Philippians 1:3-8 - Homiletics

St. Paul an example to all Christian ministers.

I. HE REMEMBERS HIS CONVERTS . He was possessed through and through with an ardent love of souls. Like the good Shepherd, he knew his sheep, and cared for them with a sincere, self-sacrificing affection. He worked for them while he could; in prison he does not forget them. His thoughts are not taken up with his own hardships and dangers. The care of all the Churches still occupies his mind. He has his converts in his heart; it is his joy to think on their progress in holiness, to thank God for his grace vouchsafed unto them.

II. HE PRAYS FOR THEM .

1 . Intercessory prayer was part of his daily work. He had learned of the Lord that men "ought always to pray, and not to faint;" and he "prayed to God always." Thus his time was fully occupied; his mind was active. He was chained to a soldier, he could not visit his converts; but he could think of them, he could pray for them. And he did what he could. He teaches us by his example to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks for all men.

2 . He prays for all , always. We notice the constant repetition of the word "all" in this Epistle. There were dissensions, it seems, among the Philippians. The apostle will not recognize their differences; he loves them all, he prays for all: all are dear to him, all have their place in his prayers.

3 . His prayers flow from love. He loves them, he longs for them all, and that " in the bowels of Jesus Christ." He loves them as Christ loves them; nay, more than that, he loves them with the love of Christ, with the heart of Christ; for Christ was his life: "Not I, but Christ liveth in me." Hence he could say (would to God that we could say the same!) that he loved with Christ's love. Mark the intensity of his consciousness of the blessed presence of Christ in all his power and love abiding within him.

III. HIS HUMILITY . None labored as St. Paul labored, but he was wholly free from vain-glory.

1 . He gives the glory to God. It was God who began the good work in the hearts of the Philippians; God began it; God will complete it. God is everything, the apostle nothing. Yet this confidence in God makes the apostle work all the more i it increases his efforts, it deepens the earnestness of his prayers.

2 . He recognizes the fellowship of the Philippians. They had assisted him in the furtherance of the gospel both by their gifts and by their labors. He acknowledges their help; he thanks God for it; he regards them all as partakers of his grace. Grace had been given to him to endure and to labor. The like grace, he says, had been granted to the Philippians; he is thankful

IV. HIS SINCERITY . "God is my witness," he says: his love for the Philippians is deep and true; God who sooth the secrets of the heart, knows how he longs after them. Living always in the felt presence of God, he knows, and gladly knows, that no thoughts of his heart are hidden from God.

LESSONS .

1 . Pray for the strong love of souls.

2 . Pray for a transparent sincerity and truthfulness of heart.

3 . Be humble; without humility there can be no real progress in holiness.

4 . Give much time to intercessory prayer.