"Living Worthy of the Gospel of Christ"
Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 19:41
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It’s all too easy to conform to the world. We want to fit in, to feel that we belong. If we aren’t careful we’ll find ourselves becoming like the people we spend the most time with. If they are not believers it could have a negative effect on our lives.
The church in Philippi was facing pressure to conform. Philippi was a Roman colony, and the people there prided themselves on being Roman citizens, with all the rights and privileges that entailed. Even though located in Macedonia it was considered to be on Roman soil. It was also a center of worship for various gods, including emperor worship. The Philippians’ allegiance to another “Lord” than Caesar bordered on treason as it challenged the political establishment. Paul wants to encourage the disciples there ro remember that their citizenship is in God’s kingdom.
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 one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
Conduct yourselves in a worthy manner
Conduct yourselves in a worthy manner
The words for ‘conduct yourselves’ mean to live as citizens. Paul is telling the believers there to live as those who belong to God’s kingdom, not to Rome.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
We are still called, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to live as God’s people. What exactly does this entail?
Of the gospel of Christ
Of the gospel of Christ
In response to:
God’s love for us
Jesus’s sacrifice for us
Living by the values and priorities of God’s kingdom.
Living by the values and priorities of God’s kingdom.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Pleasing God in every way
Bearing fruit in good works
Growing in knowledge of God
Standing firm
Standing firm
Paul has described his own situation, awaiting trial and facing possible death, and his hope of standing firm:
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
To refuse to yield or conform. It refers to the soldier keeping his position while under attack
Against the pressure of persecution
Against the temptation to despair and give up
In one spirit
In one spirit
United in purpose – Jesus prayed that His disciples would be one
In one mind – having the mind of Christ
Contending together for the faith
Contending together for the faith
Striving side by side
Against the dangers of false teachings
Being active in spreading the gospel – letting their lives be a witness
Suggests a joint effort, working as a team