The Benefits of Gospel Relationships

So everybody always wants to know, "what I am going to get out of it?" That's not a bad question. It's not a primary question, especially when it comes to community, because it is quite a selfish question. But there is a reality to it.

In 1 Corinthians 16:5-12, Paul end this section in talking specifically about the benefits we do get to enjoy by God's grace when it comes to gospel relationships.

First, there is the benefit of opportunity. Specifically, ministry opportunity. Participating in someone's life getting transformed by the gospel is simply a great joy. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus. The account of his ministry there is in Acts 19-20. Upon arriving at Ephesus, he 12 guys that immediately responded to the gospel and began to work with him. Through their collective effort (because ministry is always a group project), they saw lots of great opportunity and response to the gospel.

A second benefit is that you never have to face adversity alone. The truth is, whenever there is great opportunity, there is always great diversity. Here are four big adversities that Paul faced, along with his ministry partners:

• Demonic adversity - Acts 19:11-16
• Cultural idols - Acts 19:23-41
• Religious adversity - Acts 20:19
• Personal idols - Acts 20:29-30

Life is hard. Life as a Christian is harder. Life as a Christian leader is even harder still. But going through it with others makes it better.

The last benefit that Paul touches on is enjoying the love and encouragement of others. In the 1 Corinthians 16:10-12, Paul talks about how the church should receive Timothy, Paul's main disciple, ministry partner, and future pastor of the church in Ephesus. While we all need love and encouragement, this is directly specifically to a church leader. Here's what Paul outlines:

• "Put him at ease" - it's hard to be a pastor or leader, you're always 'on' and have expectations
• "Let no one despise him" - pastors & leaders often have to say hard things to people for their good that aren't always received well
• "Help him on his way in peace" - ministry is never done, and it's difficult to find contentment in a pastor's/leader's work

We all need the benefits of gospel relationships, whether we're pastors, leaders, workers, members, or Joe-pew-sitter (actually, Joe needs to get off his butt and start doing something). There is great opportunity out there as we labor for the gospel together, that will also bring with it much adversity, so we all need to be loving and encouraging each other with the grace & mercy of Jesus.