Church Weekly
13 Mar 2022

CHURCH WEEKLY

PRAYER FOR YOUR FELLOWSHIP IN THE GOSPEL (PHILIPPIANS 1:4-6)

Dear Members in Christ,

Prayer for your fellowship in the Gospel (Philippians 1:4-6)

When a Christian attends church for many years, the church becomes central in our lives. It is often a place of gathering and connection with other like-minded believers. A place where we can find Christian fellowship. Sometimes, we refer to this bond as “our fellowship.”  So, what exactly is fellowship? What does the Bible teach us about fellowship in the Gospel?

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian Christians. He wrote about how he remembers them and he constantly prays for them. These are his words:

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; 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.”  Philippians 1:3-6

We can learn a few things from the way the Apostle Paul prays for the Philippian Christians’ fellowship in the gospel. The word fellowship in this passage has the meaning of communion, sharing, or participation in a common activity. This is a reference to Philippians who have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Having known the gospel, their lives are a good testimony of good works and mutual encouragement.      

A. Gratitude to God for the fellowship in the Gospel

From the way Paul expresses his prayer for the Philippian Christians, we see that Paul is grateful to God that the Philippian Christians have come to know the Gospel. This bond of common faith is what the Apostle refers to as their “fellowship in the Gospel.” The act of fellowshipping with one another cannot be taken for granted, communion in the Gospel is a spiritual activity that binds Christians together. Unlike encounters in a secular social setting, where if you meet anyone, you may as you wish to interact or communicate with one another. Christian fellowship is a spiritual bond, and can only be a valid description for born-again believers. It has to begin with God’s work in the life of the believer. Therefore, Apostle Paul begins his letter with “I thank my God…” (v3) he is ever mindful that fellowship with the faithful can be possible only because God had “begun the good work” (v6) in the lives of the Christians in Philippi.        

We must be mindful never to take Christian fellowship for granted. It is a privilege for believers to get together with other believers in fellowship. It is an activity in which we ought to be thankful to God for granting this means of grace so that we may be able to strengthen one another’s faith in Christ. Gathering for fellowship and the study of God’s word will also enable us to grow spiritually and to mature in the faith. Let us be thankful to God, let us not ignore the call to attend fellowship meetings. A Christian who is not in constant fellowship is often likened to a sheep separated from the flock. The world and the wiles of the evil one can very quickly ensnare and draw such a person away from the safety of the flock. 

B. Prayer and Fellowship in the Gospel for steadfastness

The Apostle Paul prays for the Christians in Philippi thanking God for their fellowship in the Gospel. He expresses that he is confident that God, having begun the good work amongst the Philippian Christians will be faithful to perform it till the day of Jesus Christ. The word translated as “perform” is a word that conveys the meaning to accomplish, or to fulfill completely, and to make perfect.  

Being in the fellowship of the Gospel is an act begun by God. God calls the believer, sanctifies him, and he is now in the fellowship of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul at the point of writing this epistle is in prison. But, he yearns to have fellowship with the Philippian Christians, he writes,

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” Philippian 1:8

Even though he is separated because of his imprisonment, he is confident that their faith will stand. He is confident that God will keep them faithful unto the “day of Jesus Christ,” a phrase which Paul often uses to refer to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Let this be our encouragement as well in our prayers and our assembly. Whenever we gather, let us remember to pray for one another to be steadfast in the Lord. Let us pray with the knowledge and confidence that God, who is faithful will keep each one of us. The Apostle Paul in Hebrews 10:23 repeats this theme when he wrote,

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” Hebrews 10:22,23

Beloved, let us be mindful that our fellowship in the Gospel is God’s work, therefore let us take every opportunity to assemble and encourage one another. We can walk in confidence that God, who is faithful, and who has begun the good work in us, will keep us till we see the Lord Jesus again. May His name be praised.

In Christ,
Dn. Lim Seh Beng