LESSON FIVE: PRINCIPLE OF PARTNERSHIP

PRACTICAL EXPRESSION OF KOINONIA

Introduction: The Scripture makes it clear that the work of evangelizing the world was not assigned to a select group of experts (called evangelist or apostles), or to wealthy nations/churches only, or to one generation only exempting the rest of believers in other generations. The job of missions and church planting was designed to involve everybody in the church, every church in the world.

Emphasis of our Lesson: Not just to get every one doing missions and church planting (so that each church will get involved in their own individual pursuits) but to encourage/challenge each one to do it together under the concept of koinonia in the gospel!

I. THE REASON WHY THE CHURCH IS STILL IN THE WORLD - JOH 17

A. Jesus prayed for the believers: unity is a means to an end

1. that they will not be taken from the world,

2. that they will be protected from the evil one (v. 15),

3. that they will be one (united)

4. that they be sanctified and preserved in the world (v. 11).

B. Jesus affirmed that He is sending them into the world (v. 18)

1. that they take the Word/ Truth to the world (v. 8, 20)

2. that they must be one, to convince the world to believe (v. 21, 22)

3. that they will have results (v. 20). People will believe the Lord Jesus through their word.

4. that they will become perfect/mature/complete in one. (v. 23)

C. The reason for local churches in bonding together as one and cooperating koinonia.

1. Church groups and denominational families exist for unique calling and purpose. Distinctive doctrines are institutionalized, practices are preserved, and common goals and mission are promoted and improved.

2. Most of these groups unite together under common denominator and direction, mostly including the 3-Fold purpose as follows: (Others may have other motives/reasons for affiliation, but these are the common missions statement.

a. Edification - For the building up of the believers and their maturity/perfection in Christ.

b. Exaltation - For the promotion of worship and service of One true God

c. Evangelization - For the witnessing of the believers; the preaching/teaching ministry to reach the lost, the planting of churches, the discipling of nations.

3. Maintaining the original reason for existence is extremely important in the life of the group and movements, if they are to stay in the cutting edge.

a. The concept of inter-dependence must be promoted as against dependence or independence

1) Dependence -- when a local church is not growing to a certain level of autonomy, not indigenous or self reliant, cannot take care of self; always leaning on others, even after many years of nurture and faithful support; needs to discover and develop its own Perpetual Supply and resources trusting the sufficient grace of God to "make them rich for good works (2CO 8-9). "Takers: what-is-yours-is-mine-philosophy".

2) Independence - when a local church have grown to a certain level of blessing and autonomy and does not feel the need to be with the group; not participating or cooperating in their denominational group, considering it irrelevant (maybe because of pride, unsettled offense and resentments, or because of selfish reasons; busy in their private and individual pursuit; "Keepers: What-is mine-is-mine-philosophy".

3) Inter-dependence -- biblical koinonia can truly be practiced when the local churches, whether big or small, rich or poor, young/new or old - yield their independence and/or dependence, and share with others their strength and resources in pursuing greater and common goals. "Givers: What-is-mine-is-yours-philosophy"

b. Evangelization and Missions require more solidarity of efforts and cooperation of local churches than other stated purposes of denominational groups.

1) A local church can pursue exaltation and edification goals with minimum or even without the regular help of other churches or ministries within denomination. Helps outside denomination are plentiful and available to local churches.

2) But the pursuit of evangelization (missions and church planting) is something an average local church may find difficult to do without the corporate help of other local churches within its denomination. Among its affiliate churches, denominations must be always together in doing this. Example: I cannot expect the Neighborhood Baptist Church to help me finance our A/G missionary to Cambodia; or a new A/G Church I want to plant in Sibuyan Island.

 

II. EXPRESSING THE CONCEPT OF KOINONIA

This is how Partnership should be expressed for the sake of the Gospel: PHI 1:27-30

A. By SANCTIFYING OUR LIVES TOGETHER [:27A] We must live right together. We must live worthy of the Gospel, being careful not to bring reproach to Christ and weaken our overall witness. We must live in such a way as to make the teaching about the Savior attractive, TIT 2:10 JOH 17:19.

B. By STANDING FIRM IN THE SPIRIT [:27B] We must stand strong together, in faith and confidence. We must maintain harmony in the bond of peace, renouncing strife, jealousy, partisanship and all kinds of divisions in our midst - things which weaken the work of God among us and through us. We must stand firm, building stability in the church, making us fit not only to work together but to stand against all the enemies of the Gospel, PHI 1:16, 3:18 2TI 4:14-18. It's hard to work with wobbly feet. PHI 4: 1-3

C. By SHARING IN CONFLICT AND SUFFERING [:28-30] We must fellowship in the sufferings of Christ together. Those who are partners in the Gospel are also partners in sufferings, with the hope that we will also share in the crown. We must together lay our lives. No opposition is too strong to those who are willing to face it together! When the cause of Christ unites us, burdens and sufferings are shared as well. We must learn to bring healing and encouragement to the brethren and provoke them to work.

D. By STRIVING TOGETHER AS ONE MAN [:27C] We must act and move forward together. This speaks of unity in our mind, action and determination. By teamwork, we will work hard, together, everyone doing his share & playing his role in the church. Example of teamwork in Olympic games. See PHI 2:2 "one spirit and purpose". 3JO 1:8 We must become fellow workers for the truth.

E. By SUPPORTING THE WORK OF MISSIONS [4:10-19] Example of how this is practiced:
The Philippian Church was the First Church in Macedonia (Europe). Poor compared to other cities in those days, but has become a partner in Paul's missionary work. They supported him by prayer and financial support. We need many "Philippi Church" in the Philippines! 2CO 8:1 "Churches.."

1. PAUL, "The Church Planting" Missionary:

a) Grateful, 10, 14 of his partners, 10,14-15. No complaints, but appreciative. Does not manipulate or take advantage of God's people,11a. Keeps records of this offering, 15-16. Has integrity.

b) Contented, 11, 12 Displays contentment in every circumstance,11b-12. Not greedy, not looking for a gift,17. Portrays confidence in Jesus Who enables, 13.

c) Edifying, 14-19 Not conceited or self-seeking, but seeks instead the honors of his partners, 17. Acknowledges the gift as given to the Lord, an act of worship, not because of himself, 18. Prays for the needs of his partners, 19.

2. PHILIPPIANS, "The Church Planting" Church:

a) Concerned, 10, 14 Have genuine concern for the worker, 10. Share in the worker's troubles, 14.

b) Sacrificing, 15, 18 2CO 8:1-5 Learn to give even when they were still young in the Lord, and when others were not giving, 15. The grace of God overflows in form of giving sacrificially

c) Committed, 10, 16 Gave regularly for the supply of the worker's need, 16,18. When they fail, they pursue and renew the support, 10.

CONCLUSION: 2CO 11:7-9 Paul was supported by Macedonian churches to preach the Gospel to others free of charge. "Kayang-kaya kung sama-sama. We must practice doing together the pursuit of missions and church planting.