Joyful Completion

Intro

The book of Philippians is written from a place of joy.

It was also a “thank you” note to the believers who had sent Paul a financial gift and supported him in his imprisonment.

Philippi - Macedonian city named after Alexander the Great’s father King Phillip II.

non-Jewish, non-Roman, and very poor with a scattering of middle-class.

Paul loved this church.

He wrote the letter to thank the believers, encourage, and correct them.

Read Philippians 1:1-11

Paul wrote to the entire church but made special mention to the church leaders who were responsible to lead in love and obedience.

“servants” - (doulos) - slave.

Paul called himself a slave instead an apostle.

Believers probably faced severe persecution and economic hardship.

The church must know who we are. A church in west tx will receive info differently than a church somewhere else.

Like the church in Philippi, we have the ability to know who we are as a people.

In Acts 16:11-4-, Paul established this church.

He loved this church. They were always present in his mind.

He sought out their good. He appreciated the benefits he had received. He was willing to say or do whatever it took to see improvement in their church body.

The church in Philippi shared Paul’s vision of the gospel of Jesus.

He was confident that their spiritual and material investment in him would result in God’s continued work.

Any work that God begins, He will surely finish.

It is just fine for our lives to feel unfinished.

God is committed to the progress of His church.

This church was not a group of fair weather Christians.

Committed churches find joy in pursuing God’s plan and purpose.

Paul had a deep desire for the church was growing for the Lord and for each other in the context of truth.

Their love was more than sentimental emotion; it must conform with the truth of the word of God.

Authentic and whole love.

agape = love that puts others above self. Makes decisions that benefit others.

The way I made decisions as a (self-love) single man are vastly different than the decisions I make as a husband/father (love for others).

The knowledge of the church is based on love. We make our decisions through this lense.

When our love for God and one another is growing, we can determine what is the best.

This is the natural result of belonging to Jesus Christ.