Being Joyful: Believers Unite!

November 9, 2014

Being Joyful

Believers Unite!

Philippians 1:27-30

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Introduction

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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.

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• 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

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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…”

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• 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!

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• “...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!

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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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