Partners in the Gospel

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this: that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:4-6

From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:

The Joy of Partnership. The word “partnership” comes from the Greek word, koinonia. It is an intimate fellowship. It is the bond of a family. Our relationship with other Christians is not a business partnership or social club. To the contrary, we are to be completely united as one body under Jesus Christ, the Head of His Church.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul made it clear: “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:2-3).

Notice two things that lead to experiencing the full riches of understanding. We are to be encouraged in heart and united in love. The body of Christ is one body but made up of many parts. We do not function properly when we refuse to work in harmony. Paul is simply praying the same thing that Jesus prayed for just hours before his trial and crucifixion: “That they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity” (John 17:22-23).

Carried to Completion. We are sojourners and strangers on the earth; we are looking for a better country — a heavenly country. The world is not our home. Heaven is our home. As we journey through this life, we will experience all sorts of difficulties, setbacks and struggles. Sometimes this life can feel like a battleground. There will be blood, sweat and tears. We will experience brokenness, pain and loss.

Matt Redman, a worship leader and song writer based out of the UK, penned the following:

Scars and struggles on the way, but with joy our hearts can say,

yes our hearts can say: Never once did we ever walk alone.

Never once did You leave us on our own. You are faithful. God, You are faithful.

Matt Redman singing "Never Once"


Prayer: God, You have called me by name and promised to bring me safely home. Help me live in the security of Your promise that You will never leave me. Amen.


#Uncommon 

Joyful, Patient, Faithful

Be Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12

From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:

The first time the Gospel was shared in the city of Philippi was when Paul and Silas visited there on their first missionary journey (Acts 16:11-40). Later, Paul and Timothy wrote a letter of encouragement and exhortation to the Christians in that region — what is now in our Bibles as “Philippians.” Read through Philippians 1, keeping the words of Romans 12:12 in mind.

Joyful in Hope. Paul was continually rejoicing before God. He knew what God had in store for him and the Philippians — he has his heart and mind fixed on heaven. Paul knew that God had given them both a new life in Jesus Christ while on earth and the promise of eternal life with Him in paradise.

Paul had treasure in heaven. He knew that, no matter what happened, He had eternal life because of Jesus Christ. And he had Jesus! Whether he continued to live on the earth or was taken to heaven, he had joy. And that joy was rooted in his relationship with God and in the fellowship of other Christians. “I thank my God … for all of you … because of your partnership in the Gospel” (Philippians 1:3-5).

Patient in Affliction. Paul wrote this letter from prison. If anyone had a reason to complain, it was Paul! Yet he fully believed God would rescue him. Whether his imprisonment ended in life or death, Paul chose to worship God. His confidence came from this astounding truth: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). It was because of his imprisonment that Paul was to share the Gospel with the whole palace guard.

Faithful in Prayer. Paul constantly prayed for his fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus. He knew them on a personal level and loved them deeply. Again, they weren’t simply acquaintances to him; they were his family and friends. He longed for them with the affection of Jesus Christ! (Philippians 1:8).

Paul’s prayer was simple: he prayed that their love would overflow and that their knowledge of Christ would increase (1:9). And the source of this love and knowledge is abiding in Jesus. We do not produce the fruit of righteousness from our own strength; the nourishment comes from Christ. As He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Prayer: Gracious Lord Jesus, I ask not simply that You be with me today but that You lead me also to join You in the work You are already doing—in me and through me for the sake of others. Amen.

Big Hearts

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Romans 12:13

From Guest Blogger Kathleen Lane:

“She has such a big heart.” I’ve heard that said about a certain woman in our congregation. “Sue” is a real people-person who can even make strangers feel at ease. She seems to know what people need and how to go about helping them. She is generous in sharing her time, money and possessions — and in opening her home for guests, gatherings and study groups.

If you ask Sue where her big heart comes from, she would say, “It comes from God’s big heart.” She’s right! Generosity and hospitality start with God — perhaps the best-known Bible verse, John 3:16 says it:  “For God so loved … that He gave.” God’s big heart leads Him to big giving.

Our Vacation Bible School students sang about God’s big heart this year. If you ask one of them they might show you the actions and dance that go along with these words:

          He’s a big, big God!  He’s big!
          With a big, big heart!  He’s big!
          With big, big blessings just for you and me!

