Thanksgiving for Life in Christ

Introduction

This is a very personal epistle, filled with joy.

It was joy in spite of hard circumstances.

It was joy that cannot be taken away because Jesus Christ is Paul’s life. He had joy because of what Christ has done.

Paul was writing from prison in Rome, awaiting trial under Nero.

The church in Philippi was the first church plant in Europe (Macedonia) on Paul’s second missionary journey. They supported Paul from the first time he left their congregation, and Paul was writing to thank them of the support that he had received from them.

It is an book filled with hope and encouragement.

Thanksgiving for their Past Witness (vv. 3-5)

Every time Paul thought of the believers in Philippi it filled him with joy and thanksgiving!

Contrasted with the Galatians and the Corinthians.

He thanked God for the witness of Christ’s saving work in their lives because they had fellowship in the Gospel.

From the beginning they sought to be a missional church - aiding Paul in spreading the Gospel.

This church had received the Gospel in humble beginnings (Lydia and the group of women hearing the Gospel by the river).

They had seen the power of God and believed (the demon possessed girl healed).

How to have a transformed Thanksgiving - remember God’s past faithfulness in your salvation, the salvation of family and friends. Remember how God has worked in your life.

Thanksgiving for God’s Promised Work (vv. 6-8)

There is great joy in the Christian life from the assurance that God finishes what He starts!

Slow progress on the house, little by little - but it is being changed from the inside out!

God is conforming you to His Son! He uses both the triumphs and the difficulties of life to shape and mold you into His image.

Paul thanked the Lord for the Philippians because of the evidence of their faith by their partnership in the work of the ministry!

How to have a transformed Thanksgiving - Praise God that He will finish the work that he has started in your life and in the lives of your loved ones! Tell them what you see God doing in their lives and how you have seen Him work.

Prayer for their Present Walk (vv. 9-11)

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians:

Their Passion - that it would abound and grow.

Their Perception - that they would discern God’s best.

Their Purity - “unmixed and blameless” that they would grow in Christ likeness.

Their Praise - that their lives would be fruitful and bring glory to God.

Have Joy in Thanksgiving -

remember God’s past faithfulness.

Praise God for his promise to finish the work. Tell others what you see God doing in their lives.

How to have a transformed Thanksgiving - Praise God that He will finish the work that he has started in your life and in the lives of your loved ones! Tell them what you see God doing in their lives and how you have seen Him work.

Pray for others.

Abounding and growing in the love of God.

Knowledge and discernment to know what is God’s best in their lives.

Filled with the fruit of righteousness through Christ unto God’s glory and praise.