Christian Partnership

INTRODUCTION

Recap of series

Gone next Sunday…Encourage them to go to Community Fair Service

This morning is going to be a hinge point between the past and future.

PRAYER

Hook-Parts of a great partnership-Group projects at school

Transition to Text:

Background of Philippians

Author: Apostle Paul

CSB Study Bible: Notes Circumstances of Writing

Paul planted the church at Philippi during his second missionary journey (AD 50) in response to his “Macedonian vision” (

Philippians was written around AD 60-62 during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome. Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia, known for its strategic location and Roman citizenship privileges. The church in Philippi was the first European church founded by Paul, as mentioned in Acts 16.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Message and Purpose

Although he was concerned about the divided Christian community at Rome, his outlook was strengthened by the knowledge that Christ was being magnified.

He expressed gratitude for their support, encouraged faith, addressed unity and humility, updated them on his situation, and warned against false teachings.

Philippians 1:3-11

Breakdown of text

1.Paul was grateful for their support of the Gospel

Verses 3-5

The Apostle Paul expresses his joy in the partnership with the Philippian church, highlighting the mutual support and shared commitment to spreading the gospel. This passage underscores the joy that comes from being united in purpose and mission.

2. Paul’s deep feeling for their growth in Christ

Verses 6-8

Paul was confident the people would continue developing and growing. Believers can trust in God's provision, knowing that He cares for them and will meet their needs.

3. Paul prayed the church would continue to grow in their faith

Verses 9-11

MAIN POINT-FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST MUST PARTNER WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

Be Partners in the Gospel

EXPLAIN

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians B. Joy in Prayer (vv. 3–11)

The Philippian believers had supported his ministry with monetary gifts and prayer. Someone has said to be “thankful” is to be “thinkful.”

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians B. Joy in Prayer (vv. 3–11)

The Philippian Christians had supported his efforts since they had trusted Christ as their Savior during Paul’s evangelistic efforts among them from his second missionary journey until the present.

Like the people in Philippi, we must partner in the gospel with others.

Gospel=euangelion (Evangelize)

Christian fellowship fundamentally operates as partnership in the gospel,1 grounded in being called into “fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 1:9) The church functions as Christ’s body, with Paul emphasizing the importance of united Christian witness across diverse members.

1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful; you were called by him into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The New Bible Commentary 1:3–7 Thanksgiving and Confidence

Partnership is the usual NT word for fellowship, but fellowship is not just the comfortable experience of Christians enjoying one another’s company. It is fellowship in the task of making the gospel known to others (cf.

Mark 8:35 CSB

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it.

We can partner in many things when it comes to the gospel. Our finances and doing our part in sharing the gospel.

ARGUE

Do we all have to partner in the gospel?

ILLUSTRATE

Think about a compass; it always points to true north. In our lives, the Gospel serves as that true north. Without it, we may find ourselves lost in the wilderness of secular distractions, temporary pleasures, and societal pressures. When we let the Gospel lead us, it provides direction and purpose to our decisions and actions, ensuring that we are aligned with God's will. Just as a compass guides an exploration, the Gospel guides our journey through this life, illuminating our next steps.

APPLICATION

How we can partner in the gospel:

Faithful giving

Encouraging others

Sharing the Gospel

Be Partners in Discipleship

EXPLAIN

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians B. Joy in Prayer (vv. 3–11)

When God starts a work in our lives, beginning with our salvation, he will finish it. As believers, we are to grow in the Christian life becoming more like Christ each day. This is called sanctification

“carry it on unto completion”=One word “epitelēo” in Greek which means

to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete: substantively,1

1 Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Being Grimm’s Wilke's Clavis Novi Testamenti (New York: Harper & Brothers., 1889), 244.

Sanctification-

Dictionary of Bible Themes 6744 sanctification

The process of becoming consecrated to God, which is an integral aspect of being a member of the people of God. This process of being made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit ultimately rests upon the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, which the OT anticipates and foreshadows

The process of sanctification should be helped in a church through Discipleship.

Hebrews 10:24–25 CSB

And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Followers of Jesus should exhort believers to "consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Regular gathering and mutual encouragement are vital for spiritual growth and perseverance.

CSB Study Bible: Notes Philippians 1:6–8

1:6–8 Paul’s confidence in prayer resulted from the principle that God finishes what he begins, and the fact that the Philippians demonstrated their Christian character by joining in the support of the gospel work.

Discipleship is a process about becoming more like Christ through daily devotions, prayer, and creating more disciples.

ARGUE

We need to have classes for people to attend to become disciples.

We need to live life together with brothers and sisters in Christ because discipleship is a process that takes time.

ILLUSTRATE

Sculpting clay

APPLICATION

The Apostle Paul encourages believers to "carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). Community involves supporting each other in times of need, reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love.

Galatians 6:2 CSB

Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Be Partners in Loving Each Other

EXPLAIN

Paul prayed two petitions: a growing love (v. 9) and complete character (v. 10). Love (Gk agape-) is selfless action for another person. Knowledge and discernment together foster mature love. “Knowledge” is both intellectual and experiential. “Discernment” occurs only here in the NT and connotes moral sensitivity. Love enriched by knowledge and moral discernment leads believers to experience what really matters. The word pure emphasizes personal integrity; blameless means good character that survives all accusations1

1 Richard R. Melick Jr., “Philippians,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1884.

The greek word for love here is agape which is a sacrificial love.

The New Bible Commentary 1:8–11 Prayer

They knew the love of God for them and in them, but Paul prays that their love may abound more and more (cf.

2 Cor. 9:8; 1 Thes. 3:12; Col. 1:9

2 Corinthians 9:8 CSB

And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 CSB

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.

Colossians 1:9 CSB

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,

Love fosters unity and is a testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel. Within that love, many pieces help the community of believers to grow spiritually. The church is described as the body of Christ, with each member having unique gifts and roles (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). This diversity within unity is essential for a healthy community, where each person contributes to the common good.

The New Bible Commentary 1:8–11 Prayer

The Christian life is intended to be fruitful not only in activity, but in character (cf.

ARGUE

ILLUSTRATE

Stages of Love—From Infatuation to Maturity

APPLICATION

There are a number of people that are not going to church anywhere within our communities. People that used to attend here.

How do we partner in Love?

Invite someone to church

Be the church to ALL people.