The Joy of God's Work and the Gospel

Introduction

Good morning church! As always, what an honor and privilege to preach this morning. I am very excited to continue with you through the book of Philippians. If you don't remember, last time I preached I said as preaching oppertunites come available, I wanted to walk through the book of Philippians with you. This morning we will continue that journey with our second sermon in the series. This morning we will be focusing on verses 3 through 11 of Chapter 1. Before we read our passage and begin, let me give you an outline and the points I’ll be covering this morning. So, if you’re a note taker, there will be 3 points we will cover. The first point is the Mark of a true elder and a true church. This point will be found in verses 3-5. (PAUSE) The second Point is What God begins, He completes, and this point will be found in verses 6-8. (PAUSE) Our last point will be Our response to God’s Work, found in verses 9-11. (PAUSE) Lastly, we will cover a conclusion of the passage in it’s entirety. One of the reasons I am excited about this passage, is the joy that does come from the teachings of the scripture. The joy that comes through the divine revelation of truth. As we work through this passage together, please, remember why we are gathered here this morning, we are gathered to offer our worship to the truine God, as Pastor Marsh says, Who is an all consuming fire. As we read His word, meditate on it, let the word cut to your soul, showing you what true joy is and where true joy comes from. If you have your bible this morning, open it up to Philippians chapter one…and read verses 3-11 with me.....(REPEAT)(PAUSE)

Philippians 1:3–11 (ESV)

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 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. 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. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Mark of a True Elder and Church

Paul begins in verse 3 of the passage, by saying he remembers the church, and when he remembers the congregation at Philippi, he lifts them up in prayer. In verse 4, Paul says he is always praying with joy for ALL of the church in his every prayer. The first point of the sermon this morning is a Mark of a True Elder and a true Church. What is a Mark of a true, faithful elder of a church? Prayer. Prayer should mark ant man that holds the office of Elder. In Acts chapter 6, when we first see the office of Deacon created, pay attention to what the apostles say their duty is. Their duty is the ministry of the word, preaching, and prayer. The apostle says it would not be right to give up time preaching and praying to serve tables. Pastors don't pray because they’re more holy than anyone else, they don’t pray because they’re called “Pastor”.....Pastors pray because it is their duty. As an undersheppard, someone whom Christ has trusted with the care of your souls, It is a requirement. Every Elder/Pastor, should be lifting up his congregation daily in prayer. I know for a fact, Wilson keeps a list with every member written on it, Their struggles, their sickness, their needs, and he, as your elder, is lifting you up in prayer. If an Elder does not go to his knees in prayer often for his congregation, he is failing part of his responsibilities as an Elder.

Secondly, I want to draw your attention to HOW Paul is praying. in Verse 4, Paul offers his prayers with joy. He does not just pray for the congregation, but he prays with joy. Why is that such a big deal? Remember where Paul is at. Paul is in prison. And while Paul has been confined awaiting trial, the church, his brothers and sisters in Christ, send him a gift and a familiar face. What a blessing a healthy church is. Church this is where we see it start coming together. You the apostle, who has cared for, preached to, and prayed for this church like a true elder should, and the church, they take care of Paul how they can. Out of their love for Paul, they send him gifts, exhortation, and encouragement.

We are to imitate our Elders. Elders should be setting a godly example to every member of the church. It is an Elders responsibility to not just preach and teach the word of God to his flock, but to model every aspect of the christian life. When you hear an elder pray, he should be teaching you how to pray, when you see an elder mistreated, his reaction should be teaching you how to react to that kind of situation. When you see an Elder love his wife and Sheppard his home....Husbands and fathers should be learning how to love their wife and lead their household. A little side note....Church do you see the weightiness of this office? Do you see the responsibility an Elder has in the church? Pray for your elder, pray for Wilson. As a man who aspires to this office, it scares me to death. If my human will had it’s way, I would be going the other direction and as far away from the office of Elder as possible. However, with this in mind of imitating our elders, you also church, should be lifting each other up in prayer. Imitate Paul, remember each other in prayer often. Offer your prayers for each other with great joy! Be joyful that God has blessed us all with each other, and God willing, hopefully many more to come. When you pray, remember the whole congregation. I want to ask you a question, how often do you think about or remember everyone in this congregation? I’m not talking about the brother or sister you may have a lot in common with and spend a significant amount of time with. I'm talking about the brother or sister you may not have anything in common with. We are to remember the whole congregation in our prayers.

Lastly as we come to verse 5, Paul speaks of the churches partnership in the gospel. The word “Partnership” here is translated from the Greek word Koinonia. This is the same Greek word that is used for church. What was Paul and the Philippians partnership based on? The gospel. (Read verse 5). The fellowship Paul had with the Philippian church was was gospel centered. Their fellowship was built on the foundation of the gospel. Our fellowship in the gospel of Jesus Christ is what unites us together as believers and as Christians. Paul also says in verse 5 that their partnership started on day one and was still current. The church remained faithful to Paul and their partnership in the gospel, they persevered. And as I said before, the church leaves a great example of how we are to treat our elders and how we are to treat each other. Fellowship in the gospel means loving, exhorting, admonishing, and caring for each other. When there is fellowship without the gospel as its foundation, where caring, loving, and exhorting each other are barely a part of the fellowship…there is no true church.

What God Begins, He Completes

As we come to our second point, I would like to focus on verses 6 through 8.