Being a Citizen Worthy of the Gospel

Scripture Reading

Philippians 1:27–30 NIV84

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 one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 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. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on 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.

Introduction

As we look at these words this morning, recall that the context is that Paul is writing to the believers in Philippi as he sits imprisoned as result of him proclaiming the Gospel. He has been preaching the Gospel of the Lord Jesus as the Messiah of all, as King to be worshipped, as Lord over all, and as a result of this he has been beaten, mocked, hated, and put in jail.

Despite all of that, he has sought to encourage these Christians in Philippi through his own joy in the fact that because of his imprisonment, the Gospel is been spreading even further. He has also encouraged the believers through his own perspective that for him to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Here was a man who lived for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, and was prepared to die for the Lord Jesus Christ. He recognised that his goal in life was to be with Christ. And so his entire life was lived with that mission and goal in mind, and he lived with a longing in his heart to finally be with his Lord. So should be the mind of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Paul concluded that last section, you will recall that Paul expressed to the Philippian believers that he was certain that he would not be put to death at this time, but that he would actually be released, and that he would come to the church in Philippi and would see them again, and this would encourage their hearts. That’s essentially where he ended off in verse 25-26.

As he picks up in verse 27, he begins with the words “whatever happens.”

Paul is speaking here of something that is of greatest importance and significance.

He says to them that irrespective of whether he dies in prison and never sees them again, or if he is released from prison and comes to see them, there is a manner in which they are to conduct themselves.

As the Philippian believers lived their lives as Christians in this world, Paul was exhorting them, commanding them, to live in a particular way. So with the church today, there is a manner in which we as Christians are to conduct ourselves in this world as we go by the name of Jesus Christ. If we are those who have been truly transformed by the Gospel at a heart level, if we are truly those who have placed our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, then our lives must reflect that reality and truth, even when, and particularly when, opposition comes.

That is the exhortation of Paul this morning, and so let us consider this exhortation together.

Philippians 1:27 NIV84

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 one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

1. The Exhortation by Paul to the Church

Paul begins in verse 27 with the words:

Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ...

Paul’s exhortation is that these believers in Philippi should conduct themselves in a worthy manner; and the standard by which this manner of life is measured is that which is worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

In order to properly understand the meaning that Paul is conveying here, it’s helpful to consider the word that he uses in the Greek - πολιτεύομαι (politeuomai). The word is an imperative - it is a command. The word is derived from the Greek word polis, which means “city”. The command is to live as good citizens within a particular city in terms of their conduct. Further to this, the Greek philosopher Aristotle explained that in ancient Greece, the word Polis spoke of living together in partnership or fellowship. The Greeks would thus be obliged use their talents and gifts together as a community for the benefit of all the inhabitants of that city.

When Paul thus speaks of this living a life worthy of a particular citizenship, he means living that life in a proper manner that shows due honor and respect to the city, but he also means that those he is addressing are to live together in unity, using their own particular giftings for the common benefit of all. There is to be a common perspective and goal. We will see more of this as we unfold this particular passage this morning (note that in the Gk, vs.27-30 are one single sentence, with this verb (live a life worthy) being the main verb of the sentence.

...of the Gospel of Christ.

When Paul then speaks about this worthy citizenship, he doesn’t relate it to a particular city, but rather to the “Gospel of Christ.”

Later on in this letter, Paul writes...

Philippians 3:20 NIV84

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

The conduct that should be evidenced in the life of the Christian is a conduct befitting the Gospel of Christ; it is a conduct that is aligned with and in subjection to Christ Himself as the supreme example. It is a conduct befitting the man or woman who is a citizen of heaven, a citizen ruled and directed by the King of kings and Lord of lords.

It is that conduct that is worked out in light of the exceedingly rich grace of God that was demonstrated through Christ’s humility in his coming into the world, his subjection to death, and ultimately his resurrection and ascension for our sake!

If we are to properly understand the conduct that is to mark our lives, we must be continually reminded of the great work of salvation.

Paul said:

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV84

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

Christ entered into the world in order to save!! Every human that ever existed, apart from Christ himself, has lived with this deep need to be saved. Freed from bondage and slavery to sin; freed from being under the wrath of the Almighty God.

But the wonder of the Gospel is that God Himself entered into humanity in order to bring about the salvation that we needed. Christ is the Saviour of all who will repent of their self-sufficiency, their sinful ways, and believe in Him and trust in Him for the forgiveness of sin and mercy of God. If anyone does this, they are from that very moment granted forgiveness and grace through Christ, and they are brought into a new family - the very family of God.

Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers:

Ephesians 1:4–6 NIV84

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Adoption as sons and daughters of the Almighty - that is the work of God in and through Christ. That is the blessing and the great treasure that is yours if you are in Christ. And it is as a result of that great work of grace, and the profound grace of God in Christ that we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of that great kindness and mercy of God.

The Apostle Peter wrote...

1 Peter 1:14–16 NIV84

14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Peter then continued to emphasize this calling to holiness through the reminder of the great price paid for our redemption...

1 Peter 1:17–19 NIV84

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Again, Peter goes on to say in chapter 2 of his first letter...

1 Peter 2:9–11 NIV84

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

The call to those who are called by Christ, who have been redeemed at great cost, is to live lives consistent with that calling. Biblically, it is impossible to be born again, and to live with any kind of contentment in ongoing sin or sinful patters in our lives. Biblically, it is impossible to be born again and to live lives that continue to show no fruit of salvation. As those who are born again, our hatred for sin must increase; our desire for holiness must grow; our earnestness with which we pursue such holiness should increase and abound.

Why?

Because so great is the love that God has lavished upon us that we should be called children of God!!!

Do you see that? And do you live with a sense of urgency and earnestness in your pursuit of living a life worthy of your calling as a Christian?!

2. The Attitude Required by the Church

As we look further into verses 27-28, we notice various aspects concerning the attitude that should be present in the lives of the believers as they seek to live out this life in a worthy manner.

2.1. A Steadfast Commitment

Verse 27 continues:

Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm...

In the NASB, this line is translated slightly differently. It says...

NASB: “...so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm...”

The key focal point there is that Paul wishes for and longs to hear that these Philippian believers are standing firm.

He has already mentioned to them that he believes (as a personal conviction) that he will be released from prison. But if not, he is ready to pass on from this world and go to be with Christ. But irrespective of what happens with him in his own life, he exhorts them regarding their lives.

He wants them to be grounded in the truths of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. He longs for those truths to be so dear to the hearts of the believers, so significant and important in their lives, that no matter what the consequences are to their own lives and their personal well-being, they will stand firm in the defense of the Gospel through being examples in the Christian faith.

2.2. A Unified Spirit

Not only are they to have a steadfast commitment, but they are also to have a unified spirit.

Verse 27 cont...

...in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel...

In the face of the opposition that the Gospel faced in that day, there was not only to be steadfastness among the believers, but they were to engage in this steadfastness in unity. Unity is a key theme through this book of Philippians, alongside joy. But in the outworking of the Gospel, unity is critical, and it ought to be evident!

He speaks of standing firm “in one spirit.” The spirit that is spoken of here is the Spirit of Jesus Christ. It is one and the same Spirit that indwells each and every believer, and as such, there should be not division of goal in the midst of these people. Christ is not divided!

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV84

10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

In his closing greeting to the Corinthians in his second letter to them, Paul wrote:

2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV84

11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

To the Galatians, Paul clearly explained that there is no special “breed,” no special “class” of people; no better cultural group, within the body of Christ, but that all people in Christ are equal before God...

Galatians 3:28–29 NIV84

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Here is our common standing, that every single one of us who are in Christ Jesus, are heirs according to the promise of God. We have an inheritance awaiting us in glory.

One of the great dangers that exists when threats confront people is that they start to think of themselves. They don’t consider others, but rather they consider their own interests first. Or they begin to take sides as to which direction to take, which decision is a better decision, and very quickly division sets in. This should not be, says the apostle Paul. There should be no division within the body, but rather a deep unity as the believers focus their minds and attention on Christ.

To the Galatians, Paul gave this warning:

Galatians 5:15 NIV84

15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Instead of fighting one another, these believers are called to contend together for the faith of the Gospel. Their task in unity is the proclamation of Jesus Christ as Lord. It is the calling of people repentance and faith in Christ.

2.3. A Fearless Resilience

The third aspect concerning their attitude is that they are to have a “Fearless Resilience...”

In verse 28, Paul continues by saying that they are to contend as one man for the Gospel...

Verse 28...

...without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.

