A Powerful Partnership

For what are you thankful? Maybe more specifically, for whom are you thankful? Because without relationships this journey we call life would be most unbearable and inherently miserable. It’s for this reason many are hurting and considering ending their time on earth. We need each other.

The Apostle Paul was keenly aware of this powerful truth as we see in the opening of his letter to the Philippian church. Let’s jump right in.

Philippians 1:3–5 NKJV

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

Paul couldn’t think of the Philippians without giving thanks to God for their fellowship in the gospel. Let’s start with verse 1 and the word “thank”.

“Thank” - eucharisto - “to express gratitude for benefits or blessings”

“Remembrance” - “to bring to mind” - not in the sense of having forgotten something, but the act of recollection. This “thinking of” the Philippians is the causal factor in Paul’s gratitude or thankfulness in the preceding phrase.

Gratitude to God is uppermost in Paul's mind. This word "give thanks" eucharisteo, appears around 46 times in the writings of Paul.

Paul expressed gratitude when he thought of the Philippians. Someone has sad, "to be 'thankful' is to be 'thinkful'.

Moving on to the word “prayer” and “request”, The word translated "prayer" and "request" is not the usual word for prayer. Its essential component is "supplication" This word seems to be related to Paul's constant exhortation to unity.

So Paul is praying for these Christians on a regular basis with joy every time he thinks about them.

Let’s think about this. It’s been around 10 years since Paul’s been to Philippi. He hasn’t seen them in over a decade. But he still thinks about them, and when he does, it moves him to thank God for them and pray for them. That’s significant. It must have been some great relationship.

This moves me to think about our relationships. Our relationships are important. Dr. Bill Lawrence, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, once said, "Happiness is based on happenings, but joy comes from relationships".

Paul’s thankfulness goes beyond simply a fond memory. As we look closer, it concerned their partnership in spreading the gospel. Let’s take a look. Re-read the verses… It was about their partnership in the gospel… Would we want someone like Paul to remember us this way? Then...

Let’s Share Together in the Mission

Philippians 1:5 NKJV

5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

The relationship between Paul and the church went deeper than human friendships. They had a tie that came from joining in the work of God in the world. Such cooperation in the spread of the gospel was something Paul appreciated very much. That fellowship was with Paul only in an intermediate sense; the ultimate contribution they made was to the spread of the gospel itself.

In verse 5, the word translated "fellowship", the basic meaning is "participation in something with someone". It could refer to their monetary gift to him, but the context seems to indicate that Paul is using "fellowship" or "partnership" in a wider sense and refers to all the cooperation and share in the work of the gospel which the Philippians have shown.

The word ‘fellowship’ refers to sharing or holding something in common. We have a tendency to use the word very loosely these days. Any gathering of Christians in which there is a feeling of happiness and camaraderie is called ‘fellowship’. We have almost made the word synonymous with good food and a few laughs. But that, of course, makes Christian fellowship no different from what unbelievers often enjoy.

These folks participated with Paul in spreading the gospel. The word "gospel" appears 9 times in this letter.

So how do we share together in the mission of spreading the gospel?

Share the gospel!

Make disciples

Realize we’re not alone in this mission. Gal. 2:9

Galatians 2:9 NKJV

9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

These three Christian leaders were very wary of Paul and Barnabas. They were dubious of their calling and orthodoxy. But thankfully, they realized God works through all different kinds of people and and God calls some to work with people we don’t like or agree with. And that leads us to the next point...

Let’s Support the Work of Others

Philippians 4:14–16 NKJV

14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

We have many we can partner with. The fact is we will only be able to reach a few and will never be able to reach some. That’s where other ministries come in. We have ministries like...

Our missionaries we already support

Crisis Pregnancy Center

Camp Pearl

And others...

And lastly,,,

Let’s Stand with One Another in Adversity

Hebrews 10:32–34 NKJV

32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

We need one another. We can’t make it alone. We’ll unpack this idea further when we get to verses 27-30, and chapter 4.

Conclusion:

A. Let’s always be ready to share our faith in Christ with those God places in our path.

B. Consider giving to missions.

C. Be willing to stand with someone going through a difficult time,

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