Philippians 1:1–11 (ESV) - Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 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. 7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

“Grace to you” – a gift none of us deserve.

· Salvation - rich spiritual blessings in Christ, only true because of Jesus

· Strength for living – not only saved from something but saved to something

· We are ministers of God’s grace to others – active priests in God’s kingdom work

“And peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”

· Peace through reconciliation with God – no longer enemies of God

· Peace in life (assurance, faith, trust, hope) – a peace distinct from the world

· Peace with one another – supernaturally enabled by the Holy Spirit

A prayer of thankfulness and joy because of their “partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

· God’s faithfulness demands and inspires our faithfulness.

· Partnership in the gospel – it is the gospel that brings us together – in Christ

· We pursue mission together

Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV) - And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

“And 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.”

· Not only the first day until now, but future forward…until the day of Jesus Christ

· The mission started with God (he who began) and he will complete it.

· The mission is eternal/timeless, clear, always relevant, God’s power, God’s steadfast love and justice, God’s faithfulness

Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV) - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

“And it is my prayer…”

· “That your love may abound more and more...”

· “with knowledge and discernment...”

· “so that you may approve what is excellent...”

· Because it is only through the will and way of God in Christ Jesus that we have any chance “to be pure and blameless for the day of Christ Jesus, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ...”

· May we live “to the glory and praise of God!”

Discussion Questions
1. Share a reflection on your life with Jesus. What's one word you would use to describe your Christian life? (If you're not a Christian, share one word to describe what you think of Christianity.)

2. Describe at least one way you know God has been faithful to you.

3. Paul mentions being "partners in the gospel". In your own words, share what you understand Paul to mean by this.

4. Philippians 1:6 is quoted often. Who is this verse completely dependent on and why is that important?

5. In follow up to question 4, what is our part in cooperating with the work of God in our life?