Paul knew very well that the opposition that he had faced as he proclaimed the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ was not unique to him, and that there was pressure on the church to stop preaching the Gospel. You will recall back in verse 14 that Paul had said to the Philippians:

Philippians 1:14 NIV84

14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

And so too it was to be with the Philippian church. They were to continue to stand steadfast in the truths of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ irrespective of the opposition that was inevitably going to come their way. There was no doubt temptation on the part of believers to stand down, and to renounce Christ as Lord and Saviour, to stop worshiping Christ in fear of their lives, or to stop proclaiming Christ. Paul’s instruction to them here is that they must not be frightened by those who oppose them.

The same exhortation is needed for the church today. While outright persecution of the church is not common in our country and in many developed countries of the world, there is nonetheless much persecution taking place. Just this past week, the news broke that Chinese pastor Wang Yi was put through a secret trial, and sentenced to 9 years in prison because of his defense of the faith. In a letter that he penned prior to his arrest and imprisonment in December 2018, he wrote this:

Those who lock me up will one day be locked up by angels. Those who interrogate me will finally be questioned and judged by Christ.  When I think of this, the Lord fills me with a natural compassion and grief toward those who are attempting to and actively imprisoning me. Pray that the Lord would use me, that he would grant me patience and wisdom, that I might take the gospel to them. 

Separate me from my wife and children, ruin my reputation, destroy my life and my family – the authorities are capable of doing all of these things. However, no one in this world can force me to renounce my faith; no one can make me change my life; and no one can raise me from the dead.   

And so, respectable officers, stop committing evil. This is not for my benefit but rather for yours and your children’s. I plead earnestly with you to stay your hands, for why should you be willing to pay the price of eternal damnation in hell for the sake of a lowly sinner such as I?

Jesus is the Christ, son of the eternal, living God. He died for sinners and rose to life for us. He is my king and the king of the whole earth yesterday, today, and forever. I am his servant, and I am imprisoned because of this. I will resist in meekness those who resist God, and I will joyfully violate all laws that violate God’s laws. (https://joynews.co.za/read-powerful-letter-detained-chinese-pastor-wang-yi-wrote-anticipating-arrest/, accessed 04 January 2020)

That is a very current instance of the Chinese church continuing to face persecution. But in addition to this kind of outright persecution, we must consider how much ground has the church not given to the world due ultimately to fear of rejection by the world. The advancement of liberal ideologies and teachings entirely contrary to the revealed will of God in Scripture are making inroads at a startling pace. Even in this last week, news was breaking over a split in the United Methodist Church. In an article in the New York Times on Friday, they wrote:

A group of leaders of the United Methodist Church, the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States, announced on Friday a plan that would formally split the church, citing “fundamental differences” over same-sex marriage after years of division.

The plan would sunder a denomination with 13 million members globally — roughly half of them in the United States — and create at least one new “traditionalist Methodist” denomination that would continue to ban same-sex marriage as well as the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.

The fact that such a split is taking place over a matter that is so clearly taught in Scripture, and that has been faithfully taught in the church through the centuries, is demonstration of the powerful influence that is being exerted on the church to surrender their Scriptural teachings to the prevailing culture.

Today, as churches, we need Paul’s exhortation and encouragement to the Philippian believers to stand firm with a fearless resilience. Friends, if these truths of the Gospel, if the teaching of Scripture were merely a matter of personal preference and conviction, then it would not matter in the least if the church capitulated to the culture. But this is the eternal word of God. These are the truths of Scripture. We must, as a church, have a fearless resilience!!

3. The Result of Steadfastness in the Church

Paul then goes on in verse 28 to indicate to the believers what the consequence will be of such steadfast faith, and continued obedience in unity to the severe opposition that they will face. This response to opposition will be sign. It will be both a sign to the world watching them, and a sign to the church itself.

3.1. Sign to the World

...This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed,

Firstly it is a sign to the world watching on.

As the unbelieving world brings strong opposition to the Christians, with the hope of silencing them and destroying their testimony, when the church endures such opposition and continues to persevere through the trial, it becomes a strong testimony to that opposing world. This is true in particular because of the gracious testimony that is presented by the church.

It is essential that we understand this point clearly. If the world opposes the church, and the church’s (Christian’s) response is one of retaliation against the wrong actions of those opposing it, responding with harsh anger to those who oppose it, then the testimony is lost! Remember that the response of the church to such opposition is one that flows from humility, and demonstrates love and kindness, despite the opposition. It is through this humble and gentle response that conviction comes upon the onlooking world.

When Christ preached the sermon on the mount, he indicated the radically different nature and attitude that befits those who love Christ...

