Citizens Worthy of the Gospel
Notes
Transcript
INTRO
INTRO
Tonight we begin our new series, Philippians
Over the next 6 weeks we will walk through this short letter
And tonight I’m not going to begin like normal with a questions
I want to begin with giving you some context to this letter we will be in
who wrote it
who it is written to
and how we get to where we are starting tonight becasue we are skipping some verses in chapter 1
Here is what you need to know:
The year is around AD 62
Somewhere in the heart of the Roman Empire, an apostle sits confined
not in a dungeon but in a small rented house under the watch of Roman soldiers
loosely bound in chains
He’s not free to leave but people are free to come and go
and from that tiny room, the gospel continues to spread
This is man is Paul
the man who once hunted Christians but now suffers for Christ
He’s been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, mocked, and now under house arrest
not for a crime but for preaching Jesus
And even in confinement, Paul isn’t writing letters of self-pity or complaint
He’s writing letters of joy
One of those letters is to the church in Philippi
a church he helped start years before
These believers in Philippi have supported him financially and prayed for him faithfully
They are family to him
And now after hearing of his arrest they’re worried
But Paul wants them to know something…
The gospel hasn’t stopped
His chains haven’t silenced the mission
In fact, they’ve only amplified it
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,
TENSION
TENSION
Despite that good news Paul finds himself in a dilemma..
a kind of internal game of tug-of-war
He understands there is a really good possibility that this house arrest ends in execution
And because of that he’s torn
That’s where we pick up in verse 21
TRUTH
TRUTH
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
This is one of the most famous lines Paul ever wrote
and it’s more than a piffy theological statement
It’s Paul’s mindset
Paul knows
to live = more glory given to Jesus
to die = the gain of being in the presence of Jesus
Either way… Jesus wins
but again Paul knows the reality of how this house arrest is probably going to end
death…
and this is his mindset in knowing that
But this mindset causes a dilemma for Paul
Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Paul’s dilemma is simple
Paul has spent the last 25-30 years of his life doing gospel ministry
25-30 years of
mocking
beatings
shipwrecks
snake bites
and constant imprisonment
So to depart (aka die) and be with Jesus sounds amazing
to be with his Savior
to be free from beatings, mocking, suffering, and pain
to be glorified and walking with Jesus for the rest of eternity
but, at the same time Paul knows it would be good if he lives
That means more faithful ministry
more salvations
more churches started
more churches helped
Paul even knows deep down while it would be much better for him personally to die
it is much better for the church corporately for him to live
Paul is like a soldier at war
He longs to be with his family or be home, but he knows the mission isn’t done yet
His love for home calls him one way, his duty calls him another
Paul finds himself in a hard place but he knows the right answer
Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.
Paul’s entire tone shifts when he realizes that it is necessary for him to live
he is now confident the Lord will keep him alive for their benefit
not so that Paul can become more popular or make a bigger name for himself
but that Jesus will be boasted in and praised more
Coming to this conclusion and with this newfound confidence that Jesus will sustain him to help them, he gives them a command
Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Paul’s command is simple
you are citizens of heaven, so live like it
Paul is intentional with his words here
He is playing off of Philippi’s patriotism
Philippi is a Roman Colony
and like every roman colony that ever existed the citizens there were extremely prideful that they were a part of Rome
the empire that has conquered the world
Philippi would have been even more prideful than most Roman cities
Full of retired military leaders and soldiers
What Paul is doing here is calling out a problem in the Philippian church
they have mixed up their priorities
even worse they have mixed up their identity’s
What Paul is doing is saying
“hey! yes you are roman citizens but you are also citizens of heaven and that should take priority so live like it”
And I fully believe Paul could write these same exact words to the church in America right now
So many christians in America have mixed up their identity
they view themselves as American citizens who happen to be Christians
politics
war
patriotism
freedom all come first
then Christianity fits in there where it can
When the right view is that they are citizens of Heaven who happen to be Americans
following Jesus
glorifying Jesus
suffering for Jesus all come first
then the benefits of living in america come second
At the end of our lives the goal isn’t for people to say
“wow, they really lived a life worthy of the american way”
they really worked hard and achieved the american dream
they really knew their potlictical views and stood for them no matter what
“wow, they really lived a life worthy of the gospel”
they really followed Jesus faithfully
they really glorified Jesus in all they did
they really suffered for Jesus well
Paul simply wants the church in Philippi plius you and I tonight to get our identity’s right
You are citizens of heaven, first and foremost
so live like it
But what does that look like? Well Paul tells us
Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God.
