A Life Worthy of the Gospel

Philippians 1:27–30 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Imagine you go to an Italian restaurant and the entire menu is in Italian. But you’ve decided you don’t want help with the names of the dishes. Thankfully, the menu has numbers by each dish indicating what are the most popular there. 1 for being the #1 and such. You see a dish called “Pezzetti di cavallo” with a #1 by it. So you order it. Then, you eat it. Pretty good. No complaints. But you ask the server after the meal what it is. And he tells you its HORSE.

Are you going to order that dish again?

That kind of knowledge will forever shape what you eat in an Italian restaurant.

Your manner of life in that restaurant will forever change.

Philippians 1:27 (ESV)

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ...

Manner of life

attitude

priorities

goals

habits

Paul is saying that our understanding of the gospel should forever shape how we live our lives.

What one word would you use to describe your life?

Lazy? Funny? Selfish? Strange?

Remember JOY?

JOY

J esus

O thers

Y ourself

This definition of Joy essentially summarizes a life worthy of the gospel.

But let’s see how it looks practically.

A life worthy of the gospel is…

Firmly Unified for the Gospel

Philippians 1:27 (ESV)

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Circle and underline those words I’ve emphasized.

Lesson #1

1. A Christian is supposed to be living with other Christians in community.

There is no such thing as a lone ranger christian

Virtual church is, by definition of its name, not real

The word church literally means “a group of gathered people”

Lesson #2

2. Christian community is primarily formed by the gospel.

Christian community cannot have anything but the gospel as it’s main unifying force

Hanging out with people who do not profess faith and loyalty to king Jesus is not Christian community

The message of what Jesus did for us is the most important message in the entire world. It only makes sense that if we claim to believe it that we pursue deeper connections with those who believe it too.

Most bonds are formed because of common interests.

A life worthy of the gospel is

Firmly Unified For the Gospel

A life worthy of the gospel is

Confident Defending the Gospel

Philippians 1:28 (ESV)

28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Circle and underline those words I’ve emphasized.

Lesson #1

1. Christians will have enemies because Jesus has enemies.

Opponents of the gospel will want to silence the gospel

Matthew 5:44 ESV

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

We do not shrink back from our enemies, but we continue believing and sharing the gospel

Lesson #2

2. Christians have a hope that their enemies do not.

We are trying to win people to christ because we know their destiny without Him.

We don’t have to fear death because death has been defeated by Jesus.

Matthew 10:28 ESV

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

The message of the gospel is that Jesus endured a terrible punishment that we deserve. Faith in this truth and complete whole hearted devotion to it is what gets us in on the reward that Jesus deserves. This is our hope.

People who play a game they know they will win do not fear losing!

A life worthy of the gospel is

Confident Defending the Gospel

A life worthy of the gospel is

Patient in Suffering for the Gospel

Philippians 1:29–30 (ESV)

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Circle and underline those words I’ve emphasized.

Lesson #1

1. Suffering like Jesus suffered is a gift from God.

This is something crazy. We get to participate in suffering like Jesus did.

Suffering like Jesus is a gift because of Jesus’ worth.

This reality makes every single aspect of the Christian life a blessing.

Lesson #2

2. Suffering as a Christian is supposed to be normal.

Our lives are supposed to be so uniquely different from the world that it actually offends people.

The majority of the world is under the leadership and control of the devil. It is only natural for anything that is authentically Christian will disturb his rule and plans.

The biggest threats are the biggest targets!

A life worthy of the gospel is

Patient in Suffering for the Gospel

A life worthy of the gospel is...

Firmly Unified for the Gospel

Confident Defending the Gospel

Patient in Suffering for the Gospel