Joyful Partnership in the Gospel (2)

What defines us as followers of Jesus? And I ask that in the plural, “us,” for a specific reason. What defines “us” - relationally, together, as believers?

Keep that question in mind.

In all facets of life, we have defining characteristics that serve to accurately describe what we are like or what our interests or talents lend themselves toward.

Doctor?

General practice or specialist?

Cardiologist?

Rheumatologist?

Oncologist?

Carpenter?

Framer?

Finish?

Timber-framer?

New construction?

Remodeling?

Baseball fan?

Redsox fan?

Person who makes bad choices?

The same has been true for some time among Christians as well.

Now, I’m not talking specifically here about defining ourselves denominationally, as what we are going to discuss spans many denominations.

A question that has been asked for some time, among believers, concerning “what kind” of Christian you are, is this.

Are you a “Gospel” Christian?

evangelizing

“born again”

belief and interest in spreading the saving message of what Christ has done

That is a good question, in a day - and its been like this nearly since the end of the first century - in a day where there are many so-called Christians and churches who are happy to exist for mere organization and even community-oriented reasons, but have little or no interest in preaching, spreading, and seeing the advance of the Gospel.

But if we were to back up to the first century after Christ, and get into the minds and hearts of the apostles and early Christians, we would begin to see that this question, “are you a gospel Christian” is a bit like asking a swimmer if they are a “water” swimmer, or asking a forester if they have given much thought to trees.

Yes, really, the Scripture doesn’t have a category for a Christian who is not a “gospel” Christian.

John 20:31 ESV

but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

1 Corinthians 2:1–2 ESV

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

When we come to Philippians, even the verses that we have already read this morning, we see that the Gospel is central here as well.

The Gospel defined the relationship between Paul and the Philippian church, and the Gospel defined the relationships of the Philippians as well.

Their relationships began with the Gospel, they went forth for the Gospel, they remained by the Gospel.

So, we ask again, what defines us as Christians?

Partnership in the Gospel is not limited to “professional” or “official” means of service; rather, it is a defining feature of all Christian relationships.

1. Grace and Peace - more than just a greeting.

In just about every letter Paul writes, he uses these words as greeting.

“Grace and Peace.”

Something interesting, is that they are both words that were simply that - a greeting.

Peace - shalom - the common Jewish greeting in Hebrew. Would have been used in Jesus’ day and Paul’s day. For the Jewish readers of Paul’s writing, this would have been a familiar word and probably a hint of His Jewish background if they didn’t already know it.

But, He always added something before - Grace.

Charis - also a greeting.

There are thousands of examples of letters written in the greek-speaking culture of that day where the word for “grace” was used as a greeting. In those cases, it was simply that - a greeting.

And, for the Jewish “shalom,” no doubt in many cases, it was simply that as well.

So why does Paul open like this? Is it just a greeting? I think it is more.

While, it is thoughtful of Paul to utilize both Jewish and Greek greetings for his letters, most of which were going to mixed congregations of converts from both Judaism and Paganism, it is more than Paul just throwing a cultural bone.

You see, for Paul, he had come to experience both of these “greetings” in more than just the sense of a greeting.

Notice what he says -

Philippians 1:2 ESV

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is not Grace and Peace as a “well-wish.” This is a reminder, you are in and have been given the grace and peace of God Himself, through Jesus Christ.

Grace, which to the greeks was just a well-wish, was to Paul and all Christians, from God, a supernatural and divine gift. It is favor, unmerited, unearned, given.

Grace is the way we describe the action of God placing his loving favor on someone.

We spoke briefly last week about Paul’s conversion - from persecutor and Christian-hater, to the most devout follower of Jesus to walk the earth.

Listen to how he recalls this in terms of Grace when he writes to Timothy.

1 Timothy 1:12–14 ESV

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Yes, Christian - Grace to you from God through Christ. This greeting is more than a greeting, it is a reminder.

You, as a believer in Christ, have received the grace of God. His favor rests upon you. He has placed it upon you. From his love and benevolence, he chose you and called you his own. You are under his grace.

Peace, then, in Paul’s mind, follows closely.

Note again, that it is more than just a well-wish of “shalom” as he no doubt used it time and time again.

Shalom, as a greeting, is really a prayer, or for some, perhaps just a wish.

A wish for things to be in order. For things to be right. A prayer for you to know God’s superintending ways in your life.

But, again, for Paul, it was so much more than a wish - through Grace, the peace itself is also a gift.

“Grace is the unmerited and abounding favor of God toward men and peace is the result of that favor. It is the result of the reconciliation of man and God through Jesus’ death—peace obtained at the cross of Christ.” - JMB

Peace, in the new Testament, was first promised in the words of the Angles in Luke 2.

Luke 2:14 ESV

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Do you see that? And do you see that the elements from this greeting are there as well?

It is peace among those with whom God is pleased - peace among those who have God’s grace.

Brother, sister, do you know this in your life? This peace from God?

Philippians 4:7 ESV

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

So already in this greeting, we see the way that the Gospel defines us as Christians.

We are those who have received God’s grace and peace. We have God’s favor resting upon us, and we are at peace with Him, and have peace from Him.

