God Finishes What He Starts
Philippians 1.6
One of the great promises in Scripture is that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. In this sermon, we reflect on the nature of human experience, where we often start things but fail to finish due to limited resources or changing desires, contrasting this with God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty. We explore various aspects of this promise, including the gift of life, salvation, sanctification, and the good works God has prepared for us, all of which are ongoing processes that will not be fully realized until Christ's return. We find encouragement to rest in this promise, understanding that completion may not occur in this lifetime and that suffering is part of the journey, but God is always present, sustaining and guiding us through it all. Ultimately, the promise is one of hope and assurance in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises.
Weekly Devotional
Day 1: God’s Unwavering Commitment to Completion
God’s faithfulness is a cornerstone of our spiritual journey, offering a stark contrast to our human tendency to leave things unfinished. Unlike us, God is not limited by resources or changing desires. His nature is unchanging, and His commitment to completing what He starts is unwavering. This assurance provides a foundation of hope and trust, reminding us that God’s work in our lives is not subject to the same limitations we face. His faithfulness is a testament to His sovereignty and eternal nature, offering us a profound sense of security in His promises.
“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.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you struggle to trust God’s faithfulness? How can you actively remind yourself of His unwavering commitment to completing His work in you today?
Day 2: Trusting in the Objective Truth of God’s Character
Confidence in God’s promises is not based on fleeting emotions or subjective feelings but is grounded in the objective truth of His character and past actions. This confidence is an active trust in who God is, as revealed through His Word and His faithfulness throughout history. By reflecting on God’s unchanging nature and His past faithfulness, we can find assurance that He will complete the work He has begun in us. This trust is not passive but requires us to actively engage with God’s promises and character, allowing them to shape our perspective and strengthen our faith.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)
Reflection: What specific promise of God do you find difficult to trust? How can you remind yourself of His past faithfulness to strengthen your confidence in His promises today?
Day 3: Embracing the Eternal Perspective of God’s Work
The completion of God’s work is not confined to our earthly timeline but is part of an eternal plan that culminates at the day of Christ. This eternal perspective helps us rest in God’s promise, knowing that His work will be completed in His perfect timing. By embracing this perspective, we can find peace in the midst of life’s uncertainties, trusting that God’s plan is unfolding according to His divine timeline. This understanding encourages us to focus on the eternal significance of our lives and the work God is doing in and through us, even when we cannot see the full picture.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from immediate concerns to the eternal perspective of God’s work in your life? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this mindset today?
Day 4: Finding Purpose in Suffering as Part of God’s Completion
Suffering is an integral part of the process of bringing God’s work to completion. Through trials and tribulations, we learn to rely on God’s strength and provision, deepening our faith and trust in His promise. This understanding of suffering as a tool for spiritual growth allows us to find purpose in our pain, knowing that God is using it to refine us and bring His work to completion. By embracing this perspective, we can face challenges with hope and resilience, trusting that God is with us through every trial and that our suffering is not in vain.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What current trial or challenge are you facing that you can view as an opportunity for spiritual growth? How can you invite God into this situation to deepen your trust in His promise?
Day 5: The Lasting Impact of Our Good Works
The good works we are created to do will continue to bear fruit even after our earthly lives end. This assurance encourages us to remain faithful, knowing that our efforts are part of God’s eternal plan and will be completed at the day of Christ. By focusing on the lasting impact of our actions, we can find motivation to pursue good works with diligence and purpose, trusting that God will use them to further His kingdom. This perspective helps us see the significance of our daily choices and actions, reminding us that they have eternal value and contribute to God’s overarching plan.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9, ESV)
Reflection: What specific good work or act of service can you commit to today, knowing that it will have a lasting impact beyond your lifetime? How can you remain faithful in this pursuit, trusting in God’s eternal plan?
Sermon Summary
He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves starting projects or endeavors that we never see through to completion. This is a common human experience, often due to limited resources, changing desires, or simply biting off more than we can chew. However, the promise we find in Philippians 1:6 offers us a profound contrast: God is not like us. When He begins a work, He sees it through to completion. This assurance is rooted in His sovereignty and faithfulness, qualities that are unchanging and eternal.
Paul’s confidence in this promise is not based on wishful thinking or subjective feelings. Instead, it is grounded in the objective truth of God’s character and His past actions. Paul has experienced God’s sustaining grace and knows that the work God begins, whether it be the gift of life, our salvation, or our sanctification, will be brought to completion at the day of Christ. This completion is not something we will necessarily see in our earthly lifetime, but it is assured in the eternal timeline of God’s plan.
The promise extends to various aspects of our lives. Firstly, the gift of life itself is a work that God began and will sustain until the day of Christ. Our daily prayers for provision, protection, and wisdom are rooted in the confidence that God is actively involved in our lives. Secondly, our salvation is a work that began with Christ’s sacrifice and continues as we are being saved and will be saved from the wrath of God at the final judgment. Thirdly, our sanctification, the process of being made holy, is ongoing and will only be completed when our sin nature is fully redeemed. Fourthly, the good works we are created to do are part of God’s plan, prepared in advance, and will continue to bear fruit even after our earthly lives end. Lastly, the work God began in the church will also be brought to completion, as the church continues to bear fruit and witness until Christ’s return.
To rest under this promise, we must embrace the eternal perspective, recognizing that the completion of God’s work is not confined to our earthly timeline. We must also accept that suffering is part of the process, trusting that God is with us through every trial and tribulation. This promise is a source of hope and assurance, reminding us that God is faithful and will complete the good work He has begun in us.