Category Archives: Bible Study

PARTNERS BY DEFAULT

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Philippians 1:15-18 NLT
[15] “It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. [16] They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. [17] Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. [18] But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.”

Paul was delighted that others joined him in preaching the gospel because they loved him and wanted to enhance his ministry during his imprisonment. However, he was not oblivious to the fact that he had enemies, even among so-called believers.

Who were these who preached Christ with an ulterior motive? Paul does not say. Perhaps some were Jewish “believers” who opposed him because he did not uphold obedience to the law. These Judaisers were hindering his ministry by trying to convince new Gentile believers to be circumcised. They taught that Gentiles should become Jews first before they could believe in Jesus. The enmity of Jews against Gentiles was filtering into the very gospel of Jesus.

Perhaps they preached the gospel with tongue in cheek, hoping to make more trouble for him among the Jewish community.

Paul vehemently opposed this false teaching. He understood that Jesus and His work on the cross cancelled every obligation to keep the law. Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly for every person on earth and gave His life as punishment for all who broke the law. In effect, the Old Covenant law, with all its requirements, was obsolete. Why, then, were Gentiles to submit to the circumcision ritual that was not a requirement for salvation?

Other believers were seemingly jealous of Paul’s authority and influence in the churches he had founded. They wanted a piece of the pie, so they preached Jesus to win converts for themselves.

Paul was not concerned about motives. The gospel, so he had discovered, was God’s powerful tool for saving sinners.

Romans 1:16 NLT
[16] “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”

For whatever reason Christ was preached, it was the message that aroused faith in those who heard it.

Romans 10:17 NLT
[17] “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

Thise who preached Jesus from impure motives had also inadvertently become partners with Paul! This made him very happy! Teamwork, partnership was all that mattered. He was not alone in this arduous task of taking the gospel to the Gentiles.

Everyone who participated with him extended his ministry beyond himself into the places he could not reach. Everyone who shared his hardships in fulfilling his ministry partnered with him in the suffering he experienced through his obedience. Everyone who prayed for him and his ministry shared in the rewards of his labours. Everyone who gave generously towards his needs played a significant part in helping him to harness his time to fulfill his calling.

All-in-all, Paul was happy to receive all the help he could get.

What about us? What will it take to convince us to stop being spectators in this “game” of life. We have been delivered from darkness. Paul said that we are “light in the Lord”.

Ephesians 5:8 NIV
[8] “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

Children of light are the offspring of God who is the source of all light and enlightenment. To live as children of light implies participation in every aspect of the kingdom of light.

Colossians 1:12-13 NLT
[12]”…He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. [13] For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son…”

We are neither spectators nor passengers in the spread of the gospel. We are a team, fitting into its function in whatever way the Holy Spirit has called and gifted us. A team is an entity, functioning as one in cooperation and collaboration with one another. There are no loners in a team.

So, let’s get back to the Bible’s pattern for the church. Let’s partner with God, the Holy Spirit, and our leader/leaders to make this team as effective as it can be.

PARTNERS IN CIRCUMSTANCES

Bible Study, ,

Philippians 1:12-14 NIV
[12] “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. [13] As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. [14] And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”

Paul was indomitable! How could he view his imprisonment as a good thing when being locked up in prison was close to the worst that could happen to him? How could he fulfil his ministry to the Gentiles across the whole Roman empire when he was incarcerated in jail?

Paul saw his circumstances differently. They could restrict his body but they could not shut his mouth. No matter where he was or who came in contact with him, he used the opportunity to share the message of Jesus with them and to testify to the reason for his imprisonment.

Paul’s whole life was about Jesus. He did everything in, through, and for Jesus. A prison cell was as good a place as a palace, as far as he was concerned, in which to live his life and to share his faith in Jesus.

