Philippians 1:1-11 - The Joy of Gospel Partnership

Good afternoon, everyone. Before we get started.

Ryan received word earlier this week that our brother Hal I was in bed rest and a passerine and I got a chance to visit with him yesterday. And he he did seem very fatigued and tired. But when we start talking about Jesus, when we start talking about the gospel and the hope that we have in Christ, he just kept talking and and there's one point where Ryan says, I feel really bad right now. We're making you talk a lot sweet time and I and I mentioned to him that we were going to pray for him at church tomorrow and he says, please do mention me by name and so we're going to do that right now. We're going to mention him by name Before the Throne so let's do that.

Heavenly Father. We know that you're the God. Who cares for us. You tell us the cast, your cares on you because you care for us. And we want to lift our brother how to you, we will lift them up to you and just ask that you would allow him to just continue to Revel in the peace and the grace and the mercy that is his in Christ. The during this time that we don't know what's what? Lord may he rest in what he knows what about what's true about you? And your promises and who he is in Christ? Let him rest in that and we lift up to you, Lord, that as you give him your peace. That he would trust you during this time that is worship. Would just be so Amplified, even now that even in the weakness of his body, his worship would be strong. Hold them up. We do pray that if it sure will heal his body, it's not Beyond you. But nonetheless Lord, may he give you all the praise even now that he would not waste this moment to give you all the worship. Oh we gladly, thank you that we're so thankful to have this camaraderie and fellowship in Christ. That even when Ryan and I were there it was sweet Fellowship. What a sweet Fellowship. We have in Jesus. Oh, Lord, bless this time that has we enter now into your word that the sweetness of the fellowship that we experienced in that room yesterday would be experiencing this room today. Can you be the glory? We ask and pray in Jesus name. Amen. All right, go ahead and turn your Bibles to Philippians, Philippians the letter to the Philippians here. I'll turn there.

All right.

