Exhortation to Christian living

Introduction

Questions based off my life

See that your friends are laughing at a paper/phone picture and I’m curious.

Remembered that I have an assignment that needs my parent’s signature but only have a few minutes before the class starts.

Two guys are punching each other near my house.

A vulgar advertisement comes on the tv while my parents are outside the room

Body

My Brothers

These are Christians believers

Paul has been talking about how to rejoice

Here, Paul is addressing Christians in how to live their lives

Ex: Mom makes a few last second comments as you leave her house

6 action steps

True

Def: truth of idea, reality, sincerity,

Reason:

The world holds to it’s own view of what is true

Truth can be defined by each person

There can be animosity when your truth clashes with someone else’s

We are living in a time when Truth is now Relative to each person

Truth needs to be determined by the word of God

Application:

Always speak the truth!

Tell the truth about the gospel!

Honest

Def: grave, worthy of respect.

Reason:

We live in a world full of sin

We have to live differently than the world

While it is so easy to be dishonest, God calls us to follow him.

We are to follow his guidebook and framework for our lives… and it will turn out better for us

Ex: Lego creation builds without instructions - possible (building blueprints ignored- deadly)

Application

Don’t cheat!

Be your true self around others; not what you think others want to see you as

Just

Def: doing right in the eyes of the Lord

Reason:

We must deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8)

We aren’t call to be lawyers, but we can still help others

Of all people, we need to know justice according to the Bible and follow it

Bad example: hated lawyer/deacon

Application

Take the defense of those who can’t help themselves

Justly call sin what it is (abortion, homosexuality, etc.)

Help those who can’t help themselves

Pure

Def: in a condition prepared for worship

Reason:

Our lives are saturated with a sexualize culture!

We are driven to look at our physique or the body of another instead of the heart beneath the surface.

Purity is not just an avoidance of sin but also a living of holy before God

This is definitely an area that is a daily struggle for me!

Application

Live lives holy before God

Be careful what we watch online/listen to/involve ourselves in

Come before God in worship holy!

Lovely

Def: amiable (friendly/nice)

Reason:

We need not only watch our actions but also need to express ourselves rightly!

This world can be full of people say inappropriate and ugly things to each other.

One way that Christians can act different s by loving Christ and showing that love to others.

Jesus’s example

Christ love those who were unloveable in society (woman at well)

He at with outsiders (tax collectors/sinners)

He died for us!!

Application

We can sit with someone who is not like us.

We can talk to people no one else would!

Good Report

Def: well reported of

Reason

Name one well reported politician/artist/singer/youtuber

Why is it so hard to think of some of these categories

Its because many of them live double lives or have several problems that the media like to report or exploit

Example: Daniel

Application

If someone was to film a documentary of your daily life, how would it go?

Would it be edited or be fictitious?

How about your friends and those close to you?

Following Paul

Learned, Received, Heard, Seen

Multiple areas that the believers in Philippi had seen Paul work and were to follow his example.

Ex: What you see your youth leaders do, follow their example.

However, Paul was a much better example than I am! Even better than him is the example of Christ!

What needs to be done with all the lessons learned?

Practice them!!

Stored Information tends toward pride, but it is wisdom when applied.

God of Peace- see vs. 7

He is the only way that we can do anything!

He can guard our hears and minds as we follow his guidelines.

Some of the last words that Jesus spoke to his disciples John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Conclusion

There are many ways that we can apply the text that we have just read. With the overall emphasis of Joy in a believer’s life, Paul addresses how to live in six exact ways to fight sin and to live the Christian life. While the battle will look different for each one of us, this small task may be one way to remember what was talked about today and how to live it. Grab a band and write these letters: THJPLG to help you remember categories to filter your decisions through godly!