by Larry Ferrell | November 6, 2017
“How happy we might be, if only we could find the Treasure, of which the Gospel tells us – all else would seem to us nothing. How infinite it is! The more one toil and searches in it, the greater are the riches that one finds.”** Brother Lawrence

Introduction:
The word happiness evokes vision of unwrapping of gifts on Christmas morning, strolling hand in hand with the one you love, being surprised on your birthday, responding with unbridled laughter to a comedian, or vacationing in an exotic locale. Everyone wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal a lifelong pursuit; spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences. But if happiness depends on our circumstances, what happens when toys rust, loved ones die, health deteriorates, money is stolen, and the party’s over? Often happiness flees and despair sets in.
In contrast to happiness stands joy. Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives – that he will be there no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ.
The letter to the Philippians is one of the most joyous books in the Bible. All the way through the letter Paul speaks of inner joy – sixteen times in four short chapters. And he does in such an artless way we know that the one who advised the Philippians to “rejoice in the Lord always” had himself found the true source of joy. He had not only learned in whatever state he was to be content; he had learned to rejoice in whatever state he was. He overflowed with rejoicing.
The Book of Philippians is also noteworthy for its great doctrinal statements. It’s not intended as a doctrinal treatise, as Romans and Galatians, but it is filled nonetheless with doctrine. Paul thought doctrine. Consequently, great expressions of Christian truth fall like ripe fruit from his pen.

Of Servants and Saints – Phil. 1:1
When Paul introduces himself and Timothy as “servants of Christ Jesus,” he uses a word that literally means a “slave.” Paul wanted to say that he was Christ’s slave and that he wished to serve him as any obedient servant serves his master. No doubt Paul was implying that what was true for himself should also be true for any Christian. He taught that we are “not our own”; we are “bought at a price” (1 Cor. 6:20). Therefore, we are to glorify God in our body and in our spirit which are God’s.

One other truth needs to be seen in this phrase; the ease with which Paul substitutes the name Jesus for the name of God – Jehovah. This phrase is not unique with Paul. When he refers to himself and to Timothy as “servants of Christ Jesus,” he is not coining a phrase in order to define the relationship. He is borrowing a phrase from the Old Testament and giving it specifically Christian content. We cannot forget that the great Old Testament figures were called servants of God, “servants of Jehovah.”

Next we read of the “saints in Christ Jesus,” those to whom the apostle Paul is writing. These were the Christians at Philippi. They were not special Christians; they were people like you and me. Hence, the title applies to us, as it does to every Christian. Paul writes to the saints at Rome, to the saints at Corinth, to the saints at Ephesus, and so on. In every case he means believers.

Finally, Paul also mentions the church officers: the overseers, who were the pastors of the local congregations, and the deacons, who were the officers elected to care for the needy and the sick. These labored with local believers in the spread of the gospel and the strengthening of Christians. God wants us all to work together with all His saints for spiritual ends. God wants you to witness to Christ together and to work with others to help those who need your material and spiritual assistance.

Reflection Questions:
Do you have a personal experience of the difference between happiness and joy?
What are you doing to witness to Christ?
Do you see yourself as a slave of Jesus Christ?

*The material for these studies is from James Montgomery Boice’s Expositional Commentary published by Baker Books unless otherwise noted.
** Brother Lawrence: The Practice of the Presence of God and Spiritual Maxims (Incense House Publishing, 2013).

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