Before you begin, read: Philippians 1:1,2
1From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus.
To all of God’s people who belong to Christ Jesus at Philippi and to all of your church officials and officers. 2I pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!
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A. In Philippians, Paul introduced himself and Timothy as servants of Christ Jesus. He could have listed many impressive titles. But Paul was first and most importantly a servant to the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his prayer, Paul’s relationship with Jesus was as a friend as well as a servant. This was because of his knowledge of the grace that showed him the Father’s peace.
Much of Paul’s understanding of grace came when he was rejected, beaten, and despised. Daily he had to trust God. However, the grace of Jesus lifted Paul.
For Paul, that was the only important thing – to humbly serve the God who would lift him up. Earthly things would disappear, but God would not change. Through daily prayer, Paul learned to be content whatever the circumstances. The grace of Jesus Christ gave Paul an unimaginable peace.
So, Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice!”
1. Why did Paul say he was Christ’s servant?
2. How do bad times help you to learn about God?
3. Why are you thankful to Jesus?
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B. Imagine a man with many problems to carry. They were too heavy, so he decided to give some to Jesus.
Jesus told him, “It is by grace you are saved not by your works (Ephesians 2:8). Let me carry your burdens.”
The man decided on a few things to give to Jesus. Then, he tried again to lift the sack. Silently Jesus watched, knowing what would happen. The man picked up his bag, but it didn’t seem any lighter.
The man was confused, and Jesus said to him, “All of your problems weigh the same. The number doesn’t matter. You should not carry them.”
Jesus handed him another bag. “Here, I’ll trade you.”
The man looked inside the new bag. Inside were, love, joy, peace, patience . . . and all of the promises of God. He picked up the bag and it felt empty.
1. Are you carrying any burdens? Do you give them to Jesus? Why should we give our problems to Jesus?
2. Why don’t we give all of our problems to Jesus?
3. What would happen if we really did give ALL of our problems to Jesus?
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C. Each of Paul’s letters begins with a prayer for grace and peace through God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This reminds us that grace and peace do not come from obeying the law. They come through faith.
Paul also ends each of his letters with a prayer for grace. He wanted to remind them that grace and Jesus are all that they need. Jesus gives us the grace we need to come to the Father and to know His peace.
Without grace, we have to obey law. But when we break one law, we are immediately condemned sinners. However, grace brings us back to God. We know sin because of the law (Romans 7:7 I would not have known what sin was except through the law.), but God’s grace keeps us from falling (Ephesians 2:8 It is by grace you have been saved). Law and grace work together to give us the Father’s peace.
1. What is grace? What does it mean to you?
2. How do we get grace and peace?
3. Why is grace important?
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A DEEPER VIEW
How does the law show us what sin is (Romans 7:7)?
Using a concordance find at least two verses on grace that are meaningful to you. Discuss.
