Philippians 1:1-6

Introduction – From Paul and Timothy, to the saints in Philippi.

Letter Form – From, To, Greeting or good wishes (Christians Prayer)

Paul is in Prison – Probably in Rome. AD 60 or so.

¹ Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the ^[a]saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, ^[b]including the overseers and deacons: ² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, ⁵ in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

There is a special bond among believers. Paul had a special bond with the Christians at Philippi.

What is it that causes that relationship among believers? How do you get to participate in those kind of friendships?

How are some believers robbed of this blessing?

Paul records that he continues to pray for his friends at Philippi. He prays for them with JOY.

He also mentions that their participation in the gospel (ongoing) is part of that prayer.

Why do you think Paul recorded that he was praying for this group?

What does it do for you to know that your brother or sister is praying for you?

When you pray for someone, do you tell them? Why or Why not?

Paul talks about God beginning and completing a good work in the believers at Philippi. It has been suggested that the good work that God had begun in this church was Salvation, the result of the Gospel.

3 Big Words Justification (experiencing salvation / accepting Christ as savior) Sanctification (the process of God molding his children into the person He wants them to be) Glorification (Final transformation into our glorified eternal condition)

One way to look at this good work is to see it as Sanctification, or God working in our lives to shape us into His people, who reflect His image.

This promise sounds so wonderful, and it really is, but sanctification can mean that God has to knock off a few rough edges in us, which can be painful at times.

How does God work in our lives to sanctify us?

I believe that the “Day of Christ Jesus” refers to the time when Jesus will return to earth to collect His church. This verse also is comforting to us because it is a promise that our salvation does not depend on our work, but on the work of the Lord.