Well here in Philippians chapter 1, I'm going to be begin a series. When I come up to preach in this letter and what we're going to do today is we're going to get an introduction to this letter and dive into the first few verses and see what this is about. Just for starters, I'm going to read verses one and two up front, but we are going to be going through verses 10 through 11. So starting here in verse one, it says they're Paul and Timothy Servants of Christ Jesus to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are Philippine with the overseers and deacons grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the title of our server, this afternoon is the the joy. The joy of gospel partnership. I will I'm going to be introducing like I said this letter and I'm excited to be to be doing this. But just for starters, here, let me just say a few things about this letter and then dive in to the text itself, but of the 13 letters, attributed to Paul. That's a lot of letters that he wrote in the Bible, five of them were probably written from prison of which this letter is one Ephesians being the other Colossians 2nd Timothy and Philemon. If you read through some of these letters, you find out quick. That gospel Ministry for Paul does not stop just because he's behind Prison Walls. In fact, when you find him in prison gospel, Ministry, continues and gospel Ministry flourishes. It's an amazing thing to see. And I just want to point out some of these things here that he's written from some of these letters. And then even in Philippians and slip and Philemon chapter 1, there's only one chapter verse 1 and also verse 9, he calls himself a prisoner of Christ Jesus. Believing verse 13. He says that his imprisonment is for the gospel. And the Philippians chapter 1 verse 13. He says, my imprisonment is for Christ is not a hiccup or delay in Ministry, when he is in prison, did his part of his gospel Ministry. He does not let it go to waste 2nd Timothy chapter 2. Verse 8. Remember Jesus Christ risen from the dead, The Offspring of David as priests in my gospel, for which I am suffering bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound to. That is his view. In other words, the gospel continues to carry on even from prison that even though his life situation has changed this, this calling that God has him to preach the word. it continues here, even from prison. Jesus Christ, is Sovereign over this this time of being in prison, he is there because of Christ, and because of that, he will carry on the cause of Christ even Behind Bars. And as he writes from prison to the church at Phillipi, he sees his life as being under the rule and care of chrysin to me, that's just an astounding thing. When you think about life, And how it comes at you with so many different variables and unknowable is in. Sometimes you feel like you're blind side of these curveballs? Paul is able to from prison, see his life under the rule and care of Christ. I don't know about you, but sometimes I'm not a complainer you going to find me complaining. They're going to find me depressed. You're going to find me sad. And, and so to me when I read this was an amazing thing that he has joined. The fact. And he's fine and he is just the reason. Why is he he sees that his life in God's hands under Christ care. He says in Philippians 1:21 for me. He says it's from prison to live is Christ to live. Is Christ to live in this prison is Christ to be Behind. These Bars is Christ. At the dice game. That's how he sees his life. Now, with these things in mind, The recurring theme. Is this it in this letter are these things? Jesus. Gospel partnership. Enjoy. Jesus gospel partnership. Enjoy the series as I go through this letter you get to see these icons up here and These four themes are, are we through out this letter? And so, you will probably see these icons kind of, with the points, just to help us remember the cross represents Jesus, which we're going to see in this letter, the globe represents the gospel, that is, to go to the ends of the Earth. The person represents partnership partnership on the talk a lot about that today partnership in gospel Ministry, end of the heart represents Joy, Consider these versus as you focus on this site, I'm just going to do two. There's a I actually had a long list here. But because I'm going through verses 1, through 11 and used to be this kind of list at this point here comes a point. You the two sections of the beginning of the letter and the end of the letter, where you see these themes weave together, Philippines, one verse three. I thank my God, and all my remembrance of you always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I'm sure of this that he who began a good work in, you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ and soak rice. There it is referred to what is the day of Jesus Christ, but they're the hope of every believer that we're going to be with him. There's Christ. And then, you see gospel right there, a global partnership that person you see, gospel in Partnership. From the first day until now, they were Partners In The Gospel. So, see those two things. Their head of this prayer that he refers to he prays with joy. You see all that woven together, in that section there. Jesus gospel, partnership, joy in Philippians. 4:4 rejoice in the lord. Always, again, I will say rejoice, let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand Rejoice. Again, I will say rejoice that is Joy, isn't it? And even the last part there, the Lord is at hand, that is joy. That is dark hopeful anticipation. We wait for him with joy. Rejoice in the Lord. That is Jesus right in the Lord. The Lord is at hand again that it's Jesus, you see Jesus there. And then it says, let your reasonableness be known to everyone. That is the gospel. You were to make known the gospel and it is a plural. You you all are expected to articulate in your speech and exemplify with your life, the gospel to everyone and that is partnership because you all are doing that even as Paul is doing that even as passerine is doing that even as Jason is do that Marcus is doing and I am doing that that along that that not just the eldest will all of us are to do this. Again, Jesus gospel. Partnership Joy. So I can make our way through this. Letter to the church at Phillipi. We will see this over and over again. And so here's the scene together. We advance in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with joy. That is a very important thing for a young Church Plant to understand, to know, to embrace to be convicted, convinced The Paddock conviction but together, not by ourselves together. We advanced in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with joy. That's how can I get out there to Benicia. That's how it's going to get out there to the Bay Area together. We do this together. We advance together We share the gospel together. Jesus Christ is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the message we speak. And we do so with joy.

