05-03-2026 The Affection of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:1-11)

The Affection of Christ JesusPhilippians 1:1-11Prayer of Sir Francis DrakeDisturb us, Lord, whenWe are too well pleased with ourselves,When our dreams have come trueBecause we have dreamed too little,When we arrived safelyBecause we sailed too close to the shore.Disturb us, Lord, whenWith the abundance of things we possessWe have lost our thirstFor the waters of life;Having fallen in love with life,We have ceased to dream of eternityAnd in our efforts to build a new earth,We have allowed our visionOf the new Heaven to dim.Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,To venture on wider seasWhere storms will show your mastery;Where losing sight of land,We shall find the stars.We ask You to push backThe horizons of our hopes;And to push into the futureIn strength, courage, hope, and love.AMENPhilippians 1:1-111 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus:To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in 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 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, Philippians 1:4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, Philippians 1:5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.Indicative: serving as a sign or indication of somethingWhat does Paul mean by “good work”?• Abounding Love• Real Knowledge & Discernment (vs 9)• Ability to Approve What is Excellent (vs 10)• Filled with the Fruit of Righteousness (vs 11)• Pure & Blamelessness (vs 10)• Glory & Praise to God (vs 11)Applying Philippians 1:6-11• Memorize Philippians 1:6• Pray Philippians 1:9-11• Allow God to continue His good works in you