Welcome to the Weekend Sermon. I am very glad to be able to post the message this week after everything that has happened. On May 4th, the neighbor's German shepherd mix jumped the fence, ran across the street and attacked me while I was standing in my yard. I had to go to the emergency room and have stitches in my arm a tetanus shot and a course of antibiotics. I've had extensive bruising and soft tissue injury. It has all been a very upsetting experience to say the least. Please pray that I will keep recovering both physically and mentally from this episode.
Before we get into the message this week, I want to mention something I didn't get to mention last week. Last week was my friend Toby's birthday. He was the best. Totally not like this dog who attacked me. I am glad that Jesus gave Toby to me to be my friend. That dog saved my life, and I know we will be together again someday.
Last time, we began a new series of messages on the book of Philippians we started off by looking at what the book of Acts has to day about some of what Paul did while in Philippi. We then looked at the first two verses of chapter one.
Today, I want us to focus on verses 3 through 6 with an emphasis on verses 6.
In verse 3, Paul tells the people that he always mentions them in his prayers, and goes on to say that thinking about them makes him happy. I hope that you have people that you regularly pray for. It is important to have people that mean something to you to pray for. I also think that it is important to have a few people that you pray for on a regular basis that they might come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Knowing that God hears and answers prayer makes me happy because I know that I am doing something to bring change in people's lives.
Paul was happy when thinking about the believers in Philippi due in part to the fact that they were his partners in spreading the Gospel. They helped him with their prayers and more than likely financially. With the support of people like those in Philippi, Paul was able to take the message of the love of Jesus to many places.
It it important that we support those who are working to spread the message of Jesus around the world. We can certainly pray for those who are missionaries and Christian workers seeking to tell people that Jesus wants to have a relationship with them. We can also, as God enables us, support those who are faithful in sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now, I want us to focus on verse 6 that says, "God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that He won't stop before it is complete on that day that Christ Jesus returns." God is the one who saves us. When we hear the message of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit convicts our hearts of sin and for the need of salvation. The Lord gives us the gift of faith so that we can choose to accept or reject the message that we have received. Salvation is not of works. We are saved by grace through faith. Salvation is the gift of God. God is the one who has started us off on the path that leads to life.
As we walk through this life, we begin a process of growing in our knowledge of the Lord. We grow closer to Him. We mature, or we should mature, in the faith. It is a process of moving upward as we are led by the Lord Jesus. He is with us every step of the way.
In Romans 8 it tells us that we have been justified by the Lord. That means that we have been declared righteous. The Lord Jesus has taken our sins and imputed His righteousness to us. Romans 8 tells us that those who have been justified will also be glorified. This means that one day when Jesus returns, we will receive a new body like the glorified body of Jesus. All of the old will be done away and all will be made new. We will be with Jesus forever. There will be no more sin, death, sorrow or suffering.
While we are in this time between our justification and our waiting for glorification, we are in the process of sanctification. We are to be becoming more and more like Jesus everyday. We can't do this on or through our own efforts. We receive help and power through the indwelling Holy Spirit who is continually drawing us closer to Jesus.
One thing that verse 6 really helps me with is that the Lord Jesus won't abandon me. He won't turn on me so to speak. He is going to be with forever. He will never leave me nor forsake me. No matter what may happen, Jesus will be there and He will be there all the way through eternity. I've had many people turn on me. Most everyone actually except my friend Toby. But, Jesus has never failed me, and I know that He won't. One day, I will be with Him in the place that He had prepared for those who love Him.
It is my hope that you have put your faith and trust in what Jesus has done for you through His death and glorious resurrection. Jesus came for everyone. He loves everyone, and He wants you to come to Him. He will begin a good work in you, and He will complete it. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Please pray that I will keep on the road to recovery with my dog attack. It has affected me physically and mentally. Also, please pray that I will be able to get the medical bills paid. Thank you.
Pray for the people of Gaza. They need aid to reach them. That whole area needs peace. Also, pray that the hostages are freed and that there can be peace in Israel, Syria, Yemen and throughout the Middle East.
Keep praying for peace in Ukraine. We also need to pray for peace in Sudan, South Sudan, Chad, Congo and continued peace between India and Pakistan.
Because of the cuts in aid by the US government, many people are really hurting all over the world. Please pray that people, churches and other governments can step up and help those who need help in this world. Pray that the US government won't turn its back on those who need help the most.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Burkina Faso and Bahrain. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, I will post the verses on Tuesday. I will wait at least one more before posting more of the new book. I may start over. I will post the sermon on Friday, and we will continue with our current series. May God bless you all.
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