For this week’s devotional, let’s review what we learned in our first training session: Vision.
Philippians 4:14-19
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Deep Engagement (v. 14)
Paul tells the church that it was good for them to share in his troubles. As a missionary, the Philippian church deeply engaged in the troubles that their missionary faced.
• While you are on your short-term trip, what will you do to understand the troubles of Jako, Amber and Jakob, our host missionaries? What will you do to become aware of the troubles that the culture faces?
Engagement takes Partnership (v. 15)
A unique characteristic of the Philippian church is that it wanted to participate in Paul’s mission efforts from its members’ earliest acquaintance with the gospel. From the initial point of their walk with Christ, they had a desire to reach the world for Him. The result of this desire was that these believers joined Paul in a ministry partnership. This partnership was a two-way street. Both Paul and the church realized that by being members of a team, each party would give to , as well as receive from, one another. As you can see from verse 15, no other church with which Paul was in relationship engaged in such a deep manner.
• Many short-term missionaries start out thinking that they have a lot to offer to the world. However, when they return home, they realize that they actually received more while on their trip than they ever gave! How do you imagine you life might change because of your trip and partnership that you will then have with the host missionaries?
Long-term Engagement (v.16)
Verse 16 tells us something else unique to the Philippian church. This church was not a one-time giver. Their vision resulted in an ongoing long-term engagement with Paul. They were engaged “again and again.”
• Are you open to engaging in God’s global work over the long haul? What might that look like?
Return on Engagement (v. 17)
When Paul approached the Philippian church, he was not looking for a gift – or, as many short-term missionaries put it, “begging for money.” Rather than begging or seeking gifts for himself, Paul had a greater view in mind. He knew that God would credit something to the eternal accounts of those who invested in God’s global work. Therefore, he gladly – without shame or apology – invited everyone to be a part of what God was doing through him. Not because it was about him, but because he desired for God to bless others as they joined him in his mission.
• How do you hope God will credit the account of those who support you on your trip? How do you hope God will credit your account as you invest your time and effort in this mission? Specifically pray for God to change your heart and mind from a “begging” to an “others being blessed” perspective.
Personal Engagement (v. 18a)
We see here that the Philippian church sent its own people on mission trips to support Paul. Epaphroditus traveled to supply both tangible and intangible gifts to Paul in order to encourage him – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Did you know that Epaphroditus got very sick and almost died when he visited Paul? Despite this challenge, he did it joyfully!
• Do you have a vision to engage personally and joyfully in this ministry and also in the lives of your team members and those on your field site?
Worshipful Engagement (v.18b)
Worshiping God is a glorious thing! Pleasing God as worshipers is an even greater thing. By knowing Paul, by being committed to Paul, by sticking by Paul, by personally sacrificing for Paul and by humbly serving with Paul, the Philippian church was worshiping God.
• How can you make your life a life of worship through global involvement and your actions in the field?
Blessed Engagement (v. 19)
Verse 19 is one of the most quoted verses in Scripture. However, few people realize that it is written in the context of joining God in his global mission. A promise was given to the Philippian church: If you focus on engaging in God’s global causes, He will meet your needs out of His glorious riches.
• What needs do you need to entrust to God as you engage in this short-term mission work?
God, please open our eyes to Your work within us while on this mission. Help us answer these questions according to Your will. And show us how You will use us to accomplish the vision You have for Mission of Love Orphanage in Zambia, Africa. Amen.
All information regarding “engagements” in this email is cited from:
Ragan, Ben L. "Getting Started, Session 1." CULTURELink Team Member Manual. 3rd ed. Marietta: CULTURELink Resources, LLC, 2010. 12-16.
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