The Fuel of Gospel Partnerships (Phil. 1:6-8)

Hi Ladies,

A few weeks ago, we looked at Philippians 1:3-5 and focused our prayer on strong gospel partnerships within our church family. This week, I’d like to look at Paul’s encouragement that follows…

He goes on to say, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Ph. 1:6-8).

Strong partners are consistently learning and growing together, aren’t they? This is the heartbeat of discipleship! The wonderful (and sometimes challenging) thing about these relationships is that they are dynamic:

None of us has arrived. 

None of us is beyond our need for them.

None of us is too old or young (physically or spiritually) or too unworthy or too… whatever you might be thinking. 🙂

And the beautiful promise found in the passage above is that God, who began the good work of sanctification in those who are in Christ, will continue it until we are fully glorified in His presence. What a comforting and motivating assurance! 

If God has promised to do this in each of us, then we can be - should be - patient and persistent with one another in the growth. But this growth process doesn’t happen in a vacuum. There is a reason the Lord commanded us to disciple one another and partner together! Indwelt by His Spirit, we are His instruments through whom He is accomplishing His work. 

We should be both humbled and encouraged. And we should not lose heart in the length or difficulty of this process. The above passage makes it clear that God’s work does not ultimately rise or fall on our shoulders. We are not tasked to fuel this work ourselves (praise God!). Yet, we are called to be obedient channels of His truth and grace. And we can trust His promise to work in and through (and sometimes even in spite of) us. 

He who promised is faithful. He will surely do it! (See 1 Thess. 5:23-24)

Lastly, notice Paul’s deep and humble love for these brothers and sisters. He held them in his heart. He shared with them in God’s amazing grace, demonstrated both in their solidarity in his imprisonment and in their passion and commitment to spread the truth of the risen and living Christ. He loved all of them with sincere, familial love. This love was not because they were all easy and likable people. He said it was the very affection of Christ Jesus, made possible by His Spirit that united them. May the Spirit fuel this kind of love for one another among our church family!

So, let’s pray for one another this week, that we might pursue one another with patience and persistence, and with a love that flows from the very heart of Christ. 

The Lord continues to increase my love for His church - this church - which means you. And may He do so more and more, in me and in you. ❤️🙏🏼

Anna 

Praying for fitting and patient words (1 Thess. 5:14)

Hi Ladies,

How many words did you speak yesterday? 

Regardless of the number, none of them were lost. You may beg to differ if you have teenagers, but I’m not talking about that. 😉 Words matter. And not only in this life. (Mt. 12:33-36) The Bible has a lot to say about words. If you're not convinced yet, I believe you will be based on how God is leading within our church family heading into the summer!

Words not only matter but they are powerful, both to harm and to help. Some of us, for fear of hurting others or saying the wrong thing just keep quiet. And others of us love to speak and teach and "help" - which may or may not be so helpful!

And yet, Scripture is full of exhortations to speak.
So, how do we know when to be silent and when to speak?
And when we do speak, how do we know which words are fitting?

Paul gives a most helpful paradigm in 1 Thessalonians 5:14. I'd like for this verse to be our meditation and prayer this week. And can I encourage you to commit it to memory? It’s short, but it’s expansive. 

"And we urge you, brothers [and sisters], admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."

First, notice that people in different circumstances or stages of their spiritual walk need different words. Yes, Truth is Truth! But certain truths at the wrong time or applied the wrong way can be very damaging. (Think Job…)

Let's look at each of Paul's directives:

1) "Admonish the idle" - The word for idle was used in Greek society for those who didn't show up for work. Some versions use the word “unruly.” These people weren't reliable or following the prescribed order. Paul says to admonish them. This word carries the idea of warning or exhortation. It's motivated by love and concern, but it is firm. 

God's Word gives some very clear and direct admonitions. Do you have friends who are in need of these kinds of corrective words? Do you yourself need to allow others to speak these words into your life?  

