Striving Together

This morning, in both the Starting Point Connection group and in the morning service, I mentioned a verse that I have always thought of as a ministry verse for all of South Charlotte Baptist Church. I wanted to take a few moments this evening, to reflect upon that verse:

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Let’s pray!

I want to again remind you of the fact that Satan would love to see the demise of this church, this pastor, and the families and individuals that make up this church!

John 10:10 KJV 1900

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

We have a singular focus: “Only”

The word “only” means, “without others or anything further; alone; solely; exclusively:”

It is easy for us to allow other things to arrest our attention.

Have you ever been working on a project – whether at home or at your place of business – only to find yourself getting sidetracked? I think all of us have been in those situations. At those times, we must consciously stop, evaluate where we are, and then refocus on where we need to be and where we need to be going.

We will often talk about “priorities” and, while I understand the importance of that word, we must realize that God’s Word does not speak about priorities.

Matthew 22:37–38 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

Our priorities do not include finances, attendances, projects, activities, our personal agendas, etc. Our priority is to love God with all our heart!

And, if we are loving God with all our heart than we are going to love that which God loves.

John 3:16 KJV 1900

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Our love of God and of others should lead us to love the Gospel message. Notice what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9…

1 Corinthians 9:19 KJV 1900

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

1 Corinthians 9:23 KJV 1900

And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

There are a lot of things in this world that are seeking to grab our attention. May our lives and this ministry have only one focus – the Gospel!

We should have a behavior reflective of the Gospel!

Paul states...

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

As you all know, the word, “conversation,” means “behavior or way of life.” But it also means “citizenship.”

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through; My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven's open door; and I can't feel at home in this world anymore!

We need to constantly remind ourselves that this world is not our home! We need to be as Abraham…

Hebrews 11:9–10 KJV 1900

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Paul understood this, in Philippians 1:23-34…

Philippians 1:23–24 KJV 1900

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Because Paul knew where his citizenship was located, his life was consumed with the Gospel. And Paul wanted the Philippians to be consumed with the Gospel for the same reason.

These buildings will one day be destroyed but the Gospel message will live on for eternity!

We should have a unity that is reflective of the Gospel!

Paul said...

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Every Christian has a testimony. Every church has a testimony.

Paul wanted the Philippians to have a good testimony. That testimony was reflected in their unity – or lack thereof – and it was reflected in their shared goal or vision!

You may never fully know the testimony that you have before others or the affect your testimony has on others but I can assure you that you have one and it affects others!

We will never fully know the testimony that South Charlotte Baptist Church has and we may never know the full effect of that testimony but I can assure you that we have a testimony in our community and it does affect others.

Sometimes we cannot control how others view or perceive us. In those situations it is good to remember what Peter said...

1 Peter 3:15–17 KJV 1900

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

That’s why it is important that we do everything that we can to display a testimony to our community that is reflective of the Gospel and one of the ways that we do that is through unity!

The things that unite us are far more important than any personality clashes that may divide us. Satan’s strategy has always been to divide and conquer.

h. Paul mentions several things in Philippians 1:27 about which united the Philippian church:

One Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 KJV 1900

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Galatians 5:25 KJV 1900

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

One Mind

Philippians 2:5–8 KJV 1900

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Let’s allow the Spirit of God to fill us and allow the mind of Christ to guide us!

We must strive together!

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

There [are] too many real adversaries, too many golden opportunities, and too much to be done for Christ, for Christians to split the church over nonessentials.

Too many churches have fallen apart because they have not faced difficulties together. Too many churches have allowed budgets, special interests, and pet projects to destroy them.

Satan, without lifting a finger, has seen the demise of far too many churches because they were striving against instead of with one another, especially when they have been confronted with difficulties and discouragements.

Closing: While I don’t believe that South Charlotte Baptist Church is in danger of “falling apart,” we must constantly remind ourselves of what we are up against and what we are striving for – the faith of the Gospel!