05. Worthy of the Gospel

Please join me today as we begin by looking at our passage in Philippians 1:27-30 this is a passage I believe will challenge our hearts and convict our spirits along with bolstering our fervor for the gospel and forging us more into the Family of God as we look at these three to the point verses…

Philippians 1:27–30 NASB95

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Conduct Yourselves =

a single Greek word the people of Philippi would have understood well… simply meaning to: (LIVE AS CITIZENS!)

Philippi… a city of Macedonia, yet one of the few who had the privileged and honor of being considered Roman Citizens in this empire that ruled the world

To be a citizen meant:

Rights, prestige and honor

Distinction, pride, and respect

It was held as one of the highest honors to have

According to the strict interpretation of the Roman law, the civitas superseded all other citizenship, (W.M. Ramsay)

You did not live or act like a slave

There was an expectation of CONDUCT in the community in which you were a part of:

We have lost this idea and mindset in many areas of our communities these days!

Think about Expectations of Conduct:

FOOTBALL: you play with the team, you show up and practice together, run the plays, do your part and do it well, uniformity is expected and needed

AMERICAN: you and I have the privilege of being citizens of this great country… even with all its faults we live in a very privileged place. As citizens we have the gift of voting, electing people to lead by ballot. Not only is this a right, it is a huge privilege, do not waste this freedom… or this freedom may be taken away.

FAMILY: you participate with siblings, respect parents, represent the family name well, help out with things needing done, you know your actions impact other members, you contribute, you have support, love, depth

CHURCH FAMILY: you and I are citizens of Heaven, children of the household of God! To think you enter into this family or become a citizen of Heaven with no expectations of your conduct is just plain foolishness and stupidity. God expects more of you than a coach does his football team… and there are greater rewards and outcomes!!!

Show up and participate

Do your part and do it for His glory

Work together

Engage don’t just sit on the bench (or pew)

Know what is expected and do it!

Don’t do it for impression sake but because it is who you are! (THE FAMILY OF GOD!)

Paul uses a word to define the type of conduct you and I should have as we engage the Gospel of Jesus Christ… the word is WORTHY

WORTHY…

Defining Our Conduct

Definition of worthy: placing value or worth to something; an importance! making sure something is fit for the task, safe or sufficient

Is our conduct demonstrate the importance and value, the eternal worth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

Is our conduct fit (worthy) sufficiently lived out to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Consider how Paul defines this worthy walk in Ephesians 4:1-6

Ephesians 4:1–6 NASB95

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

How is that for a definition!!!

As the Ephesians, the Philippians, and even as you and I conduct our lives worthy of this Gospel of Jesus Christ the scriptures implore us to do so by STANDING FIRM!

STANDING FIRM!

Simply stated Standing Firm is contending or striving as ONE MAN… Illustrate with JV Football Team Touchdown

Paul wanted to hear and see them standing firm…

What is Heard about you...

Things said or stated of you and I

The reputation that people around us know us for

If one were asked to describe you in their own words what would we hear?

What is Seen through you...

The actions demonstrated in our day to day living

What is lived out in our responses to various situations good and bad

What is exemplified (our example) what if you were the only bible people read… what would your life say?

Paul addresses two areas we as believers need to stand firm (that will be both seen and heard of)… the first is UNITY!

Standing Firm in Unity

One Spirit… The Holy Spirit working in and through us TOGETHER

Jesus Himself prayed this for you and I… John 17:20-23

John 17:20–23 NASB95

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

It’s awesome in its truest sense to think that Jesus Christ prayed for you and me!!!

One mind… our mind set our minds on Christ and the things of Christ… on God’s Word following His direction for living, “think on these things” Paul will later write!

Striving Together… doing your part, contributing with one another

Verse 28 says, “don’t be alarmed by your opponents” meaning alarmed or scattered… stay unified TOGETHER! (Zebra and lion)

The things seen and heard of YOU… impacts and reflects on the FAMILY OF GOD… (You are NOT isolated)

In our western mindset or worldly mindset (not sure which maybe both)

We have made salvation individualistic, our spiritual growth individualistic, our worship of God individualistic, even prayer is individualistic self focused

We even make statements like, “I am the church”… NO YOU ARE NOT!!! WE ARE THE CHURCH! WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST!

Trust me, we need to stand firm in Unity because we are also called to stand firm in SUFFERING!

Standing Firm in Suffering

In Verse 29 it begins “it has been Granted...” there is a privilege and honor given to us… to suffer for Christ!

The salvation that comes from belief!!!… we understand that honor and privilege

We are children of God!… Citizens of heaven

But to SUFFER???

This is not just normal everyday suffering, BUT suffering for the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!

Paul talks to this, Peter addressed it, even Christ said we would suffer as he suffered

Paul brings it full circle here too

These Philippians have seen and heard of Paul’s suffering for the gospel

This letter is addressing Paul’s gratitude for the church… this local body of believers who stood firm with him, united with him for the cause of the Gospel! Even willing to suffer with him!

What joy Paul has found in this body of believers, these brothers and sisters in Christ

As he writes to them he is encouraging them, it is worth it to live a life in a manner worthy of this good news of Jesus Christ