Philippians 1:6-7

Confidence Placed in the Lord

A man with a broken watch might take it to the repairman. The repairman, after examining it might say he could not fix it. The only alternative would then be to send it back to the maker. Similarly, we must turn to the Maker if we would see the church grow (Ephesians 3:20-21). God, through Paul, had begun the church at Philippi. He had served as an earthen vessel to carry the precious gospel message to the lost of that city (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Paul was confident God would also bring the work begun at Philippi to a good end (1 Peter 2:13). He knew all in the church were a part of God's great workmanship. Every Christian's purpose was, and is, to do the good works for which he was created as a new creature (Ephesians 2:10). Paul's confidence that God would finish the good work started in Philippi was based on two things. First, there was the depth of his own love for them which led him to do all he could to help them. Then, there was the partnership he had with them in the preaching of God's word (1 Peter 1:6-7).