Young People's Group

The Challenge to “Flow Through”

by Mitchell Tan
September 13, 2018

UNDERSTANDING A “FLOW THROUGH” CONCEPT

When we have experienced the blessings of God, there should be effects.

1. The blessings should affect our life.

2. They should flow from our life to others.

The experiences of God’s blessings according to faith must cause us to respond in a certain way. The apostle Paul wanted the Philippians to understand how blessings must flow through them to others)

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy …”
Philippians 2:1

The “if” statements indicate the construction of Greek conditional sentences. They are made up of two parts to the sentence. There is the protasis (the conditional clause) and apodosis (the conclusion or result clause). If the protasis is true, then the apodosis is what we call a natural “flow through”. The apodosis should be true.

1. IF THERE IS ANY ENCOURAGEMENT IN CHRIST

Paul was asking whether they had experienced encouragement and exhortations that are found in the Lord Jesus.

2. IF THERE IS ANY COMFORT OF LOVE

He also appealed to the Philippians to check whether they had been comforted and consoled through acts of love.

3. IF THERE IS ANY FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT

The experiences of having close fellowship with each other through the Spirit of God were also brought up.

4. IF THERE WERE ANY EXPRESSIONS OF AFFECTION AND COMPASSION

The Philippians must have also experienced deep affections and compassion from Paul and others.

If they had received all these blessings, their hearts should be further impacted. There should be a “flow through” towards others.

PAUL AS A RECIPIENT OF THE “FLOW THROUGH”

“… Fulfil my joy …”
Philippians 2:2

This was a strong personal exhortation from Paul to the Philippians. What they have been blessed with should flow through to the next person. Paul was using himself as the recipient of this “flow through”. Because of his closeness with the Philippians, he was able to appeal to them to fulfil his joy. He was basically telling them to do it for his sake. It was easier doing things for Paul because of his love for them. There would be great joy in his heart if they were to respond to him with love. The flow of love was meant to be diverted to him and to others as well.

THE PRACTICE OF GREATER ONENESS AS A “FLOW THROUGH”

“… By being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
Philippians 2:2

The Philippians were meant to exercise greater oneness and love for each other. The purpose of this appeal was for them to be like-minded. There would be a follow through to others. They were meant to think in the same way.

1. HAVING THE SAME HEART OF LOVE

They were meant to have the same big heart of love for each other.

2. HAVING THE SAME SOUL

They were meant to be united in soul.

3. HAVING THE SAME MIND

They were meant to think the same things in Christ. There would be a completion of this concept when the flow through brings about oneness.

Young people, let’s learn to appreciate the blessings of God and let what we are impacted by “flow through” to others. Let’s cultivate a oneness of heart, mind and soul as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

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