So, just like any other partnership, this partnership that that Paul is, speaking of its started somewhere, it started somewhere. Okay, that's a branded in Christ. We see that together has a beginning. And this is where he talks about how this partnership began. And I'm just going to do a little overview here. I'd rather start with Philip, I according to Philippines. 412, Phillipi is a leading city of the District of Macedonia and a Roman Colony, a Roman Colony. That's what we see there in Philippians 4:12. So as a Roman Colony, it was governed by Roman law and the citizens of this Colony were Roman citizens. That's why, when Paul and Silas were in prison in Philippi. And the people found out that they were Roman citizens and ask 16:38, they got imprisoned it says of the people, they were afraid. And in fact the next 1639 and says they came and apologized to them and of course release them. You see this was a Roman Colony, a body by Roman law. They were not supposed to do that to their own people Philip. I was the first major Center where Paul preached the gospel in Europe, as a leading City. It's helpful to know as one commentator puts the Philippines self was modeled on the mother City Rome. It was laid out in similar patterns, the style architecture were copied extensively the coins. Produced in the City Ballroom in inscriptions, the Latin language was used and its citizens were Roman dress and although not the capital of the province, Philip I was a leading City in an important stopping place and quote Philip I was not just governed by wrong. It look like grown. You would have go there while this this this feels familiar. This feels like the motherland and is a stopping point to Italy. It was a very important city. Had a lot of these places that that Paul writes to called minister to where the gospel was laid out, they were important cities were a lot of people traffic through, this is one of them. And then in comes Paul. The city that was already in place that was already built already in motion and comes Paul and Acts chapter 16 versus 6240. the prior when Paul comes into this area of a Philippine coming into that approach or, or that entry, Call Pryor splits up with Barnabas in Acts chapter 15 verse 39. Barnabas takes John Mark, Paul take Silas. And then the next 62:1 Paul adds to his team, Timothy and the desire that Paul had with, with Silas and with Timothy was to go to Asia. But then acts 16 Verse 6, the holy spirit says, prevented them. The desire was then to go to Bethania, you know, cuz cuz Papa's. Okay, I can't go there. Then I'll go here but it is 16 verse 7. The Holy Spirit prevented them too but does Paul stop there. No. On top of these things happening of trying to do being prevented trying to go. And then being prevented God gave Paul a vision where he saw a man appealing to him saying, come over to Macedonia and help us which Paul says in 16:10 that it became his desire at that point to go to Macedonia. I see Paul was doing gospel Ministry and it was clear, who was the head? It is clear, who is the Lord? It is clear, who was in charge and it wasn't Paul. Yes. Paul was the, the Dead, the head figure. The leading figure the point man of his team with Silas and Timothy, but it's clearly, Lord, who was leading him

The conclusion was this.

In Acts 16:10. God has called us to preach the gospel to them. and so, when Paul gets to Phillipi, What was ingrained in his soul. So to speak, his mind has hard what he was convicted of what he was convinced of his. I am supposed to be here to do gospel Ministry. He knew what he was supposed to do there. He wanted to go eat and to Asia, but God says, I want you to go west and unbeknownst to Paul. God was going to give him one of the best gospel Partners in his gospel Ministry. The Philippians acts 16 verse 11, so setting sail from trow as we made a direct Voyage to saddle trace and the following day to Minneapolis and from there to Phillipi, which is a leading city of the District of Macedonia and a Roman Colony. We remain in the city, some days. And what do you think he was doing, spending his days? They're vacationing in this Macedonian land right by the Sea, The View.

I'm sitting there to do gospel Ministry. He knew why he was there when he traveled from troas over overseas to samothrace and put him on the body of land that got him to Phillipi. This is where Paul and countered Lydia, whose household came to Christ. That was in Philippine. This is also where Paul and Silas were in prison and was imprisoned, there was a great earthquake which open all the doors to the prison cells. If you're familiar with the Roman army, they were unforgiving. They were very precise. You are not to mess up. We are not going to build this Empire on mistakes and the cell doors were open. And the jail guard. Was getting ready to kill himself because he thought all the prisoners ran off.

