Your fellowship in the Gospel
Text: Philippians 1
21 September 2008
(I) A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF A STRONG FRIENDSHIP
1. Paul and the Philippian Church
2. A significant statement of this friendship
“Just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart… for God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:7a, 8
a) There is deep affection
b) This affection is likened to “the affection of Jesus Christ”
c) There is a bold declaration of this affection
(II) WHAT MAKES A RELATIONSHIP STRONG?
“For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” Philippians 1:5
1. There is great power in “fellowship”
a) Great fellowship will strengthen friendship
b) Sustained fellowship will strengthen friendship
c) Fellowship in the Gospel will further enhance friendship
2. There has to be great effort to sustain friendship
a) There has to be a positive and thankful spirit of appreciation
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” Philippians 1:3
b) There has to be prayer/intercession
“Always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy” Philippians 1:4″And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment…” Philippians 1:9
i) Regular prayer
ii) Deep prayer
c) There is mutual partaking of the grace of God
“You all are partakers with me of grace” Philippians 1:7c
i) Paul as teacher of God’s grace
ii) Philippians as recipients of God’s grace
(III) DEEP APPRECIATION OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP
1. It is a gift from the Lord
2. It is rare to have deep and solid friendship
3. It is beautiful and to be appreciated
4. It is mutually beneficial