THE MESSENGER | SUMMER 2019
ELLOWSHIP ON THE FIELD
Book of Philippians was written the Apostle Paul from a Roman son around 60-63 A.D. While for the sake of the Gospel and ed for his faithfulness to Christ, nd comfort in the Lord and rejoiced His desire was that the was sameout joy family e the church at for Philippi—thus, a ride in thehe challenge themcountry concerning onejoyful lovely afternoon, when the fouryear-old sister suddenly erestingly, the first area of her fiveturned and asked “Where gement year-old that Paul brother, gives in chapter do babies come from?” ppians relates to “fellowship in The parents listened silently pel.” We, as Baptists, often refer front while the ship as in anythe time we seat are eating, boy thought it over r havinglittle an activity together; and finally answered, d basically means “to have in “Babies come from .” Paul, however, is referring heaven.” This explanation more than the Philippians didn’t quite satisfyOne little a mutual church function. sister, who thentoasked, eatest encouragements joyful“If come heaven, living inbabies the midst of from ministry why do people to the trials it brings is to knowgo that hospital to get them?” brethren who stand with us, The little boy answered, om we have a common goal, “Because that’s where they on purpose and a common get their skins put on!” the Gospel. For the missionary Yes, God gives children to parents n a foreign land characterized byas a gift from heaven. He creates the spirit, es of food, language and culture, soul and body of a child and places the ogetherchild with believers for for in aother home ideally to be trained His glory. While babies do not get their ment of their relationship is vitally skin from the hospital (this obvious point nt. It wasis made recently privilege tomay for themy younger ones who readingfamilies this article),at children multiplebeBWM theirdo have uropean retreat in Germany—a be reminded of three vital areas of
illegally arrested and beaten, placed in fellowship. How wond stocks, and humiliated publicly. But even to face in a venue such those memories brought joy to Paul, Germany! because it was through his sufferings Fellowship involves that many of the believers at Philippi had brother in your pray opportunity to hear the Gospel. Thus, when he remembered them, hechurch rejoiced. and home was to involve them in their internal character and external priest in the O conduct molded by the influences of the ministry with us asThe muchhigh as possible. the environment in which they are For example, each of them worehasaindividual special garmen How keep a brother on our mind? raised. do That we molding, his heart. On it were t especiallyepistle in the early Paul’s reminds us of the need of the parents names of the twelv years, is done primarily My appeal to Christian continuing communication, either written through the impact of engraved on them, a j is to remember their immediate family and emailing or verbal. Calling regularly that one day 28:15-29). He members, which brings me you will look into the(Exodus eyes of to learn about what to a question for those of ove your adult children, and what isushappening our who have been in blessed “For the missionary pray in various venues you see will be the result of brother’s life with is a the One opportunity of training the in ato foreign land of theirserving response the grace vital link in ongoing next generation—what will Chr differences our children (ourEven disciples) in their lives,by coupled with fellowship. better Godcharacterized and look like when they are what kind of skin you have put than long-distance of food, language and culture, grown? What kind of skin exp communication is faceare we putting on them? In on them. getting together with other at t the busy service to Christ, to-face discussion— in which most faithful pray believers for reinforcement creating a themselves, venue for believers find it is easy to memories of outreach visits made with one relationship is vitally miss the balance dedication of their mom and dad, whether in witnessing to a keeping one between another to ministry and attention to family. Yes, lost person or in ministering to an elderly important.” on our minds. every believer needs to be involved in his saint. Those visits, made with one or both Wh local church’s efforts to win souls, make parents, were frequently followed by a pray disciples and plant churches, both at stop at the ice cream shop (great oneFellowship involves having your home and abroad. But Christian parents on-one opportunities Christians, for putting on their we too ofte brother on your must not become so busy heart (1:7-8). skin). Such interaction for their physical and fi in the ministry that they of blending the ministry, Have noticed neglect you the kind of skin how often Paul used familybut and Paul yes, icefocused on th they are placing upon cream, continued intoin the area the phrase “you all” as he writes? This is specifically their children and upon their college years. As more an evidence that he was from time passed, deeper love. H those inthan their church’s thebiblical topics next generation! of discussion changed southern Turkey. There are at least nine discernment (v. 9), the from little league instances of children the phrase in this letter—he and their fruitfulness ( When our three Continued on page 3. werenot small,want one of to the leave anyone out, because did the Lord together at th ways we attempted to he loved them and longed for them. for each other and for By Dr. Bud Steadman find the balance between were forging stronger How can we tell that we are truly bound in though separated by g
PUTTING ON THEIR SKIN
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