Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

What does it mean to live worthy of a calling or profession?

· Maybe it’s that career, or relationship people try so hard to maintain.

· Why is it important to live out your calling?

● Can’t people do what seems right for them?

● In the end, does it matter what people think of our behavior, our conduct, choices, conversations, even actions or inactions.

So it does matter!

Most people will tell you they’re doing the best they can with what they have.

If you ever followed the sport of cycling!

You would have heard of a man by the name of Lance Armstrong.

In 1992 Lance Armstrong entered the professional world of a cycling at the youthful age of twenty.

During the period from 1999 to 2005, Armstrong pulled of a specular and unheard of seven straight record-breaking Tour De France victories.

Everything seem to be going his way, however in 2012, the United Stated Anti-Doping Agency completed an investigation discovering Armstrong used performance enhancing drugs for as long as he has been competing in the sport of cycling.

He was later stripped of all seven Tour De France victories and dishonorably banned for life from participating in the cycling competition that he loved so much.

Armstrong was consider as not walking worthy of the profession in which he competed.

Know This!

Need

God’s desire is for all his children to live their lives in such a way that reflects the likeness of Christ as they glorify God.

The question(s) begging to be asked are?

· Is it possible to walk Daily in this life with integrity, while refusing to compromise God’s precepts and principals?

· Is it possible for Christians live a life absent of fear and worry?

· Is it possible to live a life while coping or struggling under the weight with pain and suffering?

· Which leads one to ponder the thought of, just how:

· How or why do believers sometimes avoid; duck, dodge or sidestep a life of traveling in the right direction?

· Unfortunately, too many, unsuspecting believers’ resort to all sorts of ploys, strategies and other tactics, before seeking, turning and trusting in God, and depending on his word.

· For example, some Christians will first turn to other people before turning to God.

o They will first seek out their friends and get their take is on the matter at hand.

· They may even turn to their daily horoscope or pay someone on the physic line for some “so called” insider information, in search of:

o Their good fortune

o The right career moves

o Or just trying to avoid real or perceived “pointless” pain and suffering.

Although while in prison and in chains, Paul encouraged the Philippians to live a life reflecting their devotion to Christ.

In Phil.

1:27-30, Paul declared,

Philippians 1:27-30

“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,

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.

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,

30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.” (NKJV)

Sermon Title:

“A life Worthy of the Gospel”

Transition

Part of living a life Worthy of the Gospel is that:

· Christians are encouraged to live in one accord with fellow believers while walking in obedience even when no one is watching.

· The question is:

o Is it possible, to live responsibly, in a fallen, sin ravaged world?

§ More importantly, is it possible to live a life, worthy of the Gospel of Christ?

· To accomplish this, the text suggests three important precepts.

· In order to live a life worthy of the Gospel, we must First strive to:

Body

Division Statement # 1

Live Worthy of the Gospel in Unity and with Integrity.

To do this.

To accomplish this.

Let’s dissect verse 27, the apostle Paul said:

Philippians 1:27, “27Only 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,

When Paul used the word conduct, he wasn’t just talking of someone with a nice demeanor, or having good manners or just talking about being a good person.

So, what was Paul talking about, what did he mean by your conduct:

· A person’s conduct can reveal who they are inside.

For example: Someone’s conduct can be observed as:

· Manipulative, Scheming, Calculating, and Controlling?

o It can be viewed as:

· Quarrelsome, Argumentative, Confrontational, or Cantankerous?

o It can be seen as:

· Devious, Deceptive, Hostile, and Belligerent?

What did exactly Paul mean by a conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ?

Some translations such as the (NIV), (NRSV), (NKJV), (KJV) read verse 27 as:

· (NIV) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy

· (NRSV) Only, live your life in a manner worthy

· (NKJV) Only let your conduct be worthy

· (KJV) Only let your conversation be as it becometh

· A person’s conduct can reveal who they really are?

· Our conduct reveals the choices we make?

o lying to your spouse about how much money you spent.

o using your position of power at work to sexually harass someone.

o selling a house and not disclosing known defects to the buyers.

o selling a car and lying about the vehicle's accident history.

o lying on your resume in order to get a Job.

o talking about a friend behind his Back.

o taking credit for work you did not do.

· The word conduct in Greek is politeuomai - po-lē-tyü'-o-mī

· This word carries the meaning of:

1.

To be a citizen.

2. To administer civil affairs, manage the state.

3. To behave as a citizen.

i.

To avail one's self of or recognize the laws

ii.

To conduct one's self as pledged to some law of life

However, when Paul used this word, he knew the church at Philippi automatically understood exactly what he meant.

The city known as Philippi was named after the man who conquered it: Phillip of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great)

· The people of Philippi they took pride in their Roman citizenship....

· We are not only citizens of a mere earthly city, state, or country.....Remember, as believers in Christ, We have a much higher position....

· Keep in mind, in Phil.

3, Paul said we are citizens of heaven.

Citizens have pride in their city.

· Just as the citizens of Boston came back with the term Boston Pride after a terrorist attack.

· The citizens of Philippi had that same kind of pride in their Roman citizenship.

We have been entrusted with the precious message of the Gospel, which came directly from Jesus Christ.

· The reception and belief in the Christ of the Gospel message allows instant access into the Kingdom of God.