Paul's Apostolic Ministry: The Power Of Partnership Series

Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.

E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk

Note to the reader:

If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is simply so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God that all over the globe the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.

Thank you.

Herman Abrahams,

Cape Town, South Africa.

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PAUL’S APOSTOLIC MINISTRY: THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP

By: Herman Abrahams

Read Philippians 1:3-11

IN THIS PASSAGE PAUL IS ADDRESSING A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE PARTNERED WITH HIM IN MINISTRY THRU PRAYER, FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND GENERAL APPROVAL.

A) Thanksgiving and Prayer for his partners

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Philippians 1:3-11 (NIV)

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (niv)

A1. PARTNERSHIP - Philippians 1:5 (Amplified

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Bible):

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Phil 1:5 [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.

1. The Philippians identified with Paul’s mission, they co-operated with him, they partnered with him thru praying for him and giving financially towards his upkeep in spreading the gospel and winning souls.

2. How wonderful to know that the Apostle of God is praying for me !! That some of the favour and anointing that is on his life will be passed on to me !! Don’t you think that God will respond favourably to the prayer of one whose heart has been gladdened by the generous help and giving of others? (See vs 3-4; Paul has a thankful and joyous heart for the help received from the Philipppian church).

3. Paul is using business financial language to describe the Philippians relationship to Paul in terms of their financially contributions to his apostolic ministry

‘1:5 Fellowship is a commercial term for a joint-partnership in a business venture in which all parties actively participate to ensure the success of the business. In the Christian community, the word expresses intimacy with Christ (1 Cor. 1:9) and other believers (2 Cor. 8:4, 1 John 1:7). In this case, Paul may be using the word fellowship to refer to the financial contributions the Philippians had given Paul from the first day until now (4:14, 15). Immediately upon becoming Christians and continually thereafter, the Philippians had dedicated themselves to living and proclaiming the truth about Jesus Christ, and specifically to helping Paul in his ministry.’ (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. 1999. Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary . T. Nelson Publishers: Nashville).

A2. SHAREHOLDERS - PHIL 1:7 (Amplified Bible):

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Phil 1:7 It is right and appropriate for me to have this confidence and feel this way about you all, because you have me in your heart and I hold you in my heart as partakers and sharers, one and all with me, of grace (God’s unmerited favor and spiritual blessing). [This is true] both when I am shut up in prison and when I am out in the defense and confirmation of the good news (the Gospel).

1. WE ARE SHAREHOLDERS WITH THE APOSTLES IN THEIR VICTORIES AND IN THE FAVOUR AND ANOINTING THAT IS ON THEIR LIVES!! TAP INTO THAT ANOINTING BY PRAYING FOR THE APOSTLES, IDENTIFYING WITH THEIR WORK IN THE LORD AND BY SOWING FINANCIALLY INTO THEIR MINISTRY!!

A3. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE APOSTOLIC NEEDS?

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Living Expenses - especially those who are serving in that capacity on a full-time basis.