Rejoice in the Lord: Paul’s Letter to the Philippians

Paul has made it clear that he left many trappings of his old life behind in order to follow Jesus Christ. He has also made it clear that what he has gained is far greater than what he has lost. The same is true of believers today. In this lesson, Dr. Lawson examines several important aspects of the new life that Jesus Christ offers to all who turn away from their old lives and place their hope in Him.

Because Paul’s greatest desire, both in this life and in the next, is to know Jesus Christ and be found in Him, Paul dedicates himself to the passionate pursuit of Jesus in every area of his life. As Paul continues to devote his time and energy to running the race of the Christian life, his earnest hope is to become more like Jesus and attain the prize of entering His presence. To that end, Paul urges believers to take their focus off lesser things, fix their gaze on Jesus, and press forward to the glory that lies ahead.

Becoming a Christian is easy, but living the Christian life is not. Aware of the commitment and consistency required to run the race of faith, Paul urges the Philippian believers to cultivate an attitude of steadfast resolve to press on toward the prize. In this lesson, Dr. Lawson examines key attributes of the Christian life that believers need in order to run the race of life well.

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. Experiencing fellowship and community with other brothers and sisters in the faith is a vital component of a thriving spiritual walk. For this reason, Christians are called to surround themselves with other people who will help them become more like Jesus Christ. In this lesson, Dr. Lawson explains the importance of discipleship in the Christian life, pointing out the benefits of following godly influences and the dangers of following negative influences.

In spite of all the suffering and hardship that Paul has endured, his life and words nevertheless resound with hope and joy. No matter how grim his current circumstances may appear to be, Paul’s focus remains firmly anchored on the promised return of Christ and the glory that awaits God’s people on that day. In this lesson, Dr. Lawson examines Paul’s laserlike focus on the realities of heaven, describing how Christians in all ages can live with greater joy, purpose, and power by cultivating a greater focus on heavenly things.

As Paul begins the fourth chapter of his letter to the Philippians, he builds on the foundation of teaching that he has laid in the first three chapters in order to urge the believers to stand firm in their walk with the Lord. Paul does not issue this Apostolic command in an authoritarian fashion; rather, he appeals to them out of his fatherly love for them. For Paul, seeing the Philippians cling firmly to Christ and stand fearlessly for Him would be a source of tremendous joy.

Conflict is an unavoidable result of human sin and brokenness, and it can cause tremendous problems in the lives of believers. As Paul takes up his pen in Philippians 4:2–3, he urges the believers to pursue reconciliation and healing, both in their own lives and in the lives of others. When God’s people allow themselves to be torn about by disunity, the mission of Christ suffers. On the other hand, when God’s people commit themselves to living at peace with one another, then Jesus Christ is exalted, His church is strengthened, and the gospel advances in the world.

Joy is such an important part of the Christian life that believers need to be reminded of it often. For this reason, Paul pens one of the most well-known verses in his letter to the Philippians, urging believers, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” In this lesson, Dr. Lawson examines this exuberant command, explaining how joy in a believer’s life can unleash a ripple effect far beyond one’s own life and leave a lasting impact on others.

Followers of Jesus Christ can expect to face a variety of challenges and trials in their lives. Paul’s own life vividly illustrates this reality. Yet despite the difficulties that he had endured, Paul taught that believers can remain calm and confident in all circumstances. In this lesson, Dr. Lawson describes and celebrates the supernatural peace that God gives His children in the midst of life’s storms.

The greatest battles of the Christian life are not waged outwardly but instead take place on the invisible battlefields of the believer’s heart, mind, and soul. Sadly, many battles are lost before they even begin. Christians whose minds are captivated by worldly thoughts and interests find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to living out their faith. This is because the direction of the mind determines the direction of one’s life. To cultivate a life of godliness, a believer must begin by driving ungodly thoughts out of his or her mind and cultivating a mind that is firmly rooted in the things of God.

The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. Instead, Jesus has placed His followers in relationships with one another so that they grow together into a more mature family of believers. Even while he was in prison, Paul continued to invest in vibrant relationships with his brothers and sisters in the Lord, urging them to imitate him even as he sought to imitate Christ.

One of the major themes that emerges from Paul’s life and writings is that the circumstances of his life seem to have so little influence on the state of his soul. This attitude of contentment in both good times and bad times stands in stark contrast to a culture in which happiness, satisfaction, and hope all rest on the shifting sands of circumstance. By tapping into the secret of Paul’s contentment, Christians today can live joyful and triumphant lives in the midst of all seasons and situations.

All believers possess the privilege of participating with Christ in His mission to advance His gospel to the ends of the earth. Some, like Paul, are sent by God to proclaim the gospel on the front lines. Others, such as the believers in Philippi, are called and equipped by God to sustain gospel ministry in other ways. In this lecture, Dr. Lawson examines the Philippian believers’ significant role in Paul’s ministry, and he invites believers today to hold nothing back in supporting, equipping, and encouraging those who are on the front lines spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to people of all nations, tribes, and tongues.

As Paul prepares to convey his final thoughts to his Philippian readers, he desires that the believers would serve the Lord with unhindered confidence in His care for them. For this purpose, Paul reminds them that the God they serve is faithful to supply His people with everything they need to carry out Christ’s mission in the world. The more that Christians trust in God’s power and experience His provision, the more deeply and fully they will encounter the generous heart of their loving Father.

The Christian life begins and ends with God. As Paul has written in his letter to the Philippians, God is the One who has begun the good work of redemption in the lives of believers, and all human history is advancing toward the day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Christ’s lordship, to the glory of God the Father. For Paul, this passion for God’s glory is a driving force that fuels the Christian’s day-to-day life. By reclaiming a greater focus on God’s glory, believers can experience greater joy, participate in deeper worship, and lead lives filled with eternal significance.

Jesus is glorified and delighted when those who love Him also love one another. As Paul arrives at the conclusion to his letter to the Philippians, he ends on a deeply personal note. Though we can learn much from Paul as a towering theologian and passionate missionary, we also do well to imitate his tender heart toward others. In this lesson, Dr. Lawson examines Paul’s words in Philippians 4:21–22 and invites believers to discover and delight in the joy, warmth, and fellowship that is found in the family of God.

From beginning to end, the Christian life rests on the grace of God. As Paul pens his final words to his Philippian brothers and sisters, he desires to impress on them the vital importance of God’s grace in all aspects of their lives, so that they might continue to flourish, love one another, and rejoice deeply in the Lord. In the final analysis, the greatest, simplest, and furthest-reaching prayer that believers can pray for each other is simply this: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”