The central thesis of Philippians? How to grow your joy . . .

Why not read Philippians and decide if you agree that I have identified the “Big Idea” of the book.  Either way, this post will motivate and equip you to know joy.

Yesterday was our first installment of “The Brickworks”: a new Saturday evening ministry at our church.  I began a series on Philippians by looking at Philippians 1:1-8.

In my sermon, I argued that the central thought of Philippians is this: “Rejoice in the Lord by combining progress in the faith with invested partnerships (koinonia).” That is, the way to know joy is to follow Christ and invest in partnerships with other believers.

It would be difficult to argue against the first aspect of this thought.  For Paul, the Gospel and knowing Christ is the foundation of everything including joy.  The only way we can rejoice is to believe in Christ.  (For more on the Gospel see here).

The second aspect, of what I propose as the big idea of Philippians, is what you may not have considered.  Paul (and I would argue other NT writers) consistently link koinonia/fellowship with joy.  It isn’t enough to know Christ as an isolated individual.  We will only truly rejoice as we partner with other believers in deeply invested ways.  (Notice that “fellowship” is a very weak translation of the word “koinonia.”  “Invested partnerships” captures more of the original word.)

If you trace this idea of invested partnerships being foundational to joy through Philippians, you will be amazed at how often it appears:

• In Philippians 1:4-5, Paul prays with joy because of his partnership with the Philippians.
• In Philippians 1:8, Paul contends that his joy over the Philippians is legitimate given their partnership
• In Philippians 1:17, Paul says that he will rejoice given the Philippians investment
• In Philippians 1:23, Paul says that the reason he wants to continue to live is to work with Philippians, and here we have the combination, for their joy and progress in the faith
• In Philippians 2:2, Paul says that his joy will be completed only as the Philippians put differences aside and are unified.
• Again and again. . . .

You can continue on from there if you are interested.  Over and over again, Paul pursues his agendas of addressing divisions in the church at Philippi, and encouraging his recipients amid trial, and of being thankful for their friendship, by stressing that progress in the faith combined with invested partnerships yields joy.

So, if your “joy” level is running low, evaluate both of these areas in your life.   First, are you progressing in the faith?  Are you hearing the Word preached?  Are you listening to Christ-centered music?  Are you working to put to death sin?  Remember – – his divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness (2 Peter 1:3).

Second, are you investing in partnerships with other believers?  Does the use of your time, treasure, and talents demonstrate that you are vitally linked to the Body of Christ?  What could you do to invest in your relationship with other believers?  In the work of Christ?