This Sunday, Pastor Patt began our new sermon series, entitled “Encouragement,” going through the letter to the Philippians. Join us on Sundays at Thelo Church (1314 Leesburg Rd., Columbia). Below is an introduction to Philippians to prepare for the series. Pastor Patt will preach a section on Sundays and we will deep dive into it during Bible Study on Wednesdays.
I thought I knew a thing or two about suffering before June 28, 2025. On the morning of June 28, before everything in our world changed, Samantha and I worked on the design for the introduction video for this next sermon series. I pressed Pastor Patt for the title of this series, and he said, “encouragement.” These were the conversations we had in the hours before Jessica went to be with Jesus. When Pastor started the series this past Sunday, I thought, “Yes, Lord,” I need encouragement.
But, as I read through the book to prepare to write this post, I was stopped when Paul, the author of this letter, said his goal was to know Christ and “the fellowship of his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). Suffering and encouragement are not two themes that usually go hand-in-hand. Until you consider what is probably the most misunderstood verse in all of scripture. When Paul tells us that he has learned the secret to contentment and is can “do all things through him who strengthens me.” Paul is saying that with Jesus, he can sit in prison and be content. It is through Jesus that we are kept as we walk through the darkest days we could have ever imagined. Paul encourages them, and us, to live as lights to the world, despite their suffering – “in all things” as he says in 4:12.
Suffering is a part of life; since the fall man kind has been introduced to all sorts of things God never originally intended for us to contend with. “This letter communicates that because of the eternal hope of the gospel, joy is possible in every circumstance” (She Reads Truth). Don’t get me wrong, I am pretty sure I would bypass all suffering – I am not like Paul. But, in all things it is God who gives us the strength to not only endure , but also rejoice.
Introduction to Philippians
- written by the Apostle Paul while in prison or under house arrest in Rome
- 62 AD
- In Acts 16 Paul has a vision from God to go to Macedonia.
- Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia
- the first convert in Philippi (and all of Europe) was Lydia, a wealthy woman
- Paul wrote this letter as part of his “thank you” to this community for their financial support while he is in prison.
- Philippi is in northern Greece, and it sat on a major roadway that connected northern and southern Greece.
- The church at Philippi was navigating an internal friction and external opposition that was causing them to lose their joy.
Brief Outline of Philippians
- Life Centered in Jesus Christ as Servant and Lord (1:12-2:30)
- Life Centered in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (3:1-4:9)
- Expression of Thanks and Conclusion (4:10–23)
We, who are in Christ, are members of an upside down kingdom. Join us we read through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. It is in this short letter that you’re going to find practical ways to live this Christian life while reading some of the most quoted Bible verses, in their context.
-Lee