2) "Encourage the fainthearted" - These people were literally "small-souled," or feeble in mind. They needed comfort. John uses this same word to describe the Jews' words toward Mary and Martha after the death of their brother Lazarus. When people are in the midst of acute suffering, ongoing hardship,
or just plain weariness from this sin-cursed life, we as the body of Christ have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to comfort them with the comforts of God Himself found in His Word. It is full of them!
Do you have fainthearted friends who need to hear some comfort-filled truth? Do you yourself need it? 

3) "Help the weak" - These people were likely struggling to make wise decisions based on Biblical principles. They needed someone to stand alongside them and give support. 

God's Word is full of wisdom to provide light to our path. Do you have weak friends who need your support in sharing wisdom from God's Word? Do you yourself need to hear these words?

4) "Be patient with them all" - Regardless of the category of need, Paul challenges the Thessalonian believers, and now us, to be patient with them all. The word for patience literally means “to suffer long,” or to be of long spirit. 

The “all” within context is speaking about believers, but still…. That is a lot of patience! How are we to do this?? 

We must look to our Triune God. 

God the Father “suffers long,” desiring that His people come to know and love Him. And He has planned, from before time began, that all(!) who are His will be more and more conformed to the image of His Son - a process that will last until completion at Christ’s coming. (1 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 1:6) Lord, haste the day!! 

God the Son modeled incredible patience as His disciples failed again and again to understand Him. He suffered long under the unjust treatment and torture from His enemies. And now, He patiently sits at His Father’s right hand interceding for us until all is put into subjection under His feet. 

And God the Spirit is constantly at work in us, applying the saving benefits of all that Christ has accomplished. One of the very fruits of the Spirit is patience! He patiently guides us into truth and also prays for us in unity with the will of God the Father.

If our Triune God exhibits this kind of patience toward a fallen creation, how much more should we, enabled by His Spirit in us, toward one another!

People are complex. They might not fit neatly into one of Paul’s categories. But we can look to our Father’s perfect plan. We can sit at the feet of our Wonderful Counselor, studying His character and His responses toward people preserved in His Word. We can rely on the Spirit’s moment-by-moment power in us. And in time, we will grow in wisdom, and patience, as we seek to live out 1 Thessalonians 5:14 with one another. ❤️🙏🏼

Will you join me in praying that this would be more and more true of the family at ABC? 

Anna

Koinonia in the gospel (Phil. 1:3-5)

Hi Ladies,

If you have a big task looming in front of you, some of you prefer to buckle down by yourself and get it done as quickly as possible. And some of you need the motivation of others around you to get started (and to keep you going 😊). When it comes to the Christian life, God’s design is that we work together, for better or for worse! This doesn’t mean others can do your work for you, but it does mean that we need each other. Even the Apostle Paul, who seems like he would be the guy in the former category with incredible capacity, passion and drive to get ‘er done, says this to his beloved brothers and sisters in Philippi:

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Phil. 1:3-5)

Notice the bolded phrase. Paul calls them partners. The Greek word here for partnership - koinonia - speaks of fellowship and the intimate bond that unites us around a shared purpose. Despite differences of personality, social status, vocation or interests, koinonia is possible because of a unifying center. This is true of everyone who is in Christ! We are united by one Spirit, members of one Body, with Christ as our Head. 

Paul knew this, and he lived it out. He had taught them, corrected them, modeled to them, prayed for them, and loved them. His deep care for these brothers and sisters shines through this statement and others in his letter. But he had also received from and benefited from them. He didn’t view himself as better or superior, but rather saw them as fellow workers alongside himself - partners for the same purpose: for the sake of the gospel. 

Practically, what does partnership in the gospel look like? We get some hints of what Paul means by looking at a few other statements in his letter. First, “From the first day until now” likely means that Paul is thinking back to Lydia, the first convert in Philippi (Acts 16:11-16). And he probably had many distinct memories of this beloved spiritual family from that point on. They were partners in believing and proclaiming the good news of Christ! 

Second, in Phil. 4:15, he uses the same word koinonia saying “no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.” So there was a partnership in financial support. Paul worked hard to make a living so that he wouldn’t be dependent on others. But he had times of need, and he ministered to other churches in great need. He needed and valued their vital partnership in this very practical way as well. 

