Confidence in What God is Doing Next | Philippians 1:1-11 | Brent Van Sickle

Goodbyes are hard, but Philippians 1:1–11 reminds us that while chapters may change, God isn't finished yet. In his letter, Paul looks back with gratitude for what God has done in the lives of the Philippians, while confidently looking ahead to what God will continue to do, saying, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." Our confidence isn't in a pastor, a particular season, or even ourselves—it is in Christ.  One of the themes of Philippians is that we were made for community. We were never designed to follow Jesus in isolation. We need one another. God gives each person different gifts, abilities, experiences, and passions to help grow one another, grow together, and live for something bigger than ourselves. So where do we find our identity? Is it in lesser things? Is our identity built upon our own accomplishments, our roles, our relationships, or our circumstances—or are we rooted in who we are in Christ?  As one season comes to a close, we can look back with gratitude without losing sight of what God is doing next. Keep growing. Keep serving. Keep loving. Keep building one another up. As transitions happen and seasons change, the mission still remains the same. Christ is still at work. The same God who was faithful then is faithful now—and He is already at work in what comes next.  — Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so 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.