Philippians 1:1-11

            Philippi was a strategic place in the advance of the gospel. It was the first church formed in Europe. It is impossible to say what might have happened, but imagine if Paul did not manage to establish a church in Europe? Would Europe have been captured for Christ? Obviously, the Lord knew what He was doing. Paul wanted to go to Asia but the Spirit moved then towards Europe (Acts 16:6-10).

            So it was some twenty years after Christ was crucified, risen, and then ascended into heaven when a small band of travellers crossed over to Europe and trekked for about ten miles towards Philippi. What would other travellers have made of this small band who were bringing the gospel to a lost continent? Many would not give them a second look. They would only be in Philippi for a few months.

            Many years after this visit to Philippi, Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians whilst he was in prion (probably in Rome). In this letter he shows how much he loved them. He had only been with them for a short time and yet he could write: “I have you in my heart” (Philippians 1:7), and “I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:8). I was in constant prayer for them all (Philippians 1:2,4,9). Paul was thinking not of his struggles in prison – the difficult conditions, the poor food, his jailers and so on, but was moved with compassion for those in Philippi. How is it that Paul could have no thought of his troubles and only expressed his concern and care for the Philippians? It was because he knew that these folk had been born again of the Spirit. He was confident of their faith in Christ. Paul was concerned to give the Philippian Christians a message of confidence in Christ. So our text for this morning is found in verse 6 which states: “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We shall consider this using some questions. Philippi was a strategic location for further advance into Europe, and Roch is also strategic for the advance of the gospel in Pembrokeshire and further north. This is a work of God. So the Lord will build His church (Matthew 16:18), for that which He has started, He will definitely complete.

[1] Who began this work?

            It is God, and God alone who began the work. We are all like lost and helpless sheep. Only the good Shepherd will gather His lost sheep and take care of them. A true believer is one who has been “delivered” from “the power of darkness,” and has been “conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13). None could do this for themselves. God did it. If we truly believe, we have been transferred from one realm to another and there is no going back. The price of transfer (Christ’s death) has been paid in full. In Ephesians we read about our being “dead in trespasses and sins” and about the rich mercy of God who “made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:1,5). We were lost sheep, we were under the power of darkness, and we were dead in sins, and yet God gathered us, transferred us into His kingdom, and made us newborn creatures!    In Acts 16 we read of two significant conversions in Philippi. First there was a woman called “Lydia” whose mind the Lord opened when she heard Paul speaking (Acts 16:14,15). Then there was the Philippian Jailer who, after the dramatic events of the night when Paul and Silas were imprisoned, called out: “sirs, what must I do to be saved?” to which the reply was: “believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30,31). A person must believe on the Lord Jesus, this is essential, but if a person wants true life then also a person must have their minds opened by the Lord.

[2] How will God continue this work?

            We may feel very vulnerable. How can I carry on? We may feel terribly weak. What will happen and how will I keep walking in faith? But take confidence! If God began the work in you He will most certainly carry it on. But how? Well here are four things to consider;

[a] Because we know He said it!

            A bit later on in Philippians we read an exhortation to “work out” our salvation “with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12), but then Paul adds these wonderful words: “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). It is God who is doing this work and He will carry on doing it! God works in those who are humble and contrite. A presumptuous and proud person who claims to have done everything through their own power ought not to expect the Lord’s approval. He gives grace to the humble and resists the proud (James 4:6; 1Peter 5:5). The Lord works though and in our weaknesses. To Paul the Lord spoke these words: “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2Corinthians 12:9), and so when we are weak, we are strong with the strength God supplies.

[b] Through His word.

            The word of God is effective. Newborn babes are exhorted by Peter to “desire the pure milk of the word” in order that they “may grow thereby” (1Peter 2:2). The night before He died the Lord Jesus prayed to the Father and during His prayer He showed how important the word of God is. He said: “sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). We are made new by the word (James 1:18; 1Peter 1:23), and our growth and being made holy (sanctification) is effected by means of the word too. How important it is to study and read the Lord’s word!

[c] Through the church.

            The fellowship of godly believers is vital. Each believer has a different gift, and each of these are necessary for the growth of the whole body. C. S. Lewis once said that when you lose someone, something of you dies too, because that friend you have lost brought something out of you that no other could. We need one another for encouragement. But we also need one another to know off the sharp edges too!

[d] Through suffering.

            The life of Joseph is a prime example of how suffering brings about growth and life. But this is simply a preview of the suffering that Christ underwent to bring us life.

We must lean wholly upon God. He is our strength. We must rely completely upon His word, for His counsel is true. We must be a part of the fellowship for the Lord is growing His kingdom. We must bear under the trials and tribulations of life, for these are sent to refine us, and God is sovereign over all.

[3] Will this work ever fail?

            Since it is God’s work the only answer to this question is: NO! Humans may fail and give up. The Lord has promised that He will “not break” the “bruised reed,” and “He will not quench” the “smoking flax” (Isaiah 42:3). The Lord makes it abundantly clear that he will never leave nor forsake His people. We may give up on ourselves but God will never give up.

[4] How will God finish this work?

            Ultimately we do not know in detail. But one thing is clear, He will make us fit for heaven and “we shall be like Him” on that last day (1John 3:2). Could we ever say to the Lord: “I did … and I did …” when He returns? By no means! What we will say (if we are truly His) is something like this: “I am your workmanship which You have created to walk in those things which You prepared beforehand for me to walk in” (Ephesians 2:10).

Let mend with words from 1Thessalonians 5:23,24:

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Amen!