Philippians 1:27 - LeRoy

Worthy of the Gospel

The story is told of the pioneer days ... A man was making his way west when he came to the Missouri River. It was winter and the ice covered the river from bank to bank. But how could the man be sure it would hold his weight? He knew people often drowned in that river when the ice broke. Yet he had to cross. He walked out a little way, then gripped with fear he crawled on his hands and knees. He looked back and saw how far the bank was now behind him and knew he would drown if the ice broke and the frigid water swallowed him up. To spread his weight even more, he lay out flat on his belly and slowly drew himself sliding across the river a few inches at time. All of a sudden from behind him he heard whistling. He whipped his head around and there saw a big man, a farmer, walking across the ice leading a team of horses drawing a heavy wooden sleigh full of hay. He was smiling and whistling and tipped his hat. The timid man stood and brushed off the ice crystals and managed a sheepish smile. That old farmer had crossed the ice many times and knew it could be trusted. (Fred Mueller)

This story can give a picture of how we live as Christians.

Hebrews 11:1 NLT

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

This man had never crossed the Missouri River before. When he came to it, there probably wasn’t a sign that said Missouri River, but he had heard stories about the river. He had heard stories about the ice, but he took a step of faith and stepped out onto the ice.

In our lives, we all face challenges, many that we have heard stories about, but we haven’t yet crossed the icy river.

This is what Paul said in Philippians 1:27

Philippians 1:27 NIV

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 the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

Paul starts this section by encouraging His fellow believers in the way that we live to conduct our lives worthy of the gospel. This might make us think, I could never do that.

I’m not perfect! How can I live worthy of the gospel?

Romans 8:1–2 NIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

For some of us, we’ve stepped out on the ice, we have given our lives to Christ, and as we start walking, we aren’t sure about the thickness of the ice, so we get down on our hands and knees, but we keep crossing, and we look back and see how far we have gotten from the edge of the bank. We are afraid of drowning, but we spread out and keep on moving.

There are two parts that I want to bring out of the story. We hear something and see someone coming with a sleigh and horses.

Not alone

It’s important that we aren’t alone on our faith journey. We need each other. We all need encouragement. Hebrews 10:23-25

Hebrews 10:23–25 NIV

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Jesus is coming back. We don’t know when, but we know that He is coming. He has promised that He is coming back.

John 14:3 NKJV

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

We need to encourage each other. We need to be unified. We need to walk together on this journey. The early church understood this. Acts 2:42

Acts 2:42 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

When we get together, we need God’s word, we need fellowship. We need to break bread together, and we need to pray.

Finally, the man with the horses knew that the ice was strong. He had already been across to the other side.

Jesus has already been to the other side.

Hebrews 12:1–3 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

If you have never trusted Jesus as your saviour. He loves you. He died for you and He would love for you to accept Him.

Romans 10:9–10 NIV

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Let’s pray.