Gospel Partnerships: Many Lives, One Mission Missions Month at OIF/PCCO Philippians 1:1-30

Introduction: (Acts 16:11-40) This is the first city on the continent of Europe where the gospel was preached, and a small culturally-mixed church was established. Here, Paul and Silas came in answer to the Macedonian mission call. Here, they met a group of women gathered together, where one called Lydia, the seller of purple received the gospel. Here, the imprisoned Paul and Silas experienced an earthquake that eternally changed the lives of a jailor and his whole family.

Gospel Partnerships: Many Lives, One Mission Philippians 1:1-30 Intro: Acts 16:11-40 Mission At Its Core Is A Partnership! (v. 3-11) II. This Gospel Mission Changes Lives (v. 12-26) III. One Gospel – One Shared Mission (v. 27-30)

Mission at its core is Partnership! A partnership in the Gospel (v. 5) A partnership bathed in thanksgiving and prayer (v. 3-4) A partnership based upon confidence in God (v. 6) A partnership of intimate relationship (v. 7-8) A partnership where love abounds more and more (v. 9) A partnership filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ (v. 11)

Partnership Of Thanksgiving & Prayer a. “how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times” (Romans) b. “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking …” (Ephesians) c. “we have not stopped praying for you” (Colossians) d. “we constantly pray for you” (2 Thessalonians) e. “night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers” (2 Timothy) f. “I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always prayer with joy…” (Philippians)

Gospel Mission Changes Lives Paul’s prison situation gave him the opportunity to become a witness to all the palace guard and many others as well (v. 13) Paul’s prison circumstance strengthened most of the brothers to speak the word of God more courageously, more boldly (v. 14) Paul testifies that his chains are the result of his defense and confirmation of the gospel. (v. 7, 16)

One Gospel – One Shared Mission Paul calls us to stand firm in one spirit and to contend together for the faith of the Gospel without fear. (v. 27-28) It is a Gospel mission that brings about amazing results – Salvation (v. 28) The Gospel mission teaches us to accept faith and the suffering that it brings as being granted by God and shared with all the saints (v. 29-30)

Great Civilizations From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to complacency; From complacency to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back to bondage.

George Muller (1805-1898) An English evangelist who founded orphanages in Bristol England.  He trusted God for his daily needs to feed the orphans. One day George Muller began praying for five of his friends. …………..

Gospel Partnerships: Many Lives, One Mission The Gospel mission must be rooted in God’s grace and peace (Phil. 1:2, 7 4:9, 23) It is fascinating that two decisively different motives bring one continuous result as the message of Christ was proclaimed (v. 18) Paul knows that both his life and his deathare meant to bring the same result – exaltation of Jesus Christ. It is this central purpose that Paul lives by. (v. 20-21)