I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 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. 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. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (ESV)
If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.
This may seem like a long passage compared to January, but do not be intimidated, just take it in according to the plan and before you know it, it will be stored up in your heart.
Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text (see the archive links on the lower right of this page for review). Today we will discuss...
Thankful and Prayerful for Gospel Partnership
In this article we will kick off our new passage in the One Year 1 Letter reading Plan with the first sentence:
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in
every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of
your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
The Apostle Paul seems really excited about this "Partnership in the gospel."
Partners - not only in the Gospel, but in any venture - have a common goal. That is what brings them together. That is what binds them. That is what gives focus to their mission.
- Politicians make temporary alliances to pass a piece of legislation that they both believe in.
- Nations partner with one another to overcome a common foe.
Others partner for a longer period.
- Husbands and wives partner to live for the betterment of one another and life long companionship.
- Parents partner with schools, or home-school co-ops to educate their children.
- Workers in a factory partner together with management, to produce goods quickly, efficiently and with the highest possible quality.
One partnership is eternal.
Christians are in partnership to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our lives. And we’re in partnership to worship God eternally. Look around you, the Christians you work with, live with and gather at our services with, these are the people who are going to be with you forever.
Paul is really excited about this Partnership in the Gospel, because, when it is working, it is the unstoppable work of God that is reclaiming the world - one heart at a time - for Jesus.
While Philippi was not a PROBLEM FREE church, in comparison with many of the early churches - especially in Corinth and Galatia - the Philippians had been able to continue without as many areas needing correction.
So, what is Paul's reaction to this partnership?
Paul can say that: he "thank(s) my God in all my remembrance of you..."
Whenever Paul thinks about the Philippians, he gives gratitude to God. In every Christians' life there will be people whom we mourn over because of their damnable lack of faith, and there will be times when we have genuine concern for a backsliding believer. And sometimes God graces us with people in our life who've faith that strengthens and encourages us each time we get to share life and serve with them. The Philippians seem to fit into that third category for Paul, so much so that EVERY TIME he thinks of them, he thanks God for them.
And, Paul says that, "...always in every prayer..." of his for the Philippians, that he makes those prayers, "...with joy."
Two important points can be seen here, first is the obvious fact that every prayer for the Philippians is made with joy. But the second Point is more important. While I would be happy to hear that a persons prayer for me was made joyfully, I am OVERJOYED to hear that they are praying for me - and my church at all.
Paul didn't become complacent with God when he thought about the Philippians. He didn't just set things on cruise control and focus all of his energy on the "problem child" churches that needed more correction.
No, Paul realized that EVERY THING that was good and praise worthy in Philippi, up to that point, was in thanks to God's grace - so he gave "Thanks to God in all remembrance" of them.
But, knowing that things can go off the rails, even among God's people in this broken world, Paul was diligent in praying for their continued faithfulness and success.
As you finish reading this article,
I would ask you to pray - right now - for your church, for the servant leaders, and for the faithful membership of saints. I hope that you can pray with thanksgiving to God in all of your remembrance of us. And, I hope that you can pray with joy for our continued faithfulness and success in spreading the gospel in our local community and beyond.
And, since we have not always done everything right, I hope that you can forgive us our past faults and partner with us in the gospel as we continue on from here.
Just like the Biblical pictures of the church as a family, and the church as a body can show weakness in light of broken families and unhealthy bodies - so too, can the picture of Partnership be broken if we do not keep the Partnership centered on the GOSPEL.
No matter where you have come from, or where your allegiance used to be - God takes us from where we were and sets our eyes ahead to the prize of seeing the lost be found, of giving sight to the blind, of bringing slaves of sin into freedom in Christ. If you are committed to that, let's partner together - in thankfulness and prayer - and let's watch what the Lord will do.
