Gospel Partnership

Good morning, everyone! Whether you're here with us in the room or joining online—listening live or later—I am truly glad you're here. Leaf River Baptist church exist to Know God, grow in faith, and to go make Him known.

Hey, if you’ve got kids with you this morning—now’s a great time for them to head to class. We’ve got an amazing team ready to welcome them and help them know Jesus in a way that makes sense to them.

Now everyone else, it’s time to grab your Bible, and get ready to be uncomfortable. We are going to be in Philippians chapter 1 today.

OK, so before we get into the text I want to have you think about something. Think about a time when you recived a “thank you” letter, but it wasn’t really a thank you letter. Think about that note from you boss maybe that says, “thank you for your work, can you do this differently” or maybe maybe like a letter you get in the mail that says something like, “Thank you for letting us insure your home” then comes the rest, “You need to trim the tree next to the south side of the house or we will drop you from coverage”….You know, they thank you, but really it turns corrective in nature. There is appreciation, but it’s mixed with pressure.

Philippians is a thank you letter—but not a manipulative one. It’s warm—it’s joyful—it’s deeply affectionate. However, it has teeth! See, Paul is not flattering the Philippians—he’s forming them.

This letter shows us what a church looks like when Christ—not comfort—is at the center.

Philippians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Over the course of the last few months we have had some pretty instructive sermons. Last fall we talked about idolatry and how we need to be aware of idols that can creep into our hearts, so that we can focus on the Gospel.

Then we talked about how God has entrusted to us everything we need as a church to accomplish what he has put us here for. We discussed how God entrusted us with financial resources, and how God entrusted emotional and spiritual resources that should all be used for God’s glory.

Then at Christmas, we saw the true story of a God who entrusts his own son to a world that is rejecting him. How God has been with us in every way.

So, why would we look at Philippians now? Well, you see, Philippians answers the question of, “What does a church look like that takes entrustment seriously?”

Philippians is not theoretical, it is Christianity being lived out!

Yet, before Paul thanks them, before he talks about joy, before he ever mentions finances—he grounds everything in grace. Lets see how

Gospel Partnership Is Rooted in Grace, Not Performance

Philippians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

So there’s something that should be remembered as we read this letter over the course of the next few months. Paul is in prison in Rome at this time. Even more than simply being in prison, Paul has experienced a lashing that opened the muscles and bones in his back. Yet…he sang and worshiped the Lord after that beating. The guards have watched this happen, and can serve as witnesses, as can others. it will be made clear that the things that Paul will write about are things that he is actually doing himself. Paul is going to tell the congregation in Philippi that it is entirely possible to rejoice in the Lord—always.

Paul wrote this letter to specific people. Let’s look at

Who Paul Addresses

First of all we read that Paul is writing, with Timothy to the Saints in Christ Jesus. That’s interesting—what does that mean? The Catholic church gives the title of “saint” to people that have lived extraordinary lives. Except they don’t become a saint until well after they are dead, so Paul can’t be writing to dead people…so what does it mean to write to the saints?

Well, a saint in Christ Jesus…that’s a Christian. So, if Paul were to write a letter to you and I, he would say, “To the saints of Leaf River” or, “To the Christians of Leaf River”. That’s pretty cool I think. That’s a claim of identity Paul is not describing their behavior…he is describing who they are.

So listen, he isn’t writing this to the volunteers of Philippi, or to the financial donors of Philippi. Paul is addressing who they are, not what they do first.

They are saints, before they are even partners. You see, identity comes before activity. The people of Philippi are not useful tools, they are holy people in Christ.

However, Paul is also addressing the overseers and deacons. In other words, Paul is addressing the leadership specifically in Philippi becuase it is their role to ensure the spiritual health of the church. Paul is pointing out that those who are in leadership better pay attention.

Back to the saints, this is how we should see each other. Then, by viewing people in this way, it guards the church from things like pragmatism, or guilt driven ministries. In other words, we see each other as fellow Christians, not just what you can do for me—ok—but that’s not all. Next comes

Grace and Peace as the Foundation

So Paul is crediting these Christians with God’s grace, and peace. he is proclaiming to this church that these are things that are a foundation for who they are.

Now you really have to answer the question about what is grace, huh…Well, I’m going to define that for you today. Grace is God’s unmerited favor, given in Christ. There’s actually an old acrostic that goes like this God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

Let’s look at peace, and give a definition for peace. Peace is reconciliation with God first, then, with each other. Imagine if you had peace in your life?

Now here’s what’s going on, and this is really important. Paul is saying that these are things that are received—not achieved.

Churches collapse when they try to build mission without grace and peace.

So, if the gospel doesn’t shape our identity as a church, our mission that we have talked about, will crush us. But grace-first churches are fee to labor joyfully in their mission for the Lord.

