Philippians 1:1-2 "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (2) Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
As we begin our study of Philippians, it seems very important to use a very
basic teaching that was taught to us as children: Stop, Look, and Listen.
I don't hear those words very often anymore, but we were taught this rule as
the proper approach to a railroad crossing. It was very advantageous for
us to heed that warning. I think it is important also as we begin a study of
Paul's writing. So we stop, look, and listen to the Apostle Paul as he begins
this letter. He identified himself by name: Paul. Then he identified himself by
his office: "servant of Jesus Christ." And now we listen to see what
is going to be approaching as we begin this study: "Grace and peace."
Paul, the servant of Christ, is going to serve grace and peace to us if we will
heed what is written.
We are going to see the way in which he ministers grace and peace to us even
while he is in prison. We are going to see his servant's heart as he directs
his attention away from himself and his situation to others who are hurting and
needing help in their lives. For me, it is very important to pay
attention to the heart of Paul as he is writing. His heart was bent toward
serving Jesus and he realized that in order to serve Jesus, he must be willing
to serve others. It seems to me that there is a much better approach to life if
we develop a servant's heart. A servant's heart is ready to give and expects
nothing in return. A servant's heart requires a special measure of grace and
requires faith in order to properly operate. But a servant's heart is filled
with peace in knowing it's in the will of God.
On the night Jesus was betrayed, His disciples were arguing as to who was the
greatest. Jesus answered them, "For whether is greater, he that sitteth at
meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as
he that serveth." (Luke 22:27) Paul identified himself with Christ
by being a servant. Our greatest witness of being a follower of Jesus Christ is
by serving others. As we approach this book of Philippians, let us assume the
posture of a servant in order to receive the blessings of daily grace and peace
in our lives.