Tomorrow is Labor Day. Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
I have been continuing my journey through the New Testament and Paul’s letters to the various churches. These letters are very insightful and show us the foundational doctrinal faiths of the New Covent. They are the playbook so to speak on living for Christ Jesus as a born again believer.
There are so many things we can learn from reading God’s word and the instruction that Paul gave to the various Churches. But this morning at 5:30am the Lord woke me up with this scripture which will be the focus of our time together this morning:
Philippians 1:6
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
****I will tell you that I have heard this passage of scripture many times as my grandfather Bennett would end every prayer he prayed with this scripture. From a young child I remember and I can still hear his voice: It did not matter if he was praying over the offering, or blessing a bucket of Kentucky fried Chicken. He would end by praying this but in a personalized way: He would say: “and we are confidence of this very thing, you who have begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”.
I never asked Grandpa why he closed his prayers that way but as a young child, it made an impression on me. Why? Because he prayed it with such confidence. Grandpa personalized this scripture and he was confident of several things:
- He was confident that God had begun to work in his life.
- He was confident that what God was doing was a good work.
- He was confident that God was going to continue the work he had started
- He knew it was all going to be completed the Day of Jesus Christ
I want to ask you a question this morning: Are you confident of anything today?
Are you confident that God is working in your life for good?
Let’s go back and look at this passage of scripture in context:
Philippians 1:1-11
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Philippians is a letter about joy. Writing from prison, Paul describes the joys of following Christ and persevering for the gospel, and the secret to being content in any situation. We know from the letter that the Philippians were facing a lot of hardship (and Paul wasn’t exactly living the high life himself).
The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians to thank them. They had sent him a financial gift through a man named Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus also went above and beyond to help Paul with his work (Philippians 2:30). Additionally, the Philippian church supported Paul when he was imprisoned before (Acts 16). So part of the reason Paul wrote this letter was to say “I received your gift and I appreciate you.”
He specifically thanks the Philippians in his closing remarks:
Philippians 4:8-20
King James Version
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
***In Summary of our Introduction this morning: Paul is in prison or under house arrest and he writes to the New Church at Phillip to encourage them in their walk with the Lord and to thank them for sending an offering of support. He also wants them to know that Epaphroditus who brought the offering from the Philippians to Paul was sick but has recovered. He wants them to know he misses them and wants to come see them but for now he cannot.
Paul wants them to know that he “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”
and that “my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.
***There are so many powerful statements made by Paul in this letter, many of which we memorize and quote. One of my favorites is Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I believe this was one of the first scriptures I memorized. I was in daycare as a 4 or 5 year old and the teachers told my parents that I quoted this scripture to one of my classmates who was having trouble going potty during our break time. I do not remember the incident directly but I can imagine myself saying in perfect 5 year old King James: you can do it because the bible says I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.
***So in the context of all we know about the letter Paul is writing to the Church at Philippi, lets go back to our key verse:
Philippians 1:66 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
***The 1st point of the message today: God wants you to be confident in him and what he is doing in your life.
I want to expand your understanding of this word Paul uses. Paul says the greek word Pitho
**Means: Trust, Confidence, be persuaded
Jeremiah 29:11 (The Hallmark Scripture)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
1 John 5:14-15
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
***The writer of the book of Hebrews at the end of the chapter 11, the famous Chapter of the great men and women of Faith makes this statement:
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of G3982 them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
The 1st point of the message today: God wants you to be confident in him and what he is doing in your life.
***God wants you to be Confident in Him, Persuaded in him and Trusting in him!
*** You may say today, Pastor Jon I do not have that level of confidence in God…..
Lets see what John has to say about that:
1 John 3:17-24
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
***The 2nd point of the message this morning: Your confidence in God is directly associated with how you live your life and how you manage your money.
***Jesus is speaking to his disciples about how difficult is it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God and he says in Mark 10:24
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust G3982 in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
1 John 3:17 we just read tells us that the way we handle our money determines the level of God’s love is in us.
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
You may say that is not modern. The world has changed since the bible was written…I am glad you brought that up.
You see I am an American and as an American, we have the 1st amendment freedom of speech!
You see the bible is not the only place that speaks to the powerful voice that money has.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310 (2010), is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States regarding campaign finance laws and free speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The court held 5–4 that the freedom of speech clause of the First Amendment prohibits the government from restricting independent expenditures for political campaigns by corporations, nonprofit organizations, labor unions, and other associations. ***In essence the supreme court says the way you spend you money is the same as what you say***. My friends Money talks, Chicken Poop walks
***Listen to what Paul tells Timothy about handling of finances**.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
The 1st point of the message today: God wants you to be confident in him and what he is doing in your life.
***The 2nd point of the message this morning: Your confidence in God is directly associated with how you live your life and how you manage your money.
***Back to our key verse**
Philippians 1:66 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
I want to talk for a few minutes about the 2nd part of this scripture and that is the word Perform. This word Pronunciation ep-ee-tel-eh'-o in greek means: to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete:
*** The 3rd point of the message today: God is going to complete and perfect what he is doing in your life.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Galatians 3:1-3
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Ephesians 4
King James Version
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Philippians 1:66 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
The 1st point of the message today: God wants you to be confident in him and what he is doing in your life.
***The 2nd point of the message this morning: Your confidence in God is directly associated with how you live your life and how you manage your money.
*** The 3rd point of the message today: God is going to complete and perfect what he is doing in your life.
***The 4th and Closing point of the message today: God’s perfect work in our lives will be complete when we are united with Jesus, body, soul and spirit.
***Paul makes the statement at the end of Philippians 1:6 that this good work that God is doing in our lives is going to continue until the day of Jesus Christ.
It was in the early 1940s that a women named Ester wrote the hymn:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
At the end of the Love Chapter Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth he makes this statement:
1 Corinthians 13:10-12
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
***The 4th and Closing point of the message today: God’s perfect work in our lives will be complete when we are united with Jesus, body, soul and spirit.
Hebrews 4:8-11
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Philippians 3:20-21
King James Version
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
The 1st point of the message today: God wants you to be confident in him and what he is doing in your life.
***The 2nd point of the message this morning: Your confidence in God is directly associated with how you live your life and how you manage your money.
*** The 3rd point of the message today: God is going to complete and perfect what he is doing in your life.
***The 4th and Closing point of the message today: God’s perfect work in our lives will be complete when we are united with Jesus, body, soul and spirit.