Paul says, “you want to know what it looks like live as citizens of heaven?”
it means whether I eventually get to come to you or not
you’re doing these 3 things
Citizens of Heaven
Stand Firm in Unity
The phrase “stand firm” is a military term
used to described soldiers holding their position while under attack
refusing to retreat no matter what hits them
Paul isn’t talking about being stubborn
He is talking about having spiritual stability
Planting your feet on the gospel and refusing to move
despite what culture or the world says
despite what suffering or pain may come
And it’s important to note that he doesn’t say “stand firm by your own spirit,”
but “in one Spirit”
aka the Holy Spirit
You’re not standing firm for the gospel alone or on your own
Christians stand firm side by side, united by the Holy Spirit
who reminds us that we are one
one church
one family
spreading one message
Not only is it about holding the line or standing firm…
2. Contend for the Gospel
Other translations translate it as “strive side by side” or “striving together”
this word for contend or strive is the greek word that we get our english word “athlete” from
and it means to “compete as teammates in the same contest or game”
Paul again is intentional with his word choice
painting us a picture
a picture of a team working together towards one goal
Paul is saying that we don’t just stand firm in the gospel but we are also called to advance the gospel
together
we are not just a team who stand strong against attacks
but we also fight back
we contend or advanced the gospel
together we run in the same direction with same message
cheering on one another not competing against one another
But not only do we stand firm in unity and contend for the gospel
3. Are not Frightened
Paul switches from actions to emotions or feelings
specifically the feeling of fear
The word “frightened” is used to described a startled herd of horses
crazy
running away chaotically and without direction
Paul is saying “when the world or culture attacks you don’t panic, don’t fear, don’t run… stand firm, be confident, and stay calm”
Paul is calling citizens of heaven to be courageous
and i use that word intentionally
courage is not pretending there is no danger or having no fear
courage is action despite the danger or despite the fear you feel
courage is remembering who is fighting for you
remembering that Jesus has won, He has overcome the world
because of that you can be courageous
But why is it important to be courageous, to not be frightened?
For the world:
shows them their resistance will not win
their attacks will not prevail
For us:
confirms our salvation
confirms that God is working in and through us
because it’s only by his strength, his peace, his help that we could
stand firm
contend
not be frightened
Paul’s description here of standing firm, contending together, and not being frightened
would’ve painted a very specific picture in the minds of the Philippians
Remember Philippi was a Roman colony filled with retired soldiers
They knew battle and formation
So when Paul used words like “stand firm” and “strive side by side,” they would’ve immediately pictured the phalanx (Fay-lanks)
the most feared formation in the ancient world
The phalanx was made up of trained spearmen who stood shoulder to shoulder, shields locked tight, forming a nearly impenetrable wall
Each soldier’s shield didn’t just protect himself, it protected the man beside him
They moved as one
And if one soldier broke formation, the line was vulnerable
But when they stood united, they were unstoppable
they would stand firm and never give up ground
they would slowly or quickly advance against their opponents
they were known to never show fear no matter how fierce the battle got or how outnumber they were
This image perfectly captures what Paul is saying to the church:
Stand firm together like soldiers who won’t give ground
Contend together like soldiers advancing against their opponents
Do not be frightened like soldiers who trust their commander and the brothers beside them
It’s a call to unity, courage, and mission
Because citizens of heaven don’t fight alone
we stand together
we move together
and we trust that our Commander
who is Jesus and has already won the war
So when Paul says, “live as citizens worthy of the gospel,” this is what he means:
Hold your ground on the gospel
Advance together for the faith
And don’t break rank when the world presses in
That’s what it looks like to live as a citizen of heaven
BOTTOM LINE: Citizens of heaven stand strong together, move forward together, and live fearless together
BOTTOM LINE: Citizens of heaven stand strong together, move forward together, and live fearless together
But what does that look like for us today?
