I want to use the Phillipian letter to encourage you, and to show you an example of a great man and a great church!

This letter is the most personal of Paul’s letters. He doesn’t concentrate on problems or crises (like in Corinthians or Galatians) but on relationships. It gives us a window into how Paul felt. The letter is almost like a diary of his spiritual experiences. We get to know Paul as a person and a friend, rather than apostle or teacher. So how did Paul feel about this church?

1) He was thankful because of their partnership. (Phil 1:3-5)
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” . Paul gives thanks because together they partnered, shouldered, worked, toiled, loved, honoured, rejoiced, partied and wept! This is the example to follow! Oh that we would all “give thanks” every time we think of urban Life Church. Imagine the gratitude that will reach the throne room. Instead of moaning and focusing on the hurt and pain Paul says the following to the church: “Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil 4:8).

2) He was joyful because they had been faithful. (Phil 1:4-6)
This should be a house of joy! We don’t have to always be so serious when serving the church. We can teach Lite Zone with joy! We can host with joy! When we meet there should be joy! Lets rejoice with others and have fun! Let joy fill His house!

3) He loved them with the tender compassion of Christ. (Phil 1:8).
“For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus”. We need to follow this example and love one another with tender compassion. Paul speaks so often of loving one another. He speaks of letting “our love abound more and more” (Phil 1:9) as well as being “deep spirited friends” (Phil 2:2- MSG). In Ephesians 5:1 Paul says, “Watch what God does… love like that”. My deep desire is that we will be known as His disciples by our love toward one another.

4) In Paul’s conversations about Timothy and Epaphroditus in (Phil 2).
We hear his heart - he boasts about them. As we love like that we will boast about each other. “Think about
the praiseworthy”.

5) In Chapter 4, where he takes on Euodia and Syntyche, he “Implores / Pleads / Urges” them to iron out their differences
and make-up. There is a earnestness about settling offences.“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”  (Ephesians 4:25-27).  Anger gives a mighty foothold to the devil. I urge, implore and plead with you to settle your disagreements.

So again, love one another… extravagantly, forgivingly, appropriately, flourishingly, overwhelmingly, unconditionally.

Paul also instructs the church in his letter,“Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27). Live a life that gives credit to the message of Christ, which means:

-    Standing side by side (1:27). We must work together in unity, with one heart and purpose

-     Being humble (2:3). Don’t sweet talk your way to the top. Be interested in others and always think of others as better than
       yourself. We need to have the same attitude that Jesus had (2:5).

-     Stop complaining and arguing (2:14). We need to go into the world uncorrupted. Like a breath of fresh air in our
       polluted society (2:15)

-     Let your lives shine in the world (2:15)

-     Hold tightly to the Word of Life (2:16)

-     Watch out for legalists/ false teachers (3:2)

-     Don’t worry, pray (4:6). “Let petitions and praise shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns… It’s
       wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life”. (MSG)

- What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me put into practice (4:9).

 Paul also prays for the church in Phillipi. He prays for 3 things that we can pray for Urban Life:

LOVE for each other and Christ (1:9)

GROWTH in knowledge, in understanding and in the fruit of our salvation

GRACE receiving and experiencing the amazing grace    
  of Jesus Christ.

You, Urban Life Church, stand stunning, a trophy of God’s grace!