You see what happened? And acts 16 verse 28. Paul cries out do not harm yourself for. We are all here. And Paul leaves, the Philippian Jailer to Christ along with his entire household that happened at Phillipi to. Can you imagine that the Philippian Jailer wasn't Phillipi, right? You got to put these stories together. That's who that was. And from these seed relationships grew this church, that became a key and strategic Ministry, partner for Paul. Paul didn't know that what, that's what he was going to get. All he had in his mind, has been go to Asia, but the Lord was directing the steps and says, no, you go there. I got, I need you to get to Phillipi. I need to get those partners and this gospel Ministry needs to grow the way I'm directing you. All right, so, that is how it started together. Has a beginning and then from there, they serve together together, we serve, Paul does not serve on his own, even when he's in prison, he's not alone. This is why I firmly believe that. Gospel Ministry does not happen apart from the church Lone Ranger missions, or do-it-yourself transplanting is never modeled for us in the book of Acts. It's not there. I remember a man confiding in me about planting a church in Hawaii, he introduced himself to me as a church planting Guru. What it? What an introduction. I'm a guru. It was just the most amazing introduction and he had planted several churches. I never verify. This is just what he told me. He planted several churches in Australia and Japan. But admittedly, he lack understanding about the Hawaiian people and how he was going to make his way in. And so he had heard, I was part of a church plan on church, revitalization on a wahoo. So he wanted to confide in me as to how he would go about it for himself. and the first question I asked him, was this Which church do you go to? What are you go? What do you gather with? Who's your team? Who is it Blank? Stare. And then I followed up with if you were to plant this church which church would be sending you. It's it's a it's a, it's a fundamental I think foundational question. It dawned on me, he didn't have a church, he was a self self set man, and whether or not, he would have going and maybe succeed, it just didn't line up with the model. God has for us. The red Apostle Paul did not survive on his own. But even when he split with Barnabas Barnabas took someone with him, Timothy took Paul to somebody with him. He was not alone. Now, let's just take that. Thought there for a moment, let's take a step back here and just consider how at a very basic level God's design for us. As Believers is to live the Christian life together with other believers. Let's just take that step back for a moment here. One step back, two steps before consider this. 2nd Timothy 2:22. It says they're so flee youthful, passions and pursue righteousness. Faith, love and peace along with those who call on Lord from a heart. That's on this text receive a fleeing from sin and that is right. We are to flee from sin. We are not to live instead we are not too cold at 8 and said we are at the pet and cuddle Larson. We are to flee from it, right? But then it is coupled with a pursuit of righteousness. The fleeing and pursuing but don't miss those words there along with all we know that it's God's in science and not looking to spend, we know it is God's design for us to live righteously. But did you know that you're supposed to do that with other people? That's not alone along with you don't live the Christian life alone, you do it along with those who call on the Lord, from a pure hearts be in the company of believers. They need to be your friends, they need to be your partner's. They need to be your companion.

Why? Because that is God's design for you in this life that you try to live for him into his glory, not alone, God's design. This is the way you sent it to me. When I was a teenager, I was talked to have an accountability partner. Give me that ride. You grew up around. Same thing I did.

Because they're trying to teach us that we are to do this along with, you know. Some, some people you can't even ask them about their walks without them getting offended. They don't understand this concept of a long list along with along with Man, I've been confronted by so many people. Rebukes confronted with love. Are they, they, they, they want me to honor God. And sometimes I'll see things and don't call me out. You know what I say? I don't get mad at him.

Calm down man. Back. I say thank you brother. Thank you, sister. We live this Christian life together. We do it together. We flee together, we pursue together, we do this together and that is on a personal basis, right now. Let's do two steps forward here.

