Philippians 1:3-11Today's message was a continuation to Paul's intro to his letter. We saw an incredible statement of confidence from Paul in verse 6: 6And 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.
The confidence of this statement is anchored in God Himself. It is God who started this Gospel Transformation Process - God who continues it - and God who will finish it!
* How did the confidence of Paul's statement impact you?
* We also talked about 3 terms related to the process, do you remember what they mean?
- Regeneration - Who regenerates sinners?
- Sanctification - Who sanctifies believers?
- Glorification - Who glorifies us in the day of Christ?
While the confident statement that God is at work in His children and will be faithful to complete that work brings assurance and encouragement, we were also challenged by some things.
Paul SAW Gospel Transformation at work in the Philippians - I listed 3 ways, do you remember any of them?
We were also challenged with the questions -
If Paul knew of NCCd, would he make such a confident assertion about us?
If he knew your family, would he make such a statement?
If he knew you, as an individual, could he say with confidence that God was at work and would finish His work?
Finally we saw that what took place in the Philippians and does in true believers is a radical transformation! We are not driven by religion or rules to "DO" all the right things -
What is it that drives us? Empowers us? Enables us?
How is this different than religion?
How did God speak to you through His word today?
If you missed this weeks sermon, it should be available on the "media" page of NCCd within by Monday or Tuesday.
5 comments:
Our God is amazing and great in His love and provision for us. All we must do is accept His generosity by faith, in our first encounter with Him as well in our walk. May God help us to not lose that amazement and awe of Himself as we walk this life. Joy is from realizing that the creator God is now the One Who calls you His beloved. HE is yours and you are His. Happiness is dependent on things happening (pleasant circumstances). Faith is a trust in the Lord that allows us to know that we are in the Everlasting Arms – no matter what is happening around us. “Lord, I know You are for me and not against me and I thank You and praise You.” What is it that drives us? The love of God. What empowers us? The love of God. What enables us? His gift of love. How is this different than religion? It’s all about Him – it’s about your relationship with Him – he is your Father and you are His child. Come to the Everlasting Arms. Religion is following a list of rules in an effort to be accepted. True Christianity is a coming to the end of oneself – melting away into the Father’s arms of acceptance through the sacrifice of Christ.
Good words Judd - thanks for posting.
This was so good, would you just do it again this Sunday?
One of the tough parts of gospel transformation for me has been the waiting. I mean, we have to wait for the completion of that transformation at "the day of Christ Jesus." I so wish sometimes that I could simply take off my old man like I take off my coat (Eph 4:22), and that I would then be done with it. In reality, my sinful nature has received the fatal blow through Jesus' crucifixion and my crucifixion with Him, but it will take the rest of my earthly life for my flesh to bleed out.
Reading earlier this week in Galatians I read, "For through the Spirit, by faith we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness." Eagerly is a good way to describe it - I want it somethin' serious! My hope as the beloved of Jesus, is to be in the presence of our great God and Savior, with my glorified/resurrected and sinless body. Ponder that - just try to imagine that - in HIS PRESENCE! I'm talking unhindered experience of HIS PRESENCE. What a day it will be! What joy there will be, what freedom (from sin, shame and guilty feelings, and freedom to worship recklessly) on that day and every one after it. No more hoping, or waiting, only experiencing and wondering at His infinite glory in ever increasing measure!
LORD, we look forward to your kingdom coming!
Deuteronomy 33:27 - The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!'
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Titus 3:5 - He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Philippians 4:6 & 7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:38 & 39 - For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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