And how did we encounter this grace and peace? How did we enter in to such a blessed relationship?

By the Gospel.

2. Joyful Prayer - more than just a saying.

We go then, from Paul’s greeting, to his prayer.

The way that Paul prays in his letters is so unified, so similar every time, that we get a glimpse into how he probably actually prayed in his private life as well.

What marks his prayer, and especially here for the Philippians, is a willingness, a desire, and a love. His prayer to God for them grows out of affection - not mere duty.

We can pause here for application in our own lives.

Do you pray for you brothers and sisters in Christ?

Do you want to pray for them?

Does your prayer for them grow out of affection and longing, rather than mere duty?

You see, this goes right back to that foundation of Grace and Peace.

Do you see your fellow believers as those who have God’s grace resting upon them, and by the Gospel they are at peace with God?

In other words, do you see them as on the same team - part of the same family - going for the same goal, and moving by the same wind?

Do you cheer them on as fellows and companions, with love and companionship because in Christ you are together, you are one?

Paul looked at his Philippian friends, and remembering how God saved them, and seeing how he was working in their lives, he joyfully prayed for them each time he remembered.

What a way to speak about a friend. How would that revolutionize our relationships, our unity?

“Hey, brother, every time I think of you I pray for you - and every time, I am joyful. I love you.”

Now there is that word - joy.

Joy is a big one in Philippians. At least 16 mentions. It is a major theme of the book.

Here, though our translations place the word probably at the end or middle of verse 4, what Paul actually wrote was

“with joy every time I pray...”

What was it that sparked this joyful remembrance? Why was Paul so joyful at the thought of the Philippians?

3. Partnership - More than just an idea.

Verse 5 tells us.

A little study note, probably more than any other writer of scripture, Paul’s use of sequence and reason and order in his writing is evident. Its evidence of his academic training, and it helps us get the meaning across.

So here, verse 5 starts with a helpful phrase - “because of...”

So he says, “I always thank God when i remember you with joy every time I pray for you because of your partnership...”

Pause there for a minute, there is another key word for us.

Partnership - Koinonia.

In other places, fellowship.

a sharing in common

mutuality

close association because of united bonds.

Partnership, or fellowship, is the major theme of Philippians, not because of how many times the word is used, but because of its foundational meaning in the letter.

For instance, we just saw the word joy - but that word joy did not stand alone, that joy was there “because of” this partnership/fellowship.

The whole letter was written primarily as a thank you for their partnership and fellowship, and to encourage their continued fellowship and unity together.

So, why was Paul so joyful at the thought of his Philippian brothers? Because of their partnership in the gospel.

Joyful partnership in the Gospel.

That is what Paul saw these Christians as - his partners. His fellows.

In our categories, we could say that there is no doubt that they are Gospel Christians.

Now, what does Paul mean by their partnership?

From the first day until now.

From the first day

Lydia, saved ad baptized, gave her house as a place of gathering and worship. - Acts 16:15.

The Philippian Jailer, gloriously saved and then brought Paul and Silas to have their wounds washed, and to feed them - Acts 16:33-34.

The church body supported Paul’s mission from their first opportunity - Phil 4:14.

Until now

continually giving years later, not only sending money but sending help - epaphroditus. Phil 4:16-18.

So what is this partnership in the Gospel?

Is it to be a Silas or a Timothy, and travel along with a missionary?

Is it to be a Matt or a Denis, and serve as an Elder at your church?

Is it to be a Lizzy or a Jane or a Liz or Gianna, to teach children in sunday school or junior church or collide?

Well, yes, of course it is those things. But it is not merely those things.

Just from the story of the Philippians, what do we see as partnership?

Facilitate worship and fellowship

lydia’s house

hosting a study

playing music

taking care of facilities

Serve the needs of those who are called to go

binding up wounds

sending financial gifts

Being available

Epaphroditus - not given a great deal of information. Was he a teacher? A doctor? A diplomat? We don’t know, but he was available.

Unity of Attitude and Spirit

2 Corinthians 8:1–2 ESV

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

What does this mean? That all gave some? Probably.

It probably means that some gave most, but Paul still recognized them, not as individuals, but as churches.

It takes the attitude of partnership on all fronts for this relationship to thrive.

Objections of disunity in the Gospel

Why are we spending so much on this when we could do this?

Why are we giving to this need when I have needs?

Why do we put so much effort into teaching and study in stead of....?

You see, the poorest person in the congregation can be the richest blessing to the spread of the Gospel by their attitude.

I’ll give anything.

Threats of unity

petty disagreements

I can’t partner with her because she....

I disagree with Him on this little issue so there is a rift.

I refuse to forgive because I’ve been hurt.

All of these go back to the foundation. Do we see one another as those who

Have God’s grace resting upon us

Live in the peace of God, at peace with God.

And, do we see ourselves as partners for/in/unto the gospel - the spread of the good news.

A loose community of friendly individuals is a lousy workforce, but a united group of grace-driven people at peace with God and one another, who have been given this task - go into all the world and preach the Gospel - now that is a workforce.

So we ask again, what defines us as Christians?