Cornerstone Chapel - Audio Podcast
Episode: God Will Finish What He Starts
Date: January 11, 2026
Main Theme Overview
This episode explores Paul’s letter to the Philippians, focusing on the message of joy and the assurance that God will complete the transformative work He begins in each believer. The sermon uses Philippians 1:1–11 to discuss the nature of Christian joy, the partnership between God’s work and human responsibility in salvation, and the encouraging truth that God walks with believers, empowering them to persevere to the very end.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background and Purpose of Philippians
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Historical context:
- Philippi: An ancient Macedonian city (now in Greece) founded by Philip II in 356 B.C., with primarily Gentile population in the 1st century.
- Paul planted the church there during his second missionary journey (50–53 A.D.) and wrote this letter from prison in Rome about 10 years later (62 A.D.).
- Paul expresses deep love and affection for the church in Philippi.
"[Philippians] is a letter of love and appreciation." (03:32)
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Reasons for writing:
- Thankfulness for generous support.
- Warning against false teachers.
- Encouragement to maintain unity of the Spirit.
2. Theme of Joy Versus Happiness
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Joy appears 14 times in the four chapters; Paul calls it the "Epistle of Joy" (07:00).
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Significance: Paul’s joy shines despite his imprisonment.
"Now, ask yourself: if you were in prison, would you write a letter with such great joy to somebody? I wouldn't… but not Paul. He's got joy in his heart." (08:12)
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Difference between joy and happiness:
- Happiness: Circumstantial and temporal—changes with life’s ups and downs.
- Joy: Relational and eternal—rooted in relationship with Jesus, stable regardless of circumstances.
"Happiness is circumstantial and temporal. ... Joy is relational and eternal." (15:38)
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Greek for Joy: Chara—meaning "calm delight" (19:55).
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Real joy isn’t superficial or forced cheerfulness but “calm delight” due to trust in God’s sovereignty and love.
3. Paul’s Joy Linked to the Philippians’ Support
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First use of “joy” in the letter reflects gratitude for the church’s partnership and generosity (22:05).
"Always in every prayer of mine, making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now." (22:15)
4. The Assurance: God Will Finish What He Starts
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Key Verse:
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Philippians 1:6— “Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (23:15)
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Paul is “completely convinced” (pytho in Greek) of God’s ongoing work in believers.
"God is not just involved in saving us, He is also involved in keeping us saved." (25:33)
- We are not left to fend for ourselves; God gives us the Holy Spirit as our Helper (John 14:16–18).
"I'm going to send you the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the One who will come alongside of you and dwell in you, to help you, to guide you, to encourage you, to root for you." (30:10)
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Holy Spirit's Role:
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Indwells believers, giving both the desire and ability to fulfill God’s purposes (Philippians 2:13).
"It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (32:42)
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5. Human Responsibility in Salvation
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Philippians 2:12-13 shows tension: work out your salvation with fear and trembling, and God works in you.
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The “both/and”:
- God initiates and empowers, believers respond and cooperate.
- Salvation is neither entirely passive nor self-driven; it is a partnership.
"God is the initiator, we are the responders. ... This is a working in concert with the Spirit of God." (37:20, 39:18)
6. The Day of Jesus Christ
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God’s good work continues “until the day of Jesus Christ.”
- Could mean the Second Coming or the day a believer stands before Christ in death (41:34).
"Whether He returns for me, or whether I die and go to be with Him, the Holy Spirit is going to help me in this journey... until the day I step into glory." (43:10)
7. Illustration: The 1992 Olympics - Derek Redmond’s Story
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Derek Redmond tore his hamstring during an Olympic race but hobbled toward the finish line. His father ran from the stands, embraced, and supported him to finish.
"It's a picture of our Father, our Heavenly Father's love for all of us: to come alongside us and help us to finish. ... God our Father is helping us along the way to finish." (46:50)
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Application:
- As Redmond’s father helped him finish, so God helps us persevere in faith. Even if others give up on us, God will “perfect that which concerns me” (Psalm 138:8).
8. Final Encouragement
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God will carry His children across the finish line—unlike Redmond, we will not be disqualified.
"You will cross that finish line and you will hear the words of your Father, the One who helped you get there, saying, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.'" (51:27)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Joy in Suffering:
"When you have a relationship with Jesus, your worst day with Jesus is always far better than your best day without Him." (17:10)
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On the Partnership in Spiritual Growth:
"Do I work out my salvation or does God work out my salvation in me? The answer: yes, it's both." (36:50)
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On Assurance:
"God is at work in you. ... Lean on Him, press into Him. He’s for you. If God be for us, who can be against us?" (34:08)
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On God’s Commitment:
"God, when we come to faith in Jesus Christ...imparts to us His Holy Spirit to come alongside us and indwell us, that by His Spirit...we might finish well." (28:18)
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On the Father’s Help:
"My loving Father has come to help me across that finish line." (50:30)
Important Timestamps
- Philippians background, context, and purpose – 00:00–06:30
- Theme of joy, Paul’s circumstances in prison – 06:30–09:30
- Joy vs. happiness distinction – 13:00–18:00
- Biblical definition of joy (chara, calm delight) – 19:55
- Paul’s gratitude for the Philippians’ support, first joy mention – 22:05
- Key verse: God finishes what He starts (Philippians 1:6) – 23:15–25:00
- God’s ongoing work in believers, role of the Holy Spirit – 25:00–31:00
- Philippians 2:12-13: our responsibility vs. God’s work – 32:30–37:00
- Theological tension: God’s part and our part – 38:00
- ‘Day of Jesus Christ’, perseverance, application – 41:34–44:20
- Olympic illustration—Derek Redmond – 44:20–48:45
- Encouragement and closing challenge – 49:00–52:30
Summary
In this uplifting episode, the host explores Paul’s joyful tone in Philippians, emphasizing that Christian joy isn’t rooted in changing circumstances but in a constant relationship with Christ. Paul’s confidence that God will finish what He starts in us forms the basis of true joy and assurance. Believers are encouraged to actively engage in their faith journey, knowing they are empowered and accompanied by the Holy Spirit, never abandoned to struggle alone. Using the memorable story of Derek Redmond and his father, the episode concludes with a heartening reminder: our Heavenly Father runs alongside us, ensuring we cross the finish line he has set before us.