You might not always understand THE “WHY’S” in life: why did God put me here, why did God want me to do this? But as long as you know THE WHO: Who created you, you will always be at peace, you will always be protected, you will always be provided for.

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6 NLT)

• Paul is writing this letter from prison. He is writing this to the people of Philippi in Macedonia.
• Why? Why was he in prison? The real reason is found in the Book of Acts 16:17.

A demon-possessed girl kept following Paul and Silas and shouting:

“These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” (Acts 16:17 NLT)

• Paul turned to her and commanded the demon to leave her.
• They were accused of causing public riots and thrown in prison not because of what they did but who they knew and served.

And I AM CERTAIN that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6 NLT)

• Paul is CERTAIN about God.
• He does not fully understand the why’s, but he is CERTAIN about the WHO.
• He is not just encouraging us with those words, but he is also encouraging himself.
• He is in fact thankful! Thankful for being in prison. Why? Purpose

Every time I think of you, I give THANKS TO MY GOD. (Philippians 1:3 NLT)

• Paul does not understand the WHY, but He certainly knows the WHO. “My God”
• “My God” meant that he had a relationship with God. He did not know just know about God, but He knew Him.

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:7-8 NLT)

• Even your feelings line up when you know that God is in charge.
• Why? Because you know the WHO. His unconditional love for you will cause you to love others, especially those who have wronged you.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. (Philippians 1:9 NLT)

• The unconditional love of Christ that will help us grow in knowledge and understanding.

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. (Philippians 1:10 NLT)

• “Understand what really matters”. To know the WHO – GOD!

And I AM CERTAIN that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6 NLT)

• That’s a journey…It starts and ends with Him.
• Along this journey, you might not understand all the why’s…but as long as you know the WHO.
• Even in time in prison had purpose: Acts 16:31-34
• In the middle of the night, God caused an earthquake that loosened their chains and broke the prison cells doors.
• The time in prison created an opportunity for Paul to witness to the jailer – That’s purpose.
• The jailer and all the staff and their households got saved – That’s purpose.
• We don’t always understand the why’s but as long as we understand the who: who put us there, who created us
• Purpose always answers the why!!!

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?