Having Christ's Affection

August 1, 2019

Text: Philippians 1:1-11

Title: Affectionate Thanks

God is doing good from beginning and end of my life (v6)

Promise:   God will finish what He started in my life at the coming the Lord Jesus Christ (v6)

Command: He wants me to have a Christlike affection towards His people (v8) coz this brings comfort to them

Reflection

• Encourage me to have a holy affection with the people of God because it comfort s them (v7)

• Encourage me to abound this affection in relation with knowledge and discernment (v9)
• Encourage me to live in righteousness (v11)
• Encourage to be in partnership in the Gospel (v5)
• Encourage to be prayerful for others especially to those are partners in the Gospel (vv3-4)

Observations

• This is the letter of Paul where he mentioned in his greetings the overseers and deacons

• The assurance of salvation

• Not only the righteousness is from Christ but also the fruit

Paul, in his salutation, called the attention of the leaders (overseers and deacons) in verse 1. This is the only letter where Paul includes these two offices. The role of the church leaders is very important in church life. In this case, there was a problem in the church in Philippi as far as  service is concerned. Paul was very sad that made him echo the idea of joy. It seems to be that there was a problem among overseers and deacons in terms of service. Or the reason why Paul addressed the two offices is because they need to fix the problem within the church about the issue of service.

The prayer of Paul shows his deep concern for the brethren in Philippi. Verse 8 describes his deep concern as one with a Christlike affection for the church in Philippi. The problem of competition in serving the Lord echoes the situation where Jesus rebukes the John and James of being in the position when the Lord reigns as a king (Matt 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-40).

This passage teaches that a pastor should have a Christlike affection towards the church. Like Paul's exhortation wherein his sincere love for the church must comfort the people, pastors must comfort the people unders his care. He must pray for them that they may grow in the real knowledge and discernment that lead to holy life (vv9-11). In addition to assure them of the hope in the coming of Christ (v10). Christlike affection is so important to comfort the church and to address every issue.