Partners In The Gospel

Philippians 1:1-5

Introduction:

Introduce Series: Joy In The Journey

Introduce todays title: Partners In The Gospel

Introduce Series: Joy In The Journey

Introduce todays title: Partners In The Gospel

Context: Paul wrote the book of Philippians around A.D. 61 while in prison in Rome, with help from Timothy, to the church he had planted in Philippi years earlier. This was the first church he had planted in Europe. This letter expresses deep gratitude for the Philippians’ support and encourages them to stay united and joyful in Christ. They lived in a Roman colony filled with pagan worship, and were starting to endure persecution. Paul knew the weight of their sacrifice to Jesus and wanted to remind them to stay the course and do everything with joy!

Many today may be going through trials and tribulations or feel distant from God, wondering how can I have joy when I am going through this situation in my life? Paul will demonstrate throughout this letter that joy can be found only in Jesus!

Prayer

Read The Text:

Philippians 1:1-5

Central Idea:

True joy isn’t rooted in our circumstances, but in the depth of our relationship with Jesus.

Walk Through The Text:

Read Verses 1-2

POINT ONE: You can have joy as a servant

Read Verse 1

Explanation: Notice Timothy is with him in the introduction- Acts 16 points to Timothy being there early on when they started their work in Philippi. We will see quickly as the text unfolds, Paul is BIG on partnerships and working together when it comes to Kingdom work. WE SHOULD TOO! Ministry is a TEAM effort!

Servants of Christ Jesus- The Greek word for Servants is Doulos. It means bondsman or slave.

A Doulos was to do whatever their master told them.

Even though Paul is in bondage in a roman prison, he is a slave to Jesus Christ. Paul had joy because he had purpose in Jesus. He knew exactly what God called him to do and lived it out better than most believers do today.

Application: There is purpose when you are serving Jesus!

Illustration- Prison ministry, jump start leaders/current inmates had joy helping other inmates learn about Jesus and find purpose.

To All the saints with the overseers and deacons- Many letters that Paul wrote were meant to be read aloud over and over in local congregations. It was part of the culture in the time this was written.

So you can picture this letter getting delivered to the church at Philippi and ALL of the saints and spiritual leaders are there, ready to hear this special letter from Paul be read aloud over and over.

Read Verse 2

This is part of Paul’s normal greetings in his letters but also is significant: it’s a prayer that the church at Philippi might continue to experience God’s grace and peace.

Throughout the book of Philippians, EVERYTHING Paul says and does points back to Jesus.

Read Verses 3-5

POINT TWO: You can have joy as a partner in ministry

Read Verse 3

Explanation: Paul thanked God in all of his remembrance of the Philippians in 3 ways:

Their partnership in the Gospel

Their financial support (Read Philippians 4:15-16)

Their care for Paul

Paul had so much gratitude towards the church at Philippi. He makes this letter about the Philippians, not himself.

Read Verse 4

Paul is making it clear he prays for the Philippians often. He is joyful praying for them because of his relationship with them.

Often in Paul’s letters to other churches, he emphasizes that he is praying for them. We should strive to be people of prayer. Asking others how we can pray for them and then doing it. When Jesus is first in our life, we put others ahead of ourselves.

When looking at prayer with JOY, the greek word for Joy is chara, it means an inner cheerfulness or gladness. One commentator says this about having chara or biblical joy “Joy is not an experience that comes from favorable circumstances but is God’s gift to believers.”

Read Verse 5

Don’t miss what “their partnership in the Gospel” really meant—they were spreading the message of Jesus in a place full of pagan beliefs and false gods. Still, those early Christians stayed faithful, trusting God to work through them, and the result was a growing harvest that reached far beyond Jerusalem—all the way to Europe and beyond.

Application: Commit to being a church in this community that faithfully embraces the mission to share the Gospel as followers of Jesus Christ. Remember: People’s eternity is at stake!

Illustration: Servant evangelism ideas

Application:

Be a church that is ready to serve others

Be a church that is ready to partner

Be a church that is ready to share the Gospel

Conclusion:

Spend the next few minutes in prayer. God may be calling you to repent. God may be calling you to draw closer to Jesus this morning if you have strayed. God may be calling you to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and start your relationship with Him today. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, if he truly is not your Lord and Savior, I would love to talk to you right now about how you can leave here with a relationship with Jesus Christ today!

However God has spoken to you this morning to respond, do it!