Philippians 1v27 - 2v4 | Richard Wardman | The Five O'Clock
Notes
Transcript
“The greatest hindrance to the advance of the gospel has been the inconsistency of Christians” (NBC).
Provocative statement! I’d say that a very real threat to the advance of the gospel in any local area can be the inconsistency of Christian relationships seen in the church.
We have the enormously important task of proclaiming the gospel with our lives and lips, and that task is so huge that there is no way any of us can do it alone.
And we’re not called to! We’re called to do it together. Together as a church family, together with other churches locally and globally.
But if relationships in the church are broken or strained, if we fail to treat each other with Christ-like love and Christ-like humility, if we fail to consistently proclaim the gospel with our lives then how can we expect anyone to pay attention when we proclaim the gospel with our lips?
Paul might have been concerned that the Philippians didn’t quite have it together when he was writing his letter; he might have been worried that they weren’t entirely united in working together to proclaim the gospel. That’s why he writes…
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
This isn’t a question of living good lives, being good people, doing good things. Anyone can do that! This is a question of living lives that are worthy of the gospel of Christ.
What does that mean? What does it look like when members of a local church congregation live their lives together in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ?
That’s what Paul goes on to explain! Whenever you put a bunch of people together in community there will always be friction! But more than that, at New City we’re made up of so many different nationalities, backgrounds and cultures that it is inevitable that we will misunderstand each other, offend each other, and hurt each other. That will happen! So we need to work out how we are going to live gospel-worthy lives together in the context of our wonderful diversity.
That’s why we need to listen to Paul as he exhorts the Philippians to live their lives together in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. For them and us that will mean…
Standing Firm…
Stand Firm Together
Stand Firm Together
We must strive together for the faith of the gospel – not like a one-man sport, but as a team.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Paul knows that if the Philippians live worthily of the gospel then they will stand together for the gospel and contend together for the gospel. He wants to be sure that they will…
Stand firm in one spirit
Stand firm in one spirit
Having one spirit means having the same purpose, and to stand firm is to be fully committed to that purpose.
We see this kind of conviction played out all the time in sport. I’m not a huge sports fan, but I’ve got enough sports experience to recognise a team falling apart when one or more individuals take it upon themselves to do everything! School boy football – goalie tries to run length of field with the ball, gets tackled half way, has to chase back to defend the goal and the other team scores! But when the team works together around the common purpose of winning it makes for good football!
The common purpose here is the faith of the gospel. When we stand firm in one spirit for the gospel, it doesn’t matter what our differences are; our union with Christ is stronger and more significant than anything that might set us apart from each other. Therefore, Paul says, stand firm in one spirit for the gospel.
Contend as one man
Contend as one man
Literally ‘strive side by side.’ Where we get word for athletics.
At the Olympics, many of the events involve individuals competing on their own. But as athletes are preparing on starting blocks, they are aware of their individual task, but also of hours of training/ preparation, teams, trainers, nutritionists etc. And they are also aware that they are representing the whole team and their home country. They may run as individuals but the victory is shared as one team.
As we start each day we are aware of our individual tasks as citizens of heaven on earth. We’ve been prepared and equipped to strive for the faith of the gospel. But we must also be aware that as we strive we do so together, as one man.
Whether at work, in home, at school, in the gym, at the shops, on the bus – we might be on our own but as a church we are standing firm together to make the gospel of Jesus known.
But it might also help to actually work together, where possible, to build intentionally gospel relationships with unbelievers. Is there a common interest that some of us could use to strive together to proclaim the gospel? Sport, hobby, pub quiz etc.?
Must view every personal experience as opportunities to strive together for the gospel, and we must see all our striving as striving together. Because we are standing firm together. But we must also be…
Standing Firm…
Stand Firm Courageously
Stand Firm Courageously
The gospel gives us confidence that the Lord will give victory when we stand and speak for him.
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Paul talks again about opposition to gospel proclamation. It’s the same struggle that he had.
We learn from Acts 16 that Paul was attacked in Philippi for challenging the status quo. Pledging allegiance to another king – not like a true Roman citizen! Philippian believers continued to face these challenges in their everyday lives.
But Paul says, ‘Don’t be frightened, strive together – because as you do you are confirming the gospel. Suffering confirms the gospel because it demonstrates the reality of our hope even in the face of death.