We take that kind of thinking to the level of ministry as receive your even the letter to the Philippines Philippines, 15. The Philippian church are Partners In The Gospel Partners In The Gospel. Gospel Ministry is not to be done alone. We are not silos individual individuals. Here in this church are not silos, we are Partners in the gospel and even this church is not a silo. Yes, we are autonomous churches, local churches. But even this church was sent by another church. We are not silos. We have Partners In gospel Ministry that we don't go at this alone and because of that His blessings are Their Blessings. Philippians 1:7 says they are partakers of Grace with Paul through. Paul's imprisonment, through Paul's apologetic. Defense and confirmation of the Gospel. They are partakers of Grace with Paul and what this tells me is that there is a common Grace amongst partners that is experience together from God when we labor together for God, because they are Partners in the work, they are also Partners in the blessings. They are joined to the beer together together in a deeply profound way, and you just don't see a Lone Ranger missionary or do it yourself Church, planter you just don't stay there. And I bring up one of the thought here. Not always this together for Paul has a beginning in this. They're not only do they serve together but we also see that together we stand, they stand together. There's a promise in this letter that comes in the form of a conviction in Philippians 1:6 that we who are corporate, recipients of Grace as partners in gospel Ministry. There's something that we can know about each other and its Universe 6. I am sure of this and and this This be persuaded of, Paul has a lot to do with his partnership, he has with these people. He sure of something because you have partnered with me in this way. I am sure of this But he who began a good work in, you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. And again, that's plural you with. So it can be you all you all who labor in Christ can know that you all will stand together in Christ. There, there's a coming a day when our faith will be sites. What our Lord Jesus Christ will come for us and we will be with him. There is coming a day where are sanctification are being made. Holy will come to a completion and we will actually be the holy bride of Christ that we see the Revelations. 21 were part of that. You Christian, you fellow laborers in the Lord. You do your church, we will stand with Christ. And you see how precious that is. Let us who this church is to Paul his grounded with partnership in Christ. And the greeting carries with it that heartfelt sediment. And so now we're going to jump into the text. Jumping out to the text. We see, Paul's greetings in Christ and that is in verses 1 and 2. It says they're Paul and Timothy Servants of Christ Jesus to all the states in Christ. Jesus, who are Philip by with the overseers and deacons grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, here are these verses. You see Paul and Timothy are co-laborers in Ministry. There is no doubt who they serve. It says, they, they are Servants of Christ. Jesus, they are not distracted men. They are not confuse or double-minded. Men, they serve Christ, Jesus. They know who they serve and the greeting, you express as a deep care and affection for the local church grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, it reveals the nature of their service. As Servants of Christ. Jesus, they are ministers of Grace. As as Servants of Christ Jesus, they are ministers of peace.

and so, it's going to

Guide them lead them govern them in the way they interact with God's people. They are not to harass God's people there, not to crush them, they are not to ruin them, they are not the frustrate then they are Ministers of Christ. Jesus, ministering is Grace Ministry, his peace so that when the people left their presents left their service,

They felt God's grace on them. They felt God's peace on them. That's what they got from these guys. You see? Mysterious Paul was on who he was. He was also clear about who he was addressing all the saints in Christ Jesus who I Phillipi. So that's the right. And I went to go visit with how Thompson yesterday as mentioned earlier here. Our heart was to minister God's grace, and God's peace to this brother. What she did receive with much joy. I'm using on that bed and he was just like restless with joy and I can just see him. So excited, Ryan, one of the stop talking cuz he felt bad working him up like that.

Well, at the end of that conversation, that Pastor Ryan prayed for him, and then when he was done now, says, may I also pray for you. What he was doing, he goes. All right, you minister to me. I'm in here to you too, right? It was, it was so amazing. Then you prayed for a ride and then he prayed for me and threw that prayer. He he ministered God's grace and God's peace to us and it reminded me that we are a priesthood of Believers. This ministry is not just one way from Paul and Timothy to the church, but it works the other way as well because they are Saints. I minister to Saints. Bape u.s.a. are Servants of Christ Jesus as. So, you got to just understand there's going to be this to way Ministry going on. That the partnership is not just one way, it goes both ways you say. Look at who the church is. They are Saints in Christ. Jesus. And of themselves. They are not seen any of themselves. They are not wholly, they're not virtuous, only in Christ, are they so apart from Price? The Bible says, they are dead in their trespasses and sins in Christ. They are made of Life In Christ. They are made new. We know that from the Bible that through faith in him, they are born again, through faith in Christ, they have been made, wholly and noticed, they identify in Christ. As a local church. The Saints who are at Phillipi. God has placed them to be the people of God in the specific location and they have structure with leadership and placed overseers that is elders. And deacons at according to God's design. For the church, they are able to build one another up in love and they are able to reach out to the lost with the gospel. In other words, As a church as a local church. In this localized place, this is a known place. This is not imaginary. This is not something that that maybe Refer to The Universal Church know we we we benefit from this letter but he's riding to this local place year and this is what he what he say. They have been so organized and so set that they are able to heed the Great Commission call of making disciples. These are his partners and as we move on we see that he has gratitude in Christ for them. RS3. I think my God and all my remembrance of you always and every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I'm sure Of this that he who began a good work in, you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. This gospel partnership that Paul has with the Philippian church and Wells up with thankfulness and Wells up with gratitude as he thinks about him, he's he's just overwhelmed with what God has done. They have been all in from the very beginning. It says, they have not cave, did they have not let up? They continue to be ongoing supporters of his ministry. Paul was out up a very popular guy to support. I mean, he's not in prison because he's popular. The public don't really like him so much. But that does not deter the Philippians from being tied to the hip with him from partnering him from supporting him. If you think about it, if you think about it.

