Join this HeartCry Prayer- Every Monday 11.30am-2.30pm (UK time)
INTRODUCTION: This is the first city where Paul founded a
church and wrote this letter from his prison (house arrest) in Rome. Philippi
is a European city in the province of Macedonia, north of Greece - a gateway to
Europe.
ORIGIN: This church started with a ladies’ prayer group down
by the riverside, led by a businesswoman from Asia (Thyatira), Lydia. It was a
Jewish prayer group. The first known male convert was the jailer – Acts 16:
9-33.
This city was a colony of Rome but Paul called the Church he
founded there ‘COLONY OF
HEAVEN’.
THEME: The Philippians responded to Paul and the Gospel
better than any other church he founded and they had fewer problems. They showed
much gratitude by sending money and a helper (Epaphroditus) to him in Rome - the
only church that supported Paul financially. Joyfulness and Thanksgiving features conspicuously
in this writing.
A letter of thanksgiving. A lot of positive emotions in this
letter; no problems, no crises but relationship. Paul was closely bound up and knitted
with these brethren in fellowship/partnership relationship – like conjoined
twins. What happens to one happens to all.
Prayer for their progress and gratitude for their generosity.
OUR CALLING: Chapter 1: 29, Acts 16 – Not only to believe but
also TO SUFFER for His sake. This is our real blessing.
Prayer:
- Lord, please help me balance on the two legs of my calling in Christ: BELIEVE & SUFFER.
- Help me see the blessing in the inseparability of both.
UNITY THROUGH HUMILITY: Exhortation to stand united by
imitating/following Christ’s example of humility – Chapter 2, 4: 1-2, Psalm
133. Fellowship in a partnership relationship, like conjoined twins sharing the same bloodstream
– what happens to one happens to all.
Prayer:
- Lord, please keep away from me selfish ambition, conceit, puffiness etc. – 1 Cor 13:
- Help me to esteem my sisters/brothers better than myself.
- Show me the indispensability of my brethren on this journey to my survival.
Chapter 4:1 – Paul addresses these believers in a very
endearing way. Closeness of discipler and his disciples.
Prayer:
- Lord, make me to stand firm on the complete Gospel.
- Lord, please make me the joy and crown of my disciplers.
- Bind us all together, dear Lord, in Your unparalleled love with cords of brotherhood that cannot be broken.
BENEFITS OF UNITY: Chapter 1: 27-29
- Boldness to face adversaries
- God’s blessings assured
A LITTLE LEAVEN LEAVENS THE WHOLE LUMP: Beware of the
mutilation (proclaimers of circumcision of the flesh). Chapter 3: 1-3, Gal.
5:9.
Prayer:
- Lord, please help me to stand firm on the complete gospel.
- Lord, please sharpen my spiritual antenna against ‘dogs’ and evil workers who would try to pollute me with a fragmented gospel.
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS, AGAIN I SAY IT; REJOICE!!
Join this HeartCry Prayer- Every Monday 11.30am-2.30pm (UK time)
Join this HeartCry Prayer- Every Monday 11.30am-2.30pm (UK time)
