The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians is a short, four chapter letter full of doctrinal and practical insights that are essential for a fruitful Christian walk. Philippi was a Roman colony, and wherever a Roman colony was established, it was meant to express the culture of the Roman Empire. Paul would write to these saints in Philippi that that their “mission” in life was to be an expression of The Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven. That is the high and holy calling of every follower of Jesus here on earth today, regardless of his or her nationality, race, or culture. Paul’s life motto should be ours: “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

As we journey through this epistle, may we pray that The Holy Spirit would truly illuminate His life-changing truth to each one of our hearts to the end that the followers of Jesus Christ would be agents of change and transformation in the lives of the people that are around us each and every day.

One of the themes that we find in this book is the theme of joy. How can Paul write a letter that exhorts others to have joy when he is in a prison cell, not knowing if the next visit of a prison guard means his execution? The answer? Paul knew Jesus Christ and he knew that his life now was in the hands of The One Who was working in him both to will and do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

We will talk a bit about this joy and what it means. I trust it will be of great help to you. We will talk about walking in the will of God and how it is at times a mystery. We will talk about being a slave of Christ. Imagine trying to “sell” the gospel of being a slave of Jesus Christ and His will being done in this day and age of self-will and my-will-be-done mentality. It is only when a person is a slave of Jesus Christ that one is truly free. Selah