The Fundamentals of Citizenship

Philippians 2:1-4

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The Fundamentals of Citizenship — Pastor Trey Russell
Philippians 2:1-4
Sermon Series: Philippians
March 13, 2022

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What is the argument Paul is making in verse 1? How do these realities function for you as motivation to live as a proper citizen of heaven?
2.  What does it mean to be “of the same mind”? What does it not mean?
3.  What is our unity in the church based on? How do we know this from the text?
4.  How does this unity allow us to reflect all kinds of diversity and weather all kinds of disagreement?
5.  What is the true enemy of unity? How do you see this working under the surface of your own heart?
6.  How does humility enable unity?

References: Phil. 3:20; Rom. 15:5; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Cor. 12:24-45; 1 Thess. 1:10; Rom. 5:9; Luke 14:21; Rom; 5:5; 2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph 4:1-3; Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor 12:18; 1 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 2:5-11

Citizens Together for the Gospel

Philippians 1:27-30

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Citizens Together for the Gospel — Pastor Trey Russell
Philippians 1:27-30
Sermon Series: Philippians
March 6, 2022

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What does Paul want the Philippian church to be known for?
2.   Consider the reality that, as Christians, we don’t belong here. How does this reality affect the way you live your everyday life?
3.   What is the relationship between being a citizen and living worthily as a citizen? In other words, what is the relationship between being and doing? If these two are mixed up, how does it distort the message of the gospel?
4.   How do we answer the call to steadfastness and being unafraid?
5.   What does it mean to strive after the gospel? What does it look like for us to raise the flag of the gospel on the battlefield?
6.   How does this text demonstrate that proper citizenship is done in community with others?
7.   How is suffering a gift from God? Have you ever considered grace from this angle? Have you ever seen how suffering well witnesses to the preciousness of the gospel?

References: Eph. 4:1; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12; Acts 16:21; Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:1-10; Titus 3:3-8; Col. 1:13; Matt. 10:22; 1 Pt. 4:12; Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor. 5:20-21; 2 Cor. 2:15-16.

The Christ of Life and Death

Philippians 1:18b-26

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

The Christ of Life and Death — Pastor Trey Russell
Philippians 1:18b-26
Sermon Series: Philippians
February 20, 2022

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does vv.12-18 and vv.18b-26 function together as a unit? What do they have in common and what are their different focus points?
2.   While in prison, what is Paul’s singular aspiration and how do we know this? How might his mention of “deliverance” be misleading?
3.   What two things give Paul confidence in his “deliverance” and why? How does this reinterpret shame and failure for the Christian?
4.   Why is “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” a universal maxim for every Christian? What do Jesus’ comments in Luke 14 15-33 have to do with this?
5.   How can death be gain? How does this help you think of your earthly pursuits, even good ones?
6.   What will be the fruit of Paul living and returning to the Philippians, as he expects to do? What does this tell us about our relationships in the church? Are we pursuing relationships like this? 

References: Phil. 2:9-11, 3:8; Rev. 5:11-13; Luke 14:25-33; 2 Cor. 5:8

The Unbound Gospel

Philippians 1:8-13

8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

The Unbound Gospel — Pastor Trey Russell.
Philippians 1:8-13
Sermon Series: Philippians
December 26, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What has happened to Paul and why is it so unlikely, humanly speaking, that it would result in gospel advancement? Can you think of other times in Scripture when the gospel advanced against all odds?
2.   How can you better see all of life as ripe for gospel advancement?
3.   Why is it so crucial to connect the gospel to the message of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ? What other “gospels” do we commonly hear that actually are not?
4.   Consider Paul’s interaction with his guards and his response to those with impure motives. What does this tell us about his focus? Would this focus change anything in your life? How?
5.   In 2022, how can you use the advance of the gospel as a filter for all of life?

References: Romans 15:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 2:2; Romans 1:16; Matthew 7:21-23; Philippians 4:22; Ephesians 6:19-20; Acts 4:29-31; Galatians 5:20-21; Ephesians 3:7-13

The Apostle's Affection

Philippians 1:7-11

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

NOTE 1:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Apostle’s Affection— Pastor Trey Russell
Philippians 1:7-11
Sermon Series: Stand Alone
August 15, 2021

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why is it significant that Paul’s affection toward the Philippians is the result of a resolved mindset? And why is this necessary to produce real, biblical fellowship?
2.   What language does Paul use to express the depth of his affection and how does this illustrate his “gushing Christology?”
3.   In what ways do you have this level of affection for other Christians? As you reflect, is Paul’s affection for the Philippians convicting? How?
4.   How does Paul and the Philippians’ relationship put them engaged in the gospel together? For us, what is the effect of gospel engagement on our relationships?
5.   In his prayer, why does Paul link knowledge and discernment with love? What happens when love is not rightly tethered in this way?
6.   How does the close of Paul’s prayer illustrate that both our horizontal (to one another) and vertical (to God) relationships are ultimately for God’s glory?

References: Phil. 2:12-13; 2:5; 3:19; 4:2; 4:10; Acts 1:18; Phil. 1:29-30; Rom. 10:2.

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Partners in the Gospel

Philippians 1:1-6

Greeting

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Partners in the Gospel — Pastor Trey Russell
Philippians 1:1-6
Stand Alone Sermon
June 27, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does Paul express his gratitude for the Philippians in v.3-4? What does it look like for us to maintain a similar posture?
2.   What is the significance of Paul and the Philippians' "partnership in the gospel"? What does this tell us about the nature of our relationships within the church?
3.   What is the biblical concept of fellowship and how is that different from how the word is normally used in our day?
4.   In verse 6, how does Paul show that salvation is past, present, and future? How are each of these "tenses" of salvation encouraging to us? 
5.   As God is "bringing your salvation to completion" are there some aspects of your faith that feel more "complete" than others? In other words, in what ways has the Lord grown you since your "first day in the gospel" and in what ways are you still clearly "incomplete"?

Scripture References: Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Phil. 4:17; 2 Cor. 8:1-2; Phil. 4:14; Rom. 8:24; 1 Cor. 1:18; Matt. 10:22