THE PROCLAIM
COMMENTARY SERIES
PHILIPPIANS
JOY
IN JESUS
NEW TESTAMENT
VOLUME 11
MATTHEW STEVEN
BLACK
WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON
Philippians: Joy in Jesus
(The Proclaim Commentary Series)
Copyright © 2021 by Matthew Black
ISBN: 978-1-954858-17-6 (Print)
978-1-954858-18-3
(eBook)
Proclaim Publishers
PO
Box 2082, Wenatchee, WA 98807
proclaimpublishers.com
Cover art: The Ruins of Philippi
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Notes: (1) Ancient quotations have been at times changed
to the ESV as well as some archaic language updated, and additional phrases
added for clarification. At times verse references (non-existent until recent
times) have been interspersed as well to guide the modern reader. (2) We have
done our best to be careful in footnoting. Due to the nature of the sermonic
material, various items are quoted freely, and may not have proper footnoting.
If any great error is noticed, please contact the publisher, and it will be
remedied in whatever way is available to us.
First Printing, October 2021
Manufactured in the United
States of America
______________________________
Dedicated to my precious daughter Katie. You shine the joy of
Jesus into a dark world.
______________________________
Author, Date, Place of Writing
1 | Philippians 1:1-2 Joy in Jesus
Thankful for Our Family Tree! (1:1-2)
Thankful for our Family Story (1:3-8; Acts
16)
The
Ex-Military, Blue Collar GI
3 – Christian
community is rich
4 – Focus on
Christ, not on circumstances
2 | Philippians 1:3-8 The Joy of
Christian Maturity
Gratitude Marks the Mature Christian (1:3)
Fellowship Marks the Mature Christian
(1:4-5)
Fellowship
Promotes Partnership
Obstacles to
Corporate Fellowship
The Mission
of Christian Fellowship
Confidence Marks the Mature Christian (1:6)
Confidence in
God’s Commencement
Confidence in
God’s Completion
Love Marks the Mature Christian (1:7-8)
Love is Deep
for the Mature Christian
Love is
Sacrificial for the Mature Christian
Love is
Supernatural for the Mature Christian
3 | Philippians 1:9-11 Rooted in
Loving One Another
Our Love Should Be Plentiful (1:9a)
Our Love Should Be Perceptive (1:9-10a)
Our Love Should be Productive (1:10-11a)
Our Love Should be Purposeful (1:11)
4 | Philippians 1:12-18 Joy in
Setbacks and Suffering
The Gospel Advances with Past Setbacks
(1:12-14)
Paul’s
Salvation Planned by God
Paul’s
Suffering Planned by God
Setbacks Can
Advance the Gospel
Advancing the
Gospel with Roman Soldiers
The Gospel Advances with Present Setbacks
(1:15-18a)
In Setbacks,
we Look to God’s Sovereignty
In Setbacks,
We Look Past Man’s Selfishness
The Gospel Advances with Future Setbacks
(1:18b-21)
In Life or
Death Christ is Glorified
5 | Philippians 1:18-26 To Live is
Christ
The Christ Life is the Joyful Life (1:18-19)
Rejoice in
the Prayers of the Saints
Rejoice in
the Help of the Holy Spirit
Rejoice in
Your Final Deliverance
The Christ life is the Purposeful Life
(1:20-21)
The Christ Life is the Longing Life
(1:22-24)
We Long to be
Present with Christ
The Christ Life is the Growing Life
(1:25-26)
6 | Philippians 1:27 Walk Worthy of
the Gospel
The Exhortation to Walk Worthy (1:27a)
Unity Flows
from the Holy Spirit’s Work
Unity Flows
from Our High Calling
7 | Philippians 1:27-30 The Courage
to Suffer
Have Courage to Suffer with Faithfulness
(1:27)
Faithfulness
is Manifested by Spirit
Faithfulness
Marks the New Birth
Faithfulness
Moves Us to Victory
Have Courage to Suffer with Forcefulness
(1:27)
Pictures of
Forcefulness: Soldiers & Athletes
Have Courage to Suffer with Fearlessness
(1:28)
Courage is a
Sign for the Saved
Courage is a
Sign for the Lost
Have Courage to Suffer with Favor (1:29-30)
We are
Favored with the Ability to Believe
We are
Favored with the Ability to Suffer
8 | Philippians 2:1-11 Every Knee
Shall Bow
The Power for Humility (2:1-4)
We are
Encouraged by the Son’s Sacrifice
We are
Comforted by the Father’s Love
We are
Enriched by the Spirit’s Fellowship
We are
Supported by the Church’s Sympathy
The Pathway to Humility (2:5-8)
Consider the
Humility of Christ (2:6-8)
He
Relinquished His Place (2:6a)
He Refused
His Privileges (2:6-7a)
He Restricted
His Presence (2:7b)
The Practice of Humility (2:9-11)
All People
& Angels Exalt Christ
9 | 1 Peter 2:12-13 How Can I
Change?
Spiritual Growth is Personal (2:12)
Spiritual Growth is Progressive (2:12)
Glorification:
Our Final Destination
Spiritual Growth is Praise-Driven (2:12).
Spiritual Growth is Predestined (2:13)
God’s Plan
Reaches Beyond Time
God’s Plan
Requires Your Cooperation
God’s Plan
Guarantees Your Growth
10 | Philippians 2:14-18 Be an
Influencer!
We Sacrifice for the Kingdom (2:17-18)
11 | Philippians 2:19-30 Models of
Ministry
Paul: A Model of Selflessness (2:19-21)
Radical
Selflessness is Seen in Paul
Joy is the
Mark of True Discipleship
The Hard Work
of Selfless Ministry
Metaphors for
Discipleship Imply Work
Models for
Discipleship Require Work
The Reward of
Selfless Ministry
The Reward of
Reproducing a Pastor
The Reward of
Reproducing a Church
Timothy: A Model of Service (2:19-24)
How to
Maintain a Big Heart (And Avoid Burnout)
Epaphroditus: A Model of Sacrifice (2:25-30)
12 | Philippians 3:1-3 Increase Your
Joy
Increase Your Wellspring of Joy (3:1)
Increase Your Watchfulness of Joy (3:2)
Increase Your Worship through Joy (3:3)
13 | Philippians 3:4-11 The Great
Change
Everything
Minus Jesus Equals Nothing