Bible Text: Philippians 1:3-11 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: Partners in a Great Venture, Philippians

1.  Paul addresses the leaders of the church (the Overseers and Deacons) in his greeting.

2.  His likely reason for addressing them specifically is because of his need to deal in the letter with issues that had arisen at the church, specifically: lack of unity and rivalry.  Personal ambition (contending for their own way) had replaced their care for each other and the things of Jesus Christ.

3.  He addressed the leadership because as the leadership of a church goes so go the people.  The need was greater now than ever for the leadership to be unified and an example of unselfishness.

4.  “Partnership” (i.e.”fellowship, koinonia”) means “to have in common.”  It is a bond that is deeper than friendship.  It speaks of the bond we have together in the church because we are in Christ.  It speaks of the salvation we share, our work together in getting out the gospel, our meeting each others needs, and the sufferings of Jesus.

5.  When God begins a work in believers he finishes it.  Whether the subject is salvation or the work God calls us to do, He doesn’t give up, He finishes what He begins.