Philippians 1
The Completed Work
August 18, 2019
Philippians 1:1-6 NIV
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 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.
Paul was probably in prison in Ephesus and knew that he would probably never see the people in Phillipi again.
Philippi was a Roman colony in Northern Greece and was the first city in Europe to hear about Jesus.
Acts 16 tells the story of Paul’s first visit to the city.
Paul and Silas were arrested and beaten in the city.
They were in prison, praying and singing, when an earthquake opened all the prison doors and broke off their chains.
They refused to escape and led many of the jailers to Christ.
The first convert in Philippi was a wealthy businesswoman named Lydia.
Acts 16:14-15a NIV
“One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.”
She was a worshipper of God, but the work in her life was just starting.
He who began a good work …
Paul was there when the good work began in their lives!!!
The work begins with an invitation from us.
We should welcome this work every day. We should welcome the discomfort of conviction.
Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
We should be skeptical of our own strength
Will carry it on …
The Story of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris - It took almost 200 years to finish.
Grandfathers, Fathers and Sons all helped build it.
To completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
It seems Paul was concerned the people were no longer living for eternity.
Later in chapter 3:14 – “I press on toward the goal.”
Chapter 3:20 “Our citizenship is in heaven”
Philippians 1:21 NIV
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain
We live in a world that is being redeemed. All that’s broken will be repaired.
We’re all unfinished and incomplete, but Jesus is right here, walking with us, until the work is done!
The Table:
Psalms 139:23-24 NIV
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
