with Elder Elico Manenji
✝️The letter to Philippians was one of those letters which were written when the Apostle was in imprisonment. The Apostle was imprisoned so many times in different places such as Philippi (Acts 16:23), Jerusalem (Acts 22:23-30), Caesarea (Acts 24:23-27) and Rome (Acts 28:16,30).
Though imprisoned, he wrote this letter of joy and rejoicing to the joyful church of Philippe. In this city, the main city of the province of Macedonia was the gospel first preached in Europe when the Apostle saw a vision of a man saying, "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us"(Acts 16:9). In this chapter, the Apostle tells them of his strong affection for them and prays that
they may be filled with the salvation of God. He shows them how much his persecution had contributed to the
success of the Gospel which made him rejoice even in bonds. So for this rejoicing of the gospel success the Apostle says whether he should be liberated or martyred he was ready to meet which ever fate as he hopes and his perfect to vist the church once again.
*1️⃣Philippians 1:1-11: The Apostle's experiences and attachment to the church of Philippians.*
⏹️Christian leaders are servants of God and servants of the people be it Pastors, Elders(Bishops), deacons, they are servants and not masters who should perpetually dedicated to God's immediate service in the ministry of reconciliation. The Apostle says, *"And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation"(2 Corinthians 5:18).*
⏭️All of the community of church members, called out of the world by Jesus Christ are sanctified, separated, and dedicated to him, by a credible profession of faith in him and obedience to His laws. The Apostle says, *"And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God"(1Corinthians 6:11).*
⏹️The workers of God, servants to God and the people should not feel threatened by the people but should always express joy in the contributions made towards the adavancement of the gospel of Christ in world mission. The Lord spake to Moses saying, *"Take you from among you an offering to the LORD: whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass"(Exodus 35:5).*
The Apostle says, *," Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver"( 2 Corinthians 9:7).*
⏭️All should be ready for the perfection of the saints in the day when they shall stand before Christ. The feelings of joy towards the saints is a reflection of Christ’s feelings of joy over the church He established and sacrificed Himself for it, as clean, holy and without blemish. The Apostle says, *"That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish"(Ephesians 5:27).*
⏭️As believers learn more of God and His ways of salvation, they will learn how to act towards one another with genuine love. They will also learn how to act in choosing what is spiritually helpful and rejecting what is not. Their lives will be filled with truly good qualities and will be pleasing to God. The Apostle says, *"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts"(1 Thessalonians 2:4).*
*2️⃣Phillipians 1:12-30: Paul's fearless preaching the gospel and prayer of unity amongst believers even whilst imprisoned.*
⏹️The true ministerial life of God's servant should be that of call to duty, desire, privilege and transparence being filled with the fruits of righteousness. The Apostle says, *"Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called"(1 Corinthians 7:20).*
⏭️True gospel ministers should be familiar with the Church they are called to minister as demanded by their community of interest. They should minister and be able to vindicate their members from false rumours and slander as the Church grow to glorify God. They, ministers should be in constant joy as they watch over the flock of their pasture, not as overloaders but in sympathy of the feeble flock. The Psalmist says, *"Know you that the LORD he is God: it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture"(Psalm 100:3).*
⏹️Ministry is not based on things, or gifts and sacrifices, though necessary for the promulgation of the gospel, they are not of much value compared to Christ in you, the hope of glory. So the Apostle says, *"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain"(Philippians 1:21).*
⏭️The goal and aim of life, its law and pattern is in Christ. Mankind may be connected to things, but it is not things that profit in life, it is the connection to Christ that saves, for , the Apostle says, *"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory"(Colossians 3:4).*
⏹️ So Christian conversation should be of holiness, and of the noblest desire, one man can cherish for another is that we may be like Jesus always. The Apostle says, *"That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory"(1 Thessalonians 2:12).*
⏭️The duties of Christian citizenship are to stand firm by the charter of your citizenship, stand firm in your faith, hope and love for God and your fellowman. The Apostle Peter says, *"Why the rather, brothers, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall"(2 Peter 1:10).*
*🅰️Appeal*
Unity and unanimity in Christians is the gospel, we need to strive together and not strive one with another for we all strive against the common adversary, Satan who brings disorder and confusion amongst believers. If we are of one spirit and one mind, it becomes the gospel, for there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism. There may be a oneness of heart and affection among Christians, where there is diversity of judgment and apprehensions about many things. We need to be stedfast in the gospel, steadfast in one spirit and one mind and not in oppositon to one another. The Apostle says, *"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord"(1 Corinthians 15:58).* Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704).
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