Reflect the Gospel

Introduction

Illustration

Gen Z culture and desires.

Dreams. Legacy. Identity. Community. Voice.

Review

What are the 3 Rules to reading the Bible?

What is the context of Philippians?

Who wrote it? Who received it? Where was it written from? Why was it written? What were the recipients going through?

Gospel adversity advances the gospel. Phil. 1:12-14

Proclaim Jesus. Phil. 1:15-18a

The cornerstone of our joy is our salvation and Christ’s glory. Phil. 1:18b-20

The Christian’s dilemma is living is Christ and dying is gain. Phil. 1:21-25

Read Text

Philippians 1:27–28 ESV

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, 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.

Main Idea

Reflect the gospel in your identity, your community, and your voice.

Transition

Let’s start by focusing on how we are to reflect the gospel in our identity.

#1 (Phil. 1:27a): Reflect the Gospel in your Identity

Read Text

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ

Point #1:

Reflect the Gospel as Citizens of God’s Kingdom

Explanation

“Only” means that “whether the Apostle comes to Philippi or not, there is one thing his readers must not fail to do.”

Paul has just finished telling them if he could choose, he would remain with them to serve them despite the fact that being with Jesus would be better.

But now he says, “only”. Whether I come or not, you must do this one thing.

“let your manner of life” actually means behave/conduct yourselves as citizens.

The Philippians would have immediately connected with the idea of citizenship.

The Philippians were all citizens of the Roman Empire and of Philippi.

Remember, Philippi was a prominent Roman colony. There was pride in being a Philippian.

Paul in prison and released because of his Roman citizenship. Acts 16

Now, the question is this: “Is Paul referring to their Roman citizenship or another one?”

Phil. 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven”

So Paul is commanding that the Philippians live as citizens of God’s kingdom.

He explains what that means next.

“be worthy of the gospel of Christ”

“worthy” means deserving or suitable.

This is really interesting. Are at any point worthy or deserving of the gospel? No, the gospel is given by grace as a gift.

The gospel is given to the unworthy and the undeserving, so what is Paul saying?

Paul wants the Philippians to live as heavenly citizens who reflect the gospel in the way they live.

They have been saved by the gospel and changed by the gospel. They have been made citizens of heaven by the gospel.

Now, Paul wants them to live as heavenly citizens with all the desires of Christ. Citizens of heaven are a people marked by love, justice, humility, and joy.

Application

Is your identity rooted in the things of this world: your sexuality, race, personality type, or your strengths and weakness?

Or, is your identity rooted in your citizenship in heaven?

Identity is not a bad thing, but it must in our God, not ourselves.

Transition

Now let’s see how we are to reflect the gospel in our community.

#2 (Phil. 1:27b-28a): Reflect the Gospel in your Community

Read Text

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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.

Point #2:

Reflect the Gospel in Unity

Explanation

Unity in spirit: “you are standing firm in one spirit”

“stand firm” means to be steadfast or immovable or plant yourself.

Usually, this word was used in the sense of war. A soldier was supposed to “stand firm” at his post or in battle. The soldier was not to give any ground.

“in one spirit” means in one Spirit. We are one in spirit because the Holy Spirit lives in all Christians.

Paul sees the Philippians church as one soldier with one Spirit.

Soldier Stands His Ground

Unity in mind: “with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel”

“striving side by side” means to struggle along with.

Synathleo is the greek words and comes from the word athleo with means “compete”. This has to do with athletics.

“with one mind” means one soul/life. We are one in mind because we are one people, one body of Christ.

Many translations say “as one man”. This means Paul expected the Philippians to act as one unit, each person knowing the intentions of the next.

Sports Teamwork

Paul sees the Philippians as a team in unity with one another fighting for “the faith of the gospel”.

Unity in fearlessness: “and not frightened in anything by your opponents.”

“not frightened” means to not let oneself be intimidated.

The original word was actually used when horses would become scared or petrified by a predator.

Paul doesn’t want the Philippians to let themselves be scared these “opponents”.

These opponents were those who were persecuting them for their faith.

They could have been Judaizers who believed Jesus was not the Messiah, or they could have been the pagan Romans from Acts 16.

Just because they are called the “opponents”, does not mean we are to see them as our enemies.

Eph. 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places”

Paul doesn’t want them to be frightened as prey but to be prepared for suffering.

1 Peter 3:14-15 14 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

Paul wants the Philippians to be united in their trust in God’s promises.

Application

Are you unified in your community by standing firm in one Spirit?

Are you unified in your community by striving together with one mind for the gospel?

Are you unified in your community by not letting yourself be intimidated by the opponents of the gospel?

This is what is looks like to reflect the gospel in community.

Our community should be in the church, and it should be a united community.

Transition

Now let’s see how we are to reflect the gospel in our voice.

#3 (Phil. 1:28b): Reflect the Gospel in your Voice

Read Text

English Standard Version Chapter 1

This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Point #3:

Reflect the Gospel as a Clear Sign

Explanation

A Clear Sign of their Destruction: “This is a clear sign to them of their destruction”

“This” is referring to the united community who stands firm, strives together, and remains fearless in the face of opposition for the gospel.

The unafraid Philippian church is proof that God is with them and that the persecutors are not really against them but against God.

Those who are against God will receive destruction.

This “clear sign” means proof with all the evidence necessary.

A Clear Sign of your Salvation: “but of your salvation, and that from God.”

The unafraid Philippian church is also proof that the they possess a salvation from God.

The persecuted church who stands and strives forward together unafraid tells the world they cannot be stopped.

No matter what the persecutors do, when the church is unafraid, this is a sign to all the world that victory is in Jesus and Jesus alone.

All those with the persecuted in Christ have salvation. All those with the persecutors outside of Christ have destruction.

John 3:17, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

The Christians declare their own salvation from God when they live as if victory has been won.

Salvation has been won. Salvation comes from God. Salvation’s origin is not in man but in God alone.

Salvation is given to sinners by the Father. It was accomplished by Christ on the cross. It is applied in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Application

We all want to be heard and have a voice. We want the world to see who we are.

For the Christian, this is done when Christians live as heavenly citizens in united community with each other unafraid and unwavering.

Conclusion

Main Idea

Reflect the Gospel in your identity, your community, and your voice.

Are you reflecting the gospel in your identity?

Are you reflecting the gospel in your community?

Are you reflecting the gospel in your voice?