Paul's Favorite Church

Paul participated in the beginnings of several Christian churches. And, after they were established, he continued to be interested and involved in all of them.

Some of those congregations were pleasing to Paul.

Some of them caused him disappointment.

However, it appears that the church established in Philippi might have been his favorite congregation.

Let’s read what he says about the church in Philippi to hear the expression of the church and its people.

PHILIPPIANS 4: 1-11

Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Paul seemed to believe that the church at Philippi represented the culmination of his life and ministry.

It gave him boundless joy.

He encouraged them to keep on living in harmony with one another, to help those who have shared in the struggles of others, to rejoice in the Lord, to demonstrate their gentle spirit, and to pray with thanksgiving.

There are people in every congregation who are like the Christians at Philippians.

They are a crown of joy to the church, to the leaders of the church, to the preacher – but most especially --- a joy to Jesus Christ.

The church could not survive without those folks.

So, who are these vital parts of the body of Christ?

Let’s look at those people who the church needs, and who are pleasing, not only to Paul, but pleasing in the sight of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

I. The church needs FAITHFUL PEOPLE

– Matthew 25:21: “His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Master.”

The Bible does not commend anyone for greatness or intelligence.

Scripture teaches that people are rewarded for their faithfulness.’

Consider this contrast: A man is a lawyer. He is a college graduate, a judge, and a brilliant man.

He attends Sunday School once a month; he gives a great speech.

But – he could not be counted on for anything else in the church.

Talented and well-liked people mean little in the vitality of the church.

Most people will know who I am speaking of when I mention Lou Gehrig.

Lou Gehrig played baseball for the New York Yankees back in the 1920s.

He was awarded many honors because he was faithful to baseball.

During his lifetime, he played in more consecutive games than any other player in the history of the game up to that time.

So, is that what made Lou Gehrig great? No – not the number of games he played.

It was his faithfulness- he was out there doing his best.

Consider this --- If Christ selected the most outstanding member of the church --- who would it be? Rhetorical Question --- please don’t answer 😊

I am very sure He would recognize the person who was most faithful, not only in attendance at church, but also in the daily life of that person.

So, we need to pray for faithful people in the church,

Faithful – how?

Faithful in attendance; faithful in giving; faithful in consecrated Christian living daily; faithful in service; and faithful in witness.

We cannot get along without these faithful people in the church, and we can never have too many.

II. Secondly, in addition to Faithful People, the church needs WILLING PEOPLE.

Check what Mark says in his Gospel – chapter 14, verse 36 – these are Jesus’ words just prior to his arrest: He is praying in the garden, and He prays:

“Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; YET – NOT WHAT I WILL – BUT WHAT YOU WILL!

That is faithfulness!

There are two kinds of people when it comes to work:

1.    We have people who are willing to work.

2.    We have people who are willing to let someone else work.

And we know and recognize that we have people in the world who are willing to work --- willing to work when the social club calls and needs their help ----

Willing to work when the school calls and needs volunteers ----Willing to work when the job requires it --- willing and ready. They don’t want to let anybody down or think less of them.

But, for too many, when the Lord or the church calls on them to share in the work, “I am too busy.”

We all know the man who couldn’t attend worship on Sunday night. His excuse --- “that is the only night I have so spend time with my family.” I have to wonder what he did all the other nights of the week that kept him away from his family.

Christians have the calling to make adjustments and let the Lord and His church have first priority.

Everything else will soon die off --- but the work of the Lord lasts forever.

It has been said that the grasshopper on the fence makes more noise than the ox in the field. The difference --- the ox does more work ---- he gets more done.

You probably know that person who talks a lot but does nothing.

Some work faithfully in the church.

Others will work if they can occupy a higher place.

The proper Christian attitude is this: “Anyplace I can serve suits me. I am willing to work anywhere I have opportunity to – anyplace that I can glorify and serve my Lord.”

III. Thirdly, in addition to Faithful People and Willing People, the church needs: PEOPLE WITH VISION.

Proverbs 29:18 – tells us that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

In the NASB, the word “perish” is translated as “unrestrained.”

The church needs a vision of the needs that are around us.

Local needs –yes -  but there are also needs beyond our immediate sight.

In 1835, the Primitive Baptists broke off from the Missionary Baptists. These are also known as “Hardshell Baptists.”

They didn’t believe in missions, schools, or an educated ministry.

Missionary Baptists said, “We believe in Christ’s Great Commission; we will try to send the Gospel to the ends of the earth,”

What was the result of these two opposing beliefs?

Well, the Primitive Baptist congregations are almost all gone.

The Missionary Baptists have grown into the millions of members.

Congregations everywhere, missionaries around the world.

What does that reveal to us?

No church or group of people can grow by keeping the Good News of the Gospel to themselves.

VI. Finally, the church needs OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE 

– Numbers 13:30-33

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.” So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

You have probably heard the deadliest words ever spoken by those in the church ---

“We’ve Never Done That Before!”

Those words should be exchanged for something like this:

“With God helping us, we will do that”!

That is the optimistic attitude --- the attitude with which we must approach the work of the Lord.

Otherwise, if we stick to “we’ve never done it that way before,” we may be refusing to do what the Lord wants for His church.

Let’s look at a Biblical example of this: Moses is leading Israel toward the Promised Land.

Spies we sent ahead into the land. They found a beautiful, fertile land.

Ten of the spies came back with a negative report. “We can’t go into this land. There are giants there. They will overwhelm us and defeat us.”

But two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, saw something different. They reported, “There is an enemy there, but WE CAN DO IT!

And most of you know what the outcome was there.

The pessimists won their case. And Israel wandered around in the desert or wilderness for another 40 years. They could have been enjoying and prospering in the land but believed the naysayers.

Today’s difficulties are significant at times. I know that we have all encountered challenging times at some point in our lives. If you haven’t, you are indeed blessed, or maybe that time hasn’t come for you yet.

Our enemies are many, and they are fierce.

But God is on the side of those who are willing to stand with Him and to serve Him with optimism and with hope of overcoming those enemies and obstacles that confront us at times.

Standing with God is the only way to overcome the tough times of our lives. He is stronger than all of our circumstances.

Remember, God plus one (that is, God and you) is always a majority.

Therefore, the church requires a diverse range of individuals to make a lasting impact in the world and to ensure the ongoing success of Jesus Christ's work.

The work is successful only when the lives of people who are hearing and seeing His work are changed, improved, and filled with the hope promised to those who are faithful, willing, looking ahead, and optimistic.

Jesus Christ expects that others will be taught and won to Him.

That is the purpose of the church today.

The invitation is open to begin to make changes in your life today --- changes that will reflect Jesus Christ in your life today and throughout your life.