Unchained-Philippians 1

Chapter one of Philippains finds the Apostle Paul in prison writing to this church that he began. This is a church full of people he knew by name. This is a church that is dear to his heart. This is how he begins his letter: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.”

We often find it difficult to find joy in our hardships, yet Paul, who is in prison writes about joy. He is “always praying with joy!” I don’t know about you, but joy is often the last word that comes to mind when I am in a position of affliction. There are many emotions, but joy is usually not the one that I am fixated upon. Yet we will see over and over in this letter to the Philippians that Paul speaks of joy. Joys and chains, all tied together! Joy and chains do not go together in my mind, yet here we will see them side by side.

Where can you find joy in the midst of hard places? We will not only be looking for joy in the hard places during this sermon series called “unchained,” but we will also be looking at the things that Paul thinks are critical for those who call themselves followers of Christ.

Paul reminds us that God’s word does not go back empty. God’s word is faithful and, “He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion.”

Personally, I am looking forward to being “unchained” in this world so that I can be a better follower of Jesus. How about you?