Let’s start with an important question: What is the difference between teaching and preaching? Teaching can be defined as explaining the meaning of scripture while preaching combines teaching with a specific call to obey the word of God. Preaching includes warnings, admonitions, calls to repentance, encouragement, and comfort. Preaching calls people to follow Jesus as partners in the Gospel.
In Philippians 1:1-11, “partnership in the gospel” refers to a collaborative effort of believers in spreading the message of Jesus Christ. It includes prayer, encouragement, and mutual support among church members to:
“Gospel” one another, and
“Gospel” people who don’t know Jesus.
The term “Partnership in the Gospel” begs the question: What is the Gospel? The Gospel is offered in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and has three points:
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Scripture reveals that we were estranged from God because we inherited Adam’s sin nature. As sinners, we were subject to the penalty of death, but before we were even born, Jesus became man to receive our penalty of death on the cross of crucifixion, even though he was sinless.
Christ was buried. Jesus was dead-dead. His death confirms that our sins died with him.
Christ was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Jesus’ resurrection proves that the prophecies concerning the Messiah, the Savior of sinners, are true and that Jesus’ atoning work in the crucifixion is effective. Our sins are dead, and we are given new and everlasting life through faith in the risen Lord to follow him, grow together, and with him make disciples.
The Gospel has the power to do at least four things:
A shared mission and mutual support lead to greater unity and cohesion in a congregation. A local church that exhibits true vitality is one that fully believes that its life comes from the Word of God. In God’s Word, it is clear that Jesus has given us one unifying commission to make him known and to make disciples. Disciple-making is his reason for our existence. This is when preaching becomes an admonition and exhortation to us. Do we each agree that partnership in the Gospel is a “must” for FPCB, and do we desire to know the joy of the Lord in partnering with him in the Gospel? Pastor Paul elaborated more on this in the sermon, suggesting an area of church life that could be more clearly defined and clarified by the guiding principle of being partners.
As members engage in gospel work, they need one another to grow and mature as followers of Christ. Spiritual Maturity isn’t optional in scripture; it is expected (Col 2:6-7, Eph 4:11-5:11). Gospel partnership requires Bible instruction and help from the Holy Spirit to apply its teaching. Sermons are not enough for maturity; they exhort and encourage us to participate in smaller Bible reading groups with other gospel partners.
A church united in its Christ-given purpose gives a clear witness to the world. Jesus commanded us to love one another so that the world will know that we are his. He also commanded us to make disciples and this isn't easy work! We must love one another into a gospel partnership with Jesus. How we do this is our witness to the world.
A strong partnership in the Gospel is crucial for a church and its members to endure the challenges and difficulties they face. When any of us are feeling down, we need brothers and sisters in Christ who will share the good news of Jesus with us. Being partners means being present for one another, offering encouragement from scripture, praying together, and helping everyone to contribute according to their abilities and level of maturity. This is how we all grow in Christ and fulfill the mission of making disciples.
In conclusion, partnership in the Gospel has the power to transform a congregation into one that is united, spiritually mature, effective in its witness, and resilient in the face of corporate and personal challenges. This is a beautiful picture of our Lord’s vision for his church. So, how about it - Are you in?
It's a great day to live the Gospel!
See you on Sundays!
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