Now, imagine the impact he would have on the Roman soldiers who were in and out of the jail every day as well as on his fellow prisoners who were near enough to hear him. Did Paul complain about the unfairness of his imprisonment? Was he angry and bitter about his circumstances? Not if we go back to the story of his imprisonment, together with Silas, recorded in Acts 16. After being treated like dangerous criminals, lockrd up and in the stocks, these two faithful ministers of Jesus sang and prayed their way through their pain.

Acts 16:23-25 NIV
[23] “After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. [24] When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. [25] About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

…and the outcome was miraculous!

Acts of the Apostles 16:26 NLT
[26]” Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!”

Paul’s unconquerable spirit led him to view his cell as a pulpit from which to preach the gospel of Jesus….and it worked! His story and his message spread like wildfire throughout the prison among prisoners and guards alike. And Paul was elated!

Not only was Paul’s own ministry effective where he was but other believers also, emboldened and spurred on by his example, began to share Jesus as well.

With this attitude, Paul became a partner, not an enemy, of his own circumstances. He would never allow where he was to hinder his work for the Lord. In actual fact, how would he ever have penetrated the palace itself, through the guard, with the gospel, had he not been a prisoner?

Paul embraced his circumstances with the confidence that Jesus was the Master of his life. Nothing could ever happen to him that did not pass the test of Christ’s love and His will.

In his letter to the Roman church, he penned the words that were a part of his life philosophy…

Romans 8:28 NLT
[28] “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

What an outlook to adopt in the worst of circumstances! Paul’s attitude powerfully enhanced his message. His joyful spirit was a witness to a life unfazed by hardship and difficulty because Christ was in him, providing grace and peace beyond explanation.

Paul, then, valued the parnership of his fellow believers at Philippi, both in their care and prayers for him, and the partnerdhip of the Holy Spirit through their prayers for him, but he also recognised the opportunity to partner with his circumstances. His imprisonment was enhancing, not hindering the spread of the gospel in a place he didn’t imagine possible, a jail cell in the emperor’s palace!

What if we, too, would adopt Paul’s way of viewing life? What if we used every circumstance, good or bad, as an opportunity to trust God, to advance His calling on our lives,
and to glorify Him by our faithfulness no matter what?

No only would we have a positive impact on those around us but we would also encourage others to do the same.

PARTNERS WITH THE SPIRIT

Bible Study, ,

Philippians 1:9-11 NLT
[9] “I pray that your LOVE will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on GROWING in knowledge and understanding. [10] For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. [11] May you always be filled with the FRUIT of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”

Paul’s recorded prayers are sublime and rich with purpose.

Love is always prominent, together with knowledge, understanding, and righteous living which is the fruit of our relationship with God. .

Why is love so important to Paul?

First, he commends the love already evident in the lives of the believers and prays for their love to increase and grow in their church fellowship and in the wider body of Christ. This love they show to one another is proof positive that they are new people in Christ.

1 John 3:11, 14 NLT
[11] “This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another…
[14] If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.”

  1. Love is the nature of God.
    Together with holiness, God’s hatred for and separation from sin and His faithfulness to His nature, is His love. He is holy love. His goal is to recreate in us the image of His Son who is the perfect replica of the Father…holy love.

1 John 4:16 NLT
[16] “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”

  1. Loving one another is the evidence that God’s love is in us, His children. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us pours God’s love into our lives to be lived out in daily life.

Romans 5:5 NLT
[5]”And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Colossians 3:10,14 NLT
[10] “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him….
[14] Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

  1. Loving one another is one of only two New Covenant commandments.

1 John 3:23 NLT
[23] “And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.”

  1. Love fulfills all 613 Old Covenant commandments.

1 John 2:7 NLT
[7] “Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.”

Romans 13:8, 10 NLT
[8] “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law…
[10] Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”

  1. Love demonstrates to the world that we are Jesus’ disciples.

John 13:34-35 NLT
[34]” So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. [35] Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Is it any wonder that Paul should put love as the first of his prayers for his fellow believers!

