A Worthy Church

A Worthy Church Philippians 1:27-30 Visible Signs of God’s Blessing • Attendance is at/above pre-Covid levels; giving far exceeded pre-Covid numbers • Salvation and Gospel Exposure all-time high • 3 Weddings in 3 Years; Multiple Ministry Leadings; a full Nursery • Parsonage 99% complete and 70% paid. • What now? The Philippian Letter • Paul’s Long History with Philippi – see 1:4-5 1. Slow Start – only Lydia (Acts 16:14-15) 2. Backlash at Bankrupting Corrupt Religion (Acts 16:16-24) 3. Banishment and Imprisonment (1:12-14; see Acts 22:22ff) • Paul’s Imprisoned Perspective 1. “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21) 2. Even though I’d rather be with Christ, He wants me to remain for your furtherance and joy (1:25) 3. Paul essentially says, “Whether I live or die, here is what you must be – Worthy Gospel Citizens.” 4. Worthy Citizenship in 3 Words: Unified, Fortified, Fearless Worthy Citizenship 1. “Worthy of the Gospel” • • What is Worthy?: Comparable; Corresponding; Fitting What is the Gospel? See Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” 2. Worthy Citizenship • • • “Let your manner of life” – “You must live as citizens of heaven” (NLT) Paul is commanding an entire life-ethic that is informed by and corresponds to salvation by grace through faith. 3 Traits: Unified, Striving, Fearless 3 Traits Worthy Citizenship 1. Unified – Standing Firm in One Spirit • • See Ephesians 6:13; has the idea of holding the line in hand-to-hand combat Standing Firm in the Spirit – see NIV 2. Striving – Partnered in Gospel Advance • • Word taken from the athletic field; team moving forward in combat unison The issue fought over is the advance of faith in others’ hearts 3. Fearless – Unfazed by Enemy Threats • • Calvary Word – Not like a timid horse who rears at trouble Boldly clinging to God and disregarding threats Applications • Meditation: What would it look like to cultivate a culture of gospel citizenship? • Creativity: As we meditate, specifics might emerge. Let’s share them with each other to prepare the ground for advance.