Just Who Are We Anyway?

Philippians 1:1-2

I suggest you begin this message by talking a little bit about your church's history. Tell how the church started, the first pastor, the different buildings and/or building programs, and some of the key events that have taken place.

Then announce that this information only tells a little about who we are. As a local church, we find out more about our identity, as Paul addresses the local church at Philippi. From these short, introductory verses to the Book of Philippians we discover that:

WE ARE SAINTS - "...to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons."

Many think of saints as special holy people with supernatural influence, designated by some church as "saints". In the Bible, all born again Christians are designated as saints. The word saint has the idea of being "set apart". As saints we are set apart unto God in Christ for Godly living! A saint has experienced a changed life! (See 1 Peter 1:15-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:17).

WE ARE SERVANTS - "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ..."
A servant was a bondslave. He had been purchased by his master. We have been purchased with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19). As servants we should obey our master exclusively, willingly, and lovingly. (You might want to refer to the Hebrew slave who was voluntarily slave for life because he loved his master. See Exodus 21:1-6)

WE ARE SUPPLIED - Vs. 2
Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) and peace (Romans 5:1) were initial gifts at the moment of salvation. However, grace and peace are available to us on a regular basis. We can only accomplish great things for God by His grace (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). As we serve God we need His peace, which is a result of prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). We are supplied with grace and peace so we can act well as servants and saints!