Paul's Epistles – Philippians - Part 4:
A Life Worthy of the Gospel
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
SERMON INTRODUCTION
Paul’s epistle (letter) to the Philippians
is very important to the Gentiles. It was written to the first church founded
in Europe (Acts 16:9-40).
Though not generally considered one of the
most remarkable or deepest books of the bible, it is considered one of the
sweetest of Paul’s writings.
It is more in the nature of a love letter
to the Philippians, who had excelled all others in devoted attachment to Paul.
Throughout this letter we get a glimpse into the apostle’s heart.
THE CHURCH
The Philippian church was noted for its
generosity. It had repeatedly ministered to Paul (6:15 & 16).
Hearing Paul was imprisoned in Rome they
sent help again by the hands of Epaphroditus (6:10 & 18), who,
however, was struck down on his arrival by an almost fatal illness. Somehow
news of this illness had reached Philippi, to their dismay, and on his
recovery, Epaphroditus was anxious to reassure them in person (11:25-28),
so Paul write this letter for him to take.
So this letter was written by Paul while
in prison in Rome, and given to Epaphroditus to be taken back to the church in
Philippi.
TODAY’S SERMON
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Philippians 1:27-30
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 28 without
being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them
that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For
it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him,
but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are
going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that
I still have.
Paul opened his letter with a
salutation to all, reminding the church they were not 2 factions, there was no
“real” division, only a perceived one, created through sin.
He continued with thanksgiving
to God for them and a prayer for them.
He now explains how even his being in prison is for the glory of God.
The overall
message of this epistle to the church is;
“Christian unity to be maintained at all
costs”.
Today we look at Paul’s explanation of a
life worthy of the gospel
I. WHATEVER
HAPPENS CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
a. Then, whether I
come and see you, or only hear about you in my absence
i. I will know the you stand
firm in one Spirit
ii. LIT. vs
1:27 “Only worthily of the good news of the Christ conduct
ye yourselves…”
1. Not “whatever happens”, rather, ONLY speak and act
in a way that “rightly” (being worthy of) represents the good news of Christ
2. In other words, speak and act in TRUE doctrines
iii. Paul is saying, “Whether I see you or hear about
you, if you are living true doctrine, I will know that you STAND FIRM in ONE
SPIRIT.”
iv. Remember Ephesians 6, “stand your ground”, “Stand”,
“stand firm”,
v. For the Armor of God to protect the church, there must be TRUE
doctrine, and UNITY in the congregation, THEN you may “stand firm” against the
devils attacks.
b. Striving
together as one for the faith of the
gospel
i. Strength, and the ability to move forward as a church comes from
striving “together” FOR the faith of the Gospel
c. Without being
frightened in any way by those who oppose you
i. Who will oppose?
1. Those who believe false doctrine
2. Do not be frightened in any way by them
a. Don’t be bullied into accepting false teachings
b. Stay on the path of true doctrine
II. THIS IS
A SIGN TO THEM
a. They will be
destroyed
i. Either their false beliefs, and they will return to true doctrine
ii. Or, if they hold strong to their false doctrine,
they are at risk of being destroyed on Judgment Day
b. But you will be
saved
i. Because it is True Doctrine, the Truth, the Word that is Jesus
ii. And He alone saves
c. And that (A
& B) by God
i. False Doctrine and those who turn their backs on Truth will be
destroyed, not by us, but God Himself
1. James 4:12 “There
is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but
who are you who judge your neighbor?”
2. Joel 1:15 “Alas
for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, And it will come as destruction
from the Almighty.”
3. Jeremiah 15:6 "You
who have forsaken Me," declares the LORD, "You keep going backward So
I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you; I am tired of relenting!”
III. IT HAS
BEEN GRANTED TO YOU ON BEHALF OF CHRIST
a. Not only to
believe n Him but suffer for Him
i. Granted – given, gratuitously, in
kindness, pardon or rescue
ii. On behalf of Christ – because of, in regards to
1. Or, because you belong to Christ, you have been
given in His kindness
iii. Not only to believe (Pist-yoo’-o entrust, to
trust in) in Him
iv. But suffer for His sake
1. Suffer (feel passion) for His sake (purpose)
v. Because you belong to Christ, in His kindness He has allowed us to
entrust in Him, and have a passion for His purpose.
b. Since you are
going through the same struggle you saw I had and now hear I still have
i. Because Paul has a passion for Christ’s purpose (the Gospel) he
preaches true doctrine.
ii. This doctrine brings opposition
iii. Paul does not fear this opposition, because along
with the passion for Christ’s purpose, Paul is also given the position to
entrust in Christ.
1. No matter the situation, Paul knows God is in
control
c. Your life, how
you live, matters
CONCLUSION – the life worthy of the gospel
Paul encourages the church to do the following to
withstand the devils attacks
·
Stick to true
doctrine – this will create unity of the Body being in one Spirit
·
No matter what
is taking place – fighting, discord, division, stand strong on true doctrine
o
Always
conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel
·
This is a sign
to those who oppose true doctrine, that they will be destroyed, and you will be
saved, and this by God.
·
You have been
granted the ability to entrust the Lord completely, stand firm, in one Spirit
on true doctrine, and God’s Will is going to be done.
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