Preaching From Philippians #3

When he wrote to the Philippian church, he was in prison. In prison he knew that he faced a capital crime and that he might be executed. If you were in prison and you thought that you might die, what kind of letter would you write?

We do not have to guess at what kind of letter the Apostle Paul would write, the letter to the Philippians is his letter.

Paul said in a previous sermon that for him to, "Live is Christ and to die was gain". This man of God was not afraid of dying, but he was concerned about what his death might do to others.

After giving his perspective on life and death, Paul turns his attention to admonishing the Philippians to have that same perspective in the Christian life.

And it is that Christian lifestyle that we will deal with today. Let me show you several interesting things in this passage of scripture, such as:

I. OUR CONDUCT

Look at verse 27, we read, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

Notice, this verse starts with the word “Only”.

Paul states that:

• Whether he lives or dies

• Whether he remains captive or free

• Whether he is able to come see them or not

They are to let their conduct be worthy of the gospel of Jesus.

Paul is saying that no matter what happens to him, they must have ONE desire, ONE AIM, and that is to live the Christian life, putting Christ FIRST in their life.

WHY IS HE SAYING THAT? Because many times things can happen to a loved one, and a person will blame God for it and will go so far as to quit serving the Lord.

Today, we live in an age where people do not want to accept responsibility for anything, and if they can find someone to blame things on - THEY WILL!

Illus: For example, today…

• If a man cuts his finger off while slicing salami at work, he blames the restaurant.

• If a man smokes three packs a day for 40 years and dies of lung cancer, his family blames the tobacco company.

• If a man crashes into a tree while driving home drunk, he blames the bartender.

• If your grandchildren are brats without manners, you blame television.

• If your friend is shot by a deranged madman, you blame the gun manufacturer.

• And if a crazed person breaks into the cockpit and tries to kill the pilot at 35,000 feet, and the passengers kill him instead, the mother of the deceased blames the airline.

Illus: Someone that spent a lot of time in front of a computer said, “I must have lived too long to understand the world as it is anymore. So, if I die while I am parked in front of this computer, I want you to blame Bill Gates...okay?”

Nobody wants to take any responsibility these days, they just want to blame someone else for what goes wrong.

Illus: An elderly couple left the restaurant after finishing their meal. The elderly woman left her glasses on the table, but she didn't miss them until they were back on the road. By then, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around. The elderly and grouchy old man fussed and complained all the way back to the restaurant. She said, “The reason I forgot my eye glasses was because you were rushing me to get in the car to leave.” He just wouldn't let up one minute. He told her how careless and forgetful she had become. When they finally arrived at the restaurant, as the woman got out of the car to get her eye glasses, her husband yelled to her, "While you're in there, you might as well get my hat."

People are not willing to take responsibility. They are going to find someone to blame their mistakes on even if they have to blame them on God.

Illus: For example, a man in his 60’s used to attend church regularly but now will not go to church. Why? Because he blames God for a drunk driver who smashed into his father’s car and killed him. Listen, God wasn’t driving that car that killed his father, if he is going to blame anyone, he should blame the drunk driver who was driving the car.

Paul wanted to come and see them, but he knew that there was a good chance he might not be able come because he might be executed for his faith. Paul did not want them to let circumstances control their faith.