And thirdly, there was a partnership of presence, especially from Timothy and Epaphroditus, extensions of the body of Christ who came to be with him, minister to him and bring gifts from the Philippians (Phil. 2:19-30, 4:18). Paul was not a loner. He needed embodied encouragement just as the Philippian believers did.

But notice, finally, that partnership itself wasn’t Paul’s end goal. As much as he loved this fellowship of believers, he begins by saying, “I thank my God,” and I offer “my prayer with joy.” His ultimate focus - His ultimate love - is the One in whom they are united: the triune God! Paul knew that God was magnified by people partnering together for the spread of the glory of His name. And so it was a great joy for him to have this koinonia with the Philippian church. 

And it is such a joy for me (and I trust for you) to partner together at ABC for the same. There is a good reason our membership is called partners in ministry! I am so grateful for the growing partnership we have with one another, and I trust it will only grow stronger.  

Will you pray with me, that God would strengthen our partnership in the gospel? Partnership in believing and proclaiming the glorious news of Christ, partnership in support, and partnership of presence. These are a great place to start. ❤️🙏🏼

Anna 

Our understanding Savior

Hi Ladies,

Many of you will be gathering with family or friends tomorrow as we celebrate Christ's resurrection. It's a time of togetherness, joy and life.

But some of you - whether you gather with others or not - are acutely lonely. This holiday, like others, accentuates pain and loss. Perhaps even betrayal. My goal in this is not to draw unwanted attention to these feelings, but rather to show you Someone who shares and understands your pain, far more than you realize. (The Spirit directed me to write on this before I knew what we would hear last night. Praise Him!)

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem that Palm Sunday, he certainly wasn't alone: 

Crowds flock. (Mt. 21:6-11)
When He enters the temple, He is surrounded by "crowds," "the blind and lame," "chief priests and elders." (Mt. 21:12-16)
Then come the Pharisees' disciples. (Mt. 22:16)
Then the Sadducees. (Mt. 22:23)
Not to mention the constant crowds. And of course, His disciples. (Mt. 23:1)

Jesus is rarely "alone." And yet, hear His own words:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Mt 23:37) 

"You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'" (Mt. 26:31)
"Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone." (John 16:32)

And not only do crowds and friends flee, but Jesus, as He hangs on the cross, bearing the weight of their sin - and yours - cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mt. 27:46)

Jesus knew what He had come to do. So don't read this as confusion. Read it, rather, as a real expression of grief. (We don't have space here to look into how Jesus' words fit with the eternally unbreakable union of the Trinity, but I've shared some helpful links at the bottom if you'd like to read more).

Jesus felt a degree of loneliness and sorrow that you and I will never have to experience. He knows your pain, intimately. And as our Great High Priest, He right now is interceding for us. Because the sinless Son of God came to deal with sin (our sin!), and to stand in our place, these "light, momentary afflictions" we face point us to the One who not only understands but also has conquered everything that separates us from Him. (2 Cor. 4:17; Rom 8:38-39) 

He is with us. In us! We are not alone. Ever.

So if the feelings of loneliness and abandonment are extra strong this weekend, express them to the One who truly knows. 

And express them to those within our family of God who want to walk alongside you (like me). 

And remember His incredible love AND work on your behalf. Not only for the future, but right now in your pain.

And if this isn't you, I encourage you to pray for those within our family who are struggling. Ask the Lord to guide you to these people, and to give you a love that can be expressed in helpful ways during their grief. That's how the Body is supposed to work, fueled by the One who knows and understands not only intimately, but infinitely. ❤️🙏

Anna 

Articles for further reading:

1) John Piper, responding to a listener's question: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/my-god-my-god-why-have-you-forsaken-me-didnt-jesus-already-know

2) Kevin DeYoung, responding to an article published in 2018: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/place-condemned-stood/

3) Joel Beeke, explaining what "Christ forsaken" means and doesn't mean: https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/christ-forsaken