Philippians 1:1-11

Bringing the sermon home:

After spending two years in prison in Caesarea (Acts 24:27), Paul spent at least two more years imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28). During this initial imprisonment in Rome, Paul wrote the four “prison epistles”, with Philippians likely being the first of the four written.

In the first 11 verses, we see the burden on Paul’s heart as he shares his prayer for them. In prison, uncertain of how much longer he’ll have to help spread the gospel and to plant new churches, this is his concern: the personal holiness (a.k.a. spiritual growth, sanctification) of the churches he has already planted!

Noting that our growth in godliness is a work of God within us, transforming us to increasingly live out who we truly arein Christ, and that continued growth is vital for our joy in Christ and for our usefulness in God’s kingdom purposes, may we be diligent to seek Him in His Word as we labor together for the sake of Christ.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:33)

(See follow-up article here.)