Starting a new series this month at Inglewood, on Joy. We are looking at the Church in Philippi. Born in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas travel to Philippi and meet with Lydia near a river. She trusts in Jesus, and the rest is history.
Interestingly though that if it had not been for the conflict over Judaizers, and then the issue between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark, the missionary thrust towards Europe may not have happened. Then as Paul writes the book of Philippians, a book about joy in all circumstances, he has to address serious conflict within the Church.
As an aside, this is a passage that we should all take note of…..
“5 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.”
Yes…there are plenty who appear to be in the Church ‘business’ for less than good reasons. But what of it. Focus on the gospel, be glad that God will work, despite the frailty of us Christians.