Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

158 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 2

3. The Philippians were completely engaged in the support of Paul’s ministry from the first , Phil. 4.15-18 (ESV) – And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partner ship with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. III. Partnership 3 Involves Collaborating Together as Co-workers and Co-laborers in the Work of Advancing the Kingdom: We Share a Common Cause and Task. A. Partnership assumes that each person and congregation brings their unique experience, perspective, and gifting to the table for use , Gal. 2.6-8 (ESV) – And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) – those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles). B. Authentic partnerships involve discerning the Lord’s leading, opportunity, and blessing on those who are called to represent his interests in the places where he has led them , Gal. 2.9-10 (ESV) – and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. C. Partnership in terms of co-working and co-laboring involves a shared vision and commitment to a common cause, e.g., Timothy , Phil. 2.19-24 (ESV) – I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a