Sharing in the Gospel

Jesus Is Lord
Exalting Christ
Proclaiming Christ

Philippians 1:1-8

The Message

1 ^1-2 Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.

A Love That Will Grow

^3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

^7-8 It’s not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!

For Reflection

The God who lives in you cannot be hidden.  He is the prime mover for all that you are, you do, you say, and what others say about you.  You, transformed into a God-centered being, are the living proclamation of the fullness that is God.  In that you cannot help but share the gospel.

Pray

that you will trust in the promise of God's persistent companionship.  Give God the credit for all that you do.  Pray that you will permit the Spirit embolden you to live out your faith.