Paul's greatest financial supporters now about 62 AD Paul had been imprisoned probably in Rome and he was needed financial aid Paul was very thankful for this gift from the Philippians and though in receiving it he also became aware of the persecution a letter to them a letter of Joy a letter of friendship moral exhortation encouragement and Thanksgiving.
So today we're going to look at the introductory Thanksgiving and prayer from that letter that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi and we're going to notice Paul's teaching exhortation and encouragement to them and how it applies to those of us who are Christians today now in this book we're going to find the elements of friendship partnership in the gospel admonition for Preparation to meet Jesus Christ when he returns and the joy that all of those elements can bring in the Christian life so let's look at the letter of Paul to the church in Philippi chapter 1 and particularly verses 3- 11 let's begin reading in chapter 1verses 3-8 and then we'll come back and discuss them in detail before moving on to verses 9- 11.
Philippians 1:3-11NIV
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, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
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Ross Jutsum State of the Heart – An inter-denominational ministry of music and worship.
New Life for Haiti New Life for Haiti - Home
Bengali Evangelistic Association Bengali Evangelical Association (bengalimission.org)
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GCI Grace Communion International (gci.org)