01/06/2019
Day 1 of Philippines
NO ORDINARY FELLOWSHIP
Today’s passage:
Philippians 1:1-8
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “fellowship”? It
seems like too often, we think of it as simply “hanging out” with one
another, playing games in youth group, or having casual conversations.
While there’s nothing wrong with all of that, do you sometimes wonder
if that’s really all there is to fellowship?
In Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, he shows us a different picture
of what true fellowship looks like. He starts by thanking the Philippians
for their “partnership in the gospel” (Philippians 1:5). Some
translations use the word “fellowship” instead. What was this
partnership or fellowship that Paul thanked the Philippians for?
The Philippian church was the first church Paul planted in Europe. It
consisted of a merchant named Lydia and her household, a jailer and
his family, and others who have become believers since its founding
(Acts 16). While Paul wrote many letters to correct or rebuke problems
in early churches, his letter to the Philippian church stands out as one
of thanksgiving and rejoicing.
I’m sure the Philippian church was not perfect. No church is. But what
set the Philippians apart was their razor-sharp focus: they were
committed towards furthering their shared goal—spreading the good
news of Christ. In supporting Paul financially and working with him
(4:15), the Philippian church was not just spreading the gospel, but
they were living the gospel out in community.
When Paul thanks God for his fellowship with believers in Philippi, he is
not merely thinking of casual after-meal talks or fun games. Paul is
thankful that the Philippians were working alongside him in sharing the
gospel with the Gentiles, reaching out to those in need, and looking out
for the interests of others even when they themselves were suffering.
That is true fellowship
