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“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. 

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. 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. 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. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:1-11

Check out last Sunday’s sermon here. 

How do I become a Gospel Partner?

When a person sees and believes in the loving work of Christ for (and in) them, they are united with Christ by faith.

When at least two of these people come together to promote the loving work of Christ, they become what Paul calls, “Gospel Partners.”

This label should apply to every church member, and even to the broader church when groups of Christians unite to proclaim Jesus. O’ that we would think, feel, and pray for one another this way!

How Should I Feel About My Gospel Partners?

  • Thankful to God at the very Thought of Them.

O’ that when we prayed to our Father, we could not close without joyfully, specifically thanking Him for our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.

  • Adamantly Affectionate of Them.

O’ that we would be the object of one another’s Christ-empowered affections. Genuine love can only happen in a heart that is overwhelmed by the affection of Jesus for them.

  • Certain of Their Security.

O’ that we would build one another up with confidence in the fruit we see in our Gospel partners.

  • Going to God for Their Growth.

O’ that we would pray for God to grow them, maturing them to produce more fruit.

  • Confident They will be Complete at the day of Christ.

O’ that we would see their growth as a means God will use to finish the work He began.

  • …All this to the Glory of God.

O’ that we would see our partnership together as one great mission, to show the greatness of our God to the universe.

 

Prayer:

Father nothing is impossible for You. You are able to do far more than I can even imagine. 

I ask that You give me such a display of the loving work of Jesus that I would see Your people as You do in Christ.

May I love your people, my Gospel partners, with a love with which I have been and am being loved by Jesus Christ Himself.

May I labor together in the Gospel with a work that is empowered by Your work in me through Jesus Christ Himself.

And may all I that am be all for Your Glory and Praise. Amen.