Joy - This is the great theme of Paul’s letter to the Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always, and, again, I say, rejoice” (4:4).This joy is not a superficial emotion. It’s a confidence which is deeply rooted in God. When we see that true joy is joy in the Lord, we understand why the Word of God can speak of both the joy of the Lord and the fear of the Lord – “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). Scripture tells us that “perfect love casts our fear” (1 John 4:18). This is the Good News that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” should be understood in connection with “the joy of the Lord” which is “our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). In receiving the joy of the Lord, we receive strength to live to His glory. We live to His glory when we learn to honour our God. Honouring Him as our God, we become more deeply aware of His holiness. This inspires in us a desire to live a holy life. Thus, we come to appreciate the truth of the words, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Thus, we see that “the fear of the Lord” is very different from the kind of fear which is cast out by perfect love. We come, led by God’s grace, to see that the fear of the Lord is part of God’s way of leading us into a life of loving Him who first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Before we come to Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we must go back to Acts 16. There, we read about Paul’s ministry in Philippi.

v. 13 – Paul and his friends went looking for “a place of prayer.”

There’s an important spiritual principle here. Before there is preaching, there is prayer. Before we speak for God, we speak to Him. We look to the Lord to send down His blessing from heaven above.

v. 14 – “The Lord opened the Lydia’s heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.”

This is the Lord answering prayer. The servants of the Lord asked for the blessing of the Lord. The Lord heard their prayer. The Lord gave the blessing. There is an important spiritual principle here. God’s work must be done in God’s way. A real work for God is, first and foremost, a work done by God.

v. 31 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved.”

This is Good News from God. To understand how much this is Good News, we need to read the whole story of the Philippian jailor. The man was on the verge of suicide when he heard of a better way – salvation.

Following on from Paul’s ministry in Philippi, we have the letter of Paul to the Church at Philippi.

At the very beginning of the letter, Paul introduces himself and Timothy. Notice – it is not just Paul. It is Paul and Timothy. This is a team ministry. They complemented each other. Each of them had a unique contribution to bring to the work of ministry. They worked together. It wasn’t ‘all Paul’ and ‘no Timothy.’ It wasn’t ‘all Timothy’ and ‘no Paul.’ It was Paul and Timothy, working together.

Once Paul and Timothy have introduced themselves their names are set aside. They point beyond themselves to Christ. His Name is the Name that really matters.

In this morning’s reading, the first eleven verses of Philippians 1, Christ is named seven times – twice in v.1, then in vs. 2, 6, 8, 10,11. Seven – the perfect number, Jesus – the perfect Saviour! There is no Saviour like Jesus. His Name is the Name of our salvation. His Name is the only Name given to us for our salvation.

Let us never tire of praising the Name of Jesus Christ. He is our Lord. He is our Saviour. His Name is the greatest Name of all. His Name is the Name above every name. None can compare with Him.

Paul and Timothy were great servants of God. So were Peter, James and John. None of these men could even begin to compare with our Lord Jesus Christ. He is greater than all of them, put together.

Isaiah and Jeremiah were great prophets of God. Abraham, Moses and David were great men of faith. The greatness of all thes men, put together, cannot even begin to compare with greatness of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

In each chapter of God’s Word, there are often one or two verses which grab our attention. they are verses which jump out at us. The Holy Spirit is speaking to us with power. He is calling us to listen. The two verses which jump out at me from Philippians 1 are v. 6 and v. 21 .

v. 6 speaks of Go’s power to keep us going on in the way of faith. We don’t keep on going because we’re strong. We keep on going because God keeps us going. How wonderful is God’s keeping power!

If, in your heart, you are saying, ‘By the grace and power of the Lord, I will go on with the Lord and for the Lord, tou will join, with Paul, in saying, “For to me, to live is Christ … ” (v. 21).

Jesus Christ was No. 1 in Paul’s life. He was more important than money and possessions. he was more important that fame and power. He was everything to Paul. He was all that really mattered to him.

What about you? Is Christ at the centre of your life? Or Does He come low down in your list of priorities? Do you want to know more of the joy of the Lord? Give yourself to Him. He will give you His joy.

Philippians 1:1-11