The Gospel At Work In You

“The Gospel at Work in You”

Philippians 1:1–11

Ok, I can be honest with myself: I need to lose weight.

This isn’t about vanity—it’s about health. I’ve felt it in my energy levels, my sleep, and the way my clothes fit. I remember back in December thinking, “I really need to get serious about this.”

So I made a plan. I thought, “Don’t be like everybody else and start in January. That’s too cliché. I’ll start in February.”

Then February turned into March. March became April. Now I’m aiming for July.

And let’s just say—I’m still in the “planning phase.”

We laugh, but most of us know what it’s like to start something with good intentions… and never finish. A fitness plan. A prayer habit. A reconciliation attempt. A calling. We mean well—but life, discouragement, and distraction all get in the way.

That’s why I am so thankful that Jesus is better at following through than I am.

Paul puts it beautifully in Philippians 1:6:

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

That one verse gives me hope—not because I’m good at sticking with the plan, but because He is.

He doesn’t give up halfway. He doesn’t stall out. He doesn’t abandon the work.

If God started something in you—He intends to finish it.

So if you’ve ever felt stuck in your faith, stalled in your growth, or just unsure of where you stand with God, Paul has a word for you today:

The Gospel isn’t just how you begin—it’s how you keep going. And it’s how you’ll finish.

Let’s begin with this truth:

The Gospel begins the work.

Philippians 1

New International Version

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons2 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.7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Point 1 – The Gospel Begins the Work

Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you…”

I want you to imagine Paul in a Roman prison cell.

He’s chained up, cut off from the churches he loves, uncertain what the next day might hold. And yet, he sits down to write—not a complaint, not a resignation letter—but a letter full of joy and confidence. And in the opening section, he writes these powerful words:

“I am confident of this: He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Paul’s reminding his friends in Philippi of something they may have forgotten in the middle of conflict and pressure:

God started this. Not you. And God finishes what He starts.

I remember when I was in my late teens/very early 20’s—I knew I needed God. I really did.

But I also knew myself. I knew my habits. I knew my inconsistencies. I knew how often I started things and didn’t finish them.

I didn’t have a plan.

But God had a plan.

And that’s how grace works.

Grace doesn’t wait for us to have it all together.

Grace doesn’t ask for a five-year spiritual strategy.

Grace starts showing up before we even know we’re being pursued.

That’s what Paul is saying here: the good work that’s happening in you? God is the One who started it. Long before you understood it. Long before you said “yes” with clarity. Long before you felt qualified.

In our tradition, we call that prevenient grace—grace that goes before. Grace that draws us in when we aren’t even looking. Grace that nudges us toward the light even when we’re still sitting in the dark.

Some of you may be here today and you’re not even sure why. You didn’t plan to be here. You just showed up. You’re not sure what you believe or where you stand. But something—or maybe Someone—has been stirring inside you.