Sunday was our 2nd ever online-only worship service… You may have noticed that just about every other church in America decided to try streaming on Sunday, also, effectively crashing streaming servers, and kicking us offline!
I am so glad that churches are getting their message out there. Our world needs the Good News now more than ever!
But, our strategy is not to get our sermons out there… Our strategy is to connect people during this time of isolation. I am convinced that the best way to connect people to Christ is to connect them with the Body of Christ. That’s why our Sunday morning stream is only PART of our strategy. We also do life groups via Zoom videoconference, and a bunch of other stuff as well. How are you connecting to others during this time?
Now More Than Ever
On Sunday, we saw that the Apostle Paul had a longing to be with the people he loved, but that he couldn’t get to…
One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.
Romans 1:10-11 NLT
This is natural… You’ve heard it said that “Lone Ranger Christians do not exist.” God redeems individuals together into the collective group of the church to love and serve him as they love and serve each other.
Isn’t it good to be able to meet digitally when we can’t meet in person?
The church in Rome wasn’t the only group of people that Paul loved and wanted to get to… He also writes to the church in Philippi…
This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:1-2 NLT
I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
What one word does Paul use to describe himself and Timothy?
What two words does he use to describe the Philippian Christians?
Paul starts most of his letters addressing believers with “grace and peace.” Why do you think he does this? Why are grace and peace important for church fellowship?
Are grace and peace evident in our church?
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:3-6 NLT
Why does Paul say he is thankful for these Philippian believers?
Based on what we can tell here, what do you think Paul’s relationship with them was like?
How is Paul’s prayer like our prayers? How does Paul pray differently than we tend to pray?
How should Paul’s prayer template inform the way we should pray together during our nation’s current situation?
If we prayed with vision, as Paul does… How would that change our heart for our community, especially in time of crisis such as these?
How is our group partnering together for the gospel? How does our community need us to really be on our mission right now?
What do you think that means for our group?
Thank God for the (digital) community of faith He has drawn together here in the gospel. Thank you, God for gifting saints for service in Your Kingdom. Give us a visionary servant’s heart for our neighbors.