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Possessing the Affection of Christ

Text: Philippians 1:7-8
15 February 2014

THE UPWARD CALL: POSSESSING THE AFFECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

DEFINING THE WORD “AFFECTION”

1. This word is translated “compassion” in          Matthew 9:36

2. “Compassion” and “Affection” go together

THE AFFECTION OF THE APOSTLE PAUL FOR THE PHILIPPIANS

1. This was the same compassion the Lord Jesus felt when He saw the multitudes          (Matthew 9:35-36)

2. Paul possessed this powerful sense of compassion for people in his ministry

COMPASSION IN THE MINISTRY OF THE GOSPEL

1. People are in our heart          Philippians 1:7

a) Genuine care

b) Genuine concern

2. The genuineness is attested by the following

a) Paul was in chains (reference to imprisonment)

b) It was not for crimes he committed

c) It was for the sake of the Gospel

i) Paul was imprisoned in Philippi          Acts 16

ii) He was imprisoned again in Caesarea          Acts 25-26

d) He stoutly defended the Gospel          Philippians 1:7

e) His ministry and suffering confirmed the Gospel he proclaimed          Philippians 1:7

Only one with deep faith in the Gospel could go through such suffering for the Lord

PERSONAL TESTIMONY

1. Paul testified that he had deep affection for the Philippians

2. He was prepared to suffer for the sake of the Gospel and for them

3. This affection came from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself

BIBLE MEMORY

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few.

Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send our labourers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:36-38

OUR PRAYER

1. To have hearts that would feel compassion/affection for people

2. To have more labourers who have compassionate hearts to reach people with the Gospel

3. To offer ourselves in response to the Lord as labourers with compassion