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The Church at Philippi
models for us the love and support that a church should
provide missionaries. In Phil 1:5, Paul states that
the church at Philippi had participated [“partnered”] with
him in the gospel “from the first day until now.” This
Church supported Paul in the spreading of the gospel from
the time they were planted to the present circumstance of
the apostle’s imprisonment in Rome because of his missionary
activities.
In 1:7 Paul further states, “I
have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in
the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are
partakers of grace with me.” Paul and the Church of Philippi
shared in the grace of God as this Church endeavored to
support Paul in his missionary work in order to defend and
confirm the spread of the gospel. As a result, Paul speaks
with great affection when he writes of this beloved Church
stating that “I have you in my heart”. Don’t you just long
that all of our missionary partners could say that about
Community Church of the SYV?
Brother and sisters, let us pour all
that we are in Christ to support our missionary friends so
strongly that we are affectionately located in the center of
their hearts, because of steadfast, affectionate, practical,
sacrificial support?
In Phil 2:25-30 Paul
acknowledges the sacrificial service of Epaphroditus, a
member of the congregation at Philippi, who had been sent by
this Church to assist Paul in the work of the Gospel and who
had risked his own life in his service while ministering
with Paul for the sake of the gospel.
Paul writes this letter from his
prison cell in Rome and speaks of the financial support that
the Church at Philippi had sent to him for his support on
more than one occasion – Phil 4:15-16: “You
yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first
preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church
shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you
alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more
than once for my needs.”
The church at Philippi was beloved by
Paul. They endeavored to help Paul strategically in the work
of the gospel. They did much to help meet his financial
needs, and they sent from their own congregation
Epaphroditus to aid Paul in his missionary endeavors. They
were true partners with Paul as a church helping to
vitally support this great missionary.
Let us be as the Church of Philippi for
each of our missionary “partners”!!
JUNE MISSIONARY EMPHASIS MONTH:
During the month of June we will be emphasizing our
Mission’s program for several purposes:
Informing our Church family of
various missions’ ministries so that we can pray
individually, as couples, as families
and as a Church family with an increased concern
and awareness of the specific ministry needs of various
missionaries.
Highlighting certain missionaries
with whom we have a special relationship: in some
cases this involves a commitment to partnership pray
fervently; in other cases this includes a commitment as
a Church to support these missionaries on a monthly with
critically needed financial support.
Exposing our children to
missionaries so that the Lord may deepen their
commitment to the monumental priority of Missions.
Exposing our Church family more
intensely to certain missionaries so that our prayers
are more fervent and so that we will understand the
importance of encouraging these missionaries in the
creative ways that the Spirit reveals to us.
Interacting with these
missionaries so that they and their work “are in our
hearts”:
THE KLIES FAMILY AND JUNE 8th:
We help support Jonathan and Noella Kleis in their
work as church planters in Northern Italy. On this special
Sunday, Jonathan will be taking the pulpit in the AM. This
brother can preach with power! In the evening they will
delight our souls with a report of all that God has been
doing in and through them. YOU
CANNOT MISS THE AM AND PM SERVICES!
CODY FISHER’S IRAQ MINISTRY, JUNE
22ND: I am so excited to
attend this service. What Cody has done in Iraq cannot be
explained except through the enabling power of God.
THIS EVENING WILL CHANGE OUR HEARTS!
A PREVIEW OF THE JULY CZECH MISSIONS
TRIP, SUNDAY PM, JUNE 29TH:
Lynda and Dennis McBride and David Gibbs will be leaving on
July 2nd to assist Peter and Sonya Smith in their church
planting work in Kladno, Czech Republic. This ministry will
provide ample opportunity to present the share Jesus with
the lost. We will be previewing this ministry.
YOU JUST HAVE TO BE THERE!
Knowing the financial situation in our
Church, these three have committed to paying for their
own expenses for this ministry. Let us pray designating
funds for this trip above and beyond what we would normally
give to our Church to help reduce or remove their personal
cost! I believe they should be
sent out fully by our Church [prayers and $]!
Let us be as Philippi was to Paul!
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