Sermon Notes - Philippians 1:1-11 - Thankful - Rising Sun Baptist Church - June 14, 2026

1.        In Acts chapter 16 we read about Paul visiting the city of Philippi during his second missionary journey.

a.        We know that Lydia and her family put their trust in Jesus.

b.       Then their was the jailer who was going to end his life when he thought Paul, Silas, and the others escaped prison in the middle of the night.

c.        After that night, he gave his life to Jesus.

d.       Believers come together, a church is formed, and now Paul is writing them a letter.

e.        It was written around 61-62 AD.

f.          While Paul was in prison.

2.        As is usual for Paul, the letter was written to help the church.

a.        There are times he challenges them.

b.       There are times he encourages them.

c.        But overall, the message to the Philippian church is around how to live as Christ Followers.

3.        I hope we will be encouraged and challenged as we dig into these words.

4.        While still recognizing how amazing it is that God is at work in us.

a.        May the Holy Spirit use these words to draw us closer to our Lord Jesus.

5.        Philippians 1:1

a.        We have already touched on what we see here, but there are a few things we should look at.

6.        Paul says he is writing to the saints in Philippi.

a.        Now these are not super Christians.

b.       They were not sinless.

c.        They got a letter from Paul; they had their issues.

d.       When Paul calls them saints, he is stating that they have been ‘set apart’ by God.

e.        They were followers of Christ.

f.          They were in Christ.

7.        We don’t call people saints too often today.

a.        It brings up questions due to how Saint has been used by some churches.

b.       But if were to call someone a brother or sister in Christ.

c.        You are recognizing they are a follower of Christ.

d.       Which would mean they have been set apart in Christ.

8.        If you are a Christ Follower, you have been set apart.

a.        You are a saint like those of the early church in Philippi.

b.       Doesn’t mean we have it all figured out.

c.        We are still sinners.

d.       We are still going to get it wrong.

e.        But we have been saved.

f.          Redeemed.

g.        We are a child of God.

9.        Paul specifically called out the overseers, who we would call elders or pastors.

a.        And deacons, whose job is to serve the church.

10.   Paul wanted to make sure those responsible for leading and teaching as well as those who are actively serving the church pay attention to the letter.

a.        It was written for all of the church.

b.       But pastors and deacons, using our words, needed to pay extra close attention.

11.   Philippians 1:2

a.        A familiar greeting from Paul.

b.       Grace to you…

c.        Grace through the gift of the Son.

d.       Grace through the salvation that He is offering.

e.        And when we accept the gift of grace from the Father and our Lord Jesus.

f.          We receive God’s Peace.

g.        A peace that is beyond our understanding.

12.   We as Christ followers have been:

a.        Set apart through our faith in Jesus.

b.       We have been given a gift of grace that we can never earn.

c.        Which gives us a peace that is absolutely amazing.

13.   These are not simply words.

a.        This is exactly what our God is offering each one of us.

b.       This is exactly what He is giving to those of us who follow Him.

c.        It is there for us.

d.       All we have to do is accept the amazing gift.

14.   Philippians 1:3

a.        This letter was written roughly 10 years after Paul was in Philippi.

b.       Some may have wondered if he had forgotten about them.

c.        These words show he had not.

d.       Instead, every time he thought about them, he prayed for them.

e.        I suspect reading this brought joy to their hearts and a smile to their face.

15.   When I know someone is praying for me, it is touching.

a.        Over the last couple of months, some here have said prayers for my family and I.

b.       That brings a smile to my face.

c.        To know that someone cares enough to pray for me and my family, can bring tears to my eyes.

16.   If I feel that way, I suspect the Philippian church felt similar.

a.        I hope you can too.

b.       Some of you are on my prayer list and I pray for you by name most days.

c.        Some of you are not, but I do pray for the RSBC family every day.

d.       Which includes all of us.

e.        One way or another, I am praying for you.

17.   Praying for people can change their lives and yours.

a.        Letting people know you are praying for them can have a big impact.

18.   Philippians 1:4-5

a.        Remember Paul is in prison.

b.       Likely facing death in Rome.

c.        But in joy he is praying for those in the Philippian church.

d.       Thanking God that they are faithful servants.

e.        That they are actively doing what God has called them to do.

f.          Which would be sharing the gospel and helping Christ followers grow.

19.   As we are in fellowship here at RSBC.

a.        Looking for ways to show the love of God to our neighbors, friends, and family.

b.       We are partnering in carrying out God’s mission.

c.        Same goes for the missionaries we support.

d.       As well as the Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, and Rueben L. South missions’ offerings.

e.        Pray for each other, our church family, and all that we support.

f.          Thanking God for their faithfulness.

