Mission FPC
“Because of Him [God], you are in Christ-Jesus.[1]” “In Christ” describes the Christian’s union with Jesus. It is a relationship whose benefits flow from our new birth. When, by an act of faith, my destiny is united with that of my Savior, crucified, buried and raised, then the power of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, performs that transformation in me and gives me eternal life.
This new relationship allows us to serve God in His strength. Paul was proud of his work through his union with Jesus-Christ[2]. He reminds us that the effort which we make in communion with the Lord is a labor which is not in vain[3].
This relationship with Jesus also connects Christians with one another. “And He is the head of the body, the Church.[4]” All who are united to Him are also united to each other. In describing this relationship between Jesus and Christians, and between Christians themselves, Paul also uses the word fellowship [koinônia]: “God … through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son[5]”; “The bread that we break, is it not a participation [koinônia] in the body of Christ?[6]” These verses speak of our relationship with Jesus. The second develops the idea of being in communion with His “body,” composed of all believers.
This fellowship is a unique coming together, created and given by God. We are linked together in partnership, with all of our combined resources being shared. Two older Frenchmen shared on television the other day about the joy they experienced as boys when the first parachutists landed in their town. They discovered and enthusiastically embraced the resources of their liberators and followed them. But other people remained attached to the occupying forces, with whom they had collaborated. God has made us partners in mission, in order to make His Son known, Jesus, who alone brings true freedom.
This partnership is expressed by working together in evangelism[7]. The Philippians demonstrated it through Lydia’s hospitality toward the missionary team, and by walking in a manner worthy of the Gospel. “Walking” means living as a citizen, a witness in their day to the coming kingdom of God. They defended their faith, founded on the Gospel.
Partnership is also expressed by financial participation in missionary work. “Communion” means willingness to share one’s goods. They had benefited from the spiritual blessings given through Paul. And Paul benefited several times from their material gifts[8].
Such fellowship is a synonym of partnership in the work of Christ. The missionary team plants, strengthens and connects local churches. These itinerant works are called associates or partners. Those who started out as “fishing buddies” had now become a team of “fishers of men.” Titus is Paul’s “partner and fellow-worker[9],” as is Philemon. In speaking of the brothers in Jerusalem, Paul says that they recognized the grace which had been given to Barnabas and him. Those leaders therefore extended the right hand of fellowship to them, so that they might go to the non-Jews, as they themselves went to the circumcised[10]. Knowing that we are partners allows us to recognize each other’s gifts and encourages us to make use of them. It allows us to develop a missionary strategy.
So instead of behaving like competitors in a sporting event, or even just accepting a peaceful co-existence, let’s work at becoming true partners in mission within the missionary team, within the local church, in our union of churches, and with our international connections!
[1] 1 Corinthians 1:30.
[2] Romans 15:17.
[3] 1 Corinthians 15:58.
[4] Colossians 1:18.
[5] 1 Corinthians 1:9.
[6] 1 Corinthians 10:16b.
[7] Philippians 1:5.
[8] Philippians 4:14-16.
[9] 2 Corinthians 8:23.
[10] Galatians 2:9.
Mission FPC
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