The Future of a Church (Philippians 1:3-11)
Gary McManus, 01/16/2022Part of the God's New Year series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
January 16, 2022 The Future of a Church
Philippians 1:3-11
“. . .your partnership in the gospel. . .”
“. . .he (Jesus) who began a good work in you will
carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
In North Carolina they would read:
“. . . he who began a good work in y’all . . .”
Paul is addressing the whole church.
January named for Janus; two faces, past and future.
Now we area in the third year of the Pandemic.
The pandemic has been hard on church congregations.
Pastors too have been in crisis. (Check out barna.com)
Philippians: Paul wrote from prison.
The Apostle had given some thought to his own death.
Paul could be executed (and would be eventually).
Philippians 1:27. . .WHATEVER HAPPENS. . .
“conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. “
Paul will mention how. . .
But notice Paul's confidence—not in himself or the church
but in JESUS.
The direction of that work which will be completed:
Philippians 1:9 (A PRAYER!)
“. . .your love may abound more and more in knowledge
and depth of insight, . . .”
A strong love but more than that. . .deeper, more advanced.
Love, but a deeper love that is more advanced.
Consider and remember that American Christians don’t
know much about love.
Love is not mostly a feeling. Love is an action word.
Many American Christians are afraid of love and forgiveness
because they think that love is permissive—that forgiveness
gives someone permission to transgress. It doesn’t at all.
There are consequences for law-breaking (even while we
might forgive someone).
If someone sins against YOU and you forgive them, it will
still cost you. Remember, forgive a $100 debt and you are
still out the $100.
Love=action
Love the former debtor (“former” because you forgave the
debt—no longer a debtor).
Find a way to help the former debtor—to manage their money
or make more money. (Without expecting your $100 back
because you gave that up.) That is love.
In that way you help prevent the sin repeating on someone else.
Love works that way.
The Apostle Paul prays “abound in love MORE AND MORE
in knowledge and depth of insight. . .”
“depth of insight” = 1 word in Greek, only here in NT.
But, 22 times in a Greek translation of Hebrew OT
in Proverbs!
A smart love. A wise love. Ever been accused of being
a smart lover?
Jesus was.
Take a course in ADVANCE LOVING. . .
for us to love the JESUS WAY.
So, DCC, how are we going to face an
unknown future? Join in the Apostle Paul’s prayer
for our church as he prayed for the Philippian churches:
“. . .that your love may abound more and more in
knowledge and depth of insight, . . .” Amen.
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