THE GOOD WORK OF GOD
January 12th, 2009 by Todd JohnsonSunday morning we opened Philippians once again to consider the GOOD WORK OF GOD.
Phil 1:6 ESV 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
God had done a great work in Philippi for which Paul was thankful, prayerful & joyful. God has done a similar work in all of our lives and in the church today for which I am thankful, prayerful & joyful!
These are the headings we hung our thoughts on:
- The AUTHOR of this work – it is God!
- The NATURE of this work – it is within you!
- The PURPOSE of this work – to prepare you for the day of Christ Jesus!
- The CERTAINTY of this work – as sure as the character of God Himself – “I am sure of this” says Paul!!!
Any thoughts from the message? I’d love to hear and talk about it.
Todd- Just this past week I was in conversation with a student at NU who is involved with our B-ball team and whose family is checking out Crossroads, about how God views us as His “workmanship” (Eph 2:10), or His Poem (Greek). My point was simple- every half-decent human author puts great thought into his poem, great energy, with utmost care even to the “finishing touches” (to quote you). The author sees great value in the poem, far before anyone else sees anything special. So to (and infinitely more!) The Author with us, His poem. The poem is not the author, but it is a real expression of the author; likewise, we aren’t a bunch of little gods running around (like so many pretend), but when He works in us, we begin to become His expression. Your message picked up nicely where we left off, and boy did you run with it! The family is coming on Sunday, so prayer is needed. Also, I loved the ESV use of “sure” in v.6, as opposed to the NKJV’s using “confidence” there. I know that you weren’t making a mountain outta a molehill, but you were right to point it out because I had “confidence” that the Chargers could win in Pittsburgh on Sunday, but I certainly wasn’t “sure” of it. Point-ESV. Thanks for the message, and I’ll keep you up to speed on what the Lord does with that student/family. Blessings.
Philippians 1:6 is indeed one of my “life verses.” There have been countless times when I’ve been in the depths of a recurring sin or think that I’ve hit a brick wall in my Walk when this verse hasn’t encouraged me. For me, the companion verse is 2 Peter 3:8: “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Even though the good work doesn’t seem to be happening or you don’t think it’s happening fast enough, that work is taking place on God’s timetable and will be completed. If I am faithful and continue in Jesus, I can be certain of this.
Great stuff T. & Greg.
I’m blessed to read what you took away.
Thanks for sharing.
I really appreciated where he talked about how he is always thankful for them, every time he prays. Such joy Paul had in the body of Christ! I’m finding lately that I have great joy in just being around the body.
As we sang after the sermon, I was looking around a bit and just so grateful that God has let me and my family be a part of this big, wonderful, messy, flawed and glorious body of believers.
Me too, Chris. Me too.
It struck me how much Paul’s letter to the Philippian church sounds like a love letter from a man to his betrothed. The imagery is so full of affection and concern for her well being. I feel wonderfully secure when I listen to the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul to Philippi. Who wouldn’t want to love, serve and know better someone like the God Paul describes here?
We are a bride being prepared for marriage – to become completely one with the Son of God and blessed by His Father. I can’t wait for the wedding!!! And then, happily ever after – for real!