“I THANK GOD FOR YOU”
PHILIPPIANS 1: 3-11
NOVEMBER 18, 2001
INTRODUCTION: “I THANK GOD FOR YOU” BY SAWYER BROWN
TRANSITION THOUGHT: The Apostle Paul, like Sawyer Brown, teaches us that we must give credit where credit is due. Paul realized just how important the Philippian church was to his ministry and his life. They were a constant source of help and encouragement and had stood with him through the struggles of ministry. But what was it specifically that the Apostle Paul gave thanks for? What was it that reminded him to give thanks and in this season of thanks giving, what might we learn from this text that will help us to be THANKFUL?
THESIS SENTENCE: THANKSGIVING IS A CALL TO REMEMBER HOW THANKFUL WE ARE FOR EACH OTHER!
I. THANKSGIVING COMES FROM A SHARED MINISTRY
A. Shared ministry begins with shared servant hood (vs. 1)
1. Letters are written for a reason.
2. Letters begin with common phrases.
3. The Apostle Paul uses the common things of life to focus his reader’s attention on what must be addressed.
4. The church at Philippi, though a great church, had a problem.
5. The church was in disunity on the issue of leadership verses partnership. It is the old story of too many chief and not enough Indians.
6. The Apostle Paul deals with this in a totally new way, He addresses his letter with the inscription, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus (vs. 1).”
7. He has never included someone else with him in this specific category. He often is coupled with others, but never in the shared role of Servant hood. He always sets himself apart for the distinction of authority, but at this point realizes the greater need of community focus on shared ministry.
B. Shared ministry ends with a common goal
1. The Apostle Paul remembers this church when he prays, and he remembers them with Joy.
2. This church shared in the Ministry of the gospel.
3. This church had “Partnered” with Paul starting with the first day until the present time of receiving this letter.
4. This church had one specific goal, “Get the Gospel OUT!”
5. Verse 19 makes this abundantly clear, “for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
6. And again in verse 27 he reiterates this same understanding, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.”
7. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was the shared Goal of a Shared ministry!
8. NOW THAT’S SOMETHING THAT CAUSES REJOICING AND PRAYERS OF JOY.
II. THANKSGIVING COMES FROM A SHARED HEART
A. A shared heart begins with deep affection.
1. Paul says, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart (verse7a);”
2. He goes on to say, “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.”
3. Paul loved theses people! And if you need to see it in writing, notice chapter 4 verse 1, “Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,” 4. Can you feel the love??? Have you GOT LOVE?
B. A shared heart ends with mutual care.
1. The Philippians felt the same way. Paul writes, “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed you have been concerned but you had no opportunity to show it (4:10).”
2. And again Paul shares; “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles (4:14).” And again, “…You Philippians know, …not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only (4:15);”
3. And to make the matter clear, Paul writes, “I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphorditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God (4:18bff).”
4. The message is clear, Paul loved his church and his church loved him. All can give thanks in situations like these because this is the community of faith working as God intended it to be, therefore Paul could continue to write, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
III. THANKSGIVING COMES FROM A SHARED GRACE
A. A shared grace begins with Salvation
1. Why could Paul pray with Joy? Why could Paul say with Certainty, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (verse 6)”?
2. It was because he was writing “To all the Saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi (verse 1)”, and because, “All of you share in God’s grace with me (verse 7).”
3. These people had met the same Jesus Paul served.
4. Paul states, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have (verse 29& 30).”
5. Paul was confident that Christ was at work in these believers and he knew what Jesus starts, Jesus can finish. Regardless of the circumstances of life, God was faithful and Paul and this church shared in the Salvation that God alone offers in Christ Jesus the Lord.
B. A shared grace ends with shared Service
1. Paul goes on to tell this church “that has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel (verse12)” and “As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly (verse 13 & 14).” 2. Because of the Grace of God at work in Paul’s life, the gospel has gone forward.
3. Now he prays the same for this church.
4. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”
5. Do you remember where we started? Paul was identifying one of the needs of this church with his opening sentence. He and Timothy were servants of Christ Jesus. And then he adds, “To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, TOGETHER with the overseers and deacons (verse 1):”
6. Paul goal was to address the need for shared service. Co-laborers with Christ as he has put it before. This is his longing for the church. This is the hope of all churches, “so that with one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:6).”
7. Paul reminds the church that the goal is “the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” that is seen in “your partnership in the gospel.”
8. What Paul is saying is that real thanksgiving comes when we share in the glorious work of the gospel “to the glory and praise of God.”
CONCLUSION: Thanks Giving is a time to Remember. It is a time to reflect. It is a time to offer thanks. Thanks Giving is a time to give Credit where Credit is due: I thank God for You.
Together, as we give thanks, let us remember where it all began for us. We Give thanks because of Jesus and what He has done for us.
THE PRAYER OF GREAT THANKS GIVING
