PBPGINFWMY
INTRODUCTION
“I love my work, but I can’t stand the people I work with?”
- People are difficult; complain & criticize
- Trusted friends can betray you
- Family members leave you out of the loop
- Authority figures snub you
Robinson Crusoe (island) Daniel Defoe
“Though I don’t like the crew, I won’t sink the ship. In fact, in time of storm I’ll do my best to save it. You see, we are all in this craft and must sink or swim together.”
- Paul was a type-A personality (bottom-line, goals over people)
AD 21 The Persecutor
AD 35 Conversion to Christ on the road to Damascus
- User of people to a lover of people
AD 61 In jail writing Philippians
How To Enjoy the People in Your Life…
1. Thank God for People
1:3 Paul thanked God for people he knew
- Arrested illegally, whipped, humiliated, in prison
- Paul remembered the people
2. Become a Team
1:5 He remembered the partnership
1:1-2 The lineup
- They stood side by side with one another
- Partnership = koinonia
Team = a group of people w/ complimentary skills who are committed to a common purpose, performance, goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.
- Together Everyone Accomplishes More
3. Be Patient with People
1:6 Looked at their future and their past
- He was focused on the potential
- God starts and God finishes
- Past, present, & Future = God is working
Please Be Patient God Is Not Finished With Me Yet
“I believe in you”
- Got a long way to go, but you have come so far already
4. Love People from Your Heart
1:7-8 If they are not in our hearts they are on our nerves
Mary Martin
- When we will really love people, we all change
5. Pray for People
1:4 He prayed for all of them
- Folks can’t resist prayer
- Resist our advice, spurn our appeals, reject our suggestions
PAUL’S PRAYER 1:9-11
1. Love will Abound
- Like an overflowing glass of water
2. Knowledge will Enlighten
- Deep relationship with God
3. Discernment will Clarify
- Look carefully at the world around them
4. Righteousness will Produce
- Be fruitful in God’s work
5. God’s Glory will Magnify
- Enhance God’s reputation in this world
CONCLUSION
- People do matter!!!!
- They are more important than numbers and programs
- Church is not based on ministries but on relationships
- What do you miss about Alum Creek?? The People
- Why do we love VBS? People
- Why do we get angry & discouraged? People
- Who does God want us to love? People