the reason why these people

Stayed faithful stayed in the fight with him is because they really believe that what Paul was doing, I mean, how can they not, how could they not? They themselves are the fruits supposed Ministry. They know what is made of? They know what he does? They can affirm that. He is who he says he is in verse 1. A Servants of Christ Jesus they know this because he served them. He's God's, man.

He's the one who's been used of God. He's the one who brought them. The gospel that has the power of got to make them the people of God. He's the one who did that many streets of them Vape partner in the gospel that they themselves have been convinced of threw him. How, how can they not support him? This is not a stranger to them. And so for them it's not a waste to support him. This partnership revealed, something to Paul, In the process of them being all in this way, it shows pulse something, which is the reason why they are all in the way that they are, it makes me think of Matthew 6:24, no one can serve two masters. For either, he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. You will serve who you love. You will serve whom you love me. When we were singing that song. It got to the Commandments part. I forget the exact words but just glad Lee. Right? Because of who he is, what he's done, the gospel in your life, the Commandments become that which you gladly do.

You will serve him, you love. These people of God, their partnership in the gospel from the first day of till now, when Paul says that it's an expression, yes of their love for Paul but even more. So if their love for God, I said, because of that, Paul gives them a promise based on that conviction. And we are very ready, here. I'll read it again verse 6. 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. He's convinced of this. You guys actually serve God, you don't love money, you love God, you not serving other things are serving God. But yeah, I'm just referring to the store, you just several times just because it's so fresh in my mind. But when we were visiting with how yesterday, But we got into this part of our conversation where we just start showing purses. Share versus with each other. And then Ryan shirt something out of Psalm and how we'll talk and they were talking talk and talk. I go home and share something to I said, how can I share first with you? He grabbed my hand.

And turn to Philippians 1:6. I read this verse fresh in my mind, preaching get today. I'm sure of this. But he who began a good work in. You will bring it to completion. And when a guy is bed, rest, and he doesn't know where his life is going to go, how do you think his mind is going to race over a verse like that? If he really loves the Lord, was that going to mean to him? He who began a good work in, you will bring it to completion, he won't give up on you. He won't stop being there for you to the very end. You will always be faithful. I read this to him. And then push my hand harder.

