January 2026
Philippians 1:3-7 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
St. Paul offers thanksgiving and prayer for the Philippians. Paul does this “with joy” because of the partnership in the Gospel that he has with the Philippians. This partnership in the Gospel allows Paul to boldly declare that God will bring to completion the good work He began in the Philippians at the day of Jesus Christ (the Last Day).
Paul writes this letter, while in jail, to Christians (or a congregation) with whom he had previously done mission work. Paul rejoices in these gifts of financial support from the Philippians but is even more thankful for their partnership in the Gospel.
Paul calls the Christians in Philippi partners even though they are in different locations and haven’t seen each other in years. God has joined them together by grace. Paul makes the point that it is not location but the Gospel that brings them together and should encourage them to strive side-by-side for the faith of the Gospel
The Gospel has made us all partners, especially with other LCMS Christians. In the LCMS, we really have one big partnership, which allows us to work together in various ways, including supporting mission work. Just as the Philippians partnered with Paul, we are partners in the Gospel with other LCMS congregations and members. Instead of seeing other congregations as competition or worrying about how working with another church might be cause us to compromise on things like time for worship or programs, we should really be asking how we can work together efficiently for the sake of the Gospel and considering the day of Jesus Christ. I thank you all for your consideration in this proposed new opportunity for us at St. Peter’s.
I offer up this prayer for both our church in Humboldt and for Chanute:
Lord God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
You must be logged in to post a comment.