Philippians 01 - On to Completion

Reading: Philippians 1:1-11

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

I.   Joyfully Thankful

     A.  Because they shared a common Faith

           1.  He prays with joy! (v.4)

                 a.  Paul’s greatest joy is when people are faithful to God.

                 b.  Paul’s response to God’s work in the lives of other people is joy.

                 c.  This is a prison letter, but it is full of joy.

           2.  Paul is always giving thanks for them.

                 a.  Many of Paul’s letters begin with thanks

                 b.  Paul appreciated what folks did for him

                 c.  Paul appreciated it when folks lived the Gospel he dedicated his life to preach

           3.  They shared the same trust in Jesus.

                 a.  Paul is delighted that the Philippians share the same faith he has.

                 b.  Paul talks to them as fellow Christians, not as pupils - they share this with him.

     B.  Because they shared in Paul’s Ministry

           1.  They spontaneously gave to him

                 a.  Paul didn’t ask them for anything.

                 b.  The initiative was theirs.

           2.  They generously gave to him.

15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Philippians 4:15-16 (NIV)

           3.  They supported both him and his work.

                 a.  Paul writes this letter in part because they gave for his personal needs.

                 b.  When we read this we get the impression that they enjoyed each other (vv.7-8)

II.  Confident in God

     A.  They exhibit the Fruits of belief

           1.  By their sharing.

                 a.  They believed in what God was doing, so they wanted to share in it.

                 b.  Actually they were responding to God working in them.

           2.  By their love and good deeds.

                 a.  Love and good deeds are the evidence and the effects of God’s work in our life

                 b.  Paul saw the change in them: obviously God was already at work.

     B.  God is Faithful

           1.  Paul’s confidence is in God (v.6)

                 a.  Paul doesn’t say I know you’ll make it.

                 b.  Paul knows God will finish his work

           2.  God began the work

                 a.  God called them out of darkness into light (not Paul and it wasn’t them)

                 b.  God started the ball rolling in them

           3.  God is faithful to fulfill his work

                 a.  God doesn’t start what he doesn’t plan to finish.

                 b.  God started the work, so I know he’ll finish it.

                 c.  You and I can have that confidence too.

     C.  They haven’t arrived Yet

           1.  They aren’t done yet (PBPGIFWMY).

                 a.  Paul likes them, but he doesn’t believe they have “arrived.”

                 b.  God’s done some great things, but he’s not through yet!

           2.  But God has his hands on them and he doesn’t let go until he’s done.

                 a.  God is still working on them (and us)

                 b.  God is going to finish his work one day.

III. Abounding in Love

     A.  Love is never done Growing

           1.  They were already abounding in love

                 a.  Paul doesn’t pray that they would abound in love — only abound more.

                 b.  That was the evidence that made Paul sure that God had his hands on them.

                 c.  That is what I see at Alger: abounding love

           2.  Paul prays they will abound even more

                 a.  I wonder how much love God’s people are really capable of.

                 b.  I wonder how God would answer this prayer for us, our families / marriages

           3.  You can never love too much

                 a.  Paul prays that their love will abound more and more.

                 b.  This is love that just keeps growing

                 c.  Children aren’t spoiled by too much love — only by too little discipline.

     B.  Love is the path to Deeper faith

           1.  This is a knowing/insightful love

                 a.  This isn’t a rollercoaster merely emotional love.

                 b.  This is a love that is on purpose.

                 c.  It involves the whole person.

           2.  Love leads to greater knowledge and insight about God.

                 a.  God doesn’t do anything for His people unless there’s love in it.

                 b.  By loving we learn more about God and gain insight into who he is.

           3.  Love is the atmosphere in which to “discern what is best.”

                 a.  When the air is saturated with love, when we breath love in the air, we’re able to being discerning what is best.

                 b.  The great commands summarize the law, when we love we are fulfilling God’s will for our behavior.

     C.  Through Jesus, love yields good Fruit

           1.  It is Jesus who does the filling (v.11)

                 a.  Jesus himself produces the fruit of righteousness in us.

                 b.  Yet it becomes a part of us too!

           2.  The fruit of Christian Love never goes bad

                 a.  So many friendships, marriages, even families find their love gone bad.

                 b.  Jesus promises us that he will produce fruit in us that will never spoil

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. John 15:16-17 (NIV)

           3.  The point of it all is “the glory and praise of God.”

                 a.  The point is not to have a good name.

                 b.  The point is that folks around you will look at you and say “Praise God!”

The Bottom Line:

(HoR: GHoF #394 I Surrender All, v. 4)