20.   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

a.        Rejoice always.

b.       Be filled with joy regardless of our situation.

c.        Trusting that God is in control, even when life is not.

21.   Pray constantly.

a.        We should be praying when things are going great.

b.       Praying when things are hitting hard.

c.        Pray at all times.

22.   Give thanks in everything.

a.        Now if Paul was sitting on a beach somewhere, we may question him telling us this.

b.       But he has faced persecution after persecution.

c.        He is facing death.

23.   But we when we tie these verses together, re-read v. 18.

a.        God’s will for us is to give thanks in every circumstance.

b.       Showing that we trust that He is our God.

c.        He wants what is best for us.

d.       Might not be what we think the best is.

e.        But our God has our best intentions in mind.

24.   Thanking Him for providing an amazing eternity in His presence.

a.        Recognizing that God is present in our lives.

b.       And remembering that He has provided all of our needs.

c.        He has provided us a perfect eternity.

d.       As a child of God we get to stand in His presence.

25.   Philippians 1:6

a.        Paul is absolutely and perfectly confident that what he is saying will happen.

b.       He fully believes that God will do what He said He would do.

c.        God has provided them an opportunity to be redeemed, to be saved.

d.       He has been working in them as they continue to faithfully serve God and others.

e.        And God has provided them a perfect eternity for them to spend forever with God.

26.   That is a promise.

a.        A promise to each one of us.

b.       If Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

c.        He has started an amazing work in our lives.

d.       A work that He is continuing in us today.

e.        Helping us to pursue righteousness.

f.          Helping us to draw closer to God.

g.        To be the people He has created us to be.

27.   Put another way, our God is at work in us and through us.

a.        That work started when we gave our life to Jesus.

b.       It continues each day of our lives as we pursue Him.

c.        And will continue until we are standing before our Lord forever.

28.   Paul’s statement to the Philippian church is for all saints.

a.        Brothers and Sisters, that means it is for us.

b.       Our God is at work in us, and He will not stop working in us.

c.        He is looking forward to the day that He can say to us well done, my good and faithful servant.

d.       That is a promise we can count on.

29.   Philippians 1:7

a.        Paul emphasizes his thankfulness for the church.

b.       Knowing that they are working together to share the Gospel, even if they are physically apart.

c.        They have directly supported Paul on his missionary journeys.

d.       And they are continuing to share the gospel in their communities.

e.        Paul is thankful for both and would be thankful for us as we point people to Jesus.  

30.   Philippians 1:8

a.        This goes beyond Paul having fond memories and missing his friends.

b.       This is an affection that is rooted in Christ.

c.        It has grown out of love of God for Paul and the church.

d.       When we are grounded in Christ.

e.        When He is our Lord and Savior.

f.          Loving others is easier and the love is stronger.

31.   Paul then shares a prayer for the Philippian church.

32.   Philippians 1:9-11

a.        Paul prays for:

b.       That God will continue to be at work in them.

c.        Helping them to grow in their knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual discernment.

d.       That their love for God and others will grow.

e.        Allowing God to work in them.

f.          That they would have righteousness that comes from having faith in God.

g.        That their lives will be changed as they are molded and shaped.

h.        2 Corinthians 5:21

i.          We are made righteous through our faith in Christ.

j.          In which He works in us.

k.        Granting us the fruit of the Spirit.

l.          Galatians 5:22-23

33.   All for the glory of our God!

34.   God is at work in each of us.

35.   Bulletin or slides, as usual I have a couple of questions for you.

a.        How can you be praying for others to be faithful in carrying out God’s will? I would like to challenge you to make a list of people you can be praying that God will help them to follow His will this week. You don’t need the details, simply pray.

b.       What do you have to be thankful for? Even if life is dealing you a bad hand right now. What do you have to be thankful for?

c.        Reflect on verse 6, and list how it should impact your faith in God carrying out His will in your life.

36.   Do you have a choice to make this morning?

a.        A choice to follow God in what He is calling you to?

b.       A choice to join our church family?

c.        If either of these I would love to talk with you.

37.   Or are you ready to choose to give your life to the One who loves you, Jesus Christ.

38.   If you don’t know Jesus.

a.        He is calling to you.

b.       He wants to give you the grace we talked about earlier.

c.        Grace made possible because Jesus died for our sins.

d.       Which results in His most amazing Peace.

e.        That comes from knowing that no matter what happens.

f.          If Jesus is our Lord and Savior, our eternity with Him is secure.

g.        If you want that grace, that peace, please come forward during our closing song.

h.        I would love to pray with you.