Rejoice Always 03 - Worthy of the Gospel

Reading: Philippians 1:27-2:18
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27a

I.   Live Worthily (1:27-30)

     A.  Be good Citizens of Christ’s Kingdom

           1.  conduct yourselves=be a citizen

                 a.  To be a good US citizen do what?

                 b.  What if we’re abroad?

                 c.  As Kingdom citizens, how do we act?

           2.  Live worthily: PFC Ryan: Earn this

                 a.  Jesus lived/died for us, do we earn it?

                 b.  Don’t cheapen the G. w/ cheap living

           3.  As heaven’s citizens, make heaven proud

                 a.  Live worthy of what we aren’t worthy of

                 b.  Live out of the worth conferred to us

     B.  Stand firm Together

           1.  To live worthy=to stand together

                 a.  Together b/c Jesus died for us all

                 b.  B/c Jesus loves us all (good enough 4 me!)

                 c.  B/c Jesus asks us to

           2.  Stand together agree on everything

                 a.  Thankfully!

                 b.  But we all agree Jesus loves us all!

                 c.  =let Jesus’ love overcome differences

           3.  Stand up, stand up for Jesus…

                 a.  We stand against a demonic enemy

                 b.  So we can never stand against ea. other

     C.  Stand Fearlessly

           1.  Though they may hurt our body…

                 a.  Don’t fear (lit. be intimidated)

                 b.  Human opponents

           2.  Don’t fear our spiritual enemy either!

                 a.  Fear is one of his strategies

                 b.  He’s bigger than us

                 c.  But the One in us is greater! (1Jn 4:4)

           3.  Fearlessness=a sign (28b)

                 a.  A sign to unbelievers/opponents

                 b.  A sign to evil spirits too!

II.  Live as Jesus lived (2:1-11)

     A.  Let Humility flow from blessing (1-4)

           1.  Look at what we have in Jesus! (1)

                 a.  Encouragement, comfort from Jesus

                 b.  Fellowship w/ God’s Spirit

                 c.  Tenderness/compassion (fruit of the H.S.)

           2.  Let mutual humility flow from that (2-4)

                 a.  We have this (v.1) to share it!

                 b.  Same thoughts/love, one in spirit/purpose

                       (1)  uniformity but unity anyway

                 c.  It’s not about me/you, but ea. other (3-4)

           3.  Be like Jesus in interpersonal relations (5)

                 a.  Not just our own interests (4)

                 b.  Look at Jesus’ attitude toward others

                 c.  If anyone had a right to get His way…

     B.  Follow Jesus into Selflessness (5-8)

           1.  Look at what he gave up! (6-7)

                 a.  He gave up all privilege & authority

                 b.  He took the position of a servant/slave

                 c.  He gave up everything in obedience

           2.  What are you hanging on to/for?

                 a.  Jesus spurned what we clutch on to

                 b.  Let go of the right to have/get your way

                 c.  Maturity=meeting others’ needs 1st

           3.  Embrace humble, selfless, service

                 a.  This is the Jesus way

                 b.  Not just lip-service/humility/selflessness

     C.  Exalt Him with our Lives

           1.  We bow our knees by how we live

                 a.  We exalt Him w/ our humility

                 b.  We exalt Him w/ our obedience

                 c.  We exalt Him by trying to be like Him

           2.  We praise Him by all we say

                 a.  Every tongue will confess

                 b.  Our whole tongue, all the time (?)

           3.  We set aside time just for Him

                 a.  We give time to what’s most important

                 b.  How do we honor Him w/ our time?

III. Live it Out continually (2:12-18)

     A.  God is At Work in us

           1.  It’s not “Try Harder” (nor “Try Smarter”)

                 a.  We don’t clean ourselves up for Him

                 b.  It’s Let God work on/in me

           2.  He’s at work in us thru His Holy Spirit

                 a.  He won’t leave us all messed up

                 b.  A main work of the Spirit: sanctification

           3.  So we will & act for His good purpose

                 a.  Not just act but want to do His will

                 b.  Not just want to, but actually do it!

     B.  Let His work Show through

           1.  Work out=cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete                The Amplified Bible

                 a.  The first work is to yield to His work

                 b.  2nd don’t block/undo His work

                 c.  3rd what you can do, do that

           2.  This is a holy and awesome responsibility

                 a.  Not some sort of after-thought

                 b.  If God is at work, then treat it as holy!

           3.  Not just when a human’s watching!

                 a.  Not “What will people think/say…”

                 b.  Not sin management, but sanctification

                 c.  God is always watching/working

     C.  Shine like Stars

           1.  Put up the “Complaint Free Zone” sign!

                 a.  Don’t complain/argue w/ each other!

                 b.  Don’t complain/argue about God’s plan

                 c.  Complain/argue=blameworthy, impure

                 d.  Complain/argue like God’s children

           2.  Disunity discredits the Word of Life

                 a.  Complaining/arguing discredits the word

                 b.  Don’t put wishes/pref’s over fellowship

                 c.  Still chief accusation vs. Christianity

           3.  Living worthily=shining like stars!

                 a.  Unity in Christ shines like a star

                 b.  Jesus makes an eternal difference in the present

The Bottom Line:

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