but one thing [I do]: forgetting what [lies] behind and reaching forward to what [lies] ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul admits he has not arrived at perfection. But by forgetting what lies behind and pressing forward, he keeps his focus on the upward call of God.

The Peace of God and the Secret of Contentment

When we make temporary things our ultimate source of joy, we become anxious and discontented. Paul gives us the antidote to anxiety.

Philippians 4:4 (NASB)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When anxiety creeps in, turn it into prayer. Lay your requests before God with thanksgiving, and His peace—which surpasses human understanding—will guard your heart and mind.

Paul also addresses our thought life.

Philippians 4:8 (NASB)

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Instead of playing out worst-case scenarios and dwelling on fear, fill your mind with what is true, honorable, right, pure, and worthy of praise.

Finally, Paul shares the secret to true contentment.

Philippians 4:11-13 (NASB)

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

This famous verse is not about athletic achievements or worldly success; in context, it is about contentment. Paul is saying, “Whether I have plenty or nothing at all, I can endure any circumstance through Christ who gives me strength.”

Raising Our Sights

What is the true source of your joy today? If your joy is tied to your bank account, your relationship status, your health, or your comfort, it will always be unstable. Only Jesus can satisfy the deep longings of your soul.

We have been granted the gift to believe, and we have been granted the privilege to stand firm even when life is hard. May we raise our sights above our circumstances, surrender control to our sovereign God, and find our everlasting joy in Jesus Christ alone.

Let us pray.

Father in heaven, we submit our lives to You. If we have allowed the things of this world to steal our focus from Christ, forgive us. We repent of our pride and our need for control. Lift our eyes above our shifting circumstances so that we may stand firm in the Lord. Teach us what it means that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Give us Your peace that surpasses all understanding, and grant us joy in all things as we walk faithfully with You. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.