Bible Text: Philippians 1:3-11 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: Partners in a Great Venture, Philippians

1.  Paul addresses the leaders of the church (the Overseers and Deacons) in his greeting.

2.  His likely reason for addressing them specifically is because of his need to deal in the letter with issues that had arisen at the church, specifically: lack of unity and rivalry.  Personal ambition (contending for their own way) had replaced their care for each other and the things of Jesus Christ.

3.  He addressed the leadership because as the leadership of a church goes so go the people.  The need was greater now than ever for the leadership to be unified and an example of unselfishness.