Philippians 1:1-11 The Big Idea: Knowing Jesus us so that our lives increasingly take the shape of His life. United by Christ. Philippians 1:1–2 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice from this greeting: Paul and Timothy belong Christ. The Philippians are holy Christ. Grace and peace come to them the Father and Christ. Paul’s for the Philippians: Philippians 1:3-8 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. How can we trust Jesus enough to look beyond our pain and fear and live in the hope of eternal life with Him? In the midst of inevitable suffering, how can we still love and care for others? Philippians 1:9-11 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best …and may 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. Paul prays that they will grow in and in , so that they can recognize what truly and that their lives will bear the of Christ, all for the of God. Application: How can you partner in sharing the gospel? Where do you need to trust that God is still at work? How can we move from self-focus to trusting Christ and others-centered love? How are you praying for the people you love?