William Woo
HPCBC Youth Service
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| HPCBC Youth Service |
[Philippians will be preached in the Chinese service during
the Month of February. We will join them on the 2nd and 3rd
Sundays. I encourage you to read through the book, you can take a chapter a
week, before each Sunday’s sermon. This is not the manuscript from Sunday’s
sermon but an adaptation, intended for publication on our website. Some items
have been left out and others added.]
Expressing joy is not
easy for some people. In fact our culture [it seems] looks down on those who
have joy. Even youth culture has a group collectively called “emo”. These folks
walked around wearing dark outfits and
basically did not express their joy.
A hallmark is defined
by Google as, “
a mark stamped on articles of gold, silver, or
platinum in Britain, certifying their standard of purity”. As Christians we are
called to be pure, and we are to have joy. We see this in the letter of Philippians.
Unlike those who are emo, Christians should have the hallmark of joy. Do you
lack joy in your life?
Ever since the 50’s, American culture
has elevated the rebel. In some parts of
American culture, people showing enthusiasm are looked down upon. In public
school, if you show enthusiasm for studying you are labeled a nerd. People who
show enthusiasm usually have joy, or vice versa, your joy is seen in your
enthusiasm.
The apostle Paul showed his enthusiasm
for his people in the Philippian church. You can see this in verses 3 to 11 which
is one big paragraph. I found that you can divide this paragraph into 3 sub
ideas. We read in Philippians 1: 3-6
3 I give thanks to my God for
every remembrance of you,[a] 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that He who
started a good work in you[b] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
We see
Paul’s joy manifested in prayer for the Philippian church, in “every prayer”. Paul had fond recollections of being in
partnership with them for the gospel. Our church is in partnership with
missions overseas, a joyful relationship going back a few years. We hope to go
to YSMP forming a new partnership of the gospel. Those who have been on short
term missions gain friendships. These friendships will bring great joy. Will
you go on mission? When you partner with others for the gospel, there is great
joy in your and their life.
But I
warn you, if you become involved in a church or mission trip (partnership for
the gospel), you may develop an affection for people.
7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you
in my heart,[c] and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my
imprisonment and in the defense and
establishment of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss
all of you with the affection of Christ
Jesus.
Paul developed a love for this church
(v. 7). Verse 8 shows us that Paul had a
Christ like affection for them. In my quiet time this morning, (taken from
Hebrews 10: 19-25), we are encouraged to not give up in meeting with one
another. When we meet with one another, bonds are developed and relationships
are established.
Unfortunately today, the term church
refers to either a building or an activity that we participate in. When really
the church is the body of believers, the people, or the assembly of God’s
people. My quiet time devotional mentioned that many people are not going to
“church” anymore. Why have they forsaken the gathering with other believers?
We hope that you will not stop coming. That is what we are
trying to foster here in our youth group. We are doing the best we can to get
us to meet together to encourage each other and worship God all within the
context of our family. We hope that you will come be a part of “church”, but I
warn you, you may develop affection and love for others.
The
third thought in this paragraph is seen in verses 9-11.
9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you can approve the
things that are superior and can be
pure and blameless in[d] the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s emotions go beyond mere feelings
but to a desire to see that his people grow. Verse 9- he wants to see them grow
in knowledge and discernment. All this
knowledge to help us be pure and blameless. Many people are not discerning and have
brought in impurities into their life. We live in an age of easy access to
sermons, biblical teachings, and writings. What do we believe? Does it jive
with scripture?
On another note- Are you growing in the faith through your
study of God’s word.
To recap, we are to 1. Partner with
others for the Gospel esp. at church. 2. When we do attend church we can grow
to love others and vice versa, and 3. We are to grow in knowledge and
discernment. Will you grow as we go to
church, go on mission, and as we go together?
