The Church that Made a World of Difference

The Church that Made a World of Difference

By Ps Ooi Chin Aik of MAP 29th Oct 2006

Key Text: Phil 1:1-8
The Church in Philippi is a church that occupied a special place in Paul’s heart.
In Verse 1, the customary salutation, Paul addressed himself as a servant of the Lord Jesus rather than using the term “An Apostle” such as in Galatians and Corinthians etc. Because he did not have to defend his apostleship here.

The church in Philippi was solid in their support to the apostolic mission and church planting of Paul.
Examples
1. In 1: 5, Paul spoke of the “partnership” in the gospel and in verse 6, he expressed a deep confidence that “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

2. Phil 1:19 – through “your prayer and help” – the Philippians prayed and provided practical aid.

3. Phil 2:25-30 Paul recounted how they sent help in person - 25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

4. They partnered in planting churches – Phil 4:14-16 14Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15Moreover, 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; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.

The work in China is growing and there are great opportunities – In REAP, we started with 30 evangelists and have now committed to support 47. Our aim is to have 200-300. In the last 6 months, the 30 evangelists have had 531 decisions for Christ and have baptised 300 new believers in frontier region such as Xinjiang, Jilin and Inner Mongolia etc. We are doing the same program of Rural Evangelist Adoption in India as well.

So in summary, the church that made a World of difference will do the following
1.Partnership – with other churches and mission organisation
2. Prayer – They prayed for Paul’s work. – see exodus 17:8-15 Victory and advances comes primary through earnest prayers. In warfare with the Amalekite, Leaders must lead through prayers. Moses prayed and was supported by Aaron and Hur. After the victory, Moses was asked to record the prayer and to tell Joshua about it. The place is called Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is my banner.
3. Provided for the materials needs – Thessalonians church was planted as a result of Philippians church’s involvement.
4. Pastoral care- They cared for Paul, send help and pastoral care.

Conclusion:
What do we model our life and our church after?
Where do we need to improve?