Philippians - Enjoy Being the Church | Philippians 1:1-26

The church is more than a place we attend. It is a gospel family we enjoy, a mission we advance, and a calling we faithfully live. As The Grove begins its series in Philippians, the prayer is that they would be known as "The Fellowship of Joy."

1. Church Is More Than Just Coffee — We Are a FELLOWSHIP of the Gospel (Philippians 1:1–11)

  • Paul's thanksgiving to the Philippians reveals what real gospel fellowship looks like:

  • Fellowship means we pray for one another. Paul says he is "always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy" (Phil. 1:4).

  • Fellowship means we believe God is working in one another. Paul is confident that "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6).

  • Fellowship means we genuinely love one another. Paul "yearns" for them "with the affection of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:8). He didn't merely tolerate these believers—he loved them. As Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

2. Church Is More Than Just a Crowd — We Are about FURTHERING the Gospel (Philippians 1:12–18)

  • Paul's imprisonment actually served to advance the gospel. Three truths emerge:

  • God can advance the gospel through difficult circumstances. Paul's chains became a witness—his imprisonment "became known throughout the whole imperial guard" as being for Christ (Phil. 1:13).

  • Gospel advancement requires courageous Christians. Because of Paul's example, believers became "much more bold to speak the word without fear" (Phil. 1:14).

  • Gospel advancement must matter more than our preferences. Even when some preached Christ from poor motives, Paul rejoiced: "Whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice" (Phil. 1:18).

3. Church Is More Than Just a Cause — We Must Be FAITHFUL to the Gospel (Philippians 1:20–25) Here we find one of the greatest proclamations in all of Scripture: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).

  • Faithfulness means Christ is our life.

  • Faithfulness means Christ is our confidence. Paul longs to "depart and be with Christ, for that is far better" (Phil. 1:23).

  • Faithfulness means living for the spiritual good of others. Paul stays "on your account"—for their "progress and joy in the faith" (Phil. 1:24–25).

Bottom Line: Christianity is far richer than merely attending a Sunday service. Church is more than coffee—we are a fellowship of the gospel. More than a crowd—we are about furthering the gospel. More than a cause—we must be faithful to the gospel.

Ishmael LaBiosa