A Ministry That Magnifies God II =============== The church at Philippi . . . •A picture of biblical maturity in relationships, purpose, and power. •A people that Paul commended instead of corrected. “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 What makes a ministry (church) mature, God-exalting and Christ-honoring? 1.The presence of servant leadership – 1:1 2.The proper understanding of being “in Christ Jesus” – 1:-1-2 Local churches exist in specific places to carry out God’s particular plan. What is a saint? Saints are individuals who are in Christ by virtue of faith and who live for Christ by virtue of devotion. “All believers are saints, not because they themselves are righteous, but because they are in their Lord, whose righteousness is imputed to them . . . Only Christians can claim to be in their Lord, because they have been made spiritually one with Him.” John MacArthur To be “saint in Christ Jesus” means that we possess everything necessary for salvation. “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:19-20 “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30 In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This Cornerstone, this solid Ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, Here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone! - who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe. This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied - For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live. There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory Sins curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From lifes first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand: Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ Ill stand.Ill stand. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 3.A perpetual sense of gratitude and affection – 1:3,4,7,8 4.A profound gospel-centered partnership – 1:5-7 “fellowship” means “to have in common” or “participation” Why were these believers at Philippi so committed to this gospel partnership with Paul? Because their lives had been transformed by the gospel! You will only be committed to that which you know to be true!! “Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple . . . who worshipped God. The Lord opened here heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized . . .” Acts 16:14,15 “As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination . . . Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out that very hour.” Acts 16:16,17 “Paul had adopted the position that the gospel cannot be stopped by the socioeconomic, racial, or religious walls that we fallen humans build up. The gospel defies race, defies, class, defies status, and defies intellectual aptitude.” Matt Chandler
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 09:23:31 +0000
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