Worthy of the Gospel

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Fisher Island:

Facts

Only accessable by farray

How to make Friends

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.

Main Point: Worthy of the Gospel

Philippians Commentary

The term πολιτεύομαι differs from Paul’s usual term for Christian behavior, περιπατέω (lit. “walk,” i.e., “live,” cf. 3:17–18), which he uses on occasion with ἀξίως (Eph 4:1; Col 1:10). The only other use of πολιτεύομαι in the NT is in Luke’s account of Paul’s testimony before the Sanhedrin of his manner of living before God in good conscience, where it has the sense of “conduct one’s life, live, lead one’s life” (Acts 23:1). Here it can be read in the same way. However, due to the Roman setting at both ends of the conversation, it is probable that Paul’s choice of term here instead of περιπατέω is intentional, a play on words carrying the dual sense of “conduct your life” with the twist of “discharge your obligations as a citizen.”

Paul’s Major Commands

Phil different from Ephesians or Galatians

He uses a word that is similar but speaks of being a good citizen

Of what: Heaven

Ex. Live a self-controlled life,

Purpose: Standing firm in One Spirit

11 Ways to make friends

- Use First Names

- Ask about the interests of others

- Put yourself out there

- Have good body language

- Be a good listener

How is Christian friendship different?

Very popular today in many churches to emphasize building community

However, interestingly, this is not the command but the result in these verses

Difference between making friends and having common goals

Application: This is the importance of Youth Group

Not to have the goal to make friends

But to pursue Christ and naturally make friends

Ex. You and me both look like freaks because we actually live out our faith

What is friendship if there is not a Gospel Goal in common

Reason: Suffering

The Philippian Christians must have stuck out like a sore thumb in this society. They were not willing to participlate in the popular cult of the Roman emperor, nor were they willing to conduct the traditional funerary rites at the graces of their ancestors. Neither step would have endeared them to government officials or to unbelieving family members. - Zondervan Backgrounds