6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6-8 CSB

Lessons from Paul's lockdown:

V6 Paul is firmly holding on to what he knows is true. 

Truth is not determined by our circumstances, our freedoms, our health or anything else.

Hold on to what you know is true.

V7 Paul's holding his people in his heart. They're apart, but still important. And he's writing to them to tell them that. 

Keep in touch with the important people in your life. Hold them in your heart. (what does it mean to do that? Bring them to mind? Be grateful for them?

Make a list. It might have 3 names on it, or 12, it doesn't matter, but hold them in your heart)

V8 Paul misses people. It's OK to ache for what the people we'd love to hug, spend time with, be close to. 

It's OK to miss people.

But don't get lost in that. That pain of distance tells you that person is important, and that's OK.

V6 & V8 Paul doesn't lose sight of Jesus, or the hope he holds in this. 

When our circumstances change it's easy to lose hope. Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on Jesus no matter what, he is our hope, and he is at work in us, and through us.

#sunday

#worship

#livinghope