“Partnership in the Gospel” Phil 1: 1-18

 I am fascinated by the way that the English language works. We often say one thing, especially in our culture, but mean something else. Take for example the phrase “I’m thankful for you.” We say that but we may mean “I’m thankful that you did this thing for me” instead of “I’m so thankful that you exist!”

When Paul proclaims that he is thankful for the Philippian church, he means the later. He isn’t just thankful for something that they have done for him. Rather he is thankful that they exist, just because they are who they are. And who they are, connects in purpose and mission with who Paul is. 

Paul, in his letter writing career, keeps reaching out to churches that he has had the opportunity to connect with, to minister to in person, but whom he can no longer be with face to face. And because each of those church communities is different, the letters that he writes are different - they are personal to them. 

For example, the Corinthian letters are written to a church in distress, a time of trial, where they do not seem to be emerging through onto the other side. So Paul’s letter comes across more stern to them, than say a Thesseolian church, where things are going well and people are generously sharing their faith in Christ. 

But of all of the joyous letters Paul writes, Philippians is the most intimate. When he is writing to this church, you can tell that he has a deep and enduring relationship with this particular group of believers. To the point where he is willing to share his heartache and tribulation with them.

Because things are not rosy for Paul at this point in time. He is imprisioned and has endured a lot for the name of Jesus Christ and proclaiming the Gospel. He doesn’t know for sure how his life is going to end, but he knows that the end may be close. 

Yet, he is praising God. Thanking God for his brothers and sisters in the faith. 

Paul starts this part of his letter by saying that he thanks God every times he remembers them. Now remembering can be a tricky thing. Have you ever had the experience of talking with people about an event - an event that you were all at - only to find that their version of the story doesn’t sound anything like yours? In fact, you start to doubt whether you were even there with them at all?

We aren’t talking about that type of remembering. This is not reminiscing. This memory that Paul is talking about is how this faith community is centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He isn’t praising God for some good or cheery memory from the past. He is praising God for who they are.

And who the Philippians are is partners in the Gospel.  

And because of this - Paul deeply cares for them and considers them to be friends. 

Some of you know that for the past several years I have been working towards a doctorate in ministry, which I was awarded earlier this month. Part of that process was a year long journey of studying a particular topic - and guess what my topic was - spiritual friendships. Or at least that was part of it. 

All too often we make friends based on shared interests. You like baseball? I like baseball, let’s be friends. Or shared experiences. You work at the same place I do? Let’s be friends. But spiritual friendships are different. They are places where we have a shared mission - to be shaped and used by God. We encourage each other along that path and hold each other accountable.

The problem is all too often we try to make spiritual friendships conform to the ways of the world. You go the same church as me? Let’s be friends. When really, Christ is invited us to be so much more. To be partners in the Kingdom mission together. 

That is what Paul has with this Philippian church. And because of that he is able to both encourage them to keep up the mission and challenge them as well. Part of Paul’s prayer is that they would be pure and blameless before Christ. A tall order. Often when we think about blameless we either immediately assume that it is impossible, because we equate it with human perfection, or we start to compare ourselves to others and play the blame game. You know what I’m talking about. The “I’m not to blame as much as you” or “I’m not as bad as you” comparison game. 

But that isn’t what Paul is talking about. He is offering this as a prayer. Telling this church he deeply care about that this is what God has laid on his heart to pray for them - not because they are already there, but because it is who God is calling them to be, through God’s grace.

This entire partnership that Paul is talking about hinges not solely on the Philippians, but on God’s grace. God’s grace that lead them. God’s grace that sustains them. And God’s grace that will carry them into the future. It was the grace of God that allowed them to have this powerful friendship with Paul and it is God’s grace that will allow them to work for the mission of God, until they day that they are called home. 

Do you have this type of partner in your life? Do you have these type of friends?

If your answer is “no” be not dismayed. For we don’t often talk about a theology of friendship - though it is certainly biblical. Nor do we really unpack what it means to be joint partners in the Gospel. 

Maybe now is the time to pray to God, that God lead you to this type of friend. Maybe you will be surprised and it will be someone you already know. Or someone that god is inviting you yo go more deeply with in the name of Christ. Or maybe it is a whole new person or group of people that God will bring across your path. 

But these type of friendships, they are transformative - both for us and the world. They model what it looks like to love with the love of our Savior as we grow in knowledge of our Lord. 

May God bless us with spiritual friendships. Friendships that we thank God for - because of who that person is and how God has invited us to be partners for the sake of the Gospel message. Amen.