Second, Paul was passionate about the growth of his fellow believers in knowledge and understanding.

Knowledge provides the basis of our faith in Christ. God’s Word is the source of our knowledge about who God is, who we are, and what He has done to restore us to fellowship with Him. Knowledge is imperative for faith that is grounded in the truth. Hence it is important that we continually increase in our knowledge of Scripture.

Understanding is the work of God’s Spirit, providing meaning to the truths of God’s Word. The Spirit is the interpreter of the Word, opening our minds to recognise and apply the truth in our daily circumstances. This partnership between the Holy Spirit and us, based on our knowledge of God through His Word, is the foundation of spiritual growth.

John 16:13 NLT
[13] “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

Spiritual growth, in turn, is imperative for spiritual maturity.

Paul gives us a picture of maturity and the path to maturity in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT
[11]”Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. [13] This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. [15] Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. [16] He makes the whole body fit together perfectly.
As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

How important it is, then, in our partnership with God’s Spirit and with one another, that we pray for the knowledge and understanding that move us towards maturity.

Third, fruit…! What does Paul mean by “fruit”?

Fruit is the purpose and outcome of a fruit tree. If a fruit tree fails to bear fruit and, since it grows for no other purpose, it must be cut down and destroyed.

Luke 13:6-7 NLT
[6] “Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. [7] Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ “

What, then, constitutes “fruit” in the life of a believer? Although leadimg others to Christ may be regarded as fruit, the Bible classifies fruit as the work of the Holy Spirit in us that reveals the nature of the tree, the character of Jesus being formed in us.

Matthew 7:17-20 NLT
[17] “A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. [18] A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. [19] So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. [20] Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”

Jesus said that the branches must remain connected to the vine to produce the fruit of the vine.

John 15:4 NLT
[4]”Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

So, first, to bear the fruit that identifies its source, the branch…that’s us, must remain in vital union with the Vine…that’s Jesus.

Second, the fruit that the branch in the vine produces will be grapes, not anything else. The fruit of the believer’s life will reveal the nature of the tree from which it grows. This fruit will reveal one of only two natures, Adam’s nature if we are not in the vine, called “the works of the flesh” or the nature of Jesus, called “the fruit of the Spirit”.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
[22] “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

This nine-fold fruit is a package of characteristics that grows from our union with Jesus. These characteristics are the attitudes and responses the Holy Spirit produces in us towards God, others, and ourselves in the circumstances of our lives.

First…love, joy, peace…Jesus’ legacy to all believers. Before He died, He gave His disciples His own disposition, “my love… my joy… my peace…” as a bulwark against the onslaught of hatred and opposition from a hostile world. Encased in His love, joy, and peace, nothing would deter them from loyalty and faithfulness to Him.

When we trace the story of the apostles after the resurrection, we recognise that the Holy Spirit in them was the key to their faithfulness to Jesus in the face of opposition, persecution, torture, and death itself. Despite all odds, they persevered because they were encased in the love, joy, and peace that Jesus had given them.

Second…patience, kindness, goodness…the disposition of Jesus in us towards all people, believers and “outsiders”. God’s grace through the Holy Spirit, produces in us the opposite responses to the way people in the world react…aggression, retaliation, revenge.

Ephesians 4:1-4 NLT
[1] “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. [2] Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. [3] Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. [4] For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”

Within the body of Christ and to people outside His body, patience, kindness, and goodness replace the ungodly responses of our old nature as we rely on the Holy Spirit for His grace.

Third…faithfulness, gentleness(meekness), self control…the ways in which we rein ourselves in and replace the old demands of “me first” with “God and others”. What is our attitude to ourselves in our interactions with God and people?

Faithfulness…setting ourselves aside for the sake of our duty and calling, the one requirement of a servant and the standard by which our work will be measured.

“In the Bible, faithfulness is a key characteristic of a servant, and is described as loyalty, trustworthiness, and dedication to one’s duties…” (quoted from Google…article, “a servant must be faithful”).

