Bulding a Church with Celebrity Joy-Bringers
I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
Philemon 1:4–7 ESV Read More
Remember when Lilly King came home from the Olympics with a Gold Medal? She was known. Everyone in town had heard of what she had done. The Ski Wax Chief for Norway (capitalized because it is a job title!) is publicly shamed and his kids bullied at school when the Norwegians lose any skiing event. It may be negative, but the guy is a celebrity!
When Paul writes to Philemon, he tells him that he has a faith that Paul has heard about. Philemon is known for his love and faith for Jesus. You might know people like that. When you meet someone you don’t know, and find out you have a mutual friend, it brings you both closer and you warm up to each other.
The thing that Paul prays here is often a side effect of being the kind of person that Philemon was. He prays that the sharing of Philemon’s faith would be effective for the full knowledge of every good thing. That isn’t just for the people listening, but for Philemon too. When we share the truth of Christ and the goodness that the Holy Spirit brings about in our lives, we build ourselves up. Not only does proclaiming God’s glory build up our hearers, but it builds up the speakers.
Because people Paul loved were built up by Philemon, Paul cares more deeply and has a closer affection for Philemon. I know of a man who met his son’s soon-to-be Father-in-law. The Father-in-law met the man and said: “Your son, my daughter’s fiancé, has become one of my best friends.” I don’t need to tell you how fast those two dads became friends!
As we grow ourselves in love and faith in Jesus, we will love and share that with others. As Jesus becomes famous, we’ll all grow together faster because we all know that famous guy. We ourselves might even become famous too, but only because of our famous friend Jesus.
Pray for your friends today. Spread positive gossip about how you’ve been refreshed by other brothers and sisters at church. Get joy and comfort from the love of others and tell others about that comfort and love. That’s how our faith grows and the whole Church is built.
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