Dispense so much to him. I don't know all that's going to happen with how we don't know. But I'll tell you what I do know. Being with Jesus Christ, as his great hope and great delight at a that much. This is actually what we share and have in common as Believers. It is Christ and more of Christ. And so, moving on, we see that Paul Rebels and the grace of Christ. I want to meet to say bye. That is he shares? Not only in the work of gospel Ministry, but also the blessings that come Which is Grace. 47, that is right. For me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart for you are all partakers with me of Grace. Both of my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel song. God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love me about more and more with knowledge and all the sermon, so that you may approve. What is excellent. And so, be pure and blameless for the day of Christ Filled with the fruit of righteousness, that comes to Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. They are not just Partners In gospel Ministry. In verse 5, who do the work of Ministry? They are also partakers of Grace. Did you not just work with Paul but they are also blessed with Paul. And as I mentioned earlier, because the church at Phillipi are Partners in the work, they are also Partners in the blessings. They are joined to the hip. They are together in a deeply profound way. And this makes me think of John 1:16, John 1:16 tells us that from his foolish for the fullness of Christ. We have all received, whatever you received, Grace, upon Grace, what an amazing thing that we get from Christ, we get Grace heaped up, on top of Grace. We get an abundance of Grace. Don't don't lose lose sight of this and John one. It says we all receive his grace. If you were in Christ, you have Grace. If you're in Christ you have an abundance of Grace Grace upon Grace. I will Paul is doing in Philippians when he talks about this being partakers of Grace together. He takes the grace, we already received to be something that we enjoyed together. We enjoy this together. So by virtue of our Minister and together, we enjoyed Grace together. So not only are you not meant to enjoy his grace all by yourself or to celebrate his grace, all by yourself, you're supposed to be partakers doing this together. Gospel Ministry makes enjoying his grace a possibility. It makes enjoying his grace. Something that happens is a part of our partnership that this could be. The grace to help in time of need, which we read about in Hebrews 4:16. We enjoy that together or this could be the sufficient Grace of Christ where his power is made, perfect, in our weakness. We enjoy that together that, in our weakness. How are we going to stand up to the trials and persecution? We face in this life together? We're going to enjoy the Grace from Christ, that is sufficient to get us through that. We get to enjoy that together or perhaps, this is the grace that is gain, and humility. For says, James 4:6, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. As soon as we collectively humble ourselves. Before the Lord, we are going to get the grace together and enjoy it together, or maybe just maybe it's the grace to work harder. 1st Corinthians 15:10, I work harder than any of them though. It was not. I but the grace of God that is with the, the grace to work hard. We will get that from him. There's so much grace to be had in the gospel and in gospel Ministry, we are partakers of Grace together.

I have so much more to say, I think I will too much. Let me just add with this store here. I remember. When I needed to make an inquiry from Hawaii.

when I was still part of the church plant with Island Grace Church,

that's a church plant. I know, you know, there's a lot of hardships. There's a lot of Hiccup, there's a lot of bumps in the road. There's a lot of pioneering, you know, sometimes the sticker things out, you know. Like one of them is trying to figure out how to get a 501 c 3. If you guys know what that is, it's crazy. All right, paperwork just just just getting registered with the state as a non-profit. Try to get the church going to get started. We'll okay. We are going through a lot of stuff. I called Community Bible Church because I needed some stuff from them. I need to talk to report some things to them. And when I called on the other side of the phone was Janice Baker.

I think I was just trying to get ahold of Pastor Steve Pastor, Phil one of them. and Janice with the kindest voice said, may I ask who's calling

and I said, it's a male. To which he responded is this rml. Man. At that, I'll let me tell you the other side of that call. We're just streams of Tears. Right? To just know we were not alone in this. This is so hard to do. Church plant has like a baby in his, a lot of TLC.

Just look around each other here. We are Partners In gospel Ministry. We're trying to do this together, right? You belong to me. I belong to you. We are each other's in Christ going to do this together. What is where? We're coming up on three years. This is still a young Church Plant, you understand? You know, I I I told myself I'm going off script here that's so hard. I had to turn in that like 10 years ago and then Brian comes in and says hey bro, you want to do this church plant with me.

Ride is a dear brother. A dear partner. You guys are my partners with doing this together. And so, let me just pop up the slide here. Together. We advanced in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with joy, but praying that we come to you and we just ask

that you with continued to pour forth your grace. And pouring forth Your Grace, you would pour forth your joy. They each and every one of your people, your church. It would be a great Delight. Not just mere duty but our great joy to serve you with all our heart. I pray for the gospel Ministry that would go forth from this place. That it would be fruitful. But as it goes out as it goes forth that even now you would be preparing lost souls to receive Jesus, to become worshippers of its spirit and truth, that they would Worship You In This Way. And we do ask Lord as much as Ryan and I the elders don't want to Pastor a big church. We asked you to fill these seats, not for our namesake but because you got deserve all the glory, all the praise, you alone are worthy. We pray for a great Revival in Benicia that only you can do, we can't do it.

But help us, O Lord. In our weakness. To be engaged to go forth and to be about this gospel Ministry work. You call us to. I will give you all the glory. It's all yours it. Do you deserve it? We gladly given. Oh, how we love you. We pray this now. Jesus name. Amen.