Citizens of heaven
Philippians – preaching series for summer 2025
This summer we are going to be looking at Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Philippi was a Roman colony in Greece and in many ways living in Philippi would have felt like living in Rome. Its citizens were Romans. They thought like Romans. They behaved like Romans. They created a mini-Rome.
A home away from home. In this letter, which Paul wrote from a Roman prison, Paul wants to encourage the Christians in Philippi by reminding them that they are citizens of heaven. This is not just about the promise of a place that we go to when we die, but it’s about living and thinking and behaving as members of the kingdom of God here and now so that you create a home away from home – it’s what Jesus is talking about when he says things like ‘the kingdom of God is near’. This is a letter that is full of joy and hope with Jesus at the centre.
You might like to watch the Bible Project video introduction to Philippians
Timeline for current preaching series
Thanks and praise to God
Philippians 1:1-11
This is a letter full of thanks and praise – and Paul
starts as he means to go on. Everything is focused
on Jesus. His prayer for them is not an ease in their
persecution, or provision of resources, but that they
may draw closer to Jesus and increasingly think like
Jesus..
Proclaim Christ
Philippians 1:12-18a
Paul is able to rejoice in his situation because Christ
is preached. How might this be true in our contexts?
Christ’s example
Philippians 2:1-11
Paul takes the
example of Jesus and wants us to think and behave
this way too.
All age service. Half term
Living in Christ
Philippians 1:18b-30
For Paul, death holds no fear.
In fact death would be his preference because that
means being with Jesus. But he knows that God still
has work for him to do. In all things, even suffering,
we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of
the gospel – so that Christ will be exalted.
Fellowship in Christ
Philippians 2:19-30, 4:2-3
Paul did not travel or work alone and here we hear
about Timothy, Epaphroditus, Euodia, Syntyche and
Clement. But sometimes relationships break down
so we need to be ready to respond appropriately –
putting into practice what we’ve already learned in
this letter.
Knowing Christ
Philippians 3:1-11
It is all about Jesus. Paul wants to know Jesus and
become like Jesus. Everything else is just worthless
in comparison.
Press on
Philippians 3:12-4:1
Normal service. Paul is a work in progress so
continues to press on. Ultimately he is not a citizen
of Rome but a citizen of heaven and so this will
shape his whole life.
Joy and peace in Christ
Philippians 4:4-9
Very well known verses that help us to explore the
theme of prayer, but also to think about what
influences we engage with.
God’s provision
Philippians 4:10-23
Paul is thankful for the Philippians’ gift but his
contentment is not based on what he has.