Philippians 1:1-11 Ministering together God’s intention for church community

Paul was a guy that worked hard / endured a lot

But he also was one that appreciated people.

As he writes to the Philippians he recognizes them for their partnership with Him in doing ministry for God’s glory

He praises God and gives Him the glory

He also acknowledges the partnerships and so that the fellow laborers could encourage one another.

Last Sunday was a great day at FBC Yantis

Let us take a moment to reflect on what has been done for God’s glory in this place during the celebration of its 150 anniversary.

AV b

After being delayed at the last minute in October, the event finally took place last Sunday, March 21. We had 155 people in attendance. We have had almost 300 views of the service on Facebook.

Some may say don’t get proud / don’t talk about things we have done well / don’t talk about victories / don’t give praise to people

There is a danger of pride and self sufficiency and complacency

But there is also a danger of not seeing what God is doing / Of not stopping and praising Him / Of not be encouraged that He can use even folks like us. / Of not giving honor to those to whom honor is due.

We need to rejoice over what God has done in this ministry / thru folks like you.

The danger of being specific is that it is easy to overlook someone – so many working behind the scenes. Correct me if I miss someone.

Building work –

Restroom / hallways / flooring in fellowship hall / TVs and wiring / Soundboard / cross

Jerry Nickerson, Mike Miller, Wayne Miles, Reed Gammill, others –

Decorating guidance associated with construction: Carolyn Bryant / Kathy Freeman

Stand UP

The overall committee for the 150 celebration –

Headed it up Dana Epperly,

Key responsibility leaders:

History/Decorating Debra Miller, Catering Janice Parker, Decorating/Maggie Grinstead, Security: Mike Smith

Financial: Marty Smith

Preactivity Workers: (Not there so I might miss someone)

JoAnn Bevill Margaret Hyde Jackie Friddle

Paula Austin Clarice Cox Darlene Fuller Luanne Gammill

Construction/furniture movers: Wayne Miles Mike Miller Jim Grinstead Reed Gammill

Stand UP

The actual event

Inviters: countless folks

Av booth - Jim Erwin, Keith Teague

Greeters / car movers – deacons, Bob Austin

Praise Team

Key staff

Chad Ferrell / music / Music coordination and AV

Do it all person

Elizabeth Smith

Stand UP

Let us be grateful to people - Let us praise Him

Let us encourage each other in Christ

Let us gain insight from Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians who partnered with Him in ministry. He recognized those who ministered together with him. They were special to him.

Simultaneously let us rejoice in our own partnership together in ministry at First Baptist Church Yantis

Paul begins like this: (NLT)

(NLT) Philippians 1 1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

May the Lord give you grace and peace as a result of ministering together

Ministering together

God’s intention for church community

I. Ministering together: With deeply special people

Others focused / caring deeply for one another --- more than a business

A. Regularly thankful for them Phil 1:3

(NLT) Philippians 1 3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

1. Valuable people

2. People matter

a) Not for what they do for you

b) But because they matter to God

B. Regularly praying for them Phil 1:4a

(NLT) Philippians 1 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,

1. Having a hard time

2. Broken people / sinful people

3. Good folks still have issues

4. Good folks need to continue to grow

C. A source of joy Phil 1:4b

(NLT) Philippians 1 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,

1. The greatest accomplishment is to see one’s influence in another’s life

2. Leading someone to Christ

3. Seeing someone be successful and independently relying on Christ

4. Launching our kids to be totally on their own / and they do well

D. Based in shared ministry Phil 1:7-8 *

(NLT) Philippians 1 7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. …

1. Appropriate to be excited for others who share the ministry

… You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

2. Sharing struggles / sharing proclamation of the truth --- more than just human friendship

3. Supernatural connection Me / You / Christ

4. Value you as a partner / intimate connection in Christ / supernatural

II. Ministering together: Serving Christ

A focus on Him – About Him / enabled by Him

A. Partnership in ministry for Christ Phil 1:5a

(NLT) Philippians 1 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

1. Broad base of those involved

2. Enhancement of local ministry

3. Impact on lives

a) Significance on lives

b) Children

c) Adults

B. Sharing Christ Phil 1:5b

(NLT) Philippians 1 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

1. Missions

a) Full Acts 1:8

(1) Locally

(2) Regionally

(3) Nationally/Cross cultures

(4) International

b) Thru being missionaries

C. An expectation of continued ministry till Christ comes Phil 1:6

(NLT) Philippians 1 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

1. Witnessed the work the Lord did in you

2. Expectation of growth over the years

3. One day Christ returns and can rejoice together / forever

III. Ministry partners: A need to continually grow

Not there yet and its ok, you are focused and growing

A. Growing in caring for people Phil 1:9a

(NLT) Philippians 1 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

1. Easy to become proud as if people are objects rather than ones to love on behalf of Christ

2. Easy for it to become about me

a) Become disappointed when people don’t respond to me / give me what I want / sin against me

3. Engage the Lord – you may grow in your love for others

B. Growing in knowledge and understanding Phil 1:9b

(NLT) Philippians 1 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

1. Danger is becoming proud / Condescending / feeling you have arrived

2. Grow in one’s knowledge of Christ – based in Word of God

3. Grow in the experience of Christ based on application of Word of God

4. Grow in skilled living

C. Focusing on what really matters Phil 1:10-11 *

(NLT) Philippians 1 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

1. Know what really matters

2. Becoming Pure and blameless – become more like Christ

11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

3. Bearing Fruit in your life – transformed life

a) Souls

b) Character

4. Bring glory to Him