Title: You Can Win/Philippians 1:6-11
Content: You can win/Philippians 1:6-11
Key Verse: “We are convinced of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus” (verse 6).
Word: People react in two ways in a big crisis. There are people who give up thinking that ‘it can’t be helped’ by their own strength. On the other hand, there are many people who take on the crisis and overcome various difficulties and win. In this text, we can meet the great evangelist Paul, who shows victory and joy in a desperate situation. Paul is writing this letter to the Philippian church members while imprisoned in a Roman prison. He proclaims the greatest joy even in the worst situations, saying that Christians can triumph in any situation.
First, you can win because God started it. Paul had confidence when he spoke Philippians 1:6. It is the conviction that “what God has begun, God will surely complete”. It is God who initiated the good work (salvation). Therefore, God is with us and gives us victory in the end. If we completely stand and obey God's will, we will surely win. The reason Christians fail is because we do our own will and our own will.
Second, we have victory because the Lord is in us. As Paul said, “God is my witness of how I long for you all with the heart of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:8), the blood of Christ flows in Paul's heart. The blood of Christ flowing in Paul's heart also flows in our hearts who confess Jesus as the Christ. Therefore, Christians are a community of love formed through the love and life of Christ. Just as Christ overcame the world, we who have the heart of Christ can also overcome (John 16:33). “Remain in me, and I will abide in you” (John 15:4). The secret of Christian victory is “in the Lord.”
Third, we can win because we have prayer. As Paul said, “I pray that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all understanding” (Philippians 1:9), Paul prayed for the Saints in Philippi. Praying saints, praying churches, and praying nations do not perish. Praying saints are victorious. Praying families are happy. A church that prays is revitalized. Why do Christians need to win? Because the world gathers and moves around the victor. Be a victor by putting Jesus in your heart and working hard in prayer. Show the world the victor. Only then will they listen to the gospel we preach and believe in God.
Prayer: Praise the Lord who dwells in us, and thank you for giving us the weapon of ‘prayer’ to assure us that we can surely win. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Lord's Prayer