Connect Philippians 1:5 with another verse about Christian fellowship. Setting the Scene: Philippians 1:5 “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Another Snapshot of Fellowship: 1 John 1:3 “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” Common Threads Between the Verses • Partnership/Fellowship centers on the gospel message—what was “proclaimed” (1 John 1:3) and what is still being advanced (Philippians 1:5). • Both verses trace fellowship back to Christ Himself: in 1 John it is “with the Father and with His Son,” and in Philippians it is “in the gospel.” • The continuity of relationship stands out: “from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5) mirrors John’s appeal to what was “seen and heard” from the beginning (1 John 1:3). • Fellowship is active, not passive—proclaiming, partnering, sharing, persevering. What Gospel Partnership Looks Like Today • Shared proclamation—telling the same story of Christ’s death and resurrection. • Mutual support—praying, encouraging, and meeting needs so no one walks alone. • Financial generosity—like the Philippians, believers invest tangible resources for gospel advance. • Spiritual unity—standing on the same truth produces joy-filled togetherness, even across distance. Cultivating Fellowship in Daily Life • Stay rooted in the same message: rehearse the gospel together in song, conversation, and study. • Make room for testimony: like John, recount what God has “done and shown” so others can enter the fellowship. • Guard consistency: keep partnering “from the first day until now” by scheduling regular touchpoints—meals, calls, small groups. • Let Christ remain central: fellowship thrives when hearts stay focused on the shared relationship “with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” |