The Worthy Life

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Introduction

20/20 Vision: Seeing Clearly to Press On

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Seeing clearly is imperative to follow Jesus well toward Christian maturity. But, different from physical eyesight, spiritual sight requires that everyone wear gospel lenses which enable us to:

see the Lord in all His brilliant detail

see ourselves with clarity that the Holy Spirit brings through the Word of God, so we can and gain for the first time, or regain, a perspective that is heavenly, or not of this world, to press on, straining toward what lies ahead for us in heaven.

and maintain (or gain) a perspective that is not of this world – to press on, straining toward what lies ahead for us in heaven.

and maintain (or gain) a perspective that is not of this world – to press on, straining toward what lies ahead for us in heaven.

Today we’re in our third week learning from the Apostle’s letter to the Philippians (and remember they’re a church). So far we’ve seen that:

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Our identity and union with Christ helps us know who we are, brings thanksgiving rooted in God's faithfulness, and motivates us to pray for and work toward increasing and maturing love for God and his glory; and

Followers of Christ find their greatest joy through self-sacrificing, Christ-centered ministry. In fact, Paul wanted to much to go home and be with the Lord in heaven, but he knew that the Lord had work for him here still. This is the section of Scripture where we see the oft-quoted, “for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, I f I am to live on in the flesh it means fruitful labor for me.” This is why he found great joy — because it meant:

And he found great joy in this because it meant:

Fruitful labor for Paul as he

Working for their progress and joy in the faith

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Today we continue in , a section of the letter that is strongly connected to last week. Most recently, Paul started his checklist for his foreseeable future and in today’s verses Paul is about to tell the Christians at Philippi what their to-dos are.

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Paul will remain in the flesh for their progress

The Philippians will live in a manner worthy of the gospel

Open your Bible or Bible app to and see with me what Paul means when he speaks of The Worthy Life.

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The Worthy Life

Let’s pick up at v 21 so we can clearly see the connection.

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Philippians 1:21–26 ESV

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Philippians 1:21-

(And we pick up here today.)

Philippians 1:27–30 ESV

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:27-30

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Notice the first word in this paragraph, “only,” which adds a note of sharp singularity so that the command is even more of a focal point.

The adverb “only” adds a note of sharp singularity so that the command is even more of a focal point.

Benjamin L. Merkle et al., Ephesians–Philemon, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XI, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 145.

(Living as heavenly citizens)

In Paul’s great reason for thanksgiving is the Philippians’ partnership in the gospel. Why? Because those who trust Christ are

In Paul’s great reason for thanksgiving is the Philippians’ partnership in the gospel. Why? Because those who trust Christ are

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Colossians 1:13 ESV

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Paul is continuing the idea that “He (the Lord) who began a good work in you (church) will completed it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6)

Paul says, you’re greatest priority in every decision is to live as citizens of heaven, echoing what Jesus says in ,

Matthew 5:14 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

“...transferred “transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son” ().

Paul has a bookend effect because he echos this thought again in when he says,

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Philippians 3:20 ESV

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Every decision we make is to be colored by the fact that we fly the flag of Jesus, our Savior.

Why is this his focus?

Pay attention to the “so that” in 27. Paul tells them to live out their Christian faith so that they are

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Standing firm

in one spirit

Ephesians–Philemon Comment

Gordon Fee has made a compelling case for taking “spirit” here as a reference to the “Holy Spirit.”25 The Philippians are to stand firm in the same sphere: the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:1–3 is a close parallel, as Paul calls the Ephesians to live in a manner worthy of their calling as Christians by being eager to maintain the oneness produced by the Spirit (cf. “one Spirit”; Eph. 4:4).

with one mind

striving side-by-side (also in 4:3)

also in 4:3

with one mind

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Philippians 4:1 ESV

1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Not frightened/intimidated

in anything

by your opponents

Opposition can cause us to second-guess our decisions: Should we have done this? Was it all a mistake? If I had done it differently, would things have gone more smoothly? To address these issues, Paul re-frames striving for something in the face of opposition.

How do you deal with the doubts and second-guessing?

By going back to what you know to be true. If God has really called them to this ministry, and if opposition is to be expected as a natural consequence of its message, then why doubt? They doubt because they’re relying on their own perspective.

That’s true of you and me also. When we fail to see life through the lens of the gospel, we forget what our mission is.

Steven E. Runge, High Definition Commentary: Philippians (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2011), .

We may think our mission is:

to make money

to raise “nice” kids who are “contributors to society”

work hard and show ourselves to be reliable b/c our reputation is important (depends why)

be kind to others (again, yes, but motive is everything)

Our mission is to bravely, courageously strive side by side for the gospel with one another. Courage serves to motivate others. And we need courage because we have opponents (28), who are offended that followers of Christ would actually claim to have the answer.

Do you realize you have THE answer to a relationship with God?

When

If someone says to you, “Do you really believe this is the only way to heaven?” do you stand firm, kindly speaking truth in love, always being prepared to give an answer for the reason for the hope that you have?

Or do you waver? Do you feel set back on your heals in a defensive position.

Now, in v 29 Paul takes us to the reason for it all. “For...”

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It Has Been Graciously Granted to You on Christ’s Behalf

It Has Been Graciously Granted to You on Christ’s Behalf

Not only believe in him, but also

Suffer for His sake

Faith and persecution are often a package gift; “when the flame of faith shines in a dark place, the darkness will try to douse that faith and snuff it out” (Ben Merkle).

God writes a persecution story for his church so that mankind will be pointed back to the greatest story: the death and resurrection of Christ. Persecution is a parable that puts the death and resurrection of Christ on display again and again.

Benjamin L. Merkle et al., Ephesians–Philemon, ed. Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar, vol. XI, ESV Expository Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 147.

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Communion Transition