Partners in the Gospel

Last Sunday, Brad reminded us that everything begins with Jesus.

Before we understand who we are, we need to remember who He is. Jesus is not just part of our story. He is the One who holds all things together.

That is where formation begins.

As we continue our series, A Season of Formation: Living as the Church Together, we are taking the next step.

If everything begins with Jesus, then Paul helps us see what Jesus begins to form.

A people who belong to Christ.

A people whose lives become woven together because of Him.

This Sunday, we'll turn to Philippians 1, where Paul writes to a church he deeply loves. They were not perfect people. They were ordinary people who were still learning, still growing, and still being formed by Christ.

And yet Paul calls them partners in the gospel.

Their partnership wasn't simply about serving on the same team or accomplishing the same mission. It grew out of a shared life in Christ. They shared grace, shared joy, shared suffering, and carried one another in prayer as they participated together in the work of the gospel.

Following Jesus is personal.

But it was never meant to be lived alone.

As you prepare for Sunday, consider this question:

Who is one person in our church family I can pray for each day this week?

Pray for them by name. Thank God for them. Pray that their love would continue to grow, and that Christ would continue the good work He has already begun in them.

And then pay attention.

Because as we pray for one another, Jesus often begins forming something in us too.

Our prayer is that this series continues to draw us closer to Jesus and closer to one another as we learn what it means to live as His Church.

Stay churchy this week by praying for someone.

We look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday.