Like Abraham in Genesis 13:17, the Holy Spirit is calling the IPHC to Arise to Mission through the year 2026. This is part of the larger vision of Arise 2033 as we seek to do our part in sharing the gospel with more nations, people groups, and languages. There are four themes in Arise to Mission that taken together help us fulfill the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).

ARISE TO MISSION DEVOTIONAL

Practice

Philippians 4:15-16

Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving, but you only. For even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

In his closing remarks to the church at Phillipi, the Apostle Paul commended those Christians with an extraordinary comment. Notice what he said in the passage above: “…no church shared with me…but you only.” 

How many dozens of local churches did Paul establish? How many more was he regularly in correspondence with? And yet facing a critical need on one occasion, none of them shared with the renowned Apostle. “Only you – the Philippians gave to aid him in his plight.

All denominations strive to have 100 % participation in giving among their assemblies. All local churches wish for the same among all their members. However, here we have the opposite – almost 100 % non-participation in the cause to support Paul except for “you only – the Philippian Church. What caused this congregation to give so consistently? The answer is generosity.

The truly generous give not only because others do; they also share even if others don’t.

  • In Luke 21:1-4 Jesus watched everyone give, yet only a small token from their vast wealth. “But you only” – a poor widow woman, gave all she had to live on.”
  • In Luke 10:25-37 everyone passed by a wounded victim without offering any aid. “But you only – a Samaritan (of all people) who stopped and gave his time, talents, and treasures to assure the man would survive and be restored.

 

  • In John 6:1-15 thousands of people had gathered to hear the teachings of Jesus. None of them brought anything to feed themselves or others. “But you only” – a young lad had five loaves and two fishes for the Savior to use to feed the multitude.

It is thrilling to see our gifts numbered with many others to accomplish more than we ever could on our own. However, there are also times we are called upon to take a stand in supporting a soul or a cause, even if we are the only ones who deem it to be necessary.

Ultimately, God Himself forever remains the greatest example of generosity. Consider:

  • “God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16)
  • “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life…” (Romans 6:23)
  • “By grace you have been saved…it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • “Jesus answered, ‘If you only knew the gift of God…” (John 4:10)
  • “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all.” (John 8:32)
  • “For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given.” (Isaiah 9:6)