Intro: A man came to the Baptist Church and asked to see the pastor. “Pastor,” he said, “My dog died and I would like a Christian burial for him.”
The Pastor said, “I’m sorry to hear about your dog, but we Baptists don’t do funerals for dogs. You might try the Methodist church down the street. Methodists will do most anything.”
The man turned sadly and said, “I’m sorry you won’t do my dog’s funeral, but I understand. I’ll try the Methodist church. But would you tell me how much is appropriate to leave for a memorial for the church? I was thinking of giving a $10,000 memorial in honor of my dog.”
“Wait a minute,” the pastor said. “You didn’t tell me that your dog was Baptist…”
Monday is Memorial Day. Throughout the Bible the people of Israel and the church were encouraged to raise memorials. In Joshua they were memorial stones our modern day equivalent would be the WWI, WWII, and Vietnam War memorials. In the New Testament we are told every time we take part in the Lord’s Supper we do it in remembrance of our Lord Jesus or a memorial to Him. A Synonym for memorial is honor. Human beings have been historically bad at honoring God.
Romans 1:21 “even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
John 5:23 (read), 1 Timothy 6:13-16 (read)
What type of memorial does God want from us? He no longer wants stone monuments He now wants living stone memorials. 1 Peter 2:5 as living stones we are to be the memorials that are lifted up to Jesus. Here in Philippians 1:27-30 Paul tells us exactly how we can be that living memorial.
I. Your conduct should be a memorial to Jesus
Paul begins by saying, “Just one thing.” The Greek word monon means alone or only. Paul was telling the Philippians this one thing is essential as a believer. Live your life worthy of the Gospel.
Paul used the Greek word politeou which is still with us today in police, politics, and metropolis. This would have made a clear point to the Philippians. Philippi was a Roman colony, a little Rome, because soldiers that were loyal to Antony settled there after the civil war between Antony and Octavian. They believed they were Roman representatives to a culture that was mostly Greek. You could translate the word Paul used as citizen. The Philippians believer’s citizenship was now in heaven. Even though the Philippians were 800 miles from Rome they were not governed by any regional authority they answered directly to Rome. They lived differently because they were citizens of a different country.
As newsman Clarence W. Hall followed American troops through Okinawa in 1945, he and his jeep driver came upon a small town that stood out as a beautiful example of a Christian community. He wrote, “We had seen other Okinawan villages... down at the heels and despairing; by contrast, this one shone like a diamond in a dung heap. Everywhere we were greeted by smiles and dignified bows. Proudly the old men showed us their spotless homes, their terraced fields... their storehouses and granaries, their prized sugar mill.”
Hall said that he saw no jails and no drunkenness, and that divorce was unknown in this village. He was told that an American missionary had come there some 30 years earlier. While he was in the village, he had led two elderly townspeople to Christ and left them with a Japanese Bible. These new believers studied the Scriptures and started leading their fellow villagers to Jesus. Hall’s jeep driver said he was amazed at the difference between this village and the others around it. He remarked, “So this is what comes out of only a Bible and a couple of old guys who wanted to live like Jesus.”
Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ (Message of Phil 1.27)
II. Your consistency should a memorial to Jesus
Paul wanted the Philippian believers to live a consistently Christian life whether he was present or not. He used the Greek word steko which is translated stand firm. It was used of a soldier who would stand firm and hold their ground even in the face of powerful enemy attack.
The only way to be consistent in our conduct is to be consistent in our fellowship with Jesus.
What is consistency or integrity? Letting your yes be yes and your no be no. You do what you say you will do. You are what you say you are. Jesus was clear that our consistency is measured by our actions and not by our words. It is our consistent character that is kindled in the Holy fire of the presence of Jