212 Philippians: Partners Together
There was once a group of people - a church - who dared to live out fully the gospel that had been shared with them. Two thousand years later, we still read of them and can learn from them how we, too, can more fully live out the good news of Jesus.
They are the Philippians, and we first encounter them in Acts 16 when Paul responds to a vision of a young man from Macedonia begging him to come and help them. Paul and his team go to Greece and make their way to the city of Philippi. There, they meet a woman named Lydia, who responds to their message about Christ. Soon, others also believed, and the first church was planted in Europe.
As often happened in Paul’s missionary journeys, the gospel upset the status quo and trouble erupted in Philippi. After a miraculous release from prison, Paul and his team left Philippi and spread the gospel to other cities throughout Greece.
But he never forgot his friends in Philippi.
Thirteen years later, Paul again found himself in chains. This time under house arrest in Rome, shackled to his guards. In those days, prisoners depended on friends and family to provide for them, and Paul was thrilled to receive a financial gift from his friends in Philippi. With the gift, the courier shared the news that the church in Philippi was thriving. So, Paul writes them a letter. This is the book we have today. The N.T. book of Philippians.
Of all the epistles, Philippians is the simplest - only 104 verses long. It is also unique. It isn’t an academic treatise, like Romans or Ephesians. It isn’t a corrective for some theological error, as in Galatians or Colossians. It isn’t to straighten out some problems, as in Corinthians or Thessalonians.
It’s a letter of thanks and encouragement to friends who are displaying a degree of discipleship that is deep and sincere.
In the opening verses of this great letter, Paul refers to this community of believers as partners in the gospel. They were banded together around a common mission and purpose.
So, what is our church’s mission? Or, in the words of business great, Peter Drucker, “What business are we in?”
We are in the life-saving business. These communities we call churches were never intended to be self-serving. All along, God’s purpose was that we would build a community to reach a community.
The church is the only institution on earth whose primary focus is on those not yet a part of it.
Jesus was in the life-saving business. He still is. He is still looking for communities where people, just like the Philippians, are willing to band together and say, I’ll bring whatever gifts I have and do whatever I can to save those who are lost.
Within churches, as with most organizations, you’ll find three kinds of relationships.
Customers: “I want you to fulfill my expectations and meet my needs. If you don’t, I’ll leave.”
Employees: “How little can I do and still be a part? How can I reap the benefits with minimal effort?”
Partners: “It’s not about me. It’s about others. Whatever it takes! I’m in!”
Which are you?
Text: Philippians 1:1-11
Originally recorded on June 1, 2008, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN