26.06.28 Young Couples-

Philippians 1:3-11- True Unity In Thankfulness

Jeff K / Young Couples

Philippians 1:3-11 (NKJV)

Philippians 1:3-11 (NKJV) - "3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

> Pray

• It has been 10 years since the Church was planted

• Paul is now writing to thank them for their support in His ministry

• They had supported him faithfully in friendship and in finances since the Church in Philippi began

I. A Thankful Heart Brings Unity (V:3-5)

• In the midst of trial and burden, Paul is grateful -- writing to encourage, lift up, and express love toward others

Philippians 1:3-5 (NKJV) - "3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,"

A. Every Remembrance (V:3)

• In Every Memory I have of you, I am grateful to God for you

• Every time I think of you, I see you as a gift

• The memories that are on my mind of you bring me Joy and Thanks to God

• Does this mean He did not have any tough times or difficult conversations with them? No...

• But His Love for them overcame that

• In the midst of his real pain of Imprisonment...

• He chose to Remember What God Had Done and Was doing In Philippi

B. AlWAYS In Every Prayer (V:4)

Philippians 1:4 (NKJV) - "always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,"

• Paul is Consistently reminding us that Consistent and Regular Prayer for others is key to Joy -- and it Unifies us

• THIS WAS A REGULAR PRACTICE FOR PAUL :

• Ephesians 1:16 – I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers

• 1 Thessalonians 1:2 -- We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers

• I am thankful and grateful that God has put you in my life

• Gratitude for God and others brings us joy in the midst of our most painful and difficult experiences AND SEASONS OF LIFE

J.O.Y. -- Joy is found when we put things in the right order:

• J -- Jesus

• O -- Others

• Y -- Yourself

Application: Consider the person that you came with tonight -- do you thank God upon every remembrance of them? Just like Paul with the Church in Philippi, there might be Highs and Lows in the relationship -- but do have gratitude for them in thought and action.

V:5- FELLOWSHIP: (KOINONIA)- JOINT PARTICIPATION IN COMMON INTEREST OR ACTIVITY

-We here, have a common interest that brings us together…

-It’s not that we are all couples…

-Its that we are all in fellowship with each other in Christ.

II. What True Fellowship Looks Like (Romans 12:10-12)

Romans 12:9-12 (NKJV) - "10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;"

A. Kindly Affectionate -- Philostorgos (V:10)

Romans 12:10 (NKJV) - "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;"

Key Word: "Kindly Affectionate" (philostorgos) - Loving tenderly; Being devoted; Warmly affectionate

• I am Devoted -- Committed -- We are in this together

B. Not Lagging in Diligence (V:11)

• I am committed to faithfully do this

• It is not just words or Lip Service -- but Something I passionately pursue

C. Fervent in Spirit (V:11)

Key Word: "Fervent" (zeo) - Enthusiastically, Excitedly -- Boiling Over; Cannot be contained

• In loving others we are Serving the Lord

D. Rejoicing in Hope (V:12)

• Knowing the Lord is at work in their lives

• He is able to be filled with Joy as He looks on at their lives

• Knowing and Seeing the Lord is at work in them

Application: What does true fellowship look like in your life?

• Do you lift them up in Prayer regularly and fervently -- In Joy?

• Is your Kindness and Affection for them bubbling up like a natural spring...

• ...or has it grown Stale and Stagnant like a Stinky Swamp?

• Are you Diligently Committed to put them and their needs first?

• To give them priority and preference as you Serve and Love them?

III. Giving Preference to One Another (Romans 12:10)

V:10 -- Giving Preference to One Another

Romans 12::10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

• Putting the needs of others above your own

• Putting their need above my own regard

• Be prone to put others first -- have them in front -- in action

• The model for this is Christ Himself:

• Just as Christ Served and loved His Bride the Church

• As He Joyfully endured the Cross for the sake of you and I

• He set aside His own comfort, His own preference, His own glory -- for us

True unity is not just agreeing -- it is actively choosing to prefer one another, serve one another, and rejoice in one another, just as Christ did for us.

Call to Action

1. If the Lord is bringing someone to mind right now -- commit to praying for them regularly and fervently. Let gratitude and love overflow.

2. Consider the person you came with tonight. How can you give them preference, serve them diligently, and love them with the affection of Christ?