Partakers together of God’s Grace Philippians 1:1-11

Pause for thought

Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian church from prison in Rome in about A.D. 61, having previously preached the Gospel and established the church in Philippi in about A.D. 51. It soon becomes apparent as we read this epistle that Paul had a very special attachment to these believers 1:3 and Acts 16

Although they were not in prison with Paul they were standing with him in prayer and material support as they had done throughout the previous ten years right up to and during Paul’s Roman imprisonment. They didn’t let his imprisonment deter them they really understood what it meant to share with Paul in the ministry of Christ.To them remembering Paul “in the spirit” was no empty phrase! 1:7

Perhaps you sometimes think that your not making progress in your journey as a christian? But you can be certain that what God began in you when you accepted Christ He will finish! It started when Jesus died for you and will finish when Jesus returns for you! You are saved, you are being saved, and you will be saved, the process of growing as a Christian continues until Jesus returns 1:6

Our love for one another should be based on what Christ has done for us not on feelings, this was the love that bound Paul and the believers at Philippi together. I believe that just as our born again experience is supernatural so is the birth and the growth of the local church, we are brought together by God. This is another reason why Paul lays so much importance in 1:9-10 that we seek with the Spirits help knowledge and discernment about the things that really matter so that we continue to grow in our love for each other. As Paul says so that we can live sincere and without offence until Jesus returns.

Paul had faith that his prayers were being answered 1:8-9. The best way to influence others for Christ is to keep them before the Lord in prayer 1:10

memory verse

And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. Philippians 1:6 N.L.T.

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