Sunday, July 15,2018 pm
STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS
(7)
Conduct Worthy of the Gospel
Philippians 1:27-30
This year we have begun a study of the book of Philippians.
We are devoting approximately one Sunday evening per month to
this study. While written
from prison, Paul is encouraging these brethren to rejoice.
Thus far in our study we find Paul’s personal prayers and remarks
concerning their relationship with one another.
He has thanked God for their fellowship, and prayed for them that
their love abound in knowledge and discernment, that they approve
excellent things, that they be sincere and without offense and filled
with the fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:9-11).
He then described how his present condition as a prisoner had
turned out for the furtherance of the gospel (1:12-18).
In our last lesson we addressed Paul’s spiritual dilemma – “for
me to live is Christ, but to die is gain (1:19-26).
We discussed choices and how we must handle them with God’s will
in mind.
Today, we want to notice Paul’s desire for these brethren.
a.
The word “conduct” (conversation – KJV) is a word that was associated with
citizenship. It indicated that one acted properly as a citizen, with
loyalty and respect for its laws and civic duty.
b.
As Christians, we are
citizens of the kingdom of heaven –
Philippians 3:20 – our citizenship is in heaven.
Ephesians 2:19 describes us as no longer being strangers and foreigners
(to one another as Christians), but rather that we be fellow citizens
with the saints and members of the household of God.
We must remind ourselves often
that we answer to our spiritual King.
c.
But here, Paul notes
that our conduct involves the way we appear before others.
Our conduct is to be worthy of the gospel of Christ.
We need to live our lives showing the worth of the gospel to us.
A gospel that has transformed our lives – Romans 12:1-2: pierced
our soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12); demonstrates the power of God at
work in our lives (Romans 1:16); and through which we are saved if we
hold fast to it (1 Corinthians 15:1-2, Ephesians 1:13)
Conduct worthy of the gospel:
i.
Manifests respect for
His word by obeying it and defending it.
ii.
Is not ashamed of it
(Romans 1:16).
iii.
We don’t act in a manner
that blasphemes God or His will – 1 Peter 2:11-12 – having your
conduct (different word – TT)
honorable among the Gentiles.
iv.
Does not compromise it –
Galatians 2:5
v.
Lets our light shine –
Matthew 5:16, cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4).
We make the gospel attractive to others.
vi.
Will seek peace
-Ephesians 6:15. Our text bears this out as it calls for unity.
d.
The word
only that begins this
section is a strong word that indicates exclusivity.
This is the ONLY thing or primary thing you need to do.
You might say it is similar to Paul saying ALL the commandments
are summed up in this, you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Romans
13:9). Often used in the
negative to indicate there are MORE things one must do, or to NOT make
an action exclusive – James 1:22 – be doers of the word and NOT hearers
only; James 2:24 – “not by faith only”.
e.
So that whether I come
and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs…
i.
Recall how Paul’s desire
was to come to them, but he knew it was God’s decision.
So here he observes that regardless of what happens (whether he
is able to physically come to them OR he is hindered by prison or even
death or other circumstances), whatever he hears about them should be
good news to him
ii.
NOTE: Let us strive to
be worthy of the gospel REGARDLESS of who sees us.
Don’t put on a front when others are around and act
hypocritically when they are not.
e.g. In our homes, we let our guard down - does our family see
consistently?
e.g. When no one is around, and only God is watching, how do we behave?
f.
Paul proceeds to
describe at least 3 ways that we let our conduct be worthy of the gospel
a.
To stand fast
means to hold firm. It is
the idea of not giving up or wavering.
1 Corinthians 16:13 – we are told to watch and stand fast in the faith,
be brave and strong.
Galatians 5:1 – stand fast in our freedoms (liberty) in Him.
Do not let the world enslave you again.
As Christians, we cannot quit.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 – stand fast and hold the traditions (in this case,
the truth that was established and practiced by them)
Philippians 4:1 - Later in this letter Paul will simply tell them to
stand fast in the Lord.
We need to stand fast against the immorality around us and that
is tempting us (1 John 2:15-17),
the dangers of unbelief as
a result of worldly philosophies, the dangers of false doctrines and
compromise, & the lukewarm condition.
Think of the 7 churches of Asia – the 5 with problems – left
their first love (Ephesus - a church with conviction, but no mercy),
compromise (Pergamos & Thyatira – churches with mercy, but no
conviction) and stagnation (Sardis was dying, and Laodicea was
lukewarm).
Also, we cannot quit! We
cannot give up! Luke 9:62 –
Jesus said it plainly!
