Untitled Sermon (11)

I. Partnership in the Gospel is a Work of God (v3-6)

This partnership includes the past, present, and future of the Philippian church and Paul.

Paul thanks God because of the Partnership.

my God. Notice the contrast between God our Father and my God.

It is right to speak of God being personally ours, even as he is collectively ours.

God began the work (on the first day) (see the good works of Lydia)

God continues the work (until now)

God will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

There is joyful anticipation of the day of Christ.

You have continued in your partnership with me, and I am sure that God will bring that to completion.

Fellowship with all the saints in Philippi.

Philippians A. The Thanksgiving (1:3–8)

As soon as the Lord had opened Lydia’s heart for the gospel, that wonderful woman had opened her home for the gospel-workers (Acts 16:14, 15), and she had kept it open; in fact, she had opened it ever wider, so that what had been “headquarters” for the missionaries became “church” (place of assembly) for all the early converts at Philippi (Acts 16:40).

Note too the Jailer’s response.

Philippians A. The Thanksgiving (1:3–8)

Note how closely the apostle links human perseverance (“your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until the present”) with divine preservation (“he who began a good work in you will carry it on toward completion”). Any doctrine of salvation which does not do full justice to both of these elements is unscriptural. See Phil. 2:12, 13; 2 Thess. 2:13. Although it is true that God brings his work to completion, it is equally true that when God has once begun his work in men, the latter by no means remain merely passive instruments!

II. Partnership in the Gospel Involves Costly Love (v7-8)

Though the relationship is built on a gospel foundation, it by no means lacks love or personableness.

It is neither cold nor distant, but warm and personal.

Listen to Paul’s language

“Feel this way about you”

“I hold you in my heart”

“Yearn for you with the affection of Christ Jesus”

A love patterned after Christ’s

III. Partnership in the Gospel Directs our Prayers (v9-11)

Because Paul’s love is rooted in the Gospel, his prayers are similarly focused.

The Substance of the prayer: Spiritual

Love, Knowledge, and Discernment

So that they may spprove

So that they may be fruitful

So that God may be glorified.

Fruit from God, for his Glory.