Receive Them With Joy (Part 5). 01.04.2026.

The meeting of Grace Christian Church. We meet in person and stream services every Sunday at 10:30 AM EST in Manalapan, New Jersey.

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"Receive Them With Joy" (Philippians Series #5, Grace Christian Church)

• Theme of Philippians: Joy (word used 7x) – defined as a deep, enduring gladness and peace from the Spirit of Christ.
• Recap of Prior Messages:
  • Joy from praying for others' Gospel participation.
  • Paul's joy in ministry despite preferring to be with Christ.
  • Complete joy through unity in Christ's purpose and humble attitude (like Christ's self-emptying).
  • True joy as fruit of the Spirit comes from "working out salvation" = allowing God to work within (Phil 2:13: God energizes the will and work for His pleasure).
  • Warning: Christian disciplines (prayer, Bible reading, evangelism) become "law/box-checking" if done in self-strength → lose focus on revelation from Christ.
• Illustration: 10 years of forced disciplines (e.g., rushed prayer meetings, pressured evangelism) led to burnout; true way is offering self to Christ for inner revelation.
• Today's Text: Philippians 2:19-30 – Paul sends Timothy and Epaphroditus to the Philippian church.
• Main Message: "Receive Them With Joy" – those God sends to the church.Three Characteristics of Those to Receive Joyfully:
  1. Sent by the Lord
     • God directs (e.g., Eph 4:11-12: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers to equip saints).
     • Illustration: Roman Novikov unexpectedly joined GCC in 2019; God sent him for equipping (videos, leadership). God places members (1 Cor 12:18).
  2. Who Love the People of the Lord
     • Timothy: genuinely concerned for welfare (kindred spirit).
     • Epaphroditus: longed for the church, distressed they worried about his illness.
     • Contrast: Some seek own interests/ministries, not Christ's (warning: "pet ministry" promoters damage church welfare).
  3. Who Minister from the Lord
     • Timothy: Proven worth, served Gospel like son with father.
     • Epaphroditus: Brother, fellow worker/soldier, ministered to Paul's needs.
     • Source: Abiding in Christ (not self); fruitful track record.
• Key Verse: Phil 2:29 – "Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard."
• Application: Welcome Spirit-sent people (leaders/members) with joy for church equipping and building up. Focus on Christ-led ministry, not self-driven.
• Church Note: GCC prayer meetings (Wed 7:30 PM Zoom) are Spirit-led, open to all.

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