Having completed about five and a half months of full-time work with the congregation at Jurong, I am deeply thankful to God and the congregation for this opportunity to serve and am richly blessed. We are all partners together in Christ. The following is an excerpt of Paul’s writing to the Christians at Philippi which I will like to share, considering the years ahead that I will be serving brethren and the local congregation at Jurong, Lord willing.
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;” (Philippians 1:3-5)
Paul was grateful to the church at Philippi for supporting him in his work (Philippians 4:15-18) and he was thankful to God for their fellowship in the gospel. Indeed, I thank God frequently for the church at Jurong. Without the congregation here, I will not have known what it means to be a Christian and a member of the Lord’s church. I am thankful and glad to have had someone share with me the Truth. It is necessary that we be thankful for each other in the body of Christ and that we should not cease to thank God for every member. There is a need not to take each one for granted. There may be times whereby we are hurt by our brethren or we are the ones who hurt brethren. It is a reminder for me that we are all God’s children and the relationship we share with one another is very important and precious. The fellowship we have is in the gospel and all the more each member is to be treasured. Thus, we have to seek each other’s forgiveness should we offend another and also pray to God for forgiveness and help us to do better the next time round. Praying for brethren also helps me to remember not to be self-centred, but to rejoice and to weep with others (Romans 12:15), and to consider others above self (Philippians 2:3-4).
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Phlippians 1:6)
Paul was confident that the good work of the Christians at Philippi would continue on because of God. He trusted in God, and more so because of his past experiences that God is faithful and keeps to His promises (cf. Deuteronomy 7:9; 1 Corinthians 1:9, 10:13). In addition, Paul was confident that that good work which had begun would be completed or perfected by God. It brings to mind what Paul wrote about in his letter to the Corinthians that he planted, Apollos watered and God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). I have faith in God that if the brethren at Jurong continue to labour together and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the good work of the congregation will continue. I look forward to labouring together with brethren continually.
“Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:7-8)
Even though Paul was in prison, he had the Christians at Philippi in his heart and thought about them. Whether Paul was in prison or defending and confirming the gospel, they were in spiritual fellowship with him. The Christians at Philippi supported him and stood by him despite his circumstances. Paul also wrote that God was his witness in how much he longed for them and loved them. Such was the great spiritual fellowship and love between Paul and the brethren.
It is a reminder for me as one of the ministers of the congregation, the necessity to work closely with brethren, have continual spiritual fellowship with one another and love the brethren. It is my prayer and hope that we will always be partners together in Christ, desire to long after and spend time with one another. I have faced several situations in life whereby the love, support, encouragement, prayers and helping hand offered by brethren got me through difficult moments. Even when things are well, such brotherly kindness is a great spiritual boost to the soul. I still remember that it was a Wednesday night on the eve of my wedding several years ago. A kind brother offered to send one of my guests back to the hotel after mid-week Bible class so that I need not make the trip and can get some rest before my wedding the following morning. It was a heart-warming gesture.
“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11)
Paul was a prayerful person. He would be praying that the Philippians’ love would abound more in knowledge and discernment, that they would prove things that were deemed worthy and do them, be sincere, without reproach and don’t cause others to sin, be righteous and bring glory and praise to God.
How wonderful it is to read Paul's prayer for the Christians at Philippi! I am sure what he mentioned in Philippians 1:9-11 would be things we will pray for the brethren here at Jurong. These few verses may be short but they are packed with lots of ‘gems’ which we need to meditate upon and work on. It is necessary that all of us work hand in hand with one another and work on our growth so as to bring glory and praise to God. I am saddened if members feel left out or not part of the congregation. Every member is important – no one is any less important as the other for we are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:18-27). How dreadful it is should any Christian think that he or she does not need encouragement from members nor contribute to the body of Christ! This is not what the Bible teaches.
As we consider the text in Philippians 1:3-11 which has been briefly discussed, let us be mindful that the congregation should not be divided, there should not be schisms and members should have love one for another. We are partners together in Christ and we help one another in our journey to Heaven.
Ask Myself:
Why was Paul thankful for the Christians at Philippi?
What were some things Paul prayed for the Philippians?
What are some practical things you can do today in your daily life so that you can abound in knowledge, discernment and be sincere?
Suggested Answers:
He was thankful to them for supporting his work (Philippians 4:15-18).
He prayed that their love would abound more and more in all knowledge and discernment, prove things that are excellent, be sincere, without offence, filled with fruits of righteousness, give glory and praise to God (Philippians 1:9-11).
You may discuss this with the writer or any of the Bible class teachers.