The Gospel

Philippians 1:20–2:2 ESV

20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. 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. 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

What is The Gospel

The Gospel is the transformative message that Jesus Christ died in place and for sinners

The wages of sin are death and requires a sacrifice to be made however we our inperfection requires a perfect sacrifice. so Jesus who him self God and the Son of God enters into the human story to be that attoning sacrifice

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

the Gospel is identity shaping…not transactional, not a prayer.

When we accept the Gospel meaning we realized that on our own we are sinners and in need of grace we can become a new person. and our identity becomes shaped by christ.

The Good news about this message is that it is not transactional meaning we dont need to work to have a relationship with God as he longs to be a in relationship with us. and it is perminent.

It means you are known and loved by God.

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Dual Citizen

This is where we get into our primary text for the evening.

what does it look like to follow the Gospel and live it out. and what does it mean to live a life worthy of it?

paul is calling those who follow the Gosepl to not be ashamed of it which we spent a great deal of time talking about. additonally

1 Phil 1:20-21

Philippians 1:20–21 ESV

20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The first part of the text Paul tells us to honour with our bodies and lives, he is not saying it is God to die just to be living with christ but rather to put to death sin with in us.

Paul Goes on to tell us to live a life worthy of the Gospel. in vs 27

Christians have a high calling to fulfil. They have received some amazing privileges as children of God, members of the body of Christ and heirs of eternal glory

This means we are honouring god with our actions our thoughts our words and deeds.

What hapens with this?

Romans 5:3 ESV

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,

There is Great joy in following christ

comfort

community

and peace

living with christ means sometimes we need to turn away from this of this earth with the purpose of his kingdom. the Gospel calls us to die to self and follow christ. but i also says we are not alone in this as we have a fellowship of believers and god him self to be with us in times of trial.