"Growing Toegther: Partnership In The Gospel"

Pastor Lee Chee Keat

Philippians 1:4-8: and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus. You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly. God is my witness that I am telling the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.

Deuteronomy 26:12-15: "Every third year give the tithe- a tenth of your crops- to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, so that in every community they will have all they need to eat. When you have done this, say to the Lord, 'None of the sacred tithe is left in my house; I have given it to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, as you commanded me to do. I have not disobeyed or forgotten any of your commands concerning the tithe. I have not eaten any of it when I was mourning; I have not taken any of it out of my house when I was ritually unclean; and I have not given any of it as an offering for the dead. I have obeyed you, O Lord; I have done everything you commanded concerning the tithe. Look down from your holy place in heaven and bless your people in Israel; bless also the rich and fertile land that you have fiven us, as you promised our ancestors.

*We choose a church to satisfy our wants
*Ho to partner a church?

*Philippians 1:8: God is my witness that I am telling the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.

*Paul admire the Philippian church because they partner with him
*Root word of partnership- fellowship
*They have a good relationship because they have one common purpose- to spread the gospel
*Acts 16- Paul was persecuted by the on believers in Philippi but he took this risk
*The main focus should be our partnership, not the meal time

Characteristics of Partnership
1. Attitude of these in Partnership
*Is it of love?
*v5 Because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now.
*No but of loyalty for one another

2. Ownership of the Partnership
*Partnership in the Gospel belongs to God or Jesus Christ
*v6 And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.



3. The Basis of Partnership
*Is God's grace
*v7 You are always in my heart! And so it is only right for me to feel as I do about you. For you have all shared with me in this privilege that God has given me, both now that I am in prison and also while I was free to defend the gospel and establish it firmly.

How did the Philippians partner Paul?
1. Financial giving 
*Philippians 4:15-19: You Philippians know very well that when I left Macedonia in the early days of preaching the Good News, you were the only church to help me; you were the only ones who shared my profits and losses. More than once when I needed help in Thessalonica, you sent it to me. It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account. Here, then, is my receipt for everything you have given me- and it has been more than enough! I have all I need ow that Epaphroditus has brought me all your gifts. They are like a sweet-smelling offering to God, a sacrifice which is acceptable and pleasing to him. And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs.

*The Old Testament talks about God's grace which was saved by Abraham
*However, there is no difference from today- We are also saved by God's grace
*We as humans can fall into the materialistic world
*Thus, we avoid that by giving 10%
*Many people would feel generous and content by giving as well

2. Pray
*Philippians 1:9: I pray that your love will keep on growing more and more, together with true knowledge and perfect judgement.

*We need God to share the hardship of life
*We should start sharing the gospel again
*Thus, we need to pray for each other on justice

3. Sharing troubles
*Philippians 4:14: But it was very good of you to help me in my troubles.


"Are you a consumer or a partner in your church?"



**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**