Title: The Apostle's Thanksgiving and Joy
Contents
3. The Apostle's Thanksgiving and Joy (1:5-8)
Before God, thanksgiving and prayer go together. This is the true face of the Christian life.
1. Apostle's thanks = Paul's reason for thanks
① Unity of the Philippians (1:5) “Because of your fellowship in the gospel”
= I am grateful for the fellowship of the saints.
The growth of faith of the saints is formed through the reconciliation of the saints.
② The Philippians are very interested (4:10) “I rejoice greatly in the Lord, because what you thought about me now sprouts again”
= Thank you for your material help for the evangelist Paul.
Even in difficult circumstances, the Philippians were zealous in donating money for the work of the gospel of God.
③ Good almsgiving from the Philippians (4:15) “You Philippians, you know that, in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church in your family took part in my work of giving and receiving.”
= The important work for the church is education and mission, and then relief.
(1:6) “We are sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.”
2. The Apostle's Joy = The cause of rejoicing “For all of you, I always make supplications with joy” (1:4).
① God who began the good work (1:6) “He who began the good work in you”
= I did not start a good work, but God is starting a good work in me.
② God who accomplishes good works (1:6) “We are convinced that he will do it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
a. God who protects = “He who began a good work in you”
God protects His people to the end.
(John 10:27) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27).
b. God who makes the will
(John 6:39) “This is the will of him who sent me, that I should not lose any of those who have given me, but raise them up on the last day.” = Opinion of the Saints
(1 Corinthians 1:8) “The Lord will establish you blameless to the end on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
③ God who works good works in us = “He who began a good work in you”
‘In us’ = God in our person, ‘good works’ = participating in the gospel ministry
(2 Timothy 4:18) “The Lord will deliver me from the evil of my root and will save me to enter his kingdom of heaven; to him be the glory forever and ever.”