Fellowship In The Gospel

Fellowship in the Gospel

Philippians 1:3-8

Good morning.

When I first sensed the Lord’s calling for me to enter into full-time ministry, I had a lot of zeal and hope for all the Lord would do through me, to further His kingdom.

Because I truly loved Jesus and I was not getting into ministry for financial gain, I naively thought my ministry would be blessed with very little resistance from other people.

After all, I was sure that every person who attends church has pure motives, they are not self-seeking, and they are only attending church to Glorify the Lord.

After several years of full-time ministry, I entered a master’s degree program. To complete my degree, I had to complete a writing assignment.

The topic I chose for my paper was, “The Pros and Cons of a Pre-Established Congregation”.

My thesis statement stated, “The reason for this subject, “Is specially designed to encourage and educate the person who feels God nudging their heart to enter into the ministry.

This is to warn, encourage, and prepare the person of God about the joys and pitfalls of a congregation that was in existence before they joined in, to do the work of the ministry.”

Please open your Bibles to Philippians 1, as we continue in our verse-by-verse study of Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Philippi.

Last time we only studied two verses from Philippians 1.

Within two short verses, there was so much for us to study; including the introduction of the authors, the gifts we received from the Trinity, and the background of the Church at Philippi.

The Book of Philippians is often known as the “Epistle of Joy” because of the attitude Paul maintained when he wrote this letter, even though he was under house arrest while writing it.

Paul mentioned the word joy at least ten times in the four chapters of the Book of Philippians.

We have learned many times before that happiness usually depends on happenings, but joy is based on a relationship with Jesus, regardless of our circumstances.

This morning, we find ourselves in the portion of Paul’s letter where he expresses his thankfulness for the Philippian saints’ fellowship with him and with the work of the Gospel.

I. The reason for the letter.

Read Philippians 1:3-5

Notice while Paul was in prison, he wasn’t focused on himself, rather his mind was on others.

Vocational ministry can be trying at times. Someone has said that being a lead Pastor can be one of the loneliest jobs ever.

I want to read you a portion of a letter written by a minister who was looking for some advice from another minister.

The minister wrote, “I’ve been blessed to be in the same local church for twelve years. It’s a very good church.

I feel more and more lonely as time passes, mostly because I feel myself becoming more cynical, cautious, and superficial with new people.

What would you say to a Christian who is growing relationally jaded?”

One of the things, any person who serves Jesus must guard against, is being worn out or becoming jaded in ministry because of the sins or actions of other people.

If we allow the complaints or actions of other people to determine our outlook on the Lord’s work, which He has called us to do, we can become defeated and jaded as a result.

Paul said in Galatians 6:9 let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. NKJV

Similar to Philippians 4:8 where we read about the praiseworthy things we are to meditate on, I believe our attitude toward ministering to others is about where our focus is as well.

Though I have had many trials throughout my years in vocational ministry, there are still many people, about whom I could say the same thing that Paul said, in Philippians 1:3.

“I thank God upon every remembrance of you.” As Paul remembered all that the Philippian Christians had done for him, he was very thankful to the Lord who had worked through them.

The Philippians consistently supported Paul both financially and prayerfully, so when Paul would pray for them, he had a deep sense of joy towards those believers.

John Walvoord said, “Paul’s heart was filled to overflowing as he reviewed in his mind how God had worked in Philippi in leading them to salvation,

…in forming the church, his own sensational deliverance from jail at Philippi, the subsequent development of the church, and their kindness to him on many occasions.”

Question: How do you want to be remembered by others you have been in fellowship with?