26.05 | Partners

Philippians 1

‘I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.’

Philippians 1:3-5

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I once went to a live event, where a well-known actor was being interviewed. I’ve loved this guy’s movies, and so I arrived excited. There was a buzzing fervour to the room, with many there clearly having a devotion to this man that bordered on obsession.

And yet, as the evening went on, there was something a little disappointing about it. It was anticlimactic. Because, in interview, it became a platform for him to share his views on the world. And, while he had some nice enough soundbites, it was chronically shallow. A legendary actor, and yet, as cultural commentator or spiritual guru, lacking actual depth.

I wonder, were Paul to walk into our churches today, how we’d receive him. 

I suspect we’d want to do something like what happened that night. Rent out the town hall, sit him down on a faux leather armchair opposite David Letterman, and bask in his wisdom and insight. We’d hope for an open Q&A at the end, where we could grab the mic for a few precious seconds, asking our own particular question.

The fascinating thing about Paul, is that he simply didn’t seem to view his ministry as anything like this.

We’re in the ancient city of Philippi for the next few days, a prominent city in ancient Macedonia. The story of how the Philippian church was planted covers just three stories.¹ Lydia (an entrepreneur), a slave girl (delivered of a demon by which she could predict the future), and a jailer (converted through Paul and Silas’ imprisonment). 

An entrepreneur, a slave girl, and a jailer. 

Only in the church.

So how does Paul address this early group of believers, by now established as a small house church community in the ancient city?

Not as the guru on the stage.

Rather, there’s an idea that comes again and again throughout Philippians.

‘…partnership in the gospel … partakers with me of grace … through your prayers … striving side by side for the faith …’

Partners. 

Paul didn’t plant churches as mere beneficiaries of his wisdom and ministry. He didn’t plant churches of spectators. He didn’t plant churches of consumers, gathering to gorge on the feast of his thought life.

Rather, her planted churches of partners. Of those who were called to live and speak and serve and pray alongside him, in exactly the same cause. Paul viewed his leadership to be the galvanising of a movement of new followers of Jesus, mobilised to serve side by side in the ongoing expansion of the Kingdom of God.

I think most of us carry some kind of imposter syndrome when it comes to our Christianity.

I don’t know the Bible enough. I’ve made too many mistakes. I’m not a good communicator. My field is business, not religion. I’m of the wrong social status. I’m just a jailer.

Paul is correcting us. He’s repositioning our expectations of what we are in this for. 

I imagine Lydia hearing these words. Partner. As she ran her business, learning to love her clients, create beauty, model financial integrity, live with rhythms of trusting rest, honour her employees. 

I imagine the slave girl hearing these words. Partner. As she learned a greater identity in the heavens than the world had ever afforded her. As she served with honour and truth. As her inner world grew to seek a freedom she had already received within. As she learned a greater and more liberating spiritual power than her previous life had ever known.

I imagine the jailer hearing those words. Partner. In how he treated those in prison, learning to restore dignity and pray diligently and communicate grace in his every word and action. 

How about you? 

Today is not merely business as usual. It is partnership with the apostolic.

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Reflect:

Think through your usual working day.

Ask the Spirit to help you.

Imagine what this day could look like if each task and moment was lived for the expanding of the Kingdom of God.

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Pray:

Father in heaven,

It’s so easy to view my day to day

As something rather mundane—

Detached from my life with you.

And yet,

It seems that you invite me to view the details of my day

As something infinitely greater:

That each task be

Greater than mere task;

But opportunity to advance your cause.

Through excellence;

Through integrity;

Through creativity;

Through kindness;

Through honour;

Through patience;

And through love.

And so, Father,

May today be 

Partnership:

With you.

And all your people,

Unto the advance of your Kingdom,

And the glory of your Name.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Old Testament: 

For those also reading the Old Testament this year, your additional readings are here:

1 Kings 7:13-8:53 | Psalm 69:1-13

1. You can read about this in Acts 16