SERIES: “The Book of Philippians”
TEXT: Philippians 1:1-11
MESSAGE: “A Thankful Heart”
What are you thankful for?
TEXT: Philippians 1:1-11
As Paul thinks about the church in Philippi, what do you we see him thankful for? He’s thankful for…(1. Divine Intervention 2. Relentless Grace 3. Knowing Jesus)
- Divine Interventions (v. 3-5)
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
v. 3 — “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you…”
“We should recognize that God in His providence often directs our path by shutting doors. Paul was prohibited from ministering in Asia and Bithynia (Acts 16:6-7). If you read missionary biographies, it’s surprising how some of the most influential ones wanted to go somewhere other than where they ended up serving. So your task is to faithfully carry out the work that God gives you day by day, and to be ready and willing to change directions as the Holy Spirit leads.” — Tony Merida
“In friendship…we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another…the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting–any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.” ― C.S. Lewis
2. Pursuing Grace (v. 6-7)
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”
3. Knowing Jesus (v. 8-11)
“For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so 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.”
TAKEAWAY: How does this apply to our lives?
- Live in the present
“Perhaps you’re spending too much time trying to plan the next 10 years of your life and not enough time planning the next 10 days. Don’t wait to live your life. Stop worrying about your ‘life plan’ and simply follow Jesus right now.” — Tony Merida
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10
- Examine the past
- Lean into providential relationships
- Walk in step with God
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” — Galatians 5:25
“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” — Philippians 1:2