1. THE OASIS OF LOVE FOR OTHERS Philippians 1: 1-6

2. Philip. 1:1-6 (New Living Translation) This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. It is written to all of God's people in Philippi, who believe in Christ Jesus, and to the elders and deacons. [2] May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

3. Philip. 1:1-6 (continued) [3] Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. [4] I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy [5] because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. [6] And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

4. THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER God is the glue for bonding forever friendships. I will retain Philippi as a model of partnership and love. Lord, I want to be a faithful partner and servant within your community of faith. Help me be a Lydia!

5. Acts 16:1-6 (New Living Translation) Paul and Silas went first to Derbe and then on to Lystra. There they met Timothy, a young disciple whose mother was a Jewish believer, but whose father was a Greek. [2] Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, [3] so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.

6. Acts 16:1-6 (continued) [4] Then they went from town to town, explaining the decision regarding the commandments that were to be obeyed, as decided by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. [5] So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew daily in numbers. [6] Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time.

7. A TRAVELING BAND OF PREACHERS IN VIRGIN TERRITORY Paul, Silas, Dr. Luke, and the new Kid, Timothy --Acts 16: 1-6 A message from the apostles and Jerusalem elders A huge success, churches get stronger and larger! Paul, Silas, Dr. Luke, and the new Kid, Timothy --Acts 16: 1-6 A message from the apostles and Jerusalem elders A huge success, churches get stronger and larger!

8. Acts 16:6-10 (Message Bible) They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. [7] So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either. [8] Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas.

9. Acts 16:6-10 (continued) [9] That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" [10] The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.

10. A PARTNERSHIP BIRTHED IN HEAVEN Paul's vision. Please Come Over Here and Help Us --Acts 16: 6-10 Trains, Planes and Automobiles. The preachers make their way to Philippi Paul's vision. Please Come Over Here and Help Us --Acts 16: 6-10 Trains, Planes and Automobiles. The preachers make their way to Philippi

11. BY THE RIVER, THE EUROPEAN MESSAGE IS SPAWNED God opens Lydia's heart to the gospel message She opens her heart to the messengers A long and rich friendship begins God opens Lydia's heart to the gospel message She opens her heart to the messengers A long and rich friendship begins

12. Acts 16:19-24 (The Message Bible) When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them [20] and pulled them into a court with the accusation, "These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators [21] subverting our Roman law and order." [22] By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood.

13. Acts 16:19-24 (continued) The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas's clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. [23] After beating them black and blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. [24] He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.

14. THAT BEDEVILED SLAVE GIRL. THE GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS --Acts 16:16-24 Her fortune-telling makes big bucks for her owners. Her insight into the preacher's true identities. Enough, already! Come out of her! Money talks, insults, recriminations, blood backs and a dungeon Her fortune-telling makes big bucks for her owners. Her insight into the preacher's true identities. Enough, already! Come out of her! Money talks, insults, recriminations, blood backs and a dungeon

15. Acts 16:25-34 (New Living Translation) Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. [26] Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! [27] The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. [28] But Paul shouted to him, "Don't do it! We are all here!"

16. Acts 16:25-34 (continued) [29] Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas. [30] He brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" [31] They replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household." [32] Then they shared the word of the Lord with him and all who lived in his household.

17. Acts 16:25-34 (continued) [33] That same hour the jailer washed their wounds, and he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. [34] Then he brought them into his house and set a meal before them. He and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

18. AN UNLIKELY CHURCH GROWTH SCENARIO --Acts 16: 25-34 Singing at midnight Whole lot of shakin' goin' on, prison doors pop open. “Put that sword away!” The Jailer is freed from his own Prison of lost-ness, and his family too. Singing at midnight Whole lot of shakin' goin' on, prison doors pop open. “Put that sword away!” The Jailer is freed from his own Prison of lost-ness, and his family too.

19. THE PHILIPPIAN CHURCH. PAUL'S JOY AND CROWN --Philippians 4: 1 Their initial launching of God's Kingdom in Europe Repeated gifts to Paul over the years They were Family, and friends! Their initial launching of God's Kingdom in Europe Repeated gifts to Paul over the years They were Family, and friends!

20. Philip. 1:3-6 (New Living Translation) [3] Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. [4] I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy [5] because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. [6] And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.

21. THUS, THIS "THANK YOU" LETTER --Philippians 1: 1-6 From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus To the Saints in Philippi Sweet remembrances of a partnership that spanned the years And whatever lies ahead, God will help you finish the course From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus To the Saints in Philippi Sweet remembrances of a partnership that spanned the years And whatever lies ahead, God will help you finish the course

22. THUS.THIS "THANK YOU" LETTER (continued) --Philippians 1: 1-6 Replete with encouragement, gratitude, instructions for staying the course Overflowing with love. What a fellowship, what a joy divine!! Replete with encouragement, gratitude, instructions for staying the course Overflowing with love. What a fellowship, what a joy divine!!

23. THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER God is the glue for bonding forever friendships. I will retain Philippi as a model of partnership and love. Lord, I want to be a faithful partner and servant within your community of faith. Help me be a Lydia!