Becoming A Participant
Series: Life In A Great Community
May 18, 2008 – Pastor Bill Bump
Paul wants us to understand as we read his letter that we are participants in the
gospel.
What does this mean?
1. Paul begins by proclaiming the privilege that is ours as participants.
Philippians 1:1,2 (NIV)
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The privilege we have is found in:
A. A new status in relation to God.
B. A new life.
C. A new community.
2. Paul next proclaims the promise that is ours as participants.
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
...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.
3. The promise given us that:
A. God began the work in our life.
B. God will continue the work in our life.
Paul then proclaims a prayer for us who are participants.
Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.
What are we to pray for?
A. Love
B. Knowledge
C. Discernment
D. Purity
E. Righteousness
