On Sunday we talked about coming together in fellowship from Philippians 1:3-11. You get a real sense of togetherness and camaraderie when you read the words of Paul in this letter toward the Philippian church. You can tell they go deep with one another. I see four aspects of fellowship in this Philippians 1 passage when God’s people come together:
Prayer-As we come together in Christian fellowship there will be an emphasis on and participation in the ministry of pray.
In this letter Paul starts out by letting the Philippian church know they have a spot on Paul’s prayer list. His prayer is more than a “Just bless that church, God,” but it is a strategic prayer that the members of that church will walk deep into the waters of discipleship. Paul often told churches he worked with that he was praying for them. The early Christians were meeting together often for the purpose of prayer. Let me tell you what I know about prayer. Prayer develops intimacy. James 5:16 tells us to pray for one another so that we may be healed. That is a beautiful byproduct of Christian fellowship.
Christian fellowship involves prayer because Christian fellowship involves care. Caring for others is done in great part as we pray for one another.
Partnership-Christian fellowship involves serving the Lord together.
Paul said he was thankful for the partnership of the Philippian church, vs. 5. Paul established the church at Philippi and then moved around as a missionary to other regions. Paul kept in contact with the Philippian church and they generously gave finances to support his work.
The early church had this commitment to partner together. It was intense. We read in Acts 2:44, a passage about the fellowship of the early church, that they considered everything they had common property. If Kingdom work called for something they had, they gave it. If a brother or sister in Christ needed something they possessed, they gave it. In fact, verse 45 says they sold their possessions and goods and they gave to anyone as he had need!
When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, the Philippian church sent Epaphroditus to Rome with a gift to provide for Paul’s needs (Philippians 4:10-20). They knew when he needed support and they personally dispatched someone to get to him. As the Philippian church worked together to support Paul there was an intense fellowship between them.
Positivity-As we come together in Christian fellowship there will be a spirit of positivity in our church family.
Paul says to the Philippian church in verse 6: I am confident that what God has begun in you, what God has started, He will bring to completion. Isn’t that upbeat? Isn’t that encouraging? Paul is saying, “You are going to succeed. You are going to win. You are going to grow in the Lord. God is going to establish you. God will take you all the way to victory! I am confident of it!” Who wouldn’t want to go to a church where there was a spirit of positivity like that?
Passion-When we come together in Christian fellowship we will express passion for one another.
Paul talked in verse 3 about being thankful for the Philippians. It increases our fellowship when we show appreciation for one another. In verse 7 he talked about how he felt about them and said that he was holding the people in the Philippians fellowship in his heart. He had a godly love for them, and in verse 8 he said he longed to be with them. He said, “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ.” He just enjoyed being with them. That is the way true Christian fellowship is. You want to be together.
When we come together in Christian fellowship there will be an atmosphere of prayer, an experience of partnership, an exercise of positivity, and a passion that is expressed.
Glad I get to fellowship with you!
Pastor Melissa
