Paul’s Prayer of Thanksgiving Philippians 1:3-8 Presented by Bob DeWaay September 5, 2004

Thanksgiving and Joy Philippians 1:3, 4 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all,

Fellowship in the Gospel Philippians 1:5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

A Gospel Family Mark 10:29, 30 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Paul’s Joy Over His Gospel Family Contrasts with Sorrow over Kinsmen Romans 9:1-3 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

God Finishes What He Starts Philippians 1:6 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.

God Finishes What He Starts Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Being Fellow Partakers of Grace Philippians 1:7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.

Other Churches Turned Against Paul 2Timonthy 1:15 You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

Paul’s Strong Affection for Them Philippians 1:8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Points of Application Always Thank God For Christians He Puts in Your Life How You Can Participate in the Gospel Live in View of God’s Eternal Purpose

Always Thank God For Christians He Puts in Your Life 1Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.

Always Thank God For Christians He Puts in Your Life Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.

How You Can Participate in the Gospel You should repent and believe the Gospel Luke 24:46, 47 He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations. . .”

How You Can Participate in the Gospel 2) You should participate in the means of grace Acts 2:42 And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

How You Can Participate in the Gospel 3) You should use your gifts for the furtherance of the ministry.

How You Can Participate in the Gospel 4) You should share your faith as God gives you opportunity. 1Peter 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Live in View of God’s Eternal Purpose Romans 8:29, 30 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Live in View of God’s Eternal Purpose Ephesians 3:11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love

Live in View of God’s Eternal Purpose 1John 3:2, 3 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.