Paul spoke of Demas, having forsaken him having loved this present world
– 2 Timothy 4:10
b.
In one spirit –
we need each other as brethren and need to treat each other that way.
This is a key tool to an unwavering faith – we stand TOGETHER!
The spirit here could
be a reference to the Holy Spirit (e.g. His teachings and influence in
our lives – cf. Romans 8:1ff) or OUR spirt as a congregation – our
togetherness, our “one-anotherness”, etc.
This is our unified agreement (which we will address in our next
lesson – Philippians 2:1-2).
WHEN we stand together and encourage each other as we ought to we will
be living with conduct “worthy of the gospel of Christ”.
Consider John 13:34-35.
a.
Striving together is a term that describes contending or struggling. It is the idea of
really working to accomplish some goal.
We are an army that is together contending for the faith (Jude 3)
and against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-18).
b.
With one mind
(or soul) - We have to work together as we deal with the world and
overcome our enemy.
It is no secret that as a citizenry, this nation is BITTERLY divided.
We see before us the product NOT being one minded.
Instead of working to make each other better, we are tearing each
other apart as a nation.
Lies are spewed, hateful speech, conduct and intolerance are levied
toward those we disagree with.
Why is this? Because
our nation has rejected God and His laws.
Because of this, I can kind of understand it in the world.
But what when its brethren?
I am seeing enough on social media, in brotherhood periodicals
and by just listening, that we too are bitterly divided.
Sometimes you find it in congregations!
We are called upon to be
like-minded and of one mind (next lesson in this study).
Incidentally, that is (at least in part) that what the church is
about? We are to be the
family of God working together, with like goals and actions.
We function as a body with every part doing its share.
Be reminded that we are
not to bite and devour one another (Galatians 5:15).
We are to be encouraging each other.
A body is to be without schism (1 Corinthians 12:20-25).
c.
For the faith of the
gospel – the
gospel needs to produce faith (Romans 1:16 – from faith to faith), but
also we need to SHOW our faith – James 2:17-18.
a.
Not in any way terrified - We are not to be living in fear, especially of our
spiritual enemy, Matthew 10:28. God
does not like the cowardly (Revelation 21:8).
We cannot let fears of rejection, ridicule, uncertainty or even
outright persecutions keep us from standing up for the faith of the
gospel.
ONE thing that can help us alleviate our fears is by standing fast in
one spirit and striving together for the faith of the gospel.
That is why we need each other.
b.
Which is to them a proof of perdition – or destruction (NASB).
Enemies of God will face His wrath – 2 Thessalonians 1:5-9.
With their conduct they will heap coals of fire upon themselves.
Their ungodly behavior also reveals their true character and the
justice of God’s wrath.
c.
But to you of salvation
from God –
when you, by faith, boldly proclaim and affirm the gospel, you are
making sure of your salvation.
1 John 5:4 - God is greater than he wo is in the world.
d.
For to you it has been granted to not only believe in Him, but to suffer
for His sake
–
The word “granted” in the
Greek is a derivative of the same word as grace.
Paul is saying it is a gift. How can suffering be a gift?
Romans 5:3-5 tells us that tribulations produce perseverance,
character and hope. We also
find that our faith is made stronger and possibly that of others.
And then there is the potential of conversion by the world
observing our faith.
Matthew 5:10-12 – Jesus said blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness sake.
2 Timothy 3:12 – we are told that those who live godly WILL suffer
persecution.
Acts 5:41-42 – after the apostles were beaten, they left rejoicing that
they were counted worthy to suffer for Him.
1 Peter 4:12-16 deals with this in greater detail.
If anyone suffers as a Christian, glorify God in this.
We must understand BY FAITH that being a Christian is not a guarantee of
peace on earth. In fact,
when there is peace, we ought to at least step back and examine why.
Suffering is NOT a sign of weakness to God, rather it is a sign
of approval that you are pleasing Him.
e.
Having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me
-
1 Thessalonians 2:2, But even
after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as
you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in
much conflict. Acts 16
records the beatings of Paul and Silas in Philippi and how they reacted.
2 Timothy 1:8 – Paul
urged Timothy to not be ashamed of him, but to share in his suffering.
PAUL is encouraged by what these brethren have endured, much in
the same way they are encouraged by what he had endured.
In
this lesson we have noted some things that demonstrate conduct worthy of
the gospel. Is our conduct
worthy of the gospel of Christ?
Are we really good citizens of His kingdom?
Think about it!