Philippians 1.6 is just an amazing passage. And for us, it explains Paul’s eager joy of anticipation. It explains God’s work from start to finish. As we move into January, we’ll be talking about how God is presently securing our hope. This work is accomplished by the Spirit in the process of sanctification. Today we’ll talk about Paul’s trust in what God started, see his confidence in what God will finish, and come to a better understanding of why God has given us the Spirit.

I. Paul’s Confidence in What God Started

A. Philippians 1.6: I am

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of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Paul was “convinced,” “confident, persuaded, and assured.”

B. Sure of what? Something that

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, i.e., salvation. It means “to inaugurate.”

C. Who started it?

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. (1.3) God is the subject of Paul’s prayer.

D. What was started? v. 6: he who started

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in you.

1. It is done to us: Titus 3.5: through the washing of regeneration and renewal

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   .
   Ezekiel 37.27: I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances.

2. 2 Thessalonians 2.13: God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

E. Everything about your salvation is submission.

1. Colossians 2.11–12: a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh,…, when you were buried with him in
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   , in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

II. Paul’s Confidence in What God Will Complete

A. God’s work in you was not completed at your baptism.

1. Philippians 1.6: he …will carry it on to

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   …“to fully complete.”

2. Your baptism was just the beginning of the process of holiness.

B. God has laid the responsibility upon us. 1 Peter 1.15: be holy; 2 Corinthians 7.1: bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

1. 1 Thessalonians 4.7:

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   , not impurity… But this is a process.

2. “An awkward combination of redeemed soul and sin-infested, as yet unredeemed body.”

3. But in Christ you stand by grace, 1 Corinthians 1.4; Romans 5.2.

4. The Spirit performs the transformation.
   2 Corinthians 3.18: We all, …are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
   You have not been left to accomplish it all on your own.

III. How the Spirit Accomplishes Your Sanctification

A. He gives you the desire to be holy.

1. Philippians 2.13: For it is God who is working in you both to
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   and to work according to his good purpose. God is helping you do and want to do His will.

B. He helps you change your motives for doing good works.

1. 1 Thessalonians 1.3: your labor motivated by

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   , and your endurance inspired by hope…

2. 1 John 4.18: There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us.

IV. As We Close…

A. Philippians 1.6: he will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

B. What is the day? It is the day believers will be glorified. God will finish His work.

D. Will you believe?