1. The Craftsman Series

FROM START TO FINISH

PHILIPPIANS 1:6

1. THE CRAFTSMAN

INTRODUCTION:

It’s a New Year. You want this year to be different. You want this year to be better. But more than just having good stuff happen to you, you want to be a better person. Perhaps, if you are like me, you look back on last year and mixed in with all of the happy times and good memories, you see some old flaws and hang-ups and resolve that this year is going to be better. This year, YOU are going to be better.

We want to consider what it is that God is doing in our lives… from start to finish. From January to December. From Birth to Death. From Conception to eternity. What are we doing with our lives and what is God doing in our lives?

Have you ever gone to a big hotel or hospital or something where there are major renovations in process? Construction workers in hardhats and dusty clothes going in and out… areas sealed off with plastic…. Signs up… Please bear with us as we make some improvements or renovations.

I sometimes feel like I need a sign up that says… Pardon the mess. Work in Progress.

Today, I want to start by considering The Craftsman. This is the first thing I see in our scripture text. Philippians 1:6 (NIV) 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.

Let’s consider our confidence in our Craftsman.

Have you ever taken your car to a mechanic, and then you weren’t sure if you could trust them or if they were just milking you for all of the money they could get out of you?

When you choose a contractor for a major project, you need to know that they have the skill, experiences and integrity to get the job done right.

I sometimes think of God as a Great Craftsman. Jeremiah and Isaiah both referred to him as a Potter who is molding and shaping lives and events. Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

I. SKILL

Skill is the ability to do something well. Knowledge, experience and expertise are all involved in skill.

We could talk forever of the skill of God… Because he is infinite in power and wisdom.

Luke 1:37) For nothing will be impossible with God."

Psalms 135:5-7 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. 6) Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. 7) He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

HE SPECIALIZES IN WORKING IN HUMAN HEARTS AND LIVES…

Hebrews 7:25-27 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26) For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27) Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Revelation 19:6) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

II. EXPERIENCE

He’s undertaken a few big projects before. I think He can handle my life.

Genesis 1:1 After all… He created this world.

Job 26:7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.

Isaiah 40:25-28 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. 27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? 28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.