In today’s passage, we encounter the first words of Paul to the Philippians. Words that hold great meaning and are unquestionably delivered with deep thankful joy—but, in what?

The Past: By thanking God, Paul is assigning authority and supremacy to God in the work and spread of the gospel, specifically here as it relates to the Philippians.

The Present Paul is thankful for their partnership in the gospel. If we take a look forward to Philippians 4.15, we find that this partnership is defined as by the act of giving and receiving.

The Future: He’s thankful for the promise that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at (or until) the day of Jesus

Finally, this joy and thanksgiving persist despite his circumstances, both in imprisonment and when seeing the confirmation of the gospel. As we move through this season of Advent, we are all coming from different places, but I encourage us all, regardless of our circumstances, to look back at Gods goodness, look around at how God is working in your life, and look forward to His return and the completion of His work.

[Philippians 1.3-7]

3 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. 6 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.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What can I thank God for when I look back?

+ What can I thank God for when I look around?

+ What can I thank God for when I look ahead?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How do we use our prayers and thoughts? Do we use them to reflect on the saving grace and work of Jesus both in our own lives and in the lives of others?

+ According to vv. 9-10 (extra credit reading!), the completed work in v. 6 is the result of perfect knowledge of who Jesus is, which will only come with His return. However, in the meantime, we can continue to improve our ability to love and approve what is excellent as we try and learn and become more like Jesus. How are you pursuing perfect love? And, is that “love” defined by Jesus or the world?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who am I walking with that can hold me accountable to living a life of obedience to Jesus?

+ Who were those people? Do we spend time thanking the Lord for those He has placed in our lives who give to and support us? This could be financially, but with their time, teaching, friendship, encouragement, and continued pursuit of our hearts, or do we focus on the individuals or ways people are not in partnership with us?

+ Who has God placed in my life that I can tell about the radical work of Jesus in my life?