1. We Can Rejoice in the Lord Because God Works in Our Lives Philippians (1:6)

2. Our Study Together We have just begun a series of lessons in the book of Philippians. In this study we are examining 20 reasons why we can and should rejoice in the Lord. In so doing, we are discovering why we should celebrate the fact that we are Christians.

3. Review In our first study last week, we learned we can rejoice in the Lord because we are SAINTS! (1:2) In that study we discovered that we become saints when we answer the call of the gospel! We also came to understand that in becoming saints we must live up to the responsibilities of: –Accepting one another (Galatians 3:28) –Appreciating one another (I Corinthians 12:4-6) –Accentuating the proper actions (Ephesians 5:3)

4. Four Truths Paul was confident in the truth of the teaching he was about to set forth. God has begun a good work in us. God will complete this work. This work will be completed in the Day of Christ Jesus.

5. Pauls Confidence Paul did not waiver in his confidence. He had confidence and conviction in his teachings because he was in fact an apostle, one who was specially sent by God. (I Corinthians 9:9,10; II Corinthians 11:5; 12:11,12) Because Paul was an apostle, we should have confidence in his teachings as well. He had received his teachings directly from the Lord (Galatians 1:11,12) and they were perfect truth (John 16:13; Acts 26:5; I Thess. 2:13; I Tim. 2:7)

6. God Has Begun a Good Work in Us They key in all of this is that it is GOD who took the initiative to begin this good work in us. (I John 4:9,10) I say this because I dont want us to think that we deserve the credit for the fact that our lives now have meaning, purpose, and direction! There is a reason why God has begun this work in us! (Philippians 2:12,13)

7. God Will Complete This Work God has never abandoned any good work He has begun! And He will never abandon the work He is doing in our lives! (Hebrews 13:5) God will in fact supply us with everything we need in order to do His work. (Philippians 4:19; II Corinthians 9:8-11) All we need to do to help God complete His work in us is to look to Jesus, the perfect example of faith and then stay faithful. (Hebrews 12:1,2)

8. This Work Will Be Completed in the Day of Christ Jesus All of what God has done in us will be completed and revealed when Jesus comes again! All of this will be done to glorify Him! (II Thessalonians 1:10-12) Not only that, but He will also complete the work of giving us our heavenly citizenship. (Philippians 3:20,21)

9. Reasons to Rejoice in the Lord Gods care for us is continual! God will never leave us nor forsake us! God has given us true purpose and meaning for our lives! God will supply our every need! God will reward us for our faithfulness!