Being Joyful: Believers Unite!

November 9, 2014

Being Joyful

Believers Unite!

Philippians 1:27-30

(Advance Slide #1)

Introduction

(Advance Slide #2)

Things that divide us are usually personal.

• Fights, arguments, personal positioning are driven by personal agendas.
• News of what was going on in Philippi reached Paul.
• Since Paul had left these had been time for:

1. A trip from Philippi to Rome to deliver a gift.
2. A trip back to Philippi to report the news of Epaphroditus.
3. And a trip back to Rome expressing concerns about Epaphroditus.

Paul was concerned about a division that could happen.

(Advance Slide #3)

• This was serious to Paul.
• Because, those on the outside seeing Christians fighting against one another the gospel gets hidden in the fight!

In a family where there is peace and harmony...there is JOY!

Text

(Advance Slide #4)

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Paul begins this section with these enriching words: “Only let your manner of life be worthy…”

(Advance Slide #5)

• Conduct yourself...live like a citizen.
• Philippi was a small city that was a part of Rome and they prided themselves in their citizenship.
• The masses would’ve been suspicious of anyone that did not play allegiances to Caesar.

Live like a Christian!

(Advance Slide #6)

• “...worthy of the gospel of Christ”
• Our lives MUST BE worthy of the message that saves us.
• “a worthy manner” - this is a favorite phrase of Paul’s
• Col. 1:10; Eph. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 1:5,11

As the brothers and sisters read vs. 27, “whether I come and see you or am absent”

• Paul’s desire is for them to be able to stand firm!
• Standing on their own is a sign of growth and maturity.
• Paul is stressing the need for consistency
• Will they remain faithful when he is away?
• Will they act on their own or depend on him to solve their problems?

Paul calls for unity!

(Advance Slide #7)

• “...standing firm in one spirit, with one mind”
• If they are unified, then divisiveness will not destroy their witness!

(Advance Slide #8)

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

(Advance Slide #9)

Suffering has been granted to them.

Why would Paul rejoice in that?

• “ganted” carries a literal meaning of “gifted” or “graced”
• God has “gifted” them to opportunity to suffer for His sake!

Suffering was going to be a major part of the Philippian Christian’s lives.

• Their suffering was going to serve as a sign.
• It would be a sign of the destruction of their enemies.
• While it is hard to understand it also serves as a sign of salvation for the Christians.

(Advance Slide #10)

Thier “suffering” also corresponds with Paul’s suffering.

• Since he had fellowship with them this too is part of their fellowship.
• This word suffering can be better translated as “conflicts” or struggles”
• Where we get the English word “agony.”

What’s going on might frighten and intimidate you.

• DO NOT allow this to happen!
• This is not a sign that God is not pleased with you.
• In fact, suffering is the way to glory!

Lesson

How can we be encouraged and increase in joy with these words?

• There are two simple lessons…

“Don’t let them know that you are afraid!”

• This was the wise words that were given to me when I was young.
• The situation was that a large dog was running towards me.
• The advice seemed silly...I had been Bitten by a smaller dog before
• What would a large dog do?
• Sure enough the dog stopped sniffed around my feet and then ran off.

Those that were working against the gospel in Philippi were not dogs but I think the story works!

(Advance Slide #11)

Don’t Be Intimidated!

Something subtle and dangerous is going on in Philippi.

• From the 1st century until now, plenty of people have tried to stop Christianity.
• Forces of scepticism and cynicism within our culture are extremely powerful.
• Especially in our newspapers and on television.
• It would be easy for the Christians in Philippi, and us, to be intimidated but Paul says DON’T!

Why not? Don’t they have the power to harm us?

• The answer is, yes and no.
• But didn’t Jesus say not to fear those, “who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” - Mt. 10:28

This is why it’s important that Christian’s behaviour be “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

• Their joy and boldness should not be seen in fear but in a way that glorifies God.
• We must not have an attitude of selfishness, rudeness, disrespectfulness, deceit, envy, etc.
• In contrast, be known as a honest, reliable, good neighbours...even if people are accusing or attacking them.  

Be Unified!

While being a good example Paul is also encouraging them to be unified!

• He is challenging them to ‘struggle side by side’ much like a sports team.
• Godly behaviour and united work sends a signal to opponents: WE’RE NOT AFRAID!
• This signal is even part of the gospel message!
• It serves as a sign to the Christians that they already belong to the coming king, and to their opponents that a new kingdom is beginning and the old threats don’t work any more.

Paul’s world was familiar with the situation where a great army might be taken over by a new general.

• He might demand different standards of behaviour and different practices
• News of this would take time to work through the ranks, and many of the old soldiers would prefer to remain loyal to their former general.
• This is not unity!
• But those who knew that the new general had indeed taken over, and would get his way, would be in the position of strength.

Paul believes that Jesus as the new King!

• While most people didn’t yet realize it those who did must stand firm and remain loyal to Him.
• This unified them...FELLOWSHIP!
• Why? Because one day the whole world will acknowledge him as Lord.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Phil. 2:9-11

Prayer

Conclusion

Our single mindedness enables us to have joy in the midst of battle

• It helps to produce in us consistency, cooperation, and confidence.

(Advance Slide #12)

• We experience the joy of “spiritual teamwork ” as we strive together for the faith of the gospel.

