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More Love
Brian Mashburn
January 7, 2007
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The Philippi Church of Christ
Lydia, Clement, Syntyche, Epaphroditus, Euodia...Those are real names of men and women who were members of the church of Christ at Philippi in the first century. They were real people, in a real place, among a real congregation of actual people. That list of names would've sounded to that church like this list would sound to ours...Jane, Jerry, Yvie, Doyle, Lois.
Lydia was wealthy with a true worshipper's heart. Clement was probably a slave, and also probably an overseer. Epaphroditus was probably an energetic, younger emerging leader. Syntyche and Eudia were hard working women in Christ's cause. The local jailor and his family were members, too. Along with a formerly abused and possessed slave girl.
They are together as followers of Christ due to the efforts of a converted Jew named Paul, his buddy Silas, his recently acquired apprentice Timothy, and Luke, an educated gentile. It has been years since this little band of brothers first came to the town of Philippi. Paul is long gone...but not forgotten.
And Paul has not forgotten them. That group of people was very special to him. They made Paul fall to his knees in gratitude every time one of them ventured into his memory. The mere thought of them filled Paul's bones with joy due to their wholesale partnership with him in his gospel-spreading efforts. Paul knew, without doubt, that it was God Himself that initiated the work in each and every member of that church, and that He wasn't done with them. They had a firm and affectionate place in Paul's heart, in the name of Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:3-8)
And with whatever leverage that being a fully devoted servant of the Philippi church gave him, Paul writes them a letter letting them know the contents of his current prayer for them. And it is mine for you, this morning, Southwest church.
That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you 1) may be able to discern what is best, 2) may be pure and blameless, and 3) may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:9-11)