| Phil. 1:1 |
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Lesson # Phil. 1:1 Study Material - Phil. 1:1 You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth. 1 Paul [Paulos] and [kai] Timotheus [Timotheos] , the servants [doulos] of Jesus [Iesous] Christ [Christos] , to all [pas] the saints [hagios] in [en] Christ [Christos] Jesus [Iesous] which are [on] at [en] Philippi [Philippoi] , with [sun] the bishops [episkopos] and [kai] deacons [diakonos] : KJV-Interlinear 1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: NASB Paul describes himself as well as Timothy as servants not leaders. They are servants of Christ not man nor angelic being. This letter is directed to all the saints, which refers to all believers in Jesus Christ, though this is directed to the believers in Philippi, it certainly applies to us. All persons who have believed in Christ are saints. A title bestowed on all believers by God. Since all scripture is God breathed, or originates from God, then the title which Paul uses for believers, is also from God. Throughout history mankind has accepted for himself many different titles, some are divinely authorized, most are not. We read of Saint this person or Saint that person, and it usually applies to someone who has accomplished something great in the eyes of historians or religious leaders. But God gives us all the title of Saint, not for something that we did, but for something we decided in our soul, which was to believe in Jesus Christ. This letter is directed to believers, not unbelievers. The gospel of Christ is the only bit of doctrine directed to unbelievers, for without salvation all other categories of doctrine are irrelevant to unbelievers. Doctrine is only relevant to a believer who is positive toward Gods Word and wishes to advance in their spiritual life. This letter is one of inspiration, attempting to motivate us to advance to spiritual maturity and to orient us to the realities and advantages of our continued advance to spiritual maturity, verses our possible neglect of doctrine and lack of advancement, resulting loss of blessings both in time and in eternity. We may be saints but we are certainly servants as well. For Christ purchased us from the slave market of sin and death, and for that we belong to Him. Christ purchased all of humanity from the slave market. So there are three possible categories for all of us slaves. Those who reject the master and in effect go their own way, or run away. Those are unbelievers and they will receive the judgment of the runaway, which is execution. That execution will occur at the last judgment, the Lake of Fire. For those who accept the new master, all those who believe in Christ, by their belief they in effect enter into the masters home, and there they are subject to discipline or blessing which ever is appropriate. Those who are positive receive the blessings from the Master. Those who are negative, receive discipline. So here we have an analogy of slavery which we certainly all have some understanding of through our knowledge of history. Of course our slavery to Christ should be voluntary and desired. The letter is directed to the overseers and deacons as there should be organization even from within any church or group dedicated to the study of Bible doctrine. The first level of organization is our voluntary acceptance of the persons communicating doctrine, whether it be by our reading of group discussion, or sermon from an pulpit. Respect for the communicator without disruption is necessary for any learning environment. To be vocal and disruptive with the 'amens' and 'praise the lords' is unnecessary. If your lips are moving, your ears are not working. Others are distracted with the rudeness and cannot concentrate. So our courtesy toward others is required and expected. Organization begins with your own cooperation in listening in church or where ever you study the Word. Following that organization there needs to be a structure in place (if your organization is large enough) to have separate facilities. Therefore all the responsibilities of running an organization fall on those in charge or to those who are assigned the duties of running the facilities. You will succeed or not depending on the degree of how well you are organized, which also depends on how well the membership cooperates. God does not sponsor disorganization. God is not the author of chaos, but of order. As we continue in our Bible study or even begin our study, our place in reality needs to be understood and our approach to God needs to be understood as well. We are slaves, we need to be humble and know our place. We need to be organized in our thinking and manners with respect to others. We need to be in fellowship and comply with the expected obedience to God as is the manner of a slave to his master. With all these ingredients in place there will be success in each of our personal spiritual growth paths to maturity and the receipt of the appropriate blessings God grants to each of us.
End Of Lesson Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth. 
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