THE MARKS OF A FAITHFUL AND MATURE CHURCH
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
With the writing of the book of Philippians, Paul was in prison.
With the writing of the book of Philippians, Paul was in prison.
Paul was facing a capital crime and there was a strong chance that he would be executed
Paul was not sure if he would ever see the church in Philippi again, so he sat down and began to write them.
Paul was writing to a group of God's people for the last time.
What would you write or say if you knew this would be for the last time
In Philippians 1 Paul begins by teaching how to be happy in chains:
In Philippians 1 Paul begins by teaching how to be happy in chains:
Look at the past with thanksgiving (1:3-5)
Look at the present with confidence in God (1:6-8)
Look to the future with Prayer to God (1:9-11)
While in chains Paul…
While in chains Paul…
Saw the provisions of God’s cause (1:12-14)
Saw the preaching of God’s Gospel (1:15-18)
Saw the provisions of God’s favor (1:19-20)
As Paul thought and wrote on these things he found himself in a dilemma
As Paul thought and wrote on these things he found himself in a dilemma
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if to live in the flesh,—if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not. 23 But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:
“to be or not to be”
There were advantages to death
There were advantages to Life
24 yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith; 26 that your glorying may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
Paul had confidence in the brethren at Philippi and Paul wanted it to remain that way.
Therefore Paul, in Philippians 1:27-30, reviews with the brethren in Philippi the marks of a mature and faithful church
These are the marks of a faithful and mature church that Paul sets forth:
These are the marks of a faithful and mature church that Paul sets forth:
Conduct that exalts the Gospel of Christ (v. 27)
Constant in the Gospel's teaching (v. 27)
Courage against the Gospel’s enemies (vs. 28-30)
DISCUSSION
A Mature Church's Conduct Will Exalt the Gospel of Christ
A Mature Church's Conduct Will Exalt the Gospel of Christ
Philippians 1:27a (ASV)
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state
The phrase "manner of life" (conversation - KJV, or "conduct") is from po/li/teu/o/mi), and is very significant.
The phrase "manner of life" (conversation - KJV, or "conduct") is from po/li/teu/o/mi), and is very significant.
This Greek word is used only twice in the New Testament
Usually, when the New Testament refers to behavior or conduct, it uses the Greek word pe/ri/pa/tein, meaning how a person should walk about day by day
But Paul switches the word in writing to the Philippians. Why? The reason is significant!
Philippi was a proud Roman colony. In fact, it was famous as a miniature Rome. A city became a Roman colony by one of two ways.
At first Rome founded colonies throughout the outer reaches of the Empire to keep the peace and to guard against invasions. Veteran soldiers, ready for retirement, were usually granted citizenship if they would go out and settle these colonies.
Later on, however, a city became a Roman colony for loyalty and service to the Empire. The distinctive things about these colonies was their fanatic loyalty to Rome.
These citizens adopted Roman language, titles, customs, affairs and dress.
They refused to allow any infiltration of local influence whatsoever. They totally rejected the influence of the world round about them.
They had become Roman colonists within an alien environment.
This is the reason that Paul uses the word po/li/teu/o/mi.
It means conduct and behavior, but more accurately it means the "conduct and behavior of citizenship," a person who is a citizen of a great nation.
The church in Philippi knew exactly what Paul was saying: they were citizens of heaven.
Therefore, the church in Philippi, and we, as citizens of heaven, must:
Keep close ties with heaven...
33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Speak the clean and pure language of heaven...
11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Bear the title of heaven, Christian, an do so proudly...
26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Teach others of the customs of heaven...
2 And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Carry on the affairs of heaven...
41 They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Dress as a citizen of heaven...
8 but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:
12 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
Allow no infiltration of worldly influence whatsoever...
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Live and conduct ourselves as a heavenly colony within a polluted and dying environment...
16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
The Christians in Philippi were to live as proud and faithful citizens of the kingdom of God -
Let your manner of life be worthy of your citizenship…
Our lives must be lived worthy of our citizenship
but also...
A Mature Church will be constant in the Gospel's Teaching
A Mature Church will be constant in the Gospel's Teaching
Philippians 1:27b (ASV)
...that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
To "stand fast" means to stand firm, to hold one's ground
To "stand fast" means to stand firm, to hold one's ground
The word indicates the determination of a soldier who does not budge one inch from his post.
Christians are not to budge one inch from the truth of the gospel
3 Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
12 Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
Notice that we are to stand fast in “one spirit,” with "one mind striving together."
Notice that we are to stand fast in “one spirit,” with "one mind striving together."
There must be unity in our standing fast for the Gospel
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For the saints at BCS to be a mature and faithful church we must all hold hands in unity as we:
Speaking where the Bible speaks ...
Calling things by Bible names...
Standing opposed to every false way...
Speaking the truth in love...
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
As we contend for the faith we must do it lawfully
1 Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of this life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 5 And if also a man contend in the games, he is not crowned, except he have contended lawfully.
There are many who contend - but not lawfully
17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
3 If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.
13 Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Remember that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link! - these things we must do as a congregation
For this to occur...
A Mature Church Possesses Courage
A Mature Church Possesses Courage
28 and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God; 29 because to you it hath been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf: 30 having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Being a Christian in a corrupt world, at times, is very difficult.
Being a Christian in a corrupt world, at times, is very difficult.
People will oppose our stand on certain...
Moral issues
Salvation issues
Many times even those of our own brotherhood will oppose our stand for truth...
With opposition, many times, comes persecution:
With opposition, many times, comes persecution:
Name calling
Unloving
Mean spirited
Ostracized from “our friends”
Slandered...Lied about
But we are not to be afraid of our adversaries - but we are to have courage, for four reasons:
But we are not to be afraid of our adversaries - but we are to have courage, for four reasons:
Persecution is a sign that the persecutors are doomed
Philippians 1:28a (ASV)
28 and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition...
It is a pointing out of their being condemned
Persecution is a sign of salvation for us
Philippians 1:28b (ASV)
28 and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is …an evident token of ...your salvation, and that from God;
If a Christian stands fast in the face of persecution it is a clear sign that he is being strengthened unto salvation
Persecution is a privilege, not a terror
41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.
16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.
Enduring persecution is a good example for others
30 having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
We need to learn from the examples of Jesus and Paul
Notice a couple passages on persecution:
Notice a couple passages on persecution:
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
12 Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
CONCLUSION
Thus we have seen that a mature and faithful congregation of the Lord's people:
Thus we have seen that a mature and faithful congregation of the Lord's people:
Will have conduct that exalts the Gospel of Christ (v. 27)
Will be constant in the Gospel's teaching (v. 27)
Will possess courage (vs. 28-30)
How does the church at BCS measure up to this?
How does the church at BCS measure up to this?
Are we doing our part individually?
Are we encouraging others to be mature in the Lord?