notes

Main point summary

As a church, we are called to a fearless, often suffering, one-minded, all out participation for the progress and advancement of the gospel.

Devotional Thought

Are you wondering if your life is worthy of the gospel of Christ? Here are five truths that Paul gives us in Philippians 1:27-30 to help us assess whether or not we are adorning the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1. Worthy followers of Christ are members of a local church? The very context of this letter is written to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Phillipi, with the overseers and deacons. Take a look at all of the "team talk" in the following verses. We get no hint whatsoever of living this out on our own. Worthy followers of Jesus are members of a local church who are there for the progress and advancement of the gospel. 2. Worthy followers of Christ are one-minded? Do you lock arms together with your brother and sisters in Christ and have the same desire to see the gospel not only grow and advance in your own life but also see it grow and advance throughout your community to the rest of the world? Do you have a mind that is unified with the elders/pastors of your church? Do you stand together with the church with unwavering resolve to see people meet Jesus? Are these kinds of thoughts going through your mind throughout the week at work, taking care of the kids at home or chatting with the neighbors down the street? Do you have the mind of Jesus who desires everyone to meet him and be saved? Worthy followers of Jesus have one mind, the mind of Jesus, to see the progress and advancement of the gospel. 3. Worthy followers of Christ go "all out" for the faith of the gospel? Are you an active member of your church? A passive church member has the "come and see" consumer mentality. An active member is a Spirit-filled person who sees the church as a family or team and is willing to strive side by side with other brothers and sisters in Christ to see its establishment and expansion. Are you striving? Are you going all out (with other brothers and sisters in Christ) to see the gospel shape and mold all areas of your life? Are you going all out (with other brothers and sisters in Christ) to see the gospel advance from your home, to your community to the ends of the earth? Worthy followers of Jesus go "all out" for the progress and advancement of the gospel. 4. Worthy followers of Christ are willing to suffer for the advancement of the gospel? Are you willing to deny yourself and daily take up your cross and follow Jesus (Mark 8:34-38)? Are you willing to be mocked and shamed because of your relationship with Jesus? Are you willing to do whatever Jesus thinks needs to happen in your life to conform you more and more into his image? Are you willing to die? Are you willing to give your life for the sake of the gospel? Worthy followers of Jesus are willing to suffer for the progress and advancement of the gospel. 5. Worthy followers of Christ fearlessly follow Jesus? Are there going to be times in your life when you feel scared? Absolutely! We must remember that we have opponents of the gospel (both spiritual and physical) and there is no way that you can fearlessly follow Jesus if you are trying to do this on your own. We need each other for encouragement. We need each other to help us fix our eyes on Jesus. We need others by our side on the battlefield reminding us what the mission is and why we are committed to it. This is how worthy followers of Jesus can be fearless in the progress and advancement of the gospel.

Bracket

editing

NT

Philippians 1:27-30

esv

mine

ideaexplanation

Only v let your manner of life be w worthy 1 of the gospel of Christ,

Let every area of your life ooze with the invisible presence of Jesus

so that whether I come and see you

so that if I come and visit you

or am absent,

or alternately if I do not,

alternative

I may hear of you x that you are standing firm in one spirit,

I might hear that you all are standing together, with an unwavering resolve,

with y one mind

in which all of you are are on the same page, having the same thoughts,

series

z striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

going all out as a church family to live to see the gospel spread to the ends of the earth,

and not frightened in anything by your opponents.

and not being scared by anyone who opposes you and your gospel saturated lives.

progression

locative

actionpurpose

This is a a clear sign to them of their destruction,

In other words , our opponents will see just how unified and strong we are as a family and realize that this kind of unity and strength can only come from God himself. Their opposition will clearly show you and them that they cannot oppose God and will eventually be destroyed by God.

but b of your salvation,

But for you, this family strength and unity will be a sure sign that you have been saved,

and that from God.

that is you have been saved by God himself.

negativepositive

For c it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him

Because of Jesus you have been given a life purpose that you should not only believe and trust in his saving work for your life

but also b suffer for his sake,

but also know that he has called you to suffer for and with him,

engaged in the same d conflict that e you saw I had

in other words ...living your lives experiencing the same kinds of opposition you have seen me experience

and now hear that I still have.

and know that I am still experiencing currently as I sit in prison for the name of Jesus.

ground

discourse