The Apostle Paul would write to the church in Philippi with great joy and prayer for them as his tone. He writes “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you..” (Philippians 1:3) as a strong indicator of his true affection for the believers who had proved themselves faithful to the gospel. After his initial greeting and praise of the church in chapter one it is only fitting to be encouraged by the rest of the letter as he continues to express great joy and enthusiasm for the advancement of the gospel and the clear blessing the church has received from The Lord. These deep feelings of affection Paul has for the believers in Philippi leads him to exhort them in their endurance and sufferings for Christ as they live with great enthusiasm for the kingdom.

As I read the book of Philippians I am always encouraged. Encouraged by Paul’s joy, encouraged by Paul’s exhortation, encouraged by Paul’s deep affection and longing for the believers, and I am encouraged by the believers “partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:5). It is a wonderful thing to see believers of a local church sharing, hoping, enduring, and loving one another because of the gospel and for the sake of the gospel. Paul understood this marvelous beauty, which is why he says “And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing, in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11).

As we look towards a special day in the life of our local church, FBC Seminole, it should bring great excitement to us that we would take a day to share, hope, endure, and love one another by celebrating what the Lord has done in the lives of many.  I Love My Church Sunday will be filled with testimonies of those who have been deeply and forever impacted by the “fruit of righteousness” that has manifest itself in FBC Seminole through the work of Christ and His faithful believers. I trust you will join me and others in this day of celebration as we praise God for His glorious blessing, The Church.

I Love My Church,

Pastor Nick