Strong to the End
When Paul prayed for the Philippians, he as confident of God’s work in and among them.
“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.” (Philippians 1:3–6, NASB95)
What all was going on in this introduction to this letter to the Philippians? First, we should note that Paul prayed for them. This might seem obvious and not worth mentioning, but do you pray for your fellow small group participants? Whether you call it Sunday School, small groups, life groups, D groups, or any other label, do you pray for those you are closest to in your walk with Christ? Do you pray for the members of your church? Even those who do not attend? Do you pray for Christians of other churches, cities, states, and nations?
Next, he thanked God for them. Do you have people in your life for which you thank God? Do you thank God for those in your small group that challenge you to grow? Do you thank God for those who serve in your church so that you can have a comfortable, clean environment? Do you thank God for those who take care of your children, grandchildren, and youth? Do you thank God for those who help you worship through music, those who count the offering and help to make sure the bills are paid and money managed? Do you thank God for those who help with meals, cutting the grass, and smiling and welcoming members and guests on Sunday mornings? Do you thank God for the spouses and families of your pastors who often go without so that the pastors can be serving where they have been assigned or needed? Do you thank God for them with joy? Do you thank them for their service as well?
Additionally, Paul prayed with confidence for the work being done in them. He did not thank God that they worked harder than anyone else and were going to climb the mountain and somehow end up making their way to God. No, he thanked God and was confident of God’s work in and through them. What is God doing in your life through your church? What is God doing in your church through you? Are you sure that God has put your church there on your property (rented or owned) to be the lighthouse to your community or portion thereof?
Paul was sure that God had saved them and was going to carry the work on until Jesus came back. What is the history of your church? What is the testimony of the generations who came before you in your church, if any? What has your church stood for in the past as regarding the gospel? The same God that enabled the planting of your church, the establishment of your church, and the growth of your church is the same God that is still working in His world today. Did your church start with a firm commitment to the Word of God? If you follow God, He will continue that legacy.
Lastly, Paul prayed confident that God would carry them through to the day that Jesus returns. Do you long for that day as much as Paul? He looked so forward to that day that it was a regular part of his prayers. Is it yours?
Paul prayed for the Philippians asking God to work with them just like He had when He had started. Let’s pray that same way for our fellow Christians, our churches and our nation and anticipate and expect God to answer like Paul did when he prayed for the Philippians.