Philippians 1:1-11
The grace of God through Jesus Christ enables us to live life for His glory
1. By God’s grace, we can have joy in Him
· We can have joy because of what He has done & who we are now in Him
· We can have joy in fellowship
· We can have joy because He is at work in our lives.
· We can have joy that is found in the assurance that He will bring His work to completion
2. By God’s grace, we can live for what matters
· Partnering together in the gospel
-Financially
-Through sharing the gospel ourselves
-Through prayer
· Partaking of His grace
-Defending and confirming the gospel through how we live
· Living for His glory
-No longer living for ourselves
2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
3. By God’s grace we can bear fruit for Him
· Fruit from loving with knowledge & discernment
-Knowing Christ Jesus
-Love is expressed in wise actions that benefit others and glorify God
-Understanding how to live by applying our knowledge of God
· Fruit from dependence on Jesus
· Fruit that is sure because of Him
-The foundation for spiritual growth is recognizing that God began the work in us and that God will bring it to completion
-He will bring His work to completion at the day of Christ
-He will fill us with righteous fruit to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
-Any fruit we bear comes through Jesus and results in His praise
By God’s grace we can have joy in Christ, through God’s grace we can live for Christ and bear fruit for Christ and all of this results in our living God glorifying lives that truly matter.
Potential Application Questions:
1. How does experiencing joy in Christ relate to remembering who we are in Christ as His holy people?
2. Where are we tempted to take our eyes off Christ as our true hope for joy?
3. How can we practically experience joy through fellowship with others in the church?
4. What do you strive for, think about & talk about the most? What does this reveal about what you are living for?
5. Where is God calling you personally to respond and partner together in the gospel?
