Crestwood Church Blog

In Philippians 1 Paul is determined to lift and encourage the believers at Philippi. A church he had grown to love, because of their faithfulness, fellowship and support, both financially and more importantly, in the work of the gospel.
He gives us three situation where loosing is not an option.

1- Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message
about Christ is being preached either way v18

Paul was in chains he was under house arrest in Rome, but either way the gospel would be preached, by himself if he was released, or by the many who had risen to the challenge of furthering the gospel while Paul was in prison.
It was true that some of the motives were not altogether pure, but either way, the gospel was being spread across the Roman Empire and even into the courts of Rome.

2- For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. V21

Paul was not sure what was best, to live and live for God, or die and be with God, either way it was a real privilege and a joy.

3- Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about
you, I will know that you are standing side by side v27

Paul was confident that the work of the gospel was going to continue. He was unsure about his release, he was unsure if he would ever see his colleagues in the gospel again. But because of their growth, the work of the gospel would continue without one of its leaders. Such is the power of the gospel, it is not a work of man that will fail when the next generation comes along. But something that will not just continue but multiply.

Are we citizens of heaven who are willing to take the gospel to our generation and the one to come.

Labels: Encourage, Generation, Gospel, Priveledge

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,
so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all
belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for
doing certain things well. Romans 12:4-6

In a successful team each member has a crucial role to play. If one is not pulling their weight or another is looking for all the limelight then the team will never reach its potential. There will be in fighting and jealousy and arguing from both sides. But if the team works together and each sees everyone else for what they are good at, then success is easier to come by.

Do you feel a part of the body of Christ?
Do you feel part of a team?
Well the church is like a team, except in a much higher league and for a greater trophy.
The reward of a successful team as a church, is families and individuals being brought closer to God for eternity.
Are we all called to do the same tasks, should we all be conformed to a certain style or model? Of course not Christ has made us unique with individual and specific callings and we can’t expect everyone to do every different thing.

On the other hand we have to remember, that we have a part to play, all of us can get involved with each aspect of the church.

We may be front line, we may be working behind the scenes, but we are all serving the same objective. Bringing glory to God.

As we have been on the streets with the door to door witness or working on the shops with the outreach to the teenagers. What is clear, is that we need the support of the church to hold us up in pray. Many of us may find this part of church activities hard, where as others find it is what they are called to do.
But each of us are called to work for the gospel. To spend time praying for the youth ministries, for the outreach is being part of the team. And we need prayer as much as a football team needs a goalkeeper. I believe God is going to do something special on this estate, even more than he has already done, but the church has got to unite together in prayer and action, working as a team.

If you feel challenged, come and join us on the estate, pray for us, get involved in some way and together lets build this community for God. Remembering above all, that it is Christ, who is our captain. He is an infallible leader.

Labels: gifting, Glory, Gospel, Team