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(Read Philippians 1:7a, 8) As expressed in earlier verses, Paul believed he was justified to feel confidence, thankfulness, and joy. He says, “Since I have you in my heart.” What does this mean? Paul wasn’t merely thankful for their generous gift. They had become endeared to him, and he had a sincere emotional and spiritual attachment. He loved them!…
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(Read Philippians 1:6) In only a few verses, Paul mentioned critical components of Christian fellowship, such as prayer, thankfulness, and the gospel. He moves to the ongoing daily growth God wants to accomplish in every believer – discipleship. He is “confident” God’s beginning work in the Philippian believers will be “completed” at the second coming of Christ…
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(Read Philippians 1:5, 7b) Paul was thankful for the Philippians foremost for their partnership in the gospel (v. 5). The word “partnership” is the word koinonia or “fellowship.” Christian fellowship hinges on sharing the gospel. Paul said the gospel was “the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand and by which you are…
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(Read Philippians 1:4, 9-11) How often do you pray for others? It’s easy to begin our prayers with “God help me” and “Here’s what I need.” Fellowship with other believers includes praying for them. Paul said this brings him joy (v. 4), a significant theme in this epistle. To pray for other believers, you must be in fellowship with…
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(Read Philippians 1:3) One of the ways we grow in fellowship with other believers is through being thankful for them. Thankfulness is typically done in response to something done for you. It’s primarily reactive. While that’s necessary, what if our thankfulness was proactive? What if it was based more on what Christ has done for and…
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(Read Philippians 1:1-2) There’s nothing like being with God’s people. I look forward to it every Sunday morning, small group, church function, and encounter with another believer. If I can fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, I’ll be encouraged and challenged in the Word, prayed for, and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Christians cannot do…
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I thought about Isaiah 61:3 while visiting a men’s and women’s homeless shelter and rehab facility and two friends tonight in the hospital battling cancer: “And provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment…
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I’ve had multiple opportunities to share the gospel with the crew while serving on this marriage cruise. Moses is from Kenya. He went to a Christian school but isn’t a believer. He’s heard the gospel many times before. He’s read the Bible, Qur’an, and the Bhagavad Gita. He’s confused and searching for truth. Idi is…
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Complaining never helps (as I sit in an airport in D.C. from a canceled flight the night before). It just feeds the flesh, and the flesh is never satisfied. Rearrange “selfish” and you get “is flesh”! In Philippians 2:14, Paul says, “Do everything without complaining and arguing.” That’s hard, and at times, it seems impossible.…
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One of the guys I shared the gospel with while serving on the marriage cruise was Jhoormuk from the island of Mauritius (off the coast of Madagascar). He has a Hindu background. All I could think about was, “If he is saved, the Lord could use it to start a revival on the whole island!”…
stephen R Harrison 