I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:3-7, NASU
Participation-
As we are study through the book of Philippians at Victory Word Church, the theme of the book becomes very evident. In Philippians 1:5, Paul commends the believers for their participation in the work of the Gospel.
In this world, I have heard that participation by people in various groups is on the downturn. The Rotary Club, the Lions Club, various civic groups are struggling to gain new membership. People are no longer willing to spend time working for various causes as everyone becomes more self-centric, overloaded with too many other things to do, and just plain distracted.
This is not true for the church of Jesus Christ the Son of God. The work of Jesus Christ on the cross is still changing people from the inside out. People are changed by the power of the Gospel. There are physical and spiritual healings, deliverences from drugs and sexual sins, and complete changes in people as they go from the darkness to the Light of God.
But, what makes believers different from all of these other dying groups? The difference is the power of the Word of God (the Gospel) that acts in people’s lives as they apply the Word and act on the Word. That power is activated as people participate in the church that God has called them to. In Japan, many people start attending church at one particular body of believers (church) and stay there until they die. This in general is noble, however it is trouble if the pastor stops seeking God’s direction and heart for the people of the area. If the pastor is not spiritually sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, how can he lead the church into a deeper relationship with God? The church needs to be praying and interceding for the pastor. If there is no change, or no desire to change then it might be time to seriously consider looking for a healthy church.
People need to participate in the work that God has called them to. Find a great church and get involved. As you get involved in the giving of your tithe, your time, your love, your patience, your leadership, your support, your lifting the leadership up in prayer, yourself; God will bless you exceeding, abundantly above all that you could ever ask or think. The church is not a building, but the family of God. Families are made up of individuals. The more that you add to the family, the more you benefit.
Come join us as we study on in the book of Philippians. You will be amazed as the great plans God has for you.
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! Philippians 4:4
Posted on 12 September, 2006