We all have one thing in common, sinners in need of the savior, Jesus.
As we journey through the book of Philippians together, I pray
and hope that we can all be encouraged by this letter. Regardless
of who you are, what you do for a living, or where you are from,
we rest on the truth that God has brought us all together to be ONE in Christ.
As I have been reading the book of Acts in my alone time with God, one thing
He continues to show me is the churches that are established are made up of
people who, if not for Christ, probably would not be hanging out with one
another.
Take the book of Philippians, for example. As I mentioned a few weeks ago,
Paul arrives in Philippi after receiving a vision of a man pleading for help.
Remember, God had closed the door to a few other places before this. I wanted
to hit every verse of Acts 16, but I did not have time. I suppose this is what you
would have received if I could preach two hours every Sunday.
The first person Paul encounters is a woman by the name of Lydia, a dealer in
purple cloth. Scholars paint Lydia as a wealthy woman, and I can see where they
are coming from. Purple fabric was a status symbol almost exclusively worn by
royalty and the elite. Lydia was a supplier. More than likely, she was the head of
her household, probably a large house because she invites Paul and his
companions to stay with her. I do not think I am stretching the text by saying
Lydia was wealthy. If you think I am, blame the scholars. I do not claim to be
one.
Next is a female slave who is making her owners a whole bunch of money
because she had a spirit that could predict the future. Paul said to the spirit, “In
the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment
the spirit left her. Sadly, this is the last we ever hear of the female slave.
Finally, the Philippian jailer and I am running out of space, so I will not go into
detail about his account. Check out the sermon from September 20th. For sure,
we know that he and his household became followers of Christ.
Before this there was no church at Philippi. This is what Paul did. He went
around and planted churches. I believe that Luke is intentional in his writing. He
wants to show us that more than likely, some of the first people we know of who
became part of the church at Philippi were a wealthy woman who sold purple
cloth, a slave woman who was set free, and a prison guard.
Question: In what other context would this group of people be together? For the
body of Christ at Boones Creek Christian Church, in what other context would
we all be together?
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you.”
Philippians 1:3-4
The book of Philippians was written roughly ten years after Acts 16.
Who was Paul remembering? Lydia? The slave woman? The jailer?
It is so important for us to grab hold of the truth that God has brought us all
together. We all have one thing in common, sinners in need of the Savior, Jesus
Christ. Regardless of our background, our status, or our position, we are ONE in
Him! May we remember one another in our prayers.
and hope that we can all be encouraged by this letter. Regardless
of who you are, what you do for a living, or where you are from,
we rest on the truth that God has brought us all together to be ONE in Christ.
As I have been reading the book of Acts in my alone time with God, one thing
He continues to show me is the churches that are established are made up of
people who, if not for Christ, probably would not be hanging out with one
another.
Take the book of Philippians, for example. As I mentioned a few weeks ago,
Paul arrives in Philippi after receiving a vision of a man pleading for help.
Remember, God had closed the door to a few other places before this. I wanted
to hit every verse of Acts 16, but I did not have time. I suppose this is what you
would have received if I could preach two hours every Sunday.
The first person Paul encounters is a woman by the name of Lydia, a dealer in
purple cloth. Scholars paint Lydia as a wealthy woman, and I can see where they
are coming from. Purple fabric was a status symbol almost exclusively worn by
royalty and the elite. Lydia was a supplier. More than likely, she was the head of
her household, probably a large house because she invites Paul and his
companions to stay with her. I do not think I am stretching the text by saying
Lydia was wealthy. If you think I am, blame the scholars. I do not claim to be
one.
Next is a female slave who is making her owners a whole bunch of money
because she had a spirit that could predict the future. Paul said to the spirit, “In
the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment
the spirit left her. Sadly, this is the last we ever hear of the female slave.
Finally, the Philippian jailer and I am running out of space, so I will not go into
detail about his account. Check out the sermon from September 20th. For sure,
we know that he and his household became followers of Christ.
Before this there was no church at Philippi. This is what Paul did. He went
around and planted churches. I believe that Luke is intentional in his writing. He
wants to show us that more than likely, some of the first people we know of who
became part of the church at Philippi were a wealthy woman who sold purple
cloth, a slave woman who was set free, and a prison guard.
Question: In what other context would this group of people be together? For the
body of Christ at Boones Creek Christian Church, in what other context would
we all be together?
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you.”
Philippians 1:3-4
The book of Philippians was written roughly ten years after Acts 16.
Who was Paul remembering? Lydia? The slave woman? The jailer?
It is so important for us to grab hold of the truth that God has brought us all
together. We all have one thing in common, sinners in need of the Savior, Jesus
Christ. Regardless of our background, our status, or our position, we are ONE in
Him! May we remember one another in our prayers.
Author of this article: Ben Cole is the lead minister at Boones Creek Christian Church in Johnson City, Tennessee.
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