Introduction

Paul’s Letter to the Philippians – Philippians 1:1-11:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Acts 20:28 – Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

"The Church is the nursery for God’s weak children where they are nourished and grow strong. It is the fold for Christ’s sheep – the home for Christ’s family.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Galatians 6:1  - Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 

John 10:14-15 -  I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

1 Peter 5:1-3 – So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:  shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 

John 21:15-17 – When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”  He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”  He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”  He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”  He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”  He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”  He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”  Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”  Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

“The age of the shepherd has just arrived.  Never has he been so much needed as now.  Never before have there been so many important things for him to do. . . In one sense the world is always changing, and in another sense it is more the same. . . The soul is now what it has been from the beginning, and now as always it needs a shepherd’s care.” (Jefferson)

1. A Pastor’s Heart for the Church

Philippians 1:3-5 - I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

• Partnership (koinonia) – “fellowship”. The basic idea is one of a “sharing together.”

Verse 7 - I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

Philippians 4:18 - I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

A Church that Brought Paul Joy:

Philippians 1:4 -  always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,

Philippians 1:25 - Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

Philippians 2:2 - complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Philippians 4:1 - Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

1. A Pastor’s Heart is a Humble Heart.

Verse 1 - Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

• Servant (Doulos) – can be translated “servant”, “bond-slave” or “slave”. 

1 Corinthians 4:1 - This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Corinthians 4:5 - For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

Luke 17:10 - So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

John 13:14-15 - If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Ephesians 3:8 - To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Verse 1 - Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi,

• Saints (Hagioi) - means to be “set apart”, “separated”.

Psalm 16:3 - As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.

1. A Pastor’s Heart is a Gracious Heart

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

• Grace to you – God’s unmerited favor towards guilty sinners, through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

John 1:16 - For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

Peace to you

• Hebrew “Shalom” signified the wholeness of life that came from fellowship with the true and the living God.

1. A Pastor’s Heart is a Thankful Heart

Verses 3-4 - I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

1 Peter 4:8  Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Colossians 3:17 – whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Ephesians 5:20 – giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Application to Relationships with other Believers:

2 Thessalonians 1:3 - We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as it is right,

Colossians 1:3 - We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you...

1 Thessalonians 1:2 - We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,

Philippians 1:3-4 - I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,

1. A Pastor’s Heart is a Confident Heart

Verse 6 - And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:30 – And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

1 John 3:2 - Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 

“Glorification . . .concerns the final event in the salvation of true believers that began in eternity past with God’s elective decision.  It is the fitting conclusion to our spiritual journey in which God’s glory is becoming progressively revealed.  Our spiritual struggles will not go on forever.  Our pilgrimage will issue in a marvelous consummation in which the vestiges of the old self are eradicated and the new self is perfectly realized.  Glorification is the bringing to a triumphant conclusion of our redemption in Christ.  It is the final realization of our unfolding salvation in Christ.”  (Bruce Demarest) 

Revelation 19:7-8 - Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Ephesians 5:27 - so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

1 Corinthians 1:7-9 - you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

“. . . don’t be thinking that a new body is what I am looking forward to most in heaven: jumping up, dancing, kicking, and doing aerobics. Oh, that’ll be wonderful; it would be a great fringe benefit of being invited to Christ’s coronation party, but that’s not what I am looking forward to. I want a new heart; I want a glorified heart that no longer twists the truth or resists God, or looks for an escape, or gets defeated by pain, or becomes anxious or worrisome about the future—no longer trying to justify itself. Oh, that’ll be heaven for me.” (Joni Eareckson Tada)

1. A Pastor’s Heart is an Affectionate Heart

Verse 7 - It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 - We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 - But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 - For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

Acts 20:36-38 - And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

“Do you want to know that your new life is real? Commit yourself to a local group of saved sinners. Try to love them. Don’t just do it for three weeks. Don’t just do it for six months. Do it for years. And I think you’ll find out, and others will, too, whether or not you love God. The truth will show itself.” (Mark Dever)

Verse 8 - For God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

• Affection (splanchna) is a description of the inward parts. It describes the heart, the liver, the intestines, the lungs which was collectively regarded as the seat of feeling.

John Stott – “Certainly, this means that he patterns his love for them on that of Christ. But the expression. . . demands more than imitation.  Paul is saying that he has come to such a depth in his union with Christ that their hearts are beating as one -- even more, that the greater heart, the heart of Christ, has taken possession of his servant.  The love of Christ has become the center of Paul’s character.”

1. A Pastor’s Heart is a Purposeful Heart

Verses 9-11 - And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

2 Peter 3:18 – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:2-3 – “long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation – if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

Philippians 1:21-25 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard-pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith 

The Fruit of Love: 

Philippians 1:9 - And it is my prayer that your love may abound...

Philippians 2:1-2 - So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Romans 15:5-6 - May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.