You see,

Gospel partnership is relational, not just functional

In every Christians life, the most obvious evidence of the experience of God’s grace and peace is gratitude and joy! This is why Paul so frequently injected being joyful always, even in suffering. Remember, Paul is writing this as he is suffering himself. Paul’s joy is not some abstract concept…it’s deeply personal…and it’s deeply relational.

Philippians 1:3–5 ESV

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Paul is being genuine here. Paul is truly grateful for this partnership with the church in Philippi.

Joy comes from partnership, not circumstances

Pauls circumstances are horrible at the moment. Paul is in prison, yet he is joyful. Remember, Paul has been in prison singing worship to the Lord with Silas when there was an earthquake and his chains were removed, allowing him to leave. Yet he stayed and the jailer put his life and faith in Jesus.

So when Paul says he is thankful to God for remembering the people outside of jail…he’s being truthful. Remembering all of the people that God has touched using Paul is incredibly encouraging! They share in God’s grace with him even in his present chains.

You see, joy is not found in your comfort, but in a shared mission. This is why consumer Christianity kills joy. Consumer Christianity is all about what the church can do for me! Grace-first Christianity is all about how I can serve my fellow Christians and how I can reach the lost with the Gospel. These are very different things.

That is what Paul is pointing to here.

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.

Confidence Comes from God’s Faithfulness

Paul is giving all the credit and glory for everything to the Lord. “He who began a good work…will bring it to completion.”

What does that mean to us…Well, LRBC exists becuase God started it. God placed a desire in the hearts of men and women 40 years ago and they followed the Lord and planted a brand new work here in Leaf River.

Today, LRBC continues to move forward because God sustains her. In other words, everything that happens in the life of LRBC is credited to God, and we can see his faithfulness in multitudes of ways. For instance, we are building a pavilion, the “Front Porch” of the church in order to both fellowship with each other, but also to invite new families. God has been supplying the resources to make that happen. I think we only need something like $10K-$15K left and it will be all paid off. That’s amazing that we’ve raised over $40K towards this project.

You know what happens when you realize that God is the one who is supplying your needs? You have no reason for pride when things go well. You didn’t bring that on, the Lord did. But also, when things seem to go poorly…there is no need to panic.

Philippians 1:7–8 ESV

7 It 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 in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Paul is explaining why he feels such an intimate bond with the Christians in Philippi. He is sharing how thy are connected through Christ. That even while he was advancing the Gospel, the Philippians were there with him as followers of Christ Jesus.

The care and concern that Paul has for the Philippian church is a covenantal love, not a transactional relationship. Paul does not care for these people only because they have sent him an offering, he cares for them because they have a joint mission, and they are working together for the same cause.

Folks, let me just encourage you all that here at LRBC we have that same covenantal love for each other because we are all working towards the same mission. Remember, the mission of LRBC is to Know God, to Grow in Faith and to make Him known.

We all have a joint mission that we are working towards. Some work towards that mission as part of the safety team. Some work towards that mission making coffee, or teaching kids or adult classes. Whatever we are all doing, we are doing it with the same mission, and that creates a bond between each other. Praise the Lord for that because we don’t have to like each other based on what we bring to the table…we get to love each other because we have a shared mission in the Lord.

Here’s what’s really cool…When Christ is at the center, people stop being projects, and they become partners.

Gospel Partnership Is Aimed at Discernment, Holiness, and Glory

In other words, Gospel partnership is aimed at advancing the mission of God!

Yet, Paul doesn’t just thank God for them—he prays for their growth!

Philippians 1:9 ESV

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

Paul prays for the Philippian church. He prays that their love may increase. This is amazing here…You see, Paul is saying your love is great, but also, your love could grow deeper. Paul wants the very best for the Philippian church. Paul is telling the church…good enough—is not—good enough. There is no settling for some lesser mission than what God has given you.

Paul prays for a

Love that Grows in Truth

Listen, Paul isn’t looking for some sentimentality…he doesn’t want fake love, and fake relationships for the people of Philippi.

Listen, theres some people in this room and joining us online that need to listen to what Paul is praying for here. Paul is praying for an increase in true love that grows. That means that fake love is not love. Make a point to submit to the Lord and actually love each other in Christ.

Love each other with a love that is informed by knowledge and discernment. Love each other with the bond of the shared mission we have in the Lord. Renew your bond to each other in the mission of the Lord.

However, Mission without discernment leads to drift.

Philippians 1:10 ESV

10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Live A Life that Chooses what Matters Most

Discernment leads you to approve of what is excellent, reject what is fallacious.

Listen, Paul prays that the Christians in Philippi and he expresses first that they need to continue to grow in love. This was the first part of his joyful introduction. The second part of his prayer expresses his ultimate concern for them. Paul wants them to be able to be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

In other wards, Paul is writing them because he truly wants them to continue to grow in their love and knowledge of the Lord and their bond together as believers. He wants them to live a life that is generous with each other, where you supply the needs for others, and you don’t hold things against each other, but you genuinely care for each other.

