At a career crossroads? Coming to the end of a period of studies or a ministry traineeship? Wondering whether to take the plunge into full time gospel work?
At these times, as at all times, the Father calls his children not to lean on their own understanding but to trust in the Lord; specifically by bringing to mind his Word and having it on our heart (see Prov. 3:1-7 and Deut. 6:1-12 to which it alludes). And as we turn to his Word we find there a repeated call to ‘consider’ – to change our direction of gaze, to think carefully along new lines, to see things from a new (godly) perspective (Deut. 11:2; Luke 12:24, 27; Heb. 3:1; 10:24).
So here are six things (in this and the following series of posts) to consider from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians which provide some possible ‘next step’ outboxes but more importantly provide some biblical ‘lines of sight’ and framework for thinking about where we are, where we might go and how we might get there.
This is not about making a once-and-for-all decision to be in a particular role forever but about thinking wisely about the next step.
Consider yourself IN gospel ministry
The first thing to notice is that the Apostle views all the Philippian believers as in gospel ministry with him.
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
…In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now (Phil. 1:1-5)
Partnership is a devalued word, but in fact it is a very strong business word (see Luke 5:9-10). You and me are going into a business partnership together, we sign the papers and we are in this together, we rise or fall together. The Apostle Paul is in gospel business. Admittedly a different kind of business to any commercial enterprise. In gospel business the aim is not to grow our empire but Christ’s, we’re not trying to please shareholders but Christ, we’re not promoting ourselves but the Cross of Christ, the bottom line is not success but faithfulness, we’re not trying to go up a corporate ladder but go down to serve, we don’t want customers but disciples. This is a business where we’re not selling anything but holding out the grace of Christ, the righteousness of Christ, the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. But Paul wants the Philippians to know that they are full partners in this business – at the table in the board room (or on the board Zoom meeting) of gospel ministry.
You might be a partner in a law firm or big auditor or architect practice. That’s good. But Paul says, as a member of God’s holy people, you are also a partner in the greatest business in the universe, the business of God himself, the only business that builds stuff that will last for ever.
…your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now
From the first day the Philippians were partners in gospel business with Paul. It wasn’t an added thing tacked onto the end of a 12 week discipleship course. It was basic to their Christian life.
…whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. (Phil. 1:7)
Again, the implication is that, just as Paul has a ministry of suffering for the gospel and contending for the gospel, so do the Philippians – whether in their office or building site or shop – they (and we) are to be contending for the gospel. And that is a grace – a gift, a privilege.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. (Phil. 1:12)
Why does Paul tell them that? Because he’s assuming that they are going to be interested in the advance of the gospel. In the same way that your business partners are going to be interested in how the business is going. And Paul is saying, “It’s advancing!” Being a partner in the gospel means we’re all concerned about the advance of the gospel. Not the advance of my social media profile, not my advance up the career ladder, the advance of the name of Jesus Christ into every culture and language and nation – the unstoppable building of his church storming the gates of hell.
This point is so important to underline: see yourself, right now and in the future, whatever your next step, as a full partner in gospel ministry. The New Testament knows nothing of a special sacred priestly caste. We are all priests and we are to be ‘standing firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel’ (Phil. 1:27).
Even with increased openness since the pandemic, at least a quarter of the UK population having no intention of attending a church service at any point in the future (NMS 2022) and a similar proportion think that Jesus is a mythical or fictional character (Talking Jesus 2022). So all Christians need to be thinking of themselves as missionaries. Wherever we go, whatever our workplace, we are children of God carrying with us the ‘Word of Life’ (Phil. 2:16) – the word of Jesus the Author of Life, the word of indestructible resurrection hope for dead, hopeless people.
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