God shows His big heart as “He richly and daily provides all that I need to support this body and life” (from Martin Luther’s explanation to the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed). God gave best when He met our greatest need for a Savior from sin. It is in receiving the Gift of Jesus Christ that we become givers, too. God not only generously blesses us with His gifts, He also gives us the power to be givers. In a world where the common concern is in getting, God grows our hearts big for uncommon giving.

As seen in Sue, generosity and hospitality are indicators of a big heart. Generosity is seen as we give and share what we have to meet the needs of others. Hospitality is seen as we welcome others and open our homes to be used as places of support, friendship and fellowship.

How have you shown generosity today? Without going all Martha Stewart, how can you open your home to others in the next several weeks?

Prayer: Father God, You are the most generous Giver.  Grow our hearts big so that we can be givers, too.  Amen.

Don't Be an Eeyore

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12

From Guest Blogger Kathleen Lane:

Remember Eeyore, Winnie the Pooh’s friend in the A.A. Milne books? He is a rather melancholy character, one who sees the glass half empty rather than half full. His favorite food is thistles and the sign at his house says “Eeyore’s Gloomy Place.” Here’s a sample of Eeyore’s viewpoint:

Winnie:  Good morning!
Eeyore:  If it is a good morning, which I doubt.
Winnie:   Lovely day, isn’t it?
Eeyore:  Wish I could say “yes.”

“Be joyful in hope,” Paul urges us. In other words, don’t be an Eeyore!

A Christian is an optimist. We are called to an uncommon life where, because of the victory already won by Christ, we can be joyful in hope. There really are no hopeless situations for us.  This doesn’t mean that Christian don’t have troubles or that we should deny having troubles. In fact, Jesus assured us that we would have trouble in this world (John 16:33). It does mean that we can be sure that because God is God, the best is yet to be. That is hope.

Because of hope we can be patient in affliction, knowing that God’s grace is sufficient and that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. We know  that nothing can separate us from God and His love (Romans 8:38-39).  “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)  That is hope.

Having the sure hope of God’s presence, now and forever, brings joy. Not that we must always have a sunny disposition, but we can always have the quiet joy of knowing that God has filled us, not just half full, but overflowing with His grace and love. As He fills us we are transformed to share our joy and hope with the Eeyores of the world.

In what specific situation has your faith in Christ given you hope?
With whom can you share some joyful hope today?

Prayer: God of hope, fill us with joy and peace as we trust in You. Enable us to share our sure hope in Christ with the world. Amen.


#Uncommon

Transformed

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Romans 12:2

I think you’ll agree:  it is far easier to “go with the flow” than to work against the current. To conform to the way our society lives and thinks and acts … that doesn’t take much effort. To swim against the stream is hard. It takes intentionality. It takes effort. It means sometimes bumping painfully into those who are moving in the opposite direction.

The Christian life may not be easy; but God calls us to be different, in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-16). We are to be a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9, KJV), uncommon, countercultural. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed …” (Romans 12:2).

You might ask: “How does that transforming happen?” Great question! Notice that Paul doesn’t say, “transform yourself.” He says, “be transformed.” A quick look at 2 Corinthians 3:18 gives us a clue — “we, who…all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed” (same word as Rom. 12:2) “into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Two key thoughts here: 1) the work of transforming is done by God, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My church, Faith Lutheran in Appleton, WI, has a vision statement that begins with these important words: “Transformed by Christ to live generous and purposeful lives.” God is doing the work. Paul says elsewhere that God, “who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

2) Notice God’s transforming work is a process. It is not a single event, but a lifetime of shaping. Isaiah likens God to a potter sculpting clay — “we are all the work of Your hand,” he says (Isaiah 64:8). God uses life experiences (even the hard ones) to mold us. He uses relationships with other Christians to correct and encourage us. But most importantly, God uses His Word, the Bible, to guide and shape our spirits. This is the most important reason why we memorize scripture, why we read devotions and listen to sermons that explain the Bible — God is using His Word for His work of transforming you by the renewing of your mind.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for Your transforming work in me. Help me commit today to knowing Your Word better. Renew my mind. Lead me to be more like Christ, and to live an uncommon life. Amen.