THE WORD

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THE WORD

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The Preaching Ministry of Ashley River Baptist Church

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The Church, Part 2 The Partnership Philippians 1:3-6 3

I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. I. The Praise (Verses 3-4) Partnership is a cause for praise and provides a deep sense of joy. JOY: A sustained and abiding inner condition of blessed delight and rejoicing. Partnership begins with prayer and is sustained by prayer. (Verse 5) “from the first day until now” II. The Partners (Verse 5) A. 1st we are partners with GOD through Christ! “partnership in the Gospel” Partnership: Koinonia: A close mutual relationship characterized by sacrificial contribution, fellowship and participation. (1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 John 1:3, 1 Corinthians 10:16) B. 2nd we are partners with EACH OTHER! Koinonia results in a personal fellowship between people who are themselves in personal fellowship with Christ. (2 Corinthians 8:4, Galatians 2:9, 1 John 1:7) A striking attribute of the early church was the sharing of a common faith and fellowship. (Acts 2:42, 44)

John Stott suggests the heart of Koinonia is the word “common”. New Testament Christian koinonia takes 3 forms:  Common Inheritance: salvation and grace  Common Service: share what they do  Reciprocal Responsibility: giving & receiving III. The Participation (Verse 5) Partnership demands participation. 1 - Sharing resources and material goods for the physical benefit of others. (Romans 15:26, Philippians 4:16, Acts 16:15) 2 - Sharing in the proclamation of the gospel… the good news of Jesus Christ. The Philippians were partners with Paul through prayerful intercession and their own efforts in proclaiming the gospel. IV. The Purpose (Verse 6) Partnership has a purpose: to carry on to completion the “good work” of Christ that others may share in the fellowship of salvation and eternal life. (1 John 1:3) Conclusion Partnership moves the hand and heart of God. (Matthew 18:19) To agree requires unity of the heart thus, partnership begins in the heart as an attitude before it becomes an action. The church of Jesus Christ is a partnership with unlimited possibilities to fulfill its purpose when we first are in partnership with God and then with each other. Are you a partner?