He will finish it

Have you ever felt like giving up? Life had seem to get the best of you? Things become overwhelming. Hope were dashed and your faith is wavering?

Surprisingly this is not an unusual feeling. Many today are overwhelmed with issues.

We may not admit it because as Christians we have been conditioned to put on a brave face and keep moving. Yes that is great but I believe every now again we need a reminder of what the Word says concerning us.

Paul writes the Church of Philippi to encourage them during one of these moments when their hopes were dashed because things did not actually work out as they expected.

Their leader Paul is in prison in Rome. Others have risen up to take advantage of Pauls current condition. There were some who thought this was their time to preach now that Paul is out the way.

I have learned that folks are not brave enough to challenge you when you are going strong. When they see a vulnerable moment then here they come. That is another sermon.

Paul is in a Roman prison but his thoughts are with the churches he established. Philippi was a special church. He had many friends there. He also can recall there was some great contention while in Philippi. Its Acts 16 that lest us know it was in Philippi that Paul was whipped and thrown in prison. Yet i was at midnight he sang hymns and prayed and the Lord opened the prison doors. Yes its in Philippi that the jailor and his who family was saved. We also know that his friend Lydia was in Philippi. The woman who befriended him.

Paul loved and appreciated the folks in Philippi. He considered them partners in the Gospel. He worked with them and had left good leaders there to carry on the mission.

Yet even leadership can run into some stumbling blocks. Even leaders are not exempt from difficulties. Yes Philippians 1 gives us hope and sures up our faith!

Its verse 6 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Php 1:6).

The English translation reads this way:  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Php 1:6).

So Don’t give up now. What Jesus started he is able to finish! Unlike some folks who talk a lot of wolf tickets but cant really back it up Jesus is well able.

As a matter fact he able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

We must learn to trust that the Lord is going to see us through. He is going make sure we see our expected end.

I know it gets tough and trials and tribulations come but we must learn to see these set backs as set up for the next great thing.

James 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds (that’s divers temptations), 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (Jas 1:2–4).

We are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ.

Paul reminds the church that while your dreams may be dashed and your hopes may be shattered continue to take on the position of a faith saint.

Paul was excited about the Philippians because they had proven to be true partners in ministry.

Be true partners in Ministry

7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel (Php 1:7). God wants you to be partners. He is looking for you to be faithful in good and bad times. Partners means you are invested in the outcome. Paul understood he had real partners. Thats why he literally says: My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God (Php 1:7).

Today we need ministry partners that are with you when the going gets rough. I believe this is the problem today. Folks are with you when al is going well but abandon you when things get rough.

We forget The Bible says And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Ga 6:9–10).

Tell your neighbor I need you to be my partner.

Paul wants our partnership to produce good in us. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. . (Php 1:9–11).

qualities that exemplify our christian walk

abounding in knowledge Going deep in Gods word

discerning to do what is right

Filled with righteousness (Holy Spirit)

Secondly Count what is happening and a good thing

Many times we have heard the Roman wirter say that All thing work together for our good. Its here Paul reminds them that what happened to him was to the furtherance of the Gospel Look at verse 12 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel (Php 1:12).

God is going to get the glory even from the troubles in your life. Paul said I’m locked up be what they meant evil God meant for good. The Gospel is still being preached. Even those with bad intentions are still preaching Jesus. Paul said, 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. ( Php 1:18).

Finally maintain Faith and Hope paul

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. (Php 1:19–20).