He Who Began the Work Will Finish It!

Paul is thankful for the people at Philippi, and he writes the book of Philippians to encourage them.  He wants to remind them that God is working for them, caring for them.   Paul found great joy and encouragement in the work of God, and sought to share it with others.

A church should be a place where we share encouragement with others, where we share the love of God with everyone.  Church is a place for people to give and receive.  We are to conduits of the love of God and share with others.


Another encouragement Paul shares is that God is still working in their lives.  It can become difficult in dark circumstances to see where God is working. But God started the work in us, and will not stop until the work is done!

How is God working in your life now?  Look around and see!


Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 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. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; - Phl 1:1-10 NASB

Saints In Christ, At Philippi

What do you expect to see when you come to church Sunday morning?  Family, friends, a full pot of coffee, or your favorite type of donuts are all something you might see at First Baptist Tishomingo.

But in Pauls letter to the church at Philippi, Paul tells we will something we might not expect.  Saints.  That's Pauls opening words in the book of Philippians, which we will start studying this Sunday.  

Saints conjures up all sorts of images of men in robes, white hair, and halos.  Or of women dressed simply who make great sacrifices for the world.  But Paul tells us that we are all saints, or literally "holy ones"  The body of Christ is made up of saints.  Not because of what we have done, but because of what God has done for us.  

You can find saints anywhere that you find people who have committed their lives to Christ and been cleansed by His blood.  Even in Tishomingo!

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 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. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:1-8