Thank You Notes Part 2: Thank You for Your Partnership

     Many of my closest relationships have been formed through working toward a common goal. I have wonderful life-long friendship with people that were formed through the struggle to complete a task. For me, Bible college, coaching, teaching, and pastoral ministry are all contexts through which God has given me great partnerships.

     We can all think about people in our lives and wonder if we would have made it this far without them. They encouraged us, held us accountable, and always helped to make us our best. God used them to make us who we are. Throughout the month of November, let us pause long enough to enjoy the season of Thanksgiving by thanking those who have partnered with us.

     As Paul the Apostle began many of his letters with notes of thanksgiving may we be thankful for those with whom we partner through life. Looking at Philippians 1:3-11 we can discover how giving thanks for partnerships shapes our lives. As you consider these points, I pray that the Lord brings to mind those who played the vital role of your partner.

    Following Paul’s writing we see how partnerships breed thankful prayers (V. 3-5). This partnership was one of support through the difficulties associated with spreading and defending the Gospel. One of the major reasons Paul was writing to the Philippians was to thank them for the gift they provided for his ministry. Many partnerships require one meeting the needs of the other. This is not to create a sense of debt, but a simple thank you from the heart.

     Moving to verse six, Paul reveals that partnership are confident in the work of Christ. This partnership was one that recognized that the inner work of God was not yet complete but not the less secure. Also, shown in this statement is the thought that the faith of this partnership was founded upon the sufficiency of Christ. This may be the way to keep the foundation of any partnership in place.

     A third observation is that partnerships build Christ-like affections (V. 7-8). These types of affections help us understand that partnership are to be resourced by a mutual partaking of the grace of God. No one person can always meet the needs of the other. At some point, we all fall short. Each side understanding that it is the grace of Christ that provides the sufficiency, will relieve much undue pressure.

     Coming to the end of our text a final observation can be made. Partnerships birth a desire for purity and blamelessness in light if judgement (V. 9-11). This desire in from a place of love for each member and the heart of God’s plan. Oswald Chambers adds to this thought with a very significant thought. He states, “If your concept of love does not agree with justice, judgement, purity, and holiness, then your idea of love is wrong. It is not love that you conceive in your mind, but some vague infinite foolishness, all tears and softness and of infinite weakness.”

     With these four observations comes a couple of challenges. First, each one of us should send a thank you note to those who have partnered with us in service to God. Secondly, with every ministry endeavor, may we see each other as partners in reaching each other’s loved ones and community. Fulfilling these challenges will take our church further down the path of connecting, growing, and giving.