Learning To Love Others Series

Learning to Love Others

Philippians 1:7-11

Rev. Brian Bill

January 11-12, 2025

As I’ve been reflecting on the 120 years of history and the heartbeat of Edgewood, I’ve been struck by the abundance of love for God and for others demonstrated by God’s people. This week, I recorded a 4G podcast episode with long-time member and resident historian Diane Carnithan. When I asked her what the heartbeat of Edgewood is, she answered quickly, “the people!” I agreed with her. You can find this episode on your podcast app, or on our YouTube channel or Facebook page.

20 years ago, when Edgewood was celebrating 100 years of faithful gospel ministry to our neighbors and the nations, Pastor Brown, who served here for 44 years, wrote this in an article: “Today, Edgewood is filled with some of the finest Christian people you will ever meet this side of eternity. I have often said that there is no place I would rather be, no people I would rather serve, and no congregation I would rather pastor than the Edgewood Baptist Church. The book of Philippians expresses my feelings well.”

Those are my sentiments as well. This week, at our Growth Group, I was encouraged by words of affection expressed by the members of our group. In fact, there was so much love flying around that I became uncomfortable. In response, I told them how much I love them and how joyful it is to be one of the pastors at a church that loves God, people, and the preaching of God’s Word.

Pastor Brown concluded his article by quoting a section of Philippians 1:3-6, which was our text last weekend where we learned how God will complete His work in us as we partner with Him in His work.

1. We are servants and saints.

2. We are positioned at a place for His purposes.

3. We have been granted grace and peace.

4. We can have joy because of Jesus.

5. We are partners in the gospel.

6. We are all in process.

BTW, if you want to go deeper into Philippians, I recommend the new book by Randy Frazee called, The Joy Challenge. We were encouraged last weekend to read the entire Book of Philippians at least once a week between now and Easter. How many of you have already read it through at least once? I’ve been enjoying reading comments on the Edgewood Facebook page where people are posting their favorite passages from Philippians. I’ll be sharing some of this feedback in the weeks to come.

Related to that, I have permission to share part of an email from Edgewood member Brenda Verstraete.

So happy we are studying my favorite book! My life verse is Philippians 1:6. And here’s why: The first year after I was saved, I was discipled by a group of women I later learned were all AWANA leaders. So, the next year, guess what? I became an AWANA leader. After the first leaders meeting, I came home worried and told Terry, “I don’t know WHAT I got myself into!” I couldn’t even pronounce AWANA. I began memorizing verses right along with the kids and came across Philippians 1:6. God was going to be the One who would help me in this new adventure. He was going to accomplish what He got me into. After a few years, I became the director. Once again, I had to lean on God to accomplish His purpose…

Now with Terry’s stroke and the challenges we face, I have been, unequivocally, over my head. But God continues to be faithful to help me navigate these waters. Philippians 1:6 is the backbone of my trust in Him to accomplish His purposes in me. So thankful for those years in AWANA where I memorized Scripture that are still with me today. And He pulls them up from my memory when I need them.

“I am confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in [me] will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Learned it in the King James back then.)

Would you please stand as we read Philippians 1:7-11 together?

“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.”