JOY EXPECTED: GOSPEL WORTHY CONDUCT
Notes
Transcript
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
MAIN IDEA: God desires an active, unified church.
MAIN IDEA: God desires an active, unified church.
KEY QUESTION: How are you helping to unify our church?
KEY QUESTION: How are you helping to unify our church?
1. THE CHURCH HAS REQUIREMENTS OF UNITY (v. 27-28)
1. THE CHURCH HAS REQUIREMENTS OF UNITY (v. 27-28)
A. The Church is Called to have Unity of Purpose (v. 27)
A. The Church is Called to have Unity of Purpose (v. 27)
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
ILLUSTRATION: Married Couples & Shopping
T.S. The church is not only required to have unity of purpose, but also unity of practice.
B. The Church is Called to have Unity of Practice (v. 27b)
B. The Church is Called to have Unity of Practice (v. 27b)
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
ILLUSTRATION: Three Legged Race
T.S. When the church is unified in purpose and practice, they can be unified in poise.
C. The Church is Called to have Unity of Poise (v. 28)
C. The Church is Called to have Unity of Poise (v. 28)
and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
ILLUSTRATION: Joshua “be strong and courageous”. not because of Moses
T.S. A church unified in purpose, practice and poise will be rewarded for unity.
2. THE CHURCH HAS A REASON FOR UNITY (v. 29)
2. THE CHURCH HAS A REASON FOR UNITY (v. 29)
A. Salvation is the reason for unity in the church. (v. 29)
A. Salvation is the reason for unity in the church. (v. 29)
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
ILLUSTRATION: Dusty and Addey
T.S. Salvation in Christ leads to suffering for Christ. The church’s second reason for unity is suffering.
B. Suffering is the reason for unity in the church. (v. 29)
B. Suffering is the reason for unity in the church. (v. 29)
For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
ILLUSTRATION: John Wesley and Persecution