Wednesday Evening: October 31, 2007
Text: Philippians 1:1-2 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
IN THE PALACE
Philippians 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
IN ROME
Philippians 4:22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
FROM ROME
Philippians 2:28-29 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
TO THE SAINTS
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints [adjectives, modify the participle are] in Christ Jesus which are [present active participle, the ones being] at [en, in] Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS
1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
MINISTRY NOT FORGOTTEN
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS
Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
WORD OF GOD REVEALED TO SAINTS
Colossians 1:25-26 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil [fully preach] the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
REVEALED TO THE SAINTS, TEACHERS
Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy [saints] apostles (omit, Vatican) and prophets by the Spirit;
IN THAT DAY, GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS
2 Thessalonians 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
THE FAITH GIVEN TO THE SAINTS
Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
REWARDING THE SAINTS AND TEACHERS
Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
WITH BISHOPS AND DEACONS
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops (elders) and deacons (to wait tables, Luke 17:8, John 12:2, Acts 6:1-3):
OVERSEERS FEED THE CHURCH
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers [bishop. (elders v.17)], to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
ELDERS OF THE CHURCH
Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
TO PERFECT OF THE SAINTS
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry
ELDERS ARE APPOINTED
Titus 1:5-7 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain [choose] elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
THEY CHOSE ELDERS
Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained [choose] them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed [pluperfect, believed in the past].
REASON FOR APPOINTING ELDERS
2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
DEACON IS A BROTHER
Acts 6:2-3 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out [inspect] among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business (feeding widows and orphans).
DEACON, ONE WHO SERVES TABLES
Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve [use the office of a deacon] me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
WITH THE BISHOPS AND DEACONS
Philippians 1:1 with the bishops and deacons:
FROM THE FIRST DAY UNTIL NOW
Philippians 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
SOME MIND EARTHLY THINGS
Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
DEMAS FORSOOK PAUL
2 Timothy 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
PROBLEMS AT CORINTH
1 Corinthians 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
DIFFICULTY IN GALATIA
Galatians 4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
WARNING TO THE EPHESIANS
Acts 20:29-30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.