Today’s devotion is based on Philippians 1:1-11: Joy in the Journey: Week 1 (WATCH HERE)
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
People matter.
Paul wanted the people in Philippi to know they mattered.
Paul wanted the people in Philippi to know he was grateful for them.
Paul wanted the people in Philippi to know he treasured their partnership in the Gospel.
Acts 16 records the initial interactions of Paul and the city of Philippi. His first contact was Lydia, a seller of purple cloth. She became the host for the new church in Philippi. She opened her home for Paul and all the other new Christians that would believe in Jesus as their Savior.
Acts 16:13-16 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
The brutality of the magistrates in Philippi was countered by the kindness of the jailor who watched over Paul and Silas. When the witness of Paul touched the heart of the jailor, his whole family became part of the Gospel team through baptism, initially expressing their love with a meal and treating of the flogging wounds.
Acts 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
I’m sure there were more. More women engaged in business, or the busyness of caring for their families and home. More men from government or commerce that came to a conviction of heart that Jesus was their Savior. It was a faith that was sparked and fanned by the Holy Spirit to not just believe, but to serve for the advancement of the Gospel.
Paul was imprisoned in Rome…but the Gospel was working in Philippi.
Why?
Because of the partnership Paul shared with Gospel ministers in Philippi.
Whether you are part of the Crosspoint family or engaged in another part of the country or the world. I thank God that he has brought you to faith and led you to live out that faith. This partnership isn’t one that we sign up for or get a contract for, but rather one that happens when the Gospel goes to work in your heart.
Perhaps the greatest realization is that God himself has invited you to partner with HIM in the Gospel ministry. It doesn’t matter your background…family…business…politics…country of origin…the power of the Gospel unites us in a common cause: To advance the Gospel.
I thank God for each of you and the way God is and will use you to bring Jesus to your family, community, workplace, school, and your world of influence.
Paul had a smile on his face as he wrote this…he was filled with joy for the gift of Gospel partners.
So am I.
I pray you are too!
Apply: Ask yourself: Who are the people who have helped shape my faith? A mentor, a friend, a pastor, a praying parent? Take time to thank God for them, and maybe even send a message or write a note expressing that gratitude.
Prayer: Lord Jesus thank you for your Gospel partners who brought me the word of truth. Use me as a partner in your Gospel work to bring that message of grace to others. AMEN