The Apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome around the year 62, and it was from there that he wrote to the church in Philippi. As the founder of the church in Philippi, the Holy Spirit was stirring within Paul to write to his brothers and sisters of faith whom he had partnered with in sharing the Gospel message of Christ Jesus. Paul allowed the Holy Spirit to work through him in this letter as he sought to be an encourager of their faith.
Friends, as brothers and sisters of faith, you and I must call on the Holy Spirit for wisdom as we read Paul’s letter. Just as our brothers and sisters from the church in Philippi whom Paul initially wrote to, you and I are a part of the same Church (Christ’s Body) and we too can receive holy guidance from the Holy Spirit; we just simply need to ask for growing knowledge and understanding (or for God’s wisdom).
Paul’s message aligns with Pastor Mary’s message from yesterday’s sermon: we are one united Body or Church through our salvation in Christ Jesus, we are called to share the Gospel message of Jesus’s love, and we must love one another by the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) no matter what. Please don’t miss that we need to be prepared for Christ Jesus’s return. Paul mentions Jesus’s return twice within today’s passage, and we need to be ready.
Philippians 1:3-11 (NLT)
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Paul’s letter. Holy Spirit, we need Your guiding wisdom to operate in and through us. Help us to be carriers of the Gospel message and to share and spread the love of Jesus. Grow in us Your: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Let us see people how You see them, Jesus. Allow our hearts to soften so that we can experience loving others as You love them. We want to be ready for Your return, and we want to bring more hearts to know You. Use us today to grow Your Kingdom, Lord Jesus. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.