Exciting Worship Works with Family

Scripture: Philippians 1:6-8

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.  For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Insights:  Paul is in prison for the proclamation of the gospel and he knows that his fellow brothers and sisters in Philippi are also proclaiming and defending the gospel in his absence.  As a result, he is able to acknowledge with excitement the work they are doing.  Paul also understands that any work they are able to accomplish is because Christ Jesus is perfecting that good work in them.  Jesus initiated the work.  Jesus is currently doing the work and Jesus will one day complete that work.  The work Jesus is doing is perfecting us for the day of our glorious entrance into His eternal kingdom.  The predominant way Jesus does this work in us is by having us work while we are here.  Paul proclaimed and is now in prison and he is still proclaiming.  This family in Philippi is also proclaiming and are facing persecution.  Both Paul and these Philippian brothers and sisters are working out of the joy that is swelling up inside of themselves.  Beloved, we need to work with this same kind of intensity.  We need to let Christ do such a redemptive work in us that we understand and recognize that we never get to stop serving and working for our Lord Jesus.  There is no retirement from the command to go and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of the world.  Will you, Beloved, join Christ in His mission to make His name known in all the world.  I pray you will and enjoy the exciting adventure on which He will set you.

Questions:

1.  In what ways are you working or serving with your family in Christ?

2.  Do you understand that it is not possible to be a follower of Jesus and to sit on the sidelines watching other people work?

Prayer: Father, grant me an insatiable passion for serving You and for Your glory.  You are the One to whom all glory belongs and my simple service is an exciting way to worship You.  Please receive it as my joy to serve You.  Amen.