Matthew 5:38–45 NIV84

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

As the world opposes the Christian church, let it never be seen that the church retaliates in “justified anger” against the evils against it, but rather that it responds in a gracious demonstration of speaking the truth in love and sincerity.

This is the sign to the world that they will be destroyed. When the world looks on and sees this humble and gracious response, standing firm in the faith in the convictions of God’s word, their consciences will prick them, and it will be a sign to them that they will be destroyed, unless of course they repent and believe.

3.2. Sign to the Christians

But this will also be a sign to the Christians. Paul writes...

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

While the good conduct of the church in the face of persecution and opposition is destruction for the unbeliever, it is a sign to the church that God’s grace is with them, and that they will at the end be delivered, and that by God.

2 Thessalonians 1:3–7 NIV84

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 5 All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

When the church stands firm through persecution and opposition, it is a great encouragement seeing the work of God in her midst. Note that Paul adds those words here, “and that by God.” The salvation is by God, even as the strength to persevere is given by God.

4. The Gifts of God to the Church

Finally, notice that Paul speaks in verses 29-30 about the gifts of God to the church. In verse 29, he says...

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

The word “granted” that is used here is the Greek word Charizomai, which means to give freely as a favour, or to graciously give. It speaks of a kindness that is demonstrated through the free giving of a gift.

Paul uses this firstly relating to belief in Him. It has been freely given to believers, to the church, to believe on Him.

Ephesians 2:8 NIV84

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

And so here is the wonderful truth of the gift of faith freely given in order that we may believe on Christ for our salvation.

But as Paul goes on to say here, it is not merely freely granted to believe on Christ, but it is also freely granted, graciously given, to suffer for him.

When the church faces persecution in the world as a result of their faith, let it be known that this is not some sign that God has failed, or that he is not with them, but rather that he is working in and through this situation, and has indeed told the church that they will face such persecution and suffering.

Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:12…

2 Timothy 3:12 NIV84

12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

This is the reality, dear friends, and it is to be expected for us as Christians in the world.

Paul then goes on to say in verse that that this will happen / is most certainly true...

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

The apostle Paul was one who endured such great suffering for the sake of the Gospel. He was sitting in prison right at the time of writing.

Paul understood that to be a follower of Christ would mean suffering. Christ had told him personally how much he would need to suffer for the name of Christ. But not only that, Christ had said to his disciples that they would be persecuted.

John 15:18–21 NIV84

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

This is no surprise to the people of God. This is simply the working out of what our Lord and Saviour Jesus promised when He was in the world. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, said...

Colossians 1:24 NIV84

24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

Paul correctly understood that suffering is part and parcel of being in Christ. The body of Christ would suffer. This is not a surprise. This is expected!!

Conclusion

As we as the church live out our faith in this world, let us do so with a great commitment to do so in a worthy manner. We must live lives in this world that demonstrate deep love for Christ, and deep love for those around us. We as a church must continue to strive for a deep love for one another. We must stand firm together in the faith of the Gospel, the truths handed down to us in Scripture through the ages. As the church, we are to be united in love. Failure to do this will not only result in damage and harm to the church, but also a failure to proclaim the glories of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In his book “Charity and its Fruits,” Jonathan Edwards writes these words:

…we may learn the reason why contention tends so much to the ruin of religion. The Scriptures tells us that it has this tendency - “where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James iii. 16). And so we find it by experience. When contention comes into a place, it seems to prevent all good. And if religion has been flourishing before, it presently seems to chill and deaden it; and everything that is bad begins to flourish. And in the light of our doctrine, we may plainly see the reason of all this; for contention is directly against that which is the very sum of all that is essential and distinguishing in true Christianity, even a spirit of love and peace.

He goes on to write this:

If love is the sum of Christianity, surely those things which overthrow love are exceedingly unbecoming Christians. An envious Christian, a malicious Christian, a cold and hard-hearted Christian, is the greatest absurdity and contradiction. It is as if one should speak of dark brightness, or a false truth.

Our calling, dear friends, is to stand firm on the truth of God’s word, united together in declaring the Gospel message to the world. Standing firm against the ways of the world. Living lives worthy of our calling, so that we as a church may be a testimony to the world of God’s grace in Christ. Whether the world believes the message or not - the testimony is being demonstrated. When the world opposes us in our demonstration and proclamation of the church, let us stand firm, knowing that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we have been called to suffer for his sake. Not only that, but He has freely given that we should suffer for His sake!!

In closing, let us remember the words of Paul in Romans 8:18...

Romans 8:18 NIV84

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.