Paul doesn’t sound the slightest bit frightened in his letter, even though he is aware he could be executed! That’s the reality of our hope. We can be so confident and unafraid because we know that our sin is dealt with by Jesus who died in our place and rose for our hope.
Standing firm courageously doesn’t mean that we all have to be totally fearless in talking about Jesus, walking up to complete strangers and telling them the gospel, knocking on doors and having conversations on people’s doorsteps.
It means that we can all live and speak for Jesus in our own way without fearing the consequences. And especially because we know that we are standing firm courageously together.
But as in Philippi, the gospel challenges the status quo in every culture in every age. What is today’s status quo? Who/ what to people pledge allegiance to in our culture…
For a while now, everyone has serve just one king – self. I am king - I pledge allegiance to myself.
Allegiance to Jesus challenges this head-on. Following Jesus (or anyone else) is nonsensical to our modern mindset. Naturally there will be considerable opposition. As you take that stand, others will feel need to defend themselves.
Standing against this kind of opposition as individual citizens of heaven will make for very lonely and miserable work. It can also be very frightening.
But Paul is exhorting us to strive together courageously. Striving together keeps us fixed on the goal, keeps us tied to the truth, and shows the world that we aren’t alone in what we stand for – we follow Christ together.
But how do we stand firm together with courage when we are so different? How do we overcome our diversity so that we can strive together with unity? Paul says we must be…
Standing Firm…
Stand Firm Selflessly
Stand Firm Selflessly
Internal struggles can threaten the work of the gospel just as much as external opposition.
1:28-30 spoke of the external struggles. 2:1-4 speak of the potential for internal struggles. What does Paul say to encourage us towards gospel unity? Firstly he reminds us that…
We ARE united in the gospel
We ARE united in the gospel
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
These things are already true: We have encouragement from unity with Christ. We have comfort from the love of Christ. We have fellowship with the spirit of Christ. All those things are gospel realities for everyone who has their hope in Christ. But they are also shared realities in the church.
Therefore, we already have unity in the gospel. Realities in heaven should bind us together on earth.
We SHOULD have unity in the church
We SHOULD have unity in the church
Paul says if these things are true (which they are)…
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
What does this look like? vv3-4 tell us to…
Act selflessly at all times
Act selflessly at all times
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit
We can’t allow personal goals or even preferences to get in the way of striving together for the gospel. Instead we should…
Show humility in everything
Show humility in everything
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
We must reject the idea that we’re better or more important or more necessary than others in the church. That’s simply unchristian, as we will see in the verses to follow. Instead, we must deliberately place ourselves in servitude to others. We’ll know that’s happening when we…
Always consider the needs of others
Always consider the needs of others
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Here is a mark of Christians standing firm together for the faith of the gospel. We treat each other like family. We provide for each other sacrificially. We help each other endlessly. We love each other unconditionally.
When this kind of unity is seen and witnessed in the church, especially when there is such diversity among its members, it adds incredible power to the preaching of the gospel by the church. It also reflects the gospel itself, as we’ll hopefully see next week.
Standing firm together for the gospel requires that we have a shared passion, a common goal, the same mindset – all driven by the gospel. It should be evident in our love for one another – no division or selfishness, but selflessness and humility like Christ.
Doesn’t mean we should be clones but delighting to share our lives together with the common purpose of building each other up and striving together for the gospel.
Homegroups are especially important in this. Can grow in love for one another; support and encourage in gospel opportunities; find ways we can reach out together in our own areas of influence.
If you’re not already I urge you…
To become part of a home group where not only the word is shared but lives are shared around the gospel.
Be part of a serving team, using your gifts with others to make Christ known.
Partner with others to pray specifically for people you are seeking to reach with the gospel.
If we are to stand firm together for the gospel, with great courage and selflessness then we need to be constantly pointing each other to the gospel, reminding each other of our unity with Christ, of the comfort of his eternal love, and the fellowship we enjoy with his Spirit.
That’s a hard task and a high calling. Where do we look for help and inspiration? God willing next week – 2:5-11.
But standing firm together starts now! Let’s spend time after the service encouraging each other, praying for each other, and helping each other as we strive side by side to know Christ and make Christ known.
Father, thank you for giving us union with Christ through the indwelling of the Spirit. Thank you that we have fellowship with each other because we have forgiveness with you. Help us to walk together for the gospel with Christ-like love and service, that he may get the glory. Amen.
