Standing Together In Christ When Opposition Comes

Philippians 1:27-30

Introduction:

We are continuing in our series, Joy In The Journey, and today is the 6th message.

Today’s title is this: Standing Together In Christ When Opposition Comes and we will wrap up chapter 1 today, going over verses 27-30.

Let’s take a moment to look back at what we’ve covered in Philippians to this point. Paul is writing from a Roman prison, unsure if he will live or die, all because he was boldly sharing the Gospel. From the very start, he addresses the believers in Philippi with deep affection, thanking God for them and expressing his joy because they are near and dear to his heart. In verse 7, he reminds them that they share in his suffering and in the mission of defending the Gospel. In verse 14, Paul notes that his imprisonment is inspiring others to speak the Word more boldly. And last week, we saw Paul wrestle with the tension between life and death, ultimately declaring, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Today’s passage calls us to live in a way that reflects Jesus, and urges us to stand strong in our faith when trials arise.

Prayer:

Read The Text:

Philippians 1:27-30

Central Idea:

Paul challenges the Philippians to live in a way that honors the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to stay united as a church, and to be ready to suffer for Jesus.

Walk Through The Text:

POINT ONE: Honor Christ With Your Life

Read Verse 27

Paul doesn't just preach about living worthy of the Gospel—he lives it. Even while imprisoned in Rome for spreading the message of Jesus in a pagan, anti-Christian environment, he continues to encourage others to stand firm in their faith.

As Paul either joins them again in person or is absent (sent somewhere else by God or is killed in prison), he wants their faithfulness in Christ to be the focus, not his possible lack of presence with them in person again. In verse 25 last week we saw where he was convinced that he would remain and continue with them but here he is being honest that he may not get to be with them in person again. Goes back to the point that Paul truly does not know whether he will live or be killed at this point in time.

We see in verses 27-28 there are three ways Paul challenges the Philippians to honor Christ with their own life. They are Standing Firm In:

In One Spirit/With One Mind- Unified as a body of Christ.

By Striving Together/Side By Side- One commentator said: “Paul wanted their unity to be put to a productive purpose, so that an increasing trust and belief in the good news of Jesus Christ would be promoted among those who already believed and among those who had yet to believe.”

Not frightened/intimidated- Not afraid of what may happen by sharing the Gospel in an area opposed to Christianity.

None of this is possible outside of Jesus Christ in us, we can not do this out of our own abilities. We honor Christ best by living an obedient life to Him. We can show others how to do the same.

We also do it in today’s time by being a church that stands united. In our country right now, churches are dying left and right. We need to stand UNITED as a church and continue to pursue Him in One Spirit and with One Mind, striving together, and not afraid of opposition for the faith of the Gospel.

Even in a letter to the Philippians, Paul is equipping and training them in how to live their lives as followers of Christ. A great example of how to disciple fellow believers!

Read Verse 28

Rest of verse 28: This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and that from God-

Standing bold in their faith in the midst of persecution does two things:

It reveals to those opposing/persecuting the Philippians that they are far from God. (Lost people will act like lost people until Jesus transforms their hearts)

Reassures the Philippians that they truly belong to God.

POINT TWO: Honor Christ In Your Suffering

Read Verse 29

They should not only believe in Jesus but suffer for his sake (that doesn't happen unless they are out professing Christ to the Philippian community who opposes Christianity). Same goes for us today, even in Easley, SC.

Illustration: When you joining the military, it means committing to a mission that is bigger than yourself, no matter the cost. Likewise, surrendering to Jesus means acknowledging His Lordship over every part of our lives. It’s no longer about our plans, and if we’re truly following Him, pushback is not a possibility—it’s a promise

Read Matthew 5:10-12 and Acts 5:41-42

Read Verse 30

NLT version says “We are in this struggle together.”

This shows the Philippians were actively enduring the same persecution for their faith that Paul had experienced and was still experiencing.

Paul wants to remind them they are both in the same boat (Read Philippians 1:5).

Application: We must be more intentional and active in advancing the message of Jesus Christ.

Applications

Tell someone in your life about Jesus this week

Stay unified as one body of Christ

Where Do We Go From Here:

Spend the next few minutes in prayer. God may be calling you to repent. God may be calling you to draw closer to Jesus this morning if you have strayed. God may be calling you to surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and start your relationship with Him today. If you do not have a relationship with Jesus, if he truly is not your Lord and Savior, I would love to talk to you right now about how you can leave here with a relationship with Jesus Christ today!

However God has spoken to you this morning to respond, do it!