“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL from the first day until now,”-{Phil 1:3-5}.
Though Paul was “Shut In” he was not “Shut Out” from the love of other believers who chose with him to be Partners In The Eternal- The Gospel partnership! It caused him joy and prayers of thanksgiving for their partnership in an Eternal Work! And he communicated this to them, even from incarceration they caused him to thank God {which glorifies Him- Luke 17:15-17} and joy as he remembered them and their partnership in the Gospel!
While some partnerships dissolve with the passing of a partner, and time, only one partnership will count for eternity and that is “Partnership in the Gospel!” Invest In The eternal!
They Partnered Through Sending A Person to him;
“Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whomyousentto take care of my needs.“-{Phil 2:25}
They Partnered Through Sending A Gift to him;
” Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditusthe gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. “-{Phil 4:14-18}
He Partnered by Bringing the Gospel tothem -“from the first day…” which was in Acts 16 when God re-directed him and he came and shared with Lydia and others and the suicidal jailer and his family.
He Partnered by Continuing to Share The Gospel. He had not quit and wanted them to know though communicating it in a letter;
“Now I want you to know brothers, that the things concerning me really have turned out to the advancement of the gospel.”{Phil 1:12 Berean Literal Bible}
“…I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;”-{Phil 1:16}. The word “appointed was a military term used of soldiers who were strategically placed, assigned, “set!” Paul was a man on Divine assignment, in the circumstances he found himself in.. for the sake of the Gospel!
They were Partners in the Gospel
“from the first day until now…” From the days in Acts 16 when God directed him to Philippi where he met Lydia and some women by the river and through the message of the Gospel, God opened their heart’s to receive the Word and were saved, to the suicidal jailer when Paul ended up in prison, God circumstanced his life and used it to share the Gospel. And the suicidal jailer and family were saved! It is now approximately ten years later when Paul writes the book of Philippians and now they are a church and “from the first day” in Acts 16 “…until now” they continued to support Paul! What love and appreciation The Gospel had birthed in their hearts and lives!
Elsewhere Paul wrote,”Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.’-{1 Thess 2:8}
Partners in The Eternal!
“…an eternal gospel to proclaim…” – {Rev 14:6}. It is everlasting, eternal, as God is! While other messages come and go His Gospel remains the same! Salvation Through Jesus Christ remains the truth, eternally so, and those who submit to Him, His message -The Gospel will benefit them everlastingly. Good news and all it’s benefits for eternity!
Invest in the Eternal!