God often glorifies himself with small groups of faithful people. The disciples were some of the 500 people who were witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We too are called to be witnesses in our generation.

King David knew that God wanted to use him for His glory, but he faced time in the wilderness. There, a group of 400 loyal and dedicated men joined him and together they changed Israel for God’s glory. There is real power when “I” becomes “We”. We Build This Together. We Invest in Life Change. With 400 dedicated men God changed the course of Israel’s history.

God chooses to accomplish his purposes in His own ways. He sometimes uses small groups of dedicated and obedient people to accomplish great feats for His glory. Even fear-filled obedience is useful to God. 

Although we are saved (justified) by Christ, we still have to learn to live in the new reality (sanctification). If we hold onto Christ, we will shine like stars in the sky, drawing others toward the feet of Jesus.

We see the example that we as believers are meant to emulate in the humility of Christ. We should look to him as our example, learn from him as our guide, and lift him up as our Lord.

God is reminding the Philippian church of the importance of maintaining unity by recalling to their mind what He has done. He encourages them to fight to be of one mind and mission and watch out for things that cause division.

In order to live a life worthy of the Gospel, we must have the Gospel. Then we can respond to the world with grace that transforms.

As the Apostle Paul reflects on his current situation, he is reminded of his imprisonment as well as his deliverance. He is filled with confidence as he exclaims that life or death - either works just fine for him because he has Jesus. 

We see that the thing that matters most to Paul is that the Gospel is advancing. He’s not bitter about his past, he’s rejoicing that in every way the Gospel is being proclaimed through his current circumstances.

A remembrance of the Philippian church brings prayers of thankfulness and joy to Paul’s lips. What could do that? A gospel partnership! We long to be a part of something bigger and more meaningful than our own lives and goals - Jesus provides that for us with his mission. Great partnerships share the same values and same mission - Gospel partnerships involve people with a shared submission to Christ.