Absolute and Eternal Gospel (Philippians 1:3–11) 6/15/2025

Speaker: Sr. Pastor Dong C. Lee

June 15, 2025

in English

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Absolute and Eternal Gospel (Philippians 1:3–11) 6/15/2025

Starting this week, through the message of Philippians, we will confirm how immense the blessing of the gospel we have is. I bless you to stand as a witness who holds onto the gospel and enjoys it in this age full of problems, difficulties, and pain. Philippians, along with Ephesians (which we covered up to last week), Colossians, and Philemon, are the four books Paul wrote from prison, called the “Prison Epistles.” These books have most practically and deeply applied the gospel to our lives.

Do you know which word appears most often in Philippians? It’s “rejoice.” Paul was in prison facing hardships. It was a time when he must have been discouraged, feeling resentful, and hopeless. Yet, how could he say “rejoice” and “be joyful”?
That is the power and blessing of the gospel. God allow him to overcome times of discouragement, resentment, and despair and deeply enjoy the blessings of the gospel. Are you facing problems, injustice, or shame from failure? May you become the believers who are revived by this gospel and save all those suffering on this earth through it.

Philippians 1 is the gospel of blessings that is absolute and eternal, Philippians 2 is the gospel of unique blessings, Philippians 3 is the gospel of blessings that is greater than all things, and Philippians 4 is the gospel of blessings that is most complete and enough. We will explore these in the next four weeks. Today is the graduation worship for Sunday School.
Graduation is not the end, but a beginning of learning and experiencing greater and deeper things (commencement). What should you deeply learn and experience throughout life? God’s greatest gift and blessing, the gospel.

The core verse of Philippians 1 is: “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” (Verse 6). From this, hold on to three covenants contained in the absolute and eternal blessing of the gospel.

1. It says, “He who began a good work in you”

1) What is this “good work”?
① It is the salvation that delivered us from eternal curse, Satan, and the power of hell, and made us His children to enjoy eternal blessing. It is the salvation that rescues us from our enemies (Luke 1:71), and the salvation that grants forgiveness of all sins (Luke 1:77).
② Though we may stumble temporarily, we can never be ultimately destroyed, fail, or be cursed again. This is source of greatest joy, gratitude, and glory. Our spirits have received salvation (1 Peter 1:8–9).

2) Who began this good work? In other words, who saved us?
① The Triune God who created all creation. The Father willed it, the Son came as Christ and died and resurrected, and the Spirit helps us complete that good work that began in us.
② No one can stop it (core of Calvin’s Five Points). It’s the work of the absolute, eternal Creator God. This is why the salvation He began is absolute and eternal (blessing of 7 Journeys).

3) Why did He allow this work? This is His absolute love. Though all humanity fell due to Genesis 3, God never wished for anyone to perish (John 3:16).
① When did this love begin? When He made humans in His image (Genesis 1:27, 2:7).
When did He prove His love for us? While we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Who loved first? He did (1 John 4:10).
② We call this love absolute love (agape love). There are no conditions to this love. That’s why it’s called “good work.” The word “gospel” is the same. Were you unloved by people? Are you lonely? Hold onto and enjoy this love. Are you going through loneliness, despair, or heartbreak? This is your time to experience God’s deep love.

2. “Until the day of Christ Jesus” This refers to the day Christ returns. Christ first came to redeem us, rose again, crushed the power of death (Satan), gave eternal life, and gave us the right to be His children (Romans 8:15). Where is Christ now? He ascended to the throne of heaven and now dwells within us through the Holy Spirit.

1) What is the Holy Spirit doing in us until He returns?
① He helps us in our weaknesses and heals us who are covered in wounds (John 14:16–18, Romans 8:26). The moment we receive Jesus; we are covered by His blood and righteousness so that no one can condemn us (justification). But internal wounds, habits, and wrong natures remain, and they become pathways for Satan. If not healed, we become captive to loneliness, fear, hatred, and anger (Isaiah 61:1).
② He grows us into spiritual maturity (sanctification). We can discern God’s will and begin to live sincerely and blamelessly in devotion (Verse10).
③ From there, the fruit that pleases God can bear(Verse 11). That is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). Look to the throne 24/7, seek power of transcending time and space, unprecedented strength, power of light, and the power of the holy Spirit (blessing of 7 Bartizans).

2) Through this healing, maturity, and fruit of the Holy Spirit, what does God ultimately intend to do?
① For us to go and save others like us. That is the fruit of evangelism and missions (blessing of 7 Guideposts). The important thing is, He waits for us until the day He returns (God’s patience and endurance). This is why we should have compassion and wait for others (between spouses, parents and children, and fellow believers).
② Have you failed? Have you done something shameful? Don’t give up. Kneel before Him who waits and start again. This was the difference between King Saul and King David. This was the difference between Judas Iscariot and Peter. This is the difference of those who truly have the gospel.

**3. “Will carry it on to completion” (the completion of salvation)**

1) The day of the completion of our salvation will come. Right now, our soul is saved. But our mind, thoughts, and body can still be attacked by Satan (Ephesians 6:12, 1 Peter 5:8–9). The day of completion will come. Until then, we are to fight spiritual battles and work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12).

2) Christ continues to defend us (Hebrews 9:15), and fights for us until we win (Revelation 14:17). We may lose some battles, but the one who wins in the end is the true victor.
They will be recognized as God’s children (Revelation 21:7). They are the “remnants” of the end times (Revelation 12:17).