01 Joy In Partnership Series

Happy New Year! I’m so thankful that you’ve joined us in worship today! Let me guess — some of us probably made a resolution or two, did some self-evaluation, and set a few goals for the upcoming year. That’s something most of us do, and let me just say it’s a good thing. It’s important to take a step back and reflect: What went well? What should we continue to do? Are there areas that need improvement? How can we create new habits that move us in a positive direction?

Maybe for this New Year, you’ve decided to make some changes. For many of us, it’s all about eating healthier and exercising more. Others might be focused on decluttering, finally tackling that overflowing closet. Often we pursue a spiritual focus, like carving out intentional time for prayer, reading through the Bible, fasting, or recommitting to consistent church attendance and involvement.

Resolutions are great, but here’s the problem—and we all know this to be true. By the time February rolls around, many of us have already given up. Why is that? What makes it so difficult to stay the course?

One key reason is this: It’s hard to keep going when we’re trying to do it all alone. That’s why gyms are packed in January but practically empty by March. Studies show that people who join a group fitness class or find a workout buddy are far more likely to stick with their goals. You know why? Because they’re not doing it alone. Having someone by your side brings encouragement, accountability, and let’s be honest, a little extra joy in the process.

That’s true for New Year’s resolutions, but it’s also true for our spiritual journey. God never intended for us to walk this path alone. And in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we see this same truth applied to something far more important than fitness goals or decluttering closets. Paul’s joy wasn’t found in his circumstances — it was rooted in the shared mission he had with the Philippian believers. They were partners in the gospel, and that partnership brought Paul great joy, even in the midst of a Roman prison cell.

This is what we’ll see today: Joy flourishes when we share in God’s mission together.

As we begin this new year, we’re kicking off a series of messages through the Book of Philippians called Defiant Joy. If you have your Bible with you — and I hope you do — turn with me to Philippians. This letter, written by Paul around AD 60 while he was imprisoned in Rome, radiates with joy. But this isn’t a fleeting, feel-good emotion. It’s a defiant joy — a joy that defies circumstances and points us to something much greater.

Let’s look at Philippians 1:1-11 together and unpack what Paul says. Let’s begin with verses 1 & 2 …

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

These opening verses set the stage for us. Paul, writing with Timothy by his side, addresses this letter to the church in Philippi, a specific group of believers who were dear to his heart. He mentions the "overseers" (pastors and elders, the servant leaders of the church) and "deacons" (the lead servants of the church). Paul begins with a typical blessing: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Once the stage is set, Paul’s message begins. In verses 3-11, we see his heart poured out in a prayer of thanksgiving, affection, and hope. And it begins in verses 3-6 with …

I. A Joyful Remembrance (vs. 3-6)

Follow along beginning at verse 3: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Paul begins his letter with a heartfelt expression of gratitude: "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you." What a powerful way to start!

From the very first words of his prayer, Paul’s joy shines through. He’s writing from prison unsure if he will live or die, yet he isn’t consumed with complaints or self-pity. Instead, his mind is filled with thoughts of the church at Philippi, and every remembrance of them stirs up thanksgiving in his heart.

Why is Paul so thankful? It’s because of their fellowship in the work of the Gospel! Look again at what verse 5 tells us. It gives us the source for Paul’s thankfulness and joy. He says that he offers “... prayer with joy ... in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now."