partners in the gospel

Philippians 1:1-9

This written from Paul and Timothy to the church at Philippi. Philippi is where Paul and Silas were thrown in jail for casting a demon out of a fortune teller. The beginning of the Philippian church was the prison warden and his household. At this time, Paul is back in jail.
Paul is thankful for the Philippians because of their partnership in the gospel. In fact, he says that he prays with joy whenever he thinks of them. I wonder who I am filling with joy whenever they think of me? Are there people who are compelled by God's grace in their lives to share the good news message of Jesus who are grateful for they way that I partner with them and help them see the message of Jesus shared with people who need to hear it?
The Philippian church obviously wasn't perfect (Paul says that the good work was just being started in them but God would bring it to perfection - v. 6) but they were such an important part of Paul's life that he longs for them with the affection of Christ.
I want to have that affect on the Paul's of this world - not to feel good about myself but because I want to support those who are sharing the good news message of Jesus.

Tonight's the night the world begins again...

Romans 5:18-21

So, I have good news - my wife and I adopted a baby boy and we just got to bring him home on Saturday night. We were so excited! My wife travelled in the back of the car just so she could sit beside him all the way home - even though all he does is sleep. When we brought him into church, everyone was gathered around to see and in the service I got to introduce him to everyone (I held him up over my head like a trophy! I certainly felt like I had won a championship!). It such exciting news that I find myself sharing it with everyone - I just got off the phone with Canadian Blood Services (I missed my appointment last week in all the excitement) and I told the wonderful lady on the phone my good news. I couldn't help it! It just spills out of me.
Paul is announcing some incredible news here: the human race, living under the condemnation of God as a result of one man's trespass, has hope for life because of one man's act of righteousness. Incredible! Even more incredible than our little son (as hard as that might be to imagine). This is simply wonderful news - I, and the rest of humanity, don't have to live under the cloud and weight of God's judgement and wrath any longer because one man (Jesus - in case you hadn't figured that out yet) acted in righteousness and provided justification, available for us all. If the result of disobeying God is death, the result of this man's obedience means life!
This fits into the rest of Paul's argument: not only are we saved from judgement but we are made alive through faith in Jesus Christ. The law doesn't save us from judgement - it doesn't even bring life. The law, according to Paul, is meant to highlight the need we have for redemption. It causes our way of living to stand out in stark contrast to the holiness of God. It is the act of Jesus that brings us life!
Great news! I wonder why it doesn't burst out of me like the news about my son does?