Today, as we fly over Philippians, I want to identify 7 qualities in the relationship between Paul and the Philippians that we should be imitating here at EFC. And rather than seeing these as optional, I believe we, as Partners in the Gospel, should look at these as necessary virtues of our church family.
The First quality of being Partners in the Gospel is Praise. Praise to God because of our partnership together. Look at chapter 1 verses 3 and 4: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel…” Paul was filled with joy and gratitude to God because of the Philippian believers and that resulted in his praises of God.
Is there someone in your life that every time you think about them you just are filled with joy thinking about them? That’s how it was for Paul to think of the people at this church. The result and outcome of their ministry to one another overflowed into praise to God. When we are partnered together in the Gospel our relationships with each other cause us to be more thankful to God. When we value that unity based on the gospel then we want to praise God and we should praise God because of our unity.
The Second quality of being Partners in the Gospel is Prayer. When we all are sincerely purposed together in the gospel we will be in earnest prayer for each other. Paul prays for the Philippians, “In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy” (1:4). “And this is my prayer” Paul says in verse 9 and he would go on to describe the content of his prayers for them in verses 9-11.
The Philippians are in prayer for Paul as he acknowledges in 1:19, “for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
And then in chapter 4 Paul exhorts the Philippians to always pray. He says in verses 6 and 7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Instead of telling someone “I’ll pray for you”, we’ll take the time to stop and pray with them there. This increases our unity. Growth groups offer another chance for unity in prayer. Our growth group has felt an increase in love and fellowship, not through the sharing of food, but through the time of prayer each Sunday.
The Third is Preaching. When a church is partnered together in the gospel it becomes a priority for everyone that the gospel is preached. (Read 1:12-18) Paul cares about one thing in his imprisonment – that is that the gospel continues to be preached. He is not lamenting over his circumstances, but, rejoicing that through his circumstances Christ Jesus is being preached even more. Romans 10:12-14 shows us the importance of preaching the gospel and Paul knew this importance.
The First quality of being Partners in the Gospel is Praise. Praise to God because of our partnership together. Look at chapter 1 verses 3 and 4: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel…” Paul was filled with joy and gratitude to God because of the Philippian believers and that resulted in his praises of God.
Is there someone in your life that every time you think about them you just are filled with joy thinking about them? That’s how it was for Paul to think of the people at this church. The result and outcome of their ministry to one another overflowed into praise to God. When we are partnered together in the Gospel our relationships with each other cause us to be more thankful to God. When we value that unity based on the gospel then we want to praise God and we should praise God because of our unity.
The Second quality of being Partners in the Gospel is Prayer. When we all are sincerely purposed together in the gospel we will be in earnest prayer for each other. Paul prays for the Philippians, “In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy” (1:4). “And this is my prayer” Paul says in verse 9 and he would go on to describe the content of his prayers for them in verses 9-11.
The Philippians are in prayer for Paul as he acknowledges in 1:19, “for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
And then in chapter 4 Paul exhorts the Philippians to always pray. He says in verses 6 and 7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Instead of telling someone “I’ll pray for you”, we’ll take the time to stop and pray with them there. This increases our unity. Growth groups offer another chance for unity in prayer. Our growth group has felt an increase in love and fellowship, not through the sharing of food, but through the time of prayer each Sunday.
The Third is Preaching. When a church is partnered together in the gospel it becomes a priority for everyone that the gospel is preached. (Read 1:12-18) Paul cares about one thing in his imprisonment – that is that the gospel continues to be preached. He is not lamenting over his circumstances, but, rejoicing that through his circumstances Christ Jesus is being preached even more. Romans 10:12-14 shows us the importance of preaching the gospel and Paul knew this importance.
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