Philippians 1:11 ESV

11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

We have an ultimate aim here. Our ultimate aim is God’s glory. That means that everything we do, either alone or with the church, is done to the Glory of God.

Of course we cannot do that on our own can we? No, when we try and do anything on our own we fail…if you don’t believe me, look at your own life. Whenever you are trying to do things in your own strength, your own way…it just doesn’t work folks…The fruit of righteousness only comes through Jesus Christ.

Our mission as a church body made up of all kinds of Christians, is not about church reputation—it’s about divine praise to a holy Father.

A church that knows its purpose will live intentionally for God’s glory.

Now, this letter that we are beginning to read today shows us what a church looks like when Christ—not comfort—is at the center.

That is a church that is rooted in grace, as who we are, not just what we do. That is a church that has made joyful partnerships with each other as we rejoice in our bond with Jesus. That is a church that is shaped by our mission priorities, and a purpose to glorify God.

This letter was written from a cell , where Paul had a hand chained to a guard at all times. This letter was written from jail to a church that was born through suffering. This letter was written to encourage the Philippians and to show us that true joy comes from gospel partnerships—not ease.

Listen Church, the question before us today isn’t whether Philippians is inspiring—it is.

The question is whether this kind of gospel partnership describes LRBC.

Paul is not asking, “Do you like the church?” He is asking, “Are you partnering in the gospel?”

So, truly the question becomes personal before it becomes corporate. and that leads us to how we respond together.

Before we move on…I need to ask (explain commitment cards)

What does gospel partnership look like among us—right now?

There are three catagories that you may find yourself in this morning as we close out. The first category is to

Believe:

Maybe it’s time for you to recommit to who you are as a saint in Christ.

Maybe you need to stop measuring your worth, or the worth of others by activity…but by what God says.

Maybe you need to follow Jesus in baptism—you’ve been thinking about it, and it’s time to make that decision.

Then there is

Belong:

This is where your partnership begins to require your presence. You make church a priority in your life.

Maybe that looks like settling your commitment to LRBC in church membership, and be open to the accountability that comes with church membership

Lastly there is

Participate:

The mission that God has given to LRBC is not a spectator mission. This is not something that will be accomplished by watching others serve in various ways.

You see, mission is shared—not delegated…so maybe it’s time to get up and get to work serving with your fellow saints here at LRBC.

Maybe it’s time for you to increase the time you spend with the Lord and with your brothers and sisters here.

Maybe it’s time to participate in praying for this church and this community.

Maybe it’s time for you to commit to giving of your financial resources to the work of God through LRBC. We’ve talked about percentage based giving and what that looks like.

So, as a church this morning, I want to ask you to make a commitment with me. On your chair is a commitment card that is ready for you to fill it out. If you don’t have a pen, someone around you does, or these some in the back of the room.

This morning I’m asking you to commit to one of those three points up on the screen. Is it time for you to believe, belong, or participate. Maybe for you its all three things that you need to make a commitment to .

Ultimately what I’m asking us to do as a church body, is to make a commitment to a posture before the Lord where we say,

“Lord make us a church that partners in the gospel from the heart, for the glory of Christ, until the day you return

So, I’ve just laid out a posture of prayer for us as a church that God would make us a church that partners in the gospel from the heart, for the glory of Christ, until he returns.

The Lord’s supper is where that prayer find’s it’s deepest roots.

Gospel partnership does not begin with our commitment to Christ—but with Christ’s commitment to us.

(Pause)

You see…before there was a church—there was a cross

Before there was a mission—there was a sacrifice

And before we were partners with one another—we were united to Christ.

This is what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

At this time you’re gonna hear some music playing as you prepare to come up to this table of the Lord to receive your communion. There are two cups attached to each other, and in the bottom is the bread, and the top is the juice.

Here at LRBC we practice open communion which means, if you have submitted your life to Christ, then we encourage you to come up and spend time with the Lord as you follow the Last Supper. However, if you have not submitted your life to the Lord and recieved his salvation in your life, then this is not a practice for you…this is your time to reflect and make a decision to follow the Lord and give your life to the King of Kings who will rule all Eternity.

Let’s pray:

Lord, thank you for entrusting your Son to us so that we can have a way to a relationship with you. Lord, there are some here today who have never experienced your grace…I ask that you would open their eyes and their hearts to be able to see you clearly and submit to your glory in their lives. Lord I ask that even now they would submit to you and come and recieve communion with you as a brand new believer! Lord, we thank you for your forgiveness, and we testify to those around us this morning that we are built together with the bond of Christ to grow and accomplish the mission you have given us here today. Thank you Lord for your presence and your grace. In Jesus name, Amen.