Sermon Tone Analysis

How To Act

Phil 1:27-30

Intro/Hook

PP- Pic of Salmon swimming upstream

One of the greatest examples of life that pushes through struggles by using inner strength is Salmon Run.

This is where Salmon swim against currents upstream to go back to their birth place in order to reproduce.

They face many contest and dangers in order to keep the salmon life cycle going.

Video: Let’s look at a clip.

Talk through the clip about salmon making the journey.

The have an inner drive to fulfill their assignment.

Only about two percent of all salmon hatched will live to adulthood.

Much of our life is swimming upstream.

You have to know that there is a purpose behind the press.

Swimming upstream is when you must press through seemingly insurmountable odds and have to face life’s lions and bears.

Relationship struggles, health challenges, battling self-esteem, fighting for respect, facing the odds.

You were born for this!

Unfortunately, some don’t make it.

But, many do!

Just like the salmon, you have the instinct and power through Christ Jesus to make the journey.

Just like the salmon, you have the instinct and power through Christ Jesus to make the journey.

You are on a journey and many of the paths are upstream.

Swimming upstream is when you must press through seemingly insurmountable odds and have to face life’s lions and bears.

Relationship struggles, health challenges, battling self-esteem, fighting for respect, facing the odds.

Some don’t make it, but ultimately many do!

But just like the salmon, you have the instinct and power through Christ Jesus to make the journey.

I’m here to declare this morning that you have Strength in Struggle!

Someone make a personal declaration, say, “I have strength in my struggle”.

PP-I’m beginning a new teaching series entitled, “Strength In Struggle”

I want to read a passage of scripture Paul wrote to the Philippian church, while he himself was in a herculean struggle.

PP- (NIV)

27 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

28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose (antikeimai - hostile, an adversary) you.

This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Paul gives us some instructions as to how to act or respond when you’re going through a struggle, a contest in life.

Your response can activating strength for that struggle.

Paul gives us some instructions as to how to act or respond when you’re going through a struggle, a contest in life.

Your response is tied to activating strength for that struggle.

PP- Today’s Topic within this series is, “How To Act”

PP- Today’s Topic is “Instructions From Paul”

Ask the person near you, “when the struggle is real, when the battle is hotly contested, when things are falling apart, do you know how to act?

Most of us know what to do, but don’t know how to act!

Paul wrote this book Philippians while living in a rented apartment in the city of Rome.

He wasn’t there as a tourist.

He wasn’t there on a business trip, he was there under house arrest awaiting his chance to voice his innocence, and clear his name before Caesar.

27 Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side and contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel).

28 And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.

It all started months ago when Paul travelled to Jerusalem for one of the religious festivals.

He was going to give the Jewish leaders an offering he had raised from the non-Jew churches in Asia while he preached the gospel.

Paul was having tremendous success converting many non-Jews to Christianity.

Success awakens “haters”, people who try to throw “shade”.

These people were jealous of Paul began to start trouble for him.

But, they not only wanted to discredit him, but also to send him to the executioner.

29 For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf.

30 So you are engaged in the same conflict which you saw me [wage] and which you now hear to be mine [still].

Paul wrote Philippians during his first imprisonment at Rome (ca.

AD 60/61–64), when he lived in semi-confinement in his own rented house for two years, and it was from there he would more naturally have been expected to be released.

Paul wrote this book Philippians while living in an apartment house in the city of Rome.

He wasn’t there as a tourist.

He wasn’t there on a business trip, he was there under house arrest awaiting his chance to voice his innocence, and clear his name before Caesar.

It started when Paul went to Jerusalem for one of the religious festivals.

He was going to give the Jewish leaders an offering he had raised from the non-Jew churches in Asia while he preached the gospel.

While there, some people who were jealous of Paul began to start trouble for him.

They not only wanted to discredit him, but send him to the executioner.

This is what they said in Acts 21:28-30...

PP- (NIV)

28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us!

This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place.

And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”

29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions.

Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.

After this the Jews and their leadership decided they wanted him killed for desecrating their temple and speaking against their traditions, these charges were untrue.

The Jewish leaders decided that Paul should get the death sentence!

Paul had to appeal to Caesar or he would have been executed.

While in Rome awaiting trial, in a rented apartment under house arrest, Paul writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

Out of all of these letters, the one to the Philippians seemed to be the most intimate.

When reading Philippians you cannot forget that he was under extreme stress!

He was struggling to keep his dignity, reputation, and life!

I want you to feel the struggle of the stress he was enduring in :

PP- (NIV)

20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

This scripture informs us that he was facing the threat of execution.

Out of his struggle for his life came instructions to the saints in Philippi on how to deal with their struggle for maintaining their Christian position even in the face of persecution, trials, and tribulations!

Out of his struggle for his life came instructions to the saints in Philippi on how to deal with their struggle for maintaining their Christian position even in the face of persecution, trials, and tribulations!

Philippians, like the other prison letters was written under pressure, stress,.

He was struggling to stay alive!

Reading this book through the lens of incarceration changes the way you read it.

Out of his struggle for his life came instructions to the saints in Philippi on how to deal with their struggles!

It is important to understand that the struggles you have, is essentially not about only destroying you.

It is more about, discrediting the Faith of the gospel!

When the enemy attacks you, the target is your faith!

To dislodge you from your faith makes you powerless!

Your strength is in your faith in God!

PP-Philippians 1:27 (NIV) — 27 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

PP-Every contest, struggle, fight you have, is really aimed at dismantling your faith!

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