In my personal Bible reading I have been in Philippians in
the New Testament for the last few weeks.
I noticed several insights about Paul's heart as a pastor/missionary:
(1) He was
positive and encouraging, 1:6, 26, 2:17-18, 28,
3:1, 4:4, 10 - it's not that he wasn't immersed in difficulty
(the epistle was written in prison), but Paul learned to look for the best and
to speak encouragement to others. He
built people up rather than tearing them down.
(2) He was
committed to prayer, 1:4, 4:6-7 - Paul knew that prayer makes the world
go 'round. He didn't rely merely on his
wits. He worked hard (1:22), but he knew
that hard work alone was not going to cut it.
God works through prayer.
(3) He understood
the importance of the "unity" in community, 2:1-11, 14, 4:1-4 - what
may have been one of the most healthy congregations in the New Testament still
struggled with conflict. Conflict goes
hand in hand with change and progress (or gathered people for that
matter). Learning to deal with it like
Christians is vital!
(4) He got
frustrated with apathetic people, 2:20-21 - this is fairly shocking,
but already in the first century when Christianity was at its zenith,
complacency was already a problem: "They all seek their own interests, not
those of Jesus Christ." The
struggle of keeping people focused and motivated is not a new leadership
challenge!
(5) He exalted
Jesus Christ, 2:5-11 - much more could be said about this great
epistle, but Paul placed Christ securely at its center. He magnified Jesus and if there is to be any
fruit from our ministries so must we!
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