Beginning is tough. Kim Linehan was an American Olympic swimmer who, for 8 years, held the world record in the Women’s 1500-meter freestyle. Competing at 18 years of age, Kim would do endless exercises and swam 7 to 12 miles a day. But when she was asked “what is the hardest part of your regimen?” she gave this reply: “getting in the water.”

 Getting in the water. 

Beginning is tough. Starting over—beginning again—is harder still. If I couldn’t finish it the first time, why even try this time? One needs motivation to finish, and it just seem so lacking in situations like these.

But Paul writes to a struggling church from prison and shares this remarkably inspiring word: “I’m confident of this…that the same God who began a good work within you is going to carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” 

The sermon today is titled "New Beginnings." The Scripture reading is from Philippians 1:6. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 7, 2022. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed twice under Begin: A Faithful Presence & Begin: A Hopeful Renewal.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Links and Resources:

• This lesson was inspired by Billy Wilson's 2010 sermon titled "God Will Finish It."
• See the latest deep space images from the James Webb Space Telescope.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter/tiktok)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

---

In partnership with:

• West Side Church of Christ
• Life on the West Side: Nathan's Weekly Substack