Being Joyful: Gospel Piooneer

November 2, 2014

Being Joyful

Gospel Pioneer

Phil. 1:12-21

(Advance Slide #1)

Introduction

The section of scripture that we will study today is like ‘Paul’s Missionary Report’

(Advance Slide #2)

• He wanted to go to Rome as a preacher not a prisoner.
• He is writing a congregation that supported him.
• When others seemed to have given up on him they were there financially and even spiritually.

(Advance Slide #3)

Paul did not find joy in ideal circumstances, he found his joy in winning others to Christ.

• Maybe this congregation was on the verge of division.
• There had been some arguing and quarreling.

Yet, he hopes to encourage them and cheer them up with this letter!

Text

(Advance Slide #4)

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Phil. 1:12-14

Besides Christ, Paul and the Philippian Christians have something else in common.

• They are both facing trouble!

(Advance Slide #5)

• Yet, Paul informs the reader that sometimes good come from bad situations.
• It is too easy to focus on what is going wrong in our lives.
• Paul could have done this.
• His imprisonment can be read about at the end of Acts.
• It was not pretty and he could have found some sympathy.
• But he was happy about the good that was happening.
• “Even though I am in chains...God’s Word is not!”

No one can tie down the gospel!

(Advance Slide #6)

• This passage is similar to an OT passage that we are also familiar with...Gen 50:19-20
• After all that happened to Joseph he could have been bitter towards his brothers.
• In fact, after Jacob’s death they thought Joseph would finally enact justice.

19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Gen. 50-19-20.

There are some people that just seem to find good in every circumstances.

(Advance Slide #7)

• “advance the gospel” - inspite of what’s happening to me the gospel continues to progress!
• He says that he is in chains “in Christ.”
• He doesn’t describe his situation as “in behalf of Christ Jesus” but “in Christ Jesus.”

One would think that the Christians would have looked at Paul’s situation and said, “I don’t want that to happen to me.”

• But the exact opposite happened!
• They were, “much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
• They stood firm and didn’t hold back!

(Advance Slide #8)

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.  Phil. 1:15-18

So, Paul has learned about some negative things happening as well as what really matters too.

(Advance Slide #9)

• Some were preaching from “envy and rivalry.”
• So who were the ‘bad guys’?
• Some suggest they might have been Judaisers.
• They might have preached the gospel to get Paul in trouble.
• Others suggest that they were pagans trying to make Paul look bad.
• Another possibility was that it was a group that was jealous of Paul.

(Advance Slide #10)

“It doesn’t bother me!”

• They must not have been preaching the right message.
• In his letter to the church in Galatia he indicated the importance of preaching something other than the true gospel - Gal. 1:6-8.
• Paul does not call down a curse on them?
• They were apparently preaching the truth and people were being saved!

Then there were those who preached out of love!

• “Glory to God, Jesus is being taught!”
• That is all that matters, not my situation or even your own!

(Advance Slide #11)

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil. 1:19-21

(Advance Slide #12)

People must have faith in God and that He is in charge.

• Paul rejoices in what HAS happened and what WILL happen!
• Real confidence is putting our trust in Jesus.

“I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance”

• No matter how bad it seems God will work through it all!
• He is in charge of it all and will work it out for good!

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28

Paul has a threefold joy/hope:

1. I will not be put to shame.
2. I don’t want to back down because of what people will say.
3. I want Jesus to be exalted no matter what!

Lesson

Paul was a pioneer for the gospel.

(Advance Slide #13)

• He used several tool at his disposal...I think we can learn from these.

(Advance Slide #14)

His Chains - vs. 12-14

Paul never complained about his ‘chains’...(i.e. his circumstances)

• Instead he used them to advance the gospel.

Sometime God allows chains to be placed on His people and they (you and I) have to determine how they will be a pioneer.

• When you have the single mind, you look on your circumstances as God-given opportunities for the furtherance of the gospel.
• You will rejoice at what God is going to do instead of complaining about what God did not do.

What situation do you find yourself in that can be used to the glory of God?

(Advance Slide #15)

His Critics - vs. 15-19

Criticism is usually very hard to take!

• Particularly when we are in difficult circumstances like Paul.
• How was the apostle able to rejoice even in the face of such diverse criticism?
• He possessed the single mind.
• vs. 19 indicates that Paul expected his case to turn out victoriously (“to my deliverance”) because of the prayers of his friends and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Paul was not depending on his own dwindling resources; he was depending on the generous resources of God

How will you face the critics, whose desire is to rob you of your joy?

(Advance Slide #16)

His Crisis - vs. 20-21

Because of Paul’s chains, Christ was known (Phil. 1: 13)...

Because of Paul’s critics, Christ was preached (Phil. 1: 18)...

But because of Paul’s crisis, Christ was magnified! (Phil. 1: 20).

Paul could have been convicted and then executed.

• To the Christian with the single mind, Christ is with us here and now!
• Yet, as we have already seen, Paul used this crisis to exalt God.

Are you going through a crisis now?

• How can you use it to magnify God?

PRAY

Conclusion

We should follow Paul’s example in what we’ve studied today.

(Advance Slide #17)

• In all that we do we should live ‘in Jesus Christ’ and have the same desire and hope that he had:

A hope that will not put Jesus to shame.

A hope for real boldness to stand firm.

A hope that no matter what we do Christ is exalted in everything we do.