1 Corinthians 4:2 NLT
[2] “Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.”

Matthew 24:45-47 NIV
[45]“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? [46] It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. [47] Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

Faithfulness implies setting aside one’s own concerns for the sake of one’s duty to others.

Gentleness…a better translation is meekness, not weakness but “inner strength, emotional intelligence, and moral character”, (according to Meta).

Meekness is the ability to control one’s self, to submit to another, like a horse that submits to the rider’s bit and bridle.

Ephesians 5:21 NLT
[21] “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Self control…the overall quality of self-discipline, which Paul calls “putting to death the deeds of the flesh”.

For harmonious relations in the church family and in the world, the believer must set aside self for the good of others. This cannot happen without the power of the Holy Spirit.

How important, then, as partners with Holy Spirit in prayer, we participate in the process of maturing, both in ourselves and in other believers in their progress towards becoming like Christ, the goal of the Father for us.

PARTNERS IN FELLOWSHIP

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Philippians 1:7-8 NLT
[7] “So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. [8] God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.”

The Philippian church as a whole was bound to Paul with a love and loyalty so strong that, together, they formed a formidable team forged by unity. This unity of heart and function was the secret not only of of Paul’s effectiveness as a missionary against all odds but also a powerful force against the kingdom of darkness.

However he did it, Paul must have kept in touch with this church, telling them of his goings and doings. Since he treasured this partnership and the fellowship they shared through a strong bond of love, he shared his life with them so that their prayers would follow and support him in every situation and circumstance he faced.

What a comfort for him to know that he was never alone! He had the Spirit within to guide and empower him; he had companions that accompanied him as he traversed the Roman empire; and he had a loyal church behind him in love and prayer. What else did he need for a powerful and effective ministry?

Let’s put Paul’s experience into the modern-day church.

Much of the time, many churches are more like a ball game than a family…, the pastor a star player on the field and the congregation the spectators on the grandstand. The pastor’s performance is closely watched and applauded or condemned according to the spectators’ opinions.

Many churches mostly function on events and programmes carefully planned and supervised by the leader/leaders who are accountable to nobody. The church belongs to the hierarchy and what it says goes.

Prayer in the church may or may not be a part of the programme but must fit into the agenda of activities and functions. The daily activies of the leader in the execution of his ministry, together with his challenges and struggles, are of little concern to the people. They don’t know what he does or how he gets through all the calls on him together with his functions as a leader. Sometimes, he is even elevated above the people and unapproachable without an appointment, like a lawyer or doctor who functions by consultation.

Am I painting an accurate picture of some church groups?

Paul’s picture is very different from our concept of “church” today. Paul’s church was a team, all believers together on the playing field, each doing his/her part to win the game.

This “team” was also a family, each one caring for and living in harmony with every other member of the team. They knew one another, loved one another, provided for each other, ministered to each other, and handled their differences with humility, tolerance, patience, and forgiveness, working to maintain their unity which was the core of their strength.

The leader was captain of the team, his function to lead by example, serving through his spiritual gift/gifts and teaching others to do the same. Together, they were a formidable group that made steady inroads into their ungodly society, bringing change and new life to many people through the gospel.

What of the modern church? Is every local congregation a powerful team of unity and fellowship, making a difference in its community through living God’s Word and trusting the Holy Spirit?

What if God’s people returned to the template of the local church given to us by example in the New Testament? What if the church became, once again, a close-knit family…loving, caring, and participating in each other’s lives through prayer and fellowship, each believer living out the power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus in his/her life?

Prayer and fellowship! That’s the key to a powerful, effective, and growing influence the local church can have on any community. That’s the witness that speaks loudly of the power of the gospel of Jesus to change lives and transform a community into a law-abiding, integrated group of people.

This transformation can never happen through church “clubs” or “organisations”, but only through living organisms…being the church through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them.

PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL

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Philippians 1:3-6 NLT
[3] “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. [4] Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, [5] for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. [6] And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Partners! I found a blog on the internet that confirms this theme in Philippians, by a blogger called Nam.

“By the way, the core message of Philippians is about partnership, not joy as I used to think.”
Nam: https://www.reconciledworld.org/partners_through_prayer

Nam’s article on “Partners Through Prayer” highlights the two-way relationship between Paul and the churches. There was a special bond between Paul and the church at Philippi because these believers partnered with him in his arduous, demandung, and often dangerous task.

Philippians 1:7-8 NLT
[7] “So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. [8] God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.”

I have already written about being “partners through prayer” in my series on Colossians, but it does no harm to re-emphasize this vital ministry of every church here.

Tha fact that Paul appeals for prayer for himself and his ministry in his letters should alert us to the huge part every church should and must play in the spread of the gospel.

Apart from this church being the first church he founded in Europe, it was the one church that prayed faithfully for him and also often supported him financially.

Let’s explore the meaning of this partnership and its outcomes.

1. They supported him in prayer.
Paul was conscious of his vulnerability as a contender for the truth against many enemies and humble enough to ask for help. His message angered both Jews and Gentiles. The Jews hated him because the one he preached claimed to be God (which, to them, was blasphemy), and apparently He rose from the dead, a claim they repudiated. Paul enraged the Gentiles because he presented Jesus, not Caesar, as Lord.

Paul travelled all over Europe and Asia Minor to preach to the Gentiles, putting himself and his companions in physical danger from many quarters…, physical, political, and religious.

Paul was aware of his need for support. He could not accomplish his mission alone. The Philippian
church took his call for help seriously and prayed faithfully for him.

“…Philippians 1:5 NLT
[5] for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.”

They prayed for his safety and deliverance from his enemies.

Philippians 1:19 NLT
[19] “For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.”

They prayed for his ministry, for clarity, boldness, and effectiveness in his preaching.

Philippians 1:7 NLT
[7] “So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.”

They prayed for fruit…for many new believers to respond to his preaching.

Philippians 1:13-14 NLT
[13]”For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. [14] And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.”

2. They supported him financially.

The other part of their partnership with Paul was the regulator financial support they gave him more than any other church.

Philippians 4:15-17 NLT
[15]”As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. [16] Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. [17] I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.”

Paul had to labour long and hard to pay his way. Imagine his gratitude when the Philippians sent him gifts of money more than once to relieve him of the burden of having to earn his living.

Acts of the Apostles 18:1-3 NLT
[1]” Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. [2] There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. [3] Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.”

To the Thessalonians, he wrote…

1 Thessalonians 2:9 NLT
[9] “Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.”

Although the churches were obligated to support Paul, according to…

Galatians 6:6 NLT
[6]”Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.”

… Paul made no demands on the believers, choosing rather to earn his own living than depend on them, but grateful for the help he received through their partnership with him.

Paul testified to lessons learned through every circumstance, good or bad. He shared his experience with his beloved Philippians believers.

Philippians 4:10-14 NLT
[10] “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. [11] Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. [12] I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. [13] For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. [14] Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.”

So, we learn from Paul’s relationship with this church that, not only did the Holy Spirit help, strengthen, and support him through their prayers, but they also provided for his financial needs by  sending money to him time and again.

It’s no wonder then, that Paul loved them so deeply, not so much because of their generosity to him but because they were involved with him in the spread of the gospel. This partnership was much more than for Paul’s benefit. This joint effort was for the kingdom of God. Thus Paul could celebrate with them the fruit of their labours as a team. To go back to our Scripture for today…

Philippians 1:5 NLT
[5]… “for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.”

So, Paul could assure them that God would continue and complete His good work in them as they confirmed their faith by sharing their lives and love with him.

Philippians 1:6 NLT
[6]”And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”