Untitled Sermon (8)

Philippians 1:3–11 “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.”

Main Idea:

Introduction-

Any time there is a major transition in life, it becomes a natural season for remembering and reflecting. Reflection is an important part of biblical thinking. When we remember, we are reminded of who we once were and who God has made us to be. We remember the journey He has led us on, His provision through the trials of life, and His blessings in the seasons of joy. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly commands His people to remember and not forget. Those commands appear over and over again because it is our tendency to become consumed with the here and now. We are often focused on what is immediately in front of us and can easily lose sight of what God has done. Yet remembering is vital to the Christian life. Not because we are called to live in the past or glorify "the good old days," but because remembering helps us recognize the faithful hand of God at work throughout every season of life. As we look back, we see His grace in the past, which gives us confidence in the present and hope for the future. That is exactly what Paul does in Philippians 1. As he reflects on his relationship with the believers in Philippi, his memories do not lead him to nostalgia but to thanksgiving, confidence, affection, and prayer.

Thanking God for Gods work in the past 3-5

Philippians 1:3–5 “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.”

When we reflect on all that God has done. All that God has done in us and through us and in spite of us. It is proper that we come to a place of thankfulness. As the Apostle remembers the church at Philippi, he thanks God for them. Why

They have been a cause for Joy! (They have embraced the Gospel )

The bible makes it clear for the Christian to make an thing other than Christ your source of Joy is idolatry. So what is Paul referring to in this passage? “Paul's joy is not rooted merely in his affection for them. His joy is rooted in the evidence of God's grace among them. He has watched the gospel transform their lives. He has seen their faithfulness, their perseverance, and their commitment to Christ. Every evidence of grace reminds Paul that God is still at work."

They have been partners in the Gospel. (They have proclaimed the Gospel)

It isn’t just that they have come to know Jesus, it is that they are being obedient. It isn’t just that they have recieved the Gospel it is not that they are sharing it. This church has a Gospel ministry to the community around it. They have followerd Pauls example. Not much later on in chapter 1 Paul is going to encourage them to continue on in the faith. To continue to press on.

Philippians 1:27 (ESV) 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

They supported the Gospels ministry.

Paul remarks that they have been with him since the beginning. He reminds them that they have been with him since the first day till now. Meaning that this was the first place the first church that he planted but also talking about the financal support that they had given him during his whole time in ministry.

They sent gifts while he ministered in Thessalonica.

They supported him when other churches did not.

They sent aid through while Paul was imprisoned. Epaphroditus 

Paul loved this Church and they loved him. They brought him Joy and they proclaimed their love for him and for Christ by partnership.

Statement about my love for FBT, MY Joy and the thanksgiving for their partnership with me in the Gospel.

Confidence in Gods work for the future 6

Philippians 1:6 “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.”

Because of what God has done in their life, we see that Paul is sure or confident that God is not done working.

He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.

Paul rightly and honestly points his readers to who is doing the work. Now Paul was the one who brought the Gospel to Philippi. In Acts 16 we see that Paul is the one who proclaimed claimed the Gospel there. We see that their were some where saved and Baptized. Paul however doesn’t take credit for what happened in Phippi. He always acknowledges that he is the messanger and the messanger is not near as important as the message. And that his role as faithful minister is only as good or effective as the Spirit that brings the message to heart.

So that same God that called them from darkness to light the same God that drew them in the Gospel partnership in the midst of intense persecution. God will continue accomplishing His purposes through this church for as long as He chooses, and ultimately His work in His people will be completed on the day of Christ.

Notice that Paul is not assured by the peoples will power. He is not assured by greatness of the converts, he is assured of the greatness of the work of God and the will of God.

The Church is one of the most interesting organisms on the the planet. It is established by God. It is led by the pastors and elders, and it is sustained by believers.

The joy of FBT is that many people over the last 75 years have had their finger prints all over this place. Sometimes we grew and blossomed and flourished. Other times we sustained and sometimes we moved backwards. Pastors will come and go, members will be here today and gone tomorrow but by God grace he is using this church to accomplish something. Accomplish something in the lives of each believer. To accomplish something in this community and this church will exist until that is seen to compilation.

Over these fifteen years we have certainly seen numerical growth. We have also seen people saved, baptized, discipled, restored, and sent out. Those things are the evidence that God has been at work among us.

In one week's time my tenure as pastor of Faith Baptist Tabernacle will come to an end. But the promise of Philippians 1:6 is that God's work here does not end when a pastor leaves. The God who began this work before I arrived is the same God who will continue it after I am gone. Pastors come and go. Members come and go. Generations rise and fall. But God's purposes do not fail. The same God who has been faithful to this church for seventy-five years will remain faithful until the day of Jesus Christ.

Affection for you in the present 7-8

Philippians 1:7–8 “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.”

Next Paul speaks of his love for them. I feel this way about you because I hold you in my heart.

I ministered to you

You ministered to me

We love each other in Christ. Because what he have Christ caused.

Affection- Originally, σπλάγχνα referred to the internal organs—especially the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines. In the ancient world, these inward parts were considered the seat of the deepest emotions.

Some older translations might say I love you will all of my bowels. What he is saying is that my affection for you is deep, so deep. I love you the way that Christ loves you.

Prayers for you in the future 9-11

Philippians 1:9–11 “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.”

My prayer for you

Your love would abound more and more

Love for knowledge in the word

Love for applicaiton of the word.

My prayer for you is that you would be excellent

My prayer is that you would be pure and blameless

Filled with rightouness that comes from God.

Conclusion