I feel compelled today to speak to those who labor and serve in the Lord’s Kingdom. Let’s begin with a passage from Philemon. “I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake.” (Philemon 4–6, NASB95)
That is also my prayer for you. I thank God for your love and faith in Jesus and the saints in your care. Your labor is not ineffective or without fruit, even though the harvest is difficult to see. And yet, Paul mentions two avenues of growth in his prayer.
The first avenue of growth is “the fellowship of your faith.” Fellowship is koinonia in Greek and is the connective tissue of all service in Christ’s kingdom. In koinonia, there is the idea of participation, unity, and connectedness. Even if you are a solo pastor of a small congregation, you need fellowship. One opportunity is with other pastors who labor in the neighborhood, village, or town. It may not seem like it, but we’re all on the same team. Another opportunity for fellowship is found in the pillars of your congregation. Those supportive folks who are always there. Connecting with others in the faith, and sharing failures and victories, will improve your service in the Kingdom.
The second avenue of growth is the “knowledge of every good thing which is in you.” This knowledge isn’t book learning, although book learning may lead to it. This knowledge is experiential. To put it another way, it’s not the knowledge in our heads but our heart. This knowledge increases as we continually draw near to Jesus and reach beyond ourselves to serve others in His name. It is discovering the treasure God has placed in you. (2 Corinthians 4:7).
All of this is not for my sake or your sake; it is for Christ’s sake. Remember, “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1, NASB95) Your flock of saints that meets under a tree may be many times more fruitful in Christ’s kingdom than a large gathering in an air-conditioned building. The building is a place; the church is the people.
We tend to measure ourselves using the world’s economy of wealth, numbers of followers, and influence. God’s economy is measured in the lavishness of love given. Like the sacrifice to find the lost lamb, the seeds cast across all kinds of hearts, and the giving of a cup of water. All wasteful and with little return on investment in the world’s eyes but extravagant and rewarded in God’s eyes.
I thank God for you and your service in Christ’s kingdom. Seek fellowship, grow in the knowledge of Christ, and be lavish in your love for those in your care.
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