APPLICATION
APPLICATION
Paul isn’t calling for another crusade
He isn’t saying to pick up some physical shields and spears and attacked the people who are against christianity
Paul is simply calling us to do those three things in our own context
Stand firm
When friends joke about faith or ask why you care about church, don’t shrink back
Refusing to trade your convictions for fitting in
stand with a friend who is being mocked for doing what’s right, stand next to them and not letting them stand alone
Holding one who who Christ says you are and the life he has called you to when culture pressures you to compromise
Posting, reposting, or liking content that reflects Christ on social media
Not tearing each other down over small things but remembering you’re on the same team
Contending for the gospel
Sharing the gospel
Invite a friend to MDWK or church
Share something you learned from Scripture at lunch table or at practice
Encouraging your squad to look for one person at school who sits alone and include them
Use your gifts such as music, sports, leadership, creativity to point people toward Jesus, not toward yourself
Not being frightened
Praying publicly before you eat at school or talk about Jesus naturally even when people look at you weird
Remembering you’re not alone, the same God who stood with Paul stands with you at school, practice, work, and home
Knowing you will face moments when following Jesus costs you friends, opportunities, or reputation but you don’t run from them
WHAT IF
WHAT IF
So let’s just imagine for a second
what kind of impact could we make as a student ministry if we truly lived like citizens of heaven were our main identity?
What if we actually believed that our primary allegiance wasn’t to popularity, status, or success but to Jesus?
What if we saw ourselves as a faith phalanx
a formation of believers, standing shoulder to shoulder,
united around the gospel,
lifting each other up when one starts to fall,
helping each other stand firm in faith when it gets hard?
What if we really contended for the gospel together
not just talking about Jesus here on Wednesday nights,
but bringing Him into our schools,
onto our teams,
into our friend groups,
and into every conversation where hope is needed together?
What if we stopped seeing each other as just people in the same youth group,
and started seeing each other as teammates or fellow soldiers in gospel work
moving forward together,
fighting for the same mission,
not against each other,
but for the kingdom?
What would it look like if we left here tonight fearless?
not trusting in our own strength,
but in the Lord’s strength
believing that Jesus has already won?
How awesome would that be?
How different would your school look?
How much hope would your team, your friend group, your family see
if we stood firm, contended together, and lived with courage?
Because living as citizens of heaven was never meant to be done alone
It’s meant to be done together
as one body,
one Spirit,
on one mission.
And when we lock arms in unity and courage like that, there’s no telling how much gospel advancement we could see
That is how we change our schools, our workplaces, our teams, and our families with the hope of the gospel
Unbeliever:
but maybe tonight you’re not even a follower of Jesus
you don’t know the Holy Spirit that unify us
you don’t know the gospel that we are contending for
you know know the Jesus who has overcome the war
but you would like to
and you must if you want be considered a citizen of heaven
because that citizenship is restricted to only those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus
confessed with their mouths that he is lord
and believed in their hearts that he lived the sinless life they couldn’t, died for their sins on the cross, and rose again on the 3rd day
The good news for you is that citizenship can be yours tonight
you can be saved of your sins
and join arms with us
BOTTOM LINE: Citizens of heaven stand strong together, move forward together, and live fearless together
BOTTOM LINE: Citizens of heaven stand strong together, move forward together, and live fearless together
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
