The Joy of Gospel Partnership

Phil 1:3-11

Explain why I’m preaching this passage today

The overarching theme of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is joy. Paul says in chapter 4 verse one that the Philippians are his crown and his joy, he enjoins them (in chapter 2 verse 2) to complete his joy by being of one mind. And here in chapter one as Paul gives thanks for them he says that he prays for them always, in every prayer with joy.

And what is the reason that Paul gives for his joy in praying for the Philippian church? Verse 5 tells us; it was because of their partnership with him in the gospel.

Today’s sermon is entitled ‘the joy of gospel partnership’. I hope to prove today that this gospel partnership spoken of here in Philippians is actually a recipe for joy in our lives and a source of hope for the world.

The greek word underpinning this concept is a word that will probably be familiar to some of you its the word koinonia; which is often translated ‘fellowship’. in fact the KJV and NKJV do translate it that way in this passage;

Philippians 1:5 KJV 1900

5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

And quite often that is how the word is rendered elsewhere in scripture;

2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Now in my church growing up we would quite often have ‘times of fellowship’ after service. What was generally meant by this ‘time of fellowship’ was that we would all stick about afterwards for 20 minutes or so for a cup of tea and a slice of quiche!

But this was certainly not what the Philippian’s would have understood by the word Koinonia. In Greek society that word was frequently used in business settings, where two parties would start up in business together; there were sharing a koinonia together in business. It was a word that spoke of commitment, of participation, of shared cost!

The Philippian’s wouldn’t have understood Paul to be saying that they shared a ‘friendly connection’, or some kind of ‘vague association’ in the gospel; but that they were engaged in a shared mission in the gospel with shared commitments, with shared aims, with shared costs.

This partnership in the gospel which the Philippians shared in was what gave Paul the confidence to proclaim;

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

“Partnership is a shared vision of what is of transcendent importance, and a vision that calls forth our commitment.” D.A. Carson

Anyone here like sports? I love a good sports documentary. My favourite one of all is actually about the Chicago Bulls basketball team of the 1990’s that dominated the NBA and won six championship titles, it’s called The Last Dance. Now of course the player that everyone remembers is Michael Jordan; and of course that’s understandable, without Jordan the Bulls don’t win those six titles. However, Michael Jordan was playing for the bulls for seven years before they won a Championship so clearly he wasn’t the sole reason for their success. What was so incredible about that Bulls team of the 90s was their shared vision and unwavering committment to each other. Of course Jordan starred, but not without his team mates putting it all on the line for him to shine; lesser known players and coaching staff who gave everything for the cause. This is a picture of gospel partnership! Sure, everyone has heard of the Apostle Paul, but Paul is saying that his success in ministry was brought about by this shared koinonia, this shared committment to the gospel cause.

Everyone has a part to play, nobody is a passenger in gospel ministry!

So what did the Philippian’s koinonia look like in brass tacks?

It was participation in (eis - into or in the cause of) the gospel. This is to be the great cause of our partnership - the work and the advance of the gospel to our towns and cities. This is what is demanded of us as believers - that we partner with the work of the gospel. We’re not passive, we don’t leave it to the pastor we get involved, we commit, we buy in to the mission of our local church for the cause of the gospel.

It was a participation in the Spirit - It was the Holy Spirit at work in the Philippians that brought about their commitment to the work. Our commitment to the furtherance of gospel ministry is a sign that the Holy Spirit has koinonia with us.

It was a financial partnership - the most obvious evidence of the Philippian’s partnership in the gospel is their generous and consistent financial giving.

Philippians 4:15–16 ESV

15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

They gave from the first day until the last, through thick and thin. They gave financial to support Paul while in Thessalonica so that he didn’t have to ask the Thessalonian’s for support and so that he didn’t have to go and find work to support himself. They sent one of their leaders, Epaphroditus all the way to Rome to bring a gift to Paul while he was in house arrest. Paul says of the Philippian’s in 2 Cor 8 that they gave above and beyond their means with abundant joy, despite their extreme poverty and affliction.

4. It was a partnership in grace with Paul - The Philippian’s in their consistent care for Paul through thick and thin actually became partakers with him of grace - both in his imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel.

5. It was a partnership which was rooted in love, and which bore the fruit of joy for both Paul and the Philippians.

So in conclusion - as Christians we are not passive recipients of the gospel, but we are transformed by the gospel. We become partners in the gospel, responsible together with one another for it’s furtherance. Consistent and generous financial giving for gospel ministers is a key part of what this gospel partnership looks like.

Paul says of this kind of partnership

Philippians 4:18 ESV

18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

And as we partner with the work of the gospel we can be assured of this - that God will supply every need of ours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus - to our God and Father be glory forever and ever!