It Starts Small

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:3-11

Paul may not have been able to engage in the extensive ministry he once relished. It was filled with travel and church planting. Nonetheless, he refused to let this setback dampen his spirit or halt his mission. Where there is a will, there is a way! Paul was fueled by an unwavering determination to spread the message of hope. He faced obstacles, yet relentlessly sought pathways to do so. Although his freedom to roam was limited, Paul poured his heart into sharing the love of Christ with those nearby. He did so with fervor. He also wrote moving letters to those he longed to visit. He lifted them up in prayer. His words kept their spirits alive.

We must never shy away from reaching out to others, regardless of the circumstances! Paul faced immense challenges but chose not to get lost in his own struggles. It would have been easy for him to wallow in self-pity. He could have waited for others to rally around him. Yet, he refused to rest on the accolades of his extensive ministry. Even from behind bars, he relentlessly sought ways to connect and uplift others. Illness, disability, persecution, age, or gender. None of these should ever deter us from the divine mission God has placed on our hearts. Living out our faith in the face of adversity serves as a powerful beacon of hope and inspiration for others!

If we truly harbor the burning passion to share the gospel, countless opportunities await us! If words escape your lips, let your pen become your voice. If sight eludes you, let your words soar as a beacon of hope. While soaring through the skies on a plane, seize the moment to connect with the person beside you. In the gentle embrace of a park, reach out to the lonely elderly souls in need of companionship. Even if your parents turn away, your message can still be delivered through heartfelt letters. Many people craft elaborate excuses for withholding the good news, but let’s tear down those barriers together! Here are just a few of their reasons:

•  I don’t know enough.
•  I am not good enough.
•  They will not listen to me.
•  I am busy. I will do it later.
•  I don’t have many opportunities.
•  I am scared/nervous.

Paul had a good “reason,” too, for not sharing the gospel. He was wrongfully imprisoned. But that didn’t stop Paul. We would do well to remember Paul’s statement in Romans 1:16.

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

In Exodus 3, Moses made many of these same excuses. And to every one of them, God replied, “I will be with you.” God will be with you. His Word is powerful.

²² Let them sacrifice thank offerings
    and tell of his works with songs of joy.

Psalms 107:22

Open your mouth and “tell of his deeds in songs of joy.”

As we delve into the letters penned by Paul, we feel the fervor in his prayers. He ministers to those for whom he writes. In nearly every letter, his commitment is intense. He passionately lifts up those in his care to God. We must adopt this example. We should fervently pray for those we reach out to. They may be our beloved children, eager students, dedicated Bible study members, or our cherished disciples. Let us strive to emulate his unwavering spirit in our own ministries!

What made Paul’s ministry shine with such extraordinary effectiveness? Was it his approach? Perhaps, but it’s only part of the equation. Did his level of education play a role? Certainly, it didn’t hinder him. But the real driving force was God’s incredible blessing! So, what triggered such divine favor? Paul was a fervent man of prayer, and through his earnest supplications, God ignited a movement of breathtaking magnitude! This leads me to ask you a question. Do you fervently pray for those you connect with? Do you pray for your co-workers, your family, your friends, and your beloved brothers and sisters in Christ?

What can we learn from Paul’s prayer?

He cherished every answer God provided, never taking them for granted. Paul poured out his heart in prayer, overflowing with thanksgiving. He recognized the incredible work God was accomplishing in the Philippians’ lives. His gratitude surged for that divine intervention (Philippians 1:6). Whenever God poured out His blessings upon Paul’s ministry, he responded with fervent thanks. We must inspire ourselves to do the same!

He was utterly joyful. Paul’s exuberance radiated his profound love for the Philippians. To minister to them was not merely a role or a chore; it was a heartfelt calling. Paul cherished them like a devoted father and a true friend, their triumphs igniting a fire of excitement within him. Conversely, their struggles weighed heavily on his heart, stirring a deep concern for their well-being.

He fervently prayed for their spiritual growth! Look at the profound requests Paul makes to the Lord on their behalf. What are they? He earnestly prays for their love to overflow more and more, for their knowledge and discernment to deepen. Paul passionately beseeches that they will embrace those things that are truly excellent. He also asks that they live with unwavering sincerity and blamelessness. It’s striking that you don’t see him praying for their careers, health, long life, or exams. Not that he never prayed for such concerns. After all, in James, we are commanded to pray for the sick. But he deeply understood that these were not the most critical issues at hand.

What ignites the fire of your prayer life? For countless souls, prayers often dance on the surface, merely echoing our fleeting desires and physical necessities. Yet, we find inspiration from powerful figures like Paul, who beckon us to plunge deeper into the well of prayer. Paul’s fervent supplications are anchored in the essence of what truly matters: character and spiritual growth. Yes, let us fervently pray for the sick, the weak, and the impoverished. Let our voices rise in cries for health, vigor, and provision. But do not stop there! Passionately beseech God for transformative character growth. Urgently implore Him to transform weaknesses into formidable strengths. Take a bold moment to examine the true essence of your prayers. Ensure that your heartfelt cries mirror the very heart of God, transcending your own desires.

He fervently prayed that their strengths would not just endure but amplify beyond measure. In other words, Paul was far from satisfied with their current achievements; he envisioned them soaring to heights previously unimagined. Regardless of our proficiency at any endeavor, there is always room for growth. Perfection eludes us all, not even in a single aspect of life. Let complacency be banished from our hearts! This is the very essence of Philippians: to press on with unyielding determination. Press on toward the glorious prize that awaits (Philippians 3:14).

We can truly feel Paul’s profound love and unwavering connection with the Philippians in this passage. Their relationship serves as a vibrant testament to the extraordinary fellowship we should cultivate with others. The Philippians, as Paul’s spiritual children, not only embraced his teachings. They uplifted him with their enthusiastic commitment to living out his lessons. They also actively partnered in spreading the gospel.

Whether you are a new believer or a seasoned teacher, you can experience vibrant fellowship with others! Step boldly alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ, unite your efforts, and empower one another to rise. Never underestimate the unique contribution you bring, no matter how new you are to the faith. God gives every believer the exact gifts they need to construct His kingdom. He does this in His perfect timing and exactly as He desires!

Paul is very God focused. He is keenly aware that it is God’s grace working in them, and through him.

⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Their remarkable qualities are a testament to the incredible work of God in their lives! Paul had unwavering faith that the divine work He began within them would be brought to glorious completion. This powerful truth shows that our salvation is not of our own doing. It is a beautiful initiative from God Himself. He is not only the beginning but also the end, the source and finisher of our spiritual journey. This profound assurance grants us eternal security. It ignites a fire of confidence within us. We know that God will never forsake or abandon us. Sanctification is intricately woven into the fabric of our lives through God’s love. We can boldly declare that it will indeed be carried on to its divine perfection!

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Cross References:

• John 10:27-30
• Ephesians 1:13-14
• 2 Cor 5:10
• 1 Peter 1:22
• 2 Corinthians 1:12
• Philippians 2:15

Reflective Questions:

•  How would you describe the tone of Paul’s letter? (1:3-12)
•  How would you describe Paul’s relationship with the Philippians?
•  How did Paul feel about them? 
•  What positive things does he mention about them?
•  What negative things does he mention about them?
•  Since he can’t meet them face to face, what does he do instead?
•  What two qualities can you see in Paul’s prayer (thanks and joy)?
•  What can we learn from this?
•  What is the main content of Paul’s prayer? What can we learn from this?
•  Can you see any strength of the Philippians? What does Paul pray in regard to the areas they are already strong?

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