Focal Passage: Philippians 1:1-11
The final study on God’s purpose for His people focuses on the importance of ministry partnerships and glorifying God through consistent and lifelong service to the kingdom of God.
Give thanks for ministry partnership. The book of Philippians is often called the Letter of Joy, but Paul wrote it while a prisoner. Philippi was a city in Macedonia (northern Greece) that had a thriving church despite poverty and persecution. Paul spoke highly of the Philippians and other Macedonian churches saying, “their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” (II Corinthians 8:2)
Paul had served and suffered with this congregation and he expressed his deep gratitude to them in this letter. He witnessed how God used them for great acts of generosity and ministry despite their difficult circumstances. In these initial comments of this letter, Paul illustrates the great joy found in the fellowship of service in Christian ministry. God’s purpose for believers is exemplified through intentional, incarnational ministry. We live in a hyper-individualized society where many believe they can demonstrate their Christian faith simply by watching sermons, listening to Christian music, maintaining private devotion or viewing Christian based videos.
Consuming Christian media is not the same thing as investing time, energy and passion in an actual ministry at a local church. God desires His people to be active in a church. Paul’s ministry was not simply about his preaching and letter writing. He lived, served and sacrificed with his fellow believers daily, and it was the greatest experience of his life. Christian purpose is fulfilling when it is shared.
Moore
Carry on the good work of Christ. No doubt many of the Philippian Christians feared for Paul and were concerned about the future of their church with their founding missionary locked up in prison. Paul encouraged them to have faith in the promise of Christ to those who trust in Him and serve Him faithfully. This famous passage assures us all who serve in church ministry that “He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). This good work is the work of the community of faith in ministry service. God’s good work in you as an individual Christian is meant to be lived out in the fellowship of believers. Experienced together, that good work the Lord has begun is sure to be completed — for that is the full purpose of history. God is reconciling the world to Himself in Christ through the gospel ministry of the church (II Corinthians 5:19).
Glorify God in love and righteousness. What is the relationship between love and truth and compassion and righteousness? So often Christians emphasize one over the other. Yet, they are two sides of the same coin. Paul’s main prayer for the Philippian church is for their love to grow in knowledge and spiritual discernment. The love that pleases God is one that grows in the knowledge of His Scripture and Truth. Also, true Christian love is filled with a discerning Spirit — recognizing, cherishing and advancing what is superior in a life that pleases God. We love God when we live in righteousness for His namesake. We exemplify God’s purposes by obeying His commandments and partnering with our brothers and sisters in gospel ministry. B&R
