Moving On
05 DECEMBER 2021 | TRADITIONAL SERVICE
Rev Edmund de Souza
Scripture Passage: Philippians 1:3-11 (NIV)
WATCH | SERMON (VIDEO)
READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary | When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, God puts the Holy Spirit in us to keep us moving on in step with Him. The Philippian Church is an example of a church that keeps moving on in the Lord.
Some observations about the church from the passage include the following:
1. Paul was thankful for them (V3)
Paul remembers and prays for them with joy because of their partnership in the gospel from day one. He is thankful and joyful for the work God is doing in their lives, causing them to change and support the work of His kingdom. Our lives are meant to shine for Jesus so others can see something good in us and give thanks to God (Mt 5:16). When others think of you, what comes to their minds? How do they remember you?
2. Paul affirmed God’s work in them (V6)
When we come to Jesus, He begins the work of transformation in us, changing us inside out. One area of change is a new purpose in life to live for Him and His glory. The willingness to do so comes from God (Phil 2:13). We will think of what God desires and seek to do His will. King David understood the importance of doing God’s will and asked God to grant him a willing spirit (Ps 51:12). God can move us to serve Him wholeheartedly, from being complacent to being more passionate, from self-centredness to looking beyond us to see God’s purpose and others’ needs. May we follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
3. Paul prayed that they would grow in love (V9)
The Philippian Church was not lacking in love but Paul knew there was always room for growth. Love is fundamental in Christian life as God is love and His great commandment is to love God and love others with all our heart, mind and strength.
There are real-life examples of people who are loving, caring, kind and helpful, who have themselves been touched by someone who is like an angel to them. Is there someone you can be an angel to, or someone in need to whom you can offer encouragement and help? God has saved us and we have one life to live. How do we live for God’s purpose and glorify Him?
May God grant us grace and willing hearts to respond to the Holy Spirit and do our best to live for Him, trusting that He who began a good work in us will carry it to completion.
(Sermon notes by Woo Choi Yin)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. The apostle Paul was thankful and filled with joy because of the Philippians (1:3-5).
a) When your family and friends think of you, does it stir up thanksgiving and joy or do they need to pray for you to change for the better? Elaborate.
b) What are some areas in your life that you think others may be thankful for?
(If you are doing these discussion questions with others, perhaps, you can do this by asking others in the group what they may be thankful for when they think of you.)
2. Paul affirmed God’s work in their lives when he wrote Phil 1:6.
a) Reading Phil 1:6 and 2:12-13, how do you think God’s work of transformation takes place in a Christian’s life? In view of this, why do you think some struggle with their Christian growth?
b) If there was one thing you would like the Lord to change in you, what would that be?
3. Paul prayed that they would grow in love in Phil 1:9.
a) If Paul was already thankful and filled with joy when he thought of them, what do you think led him to pray that their ‘love would abound more and more’?
b) In what ways do you think the church could show more love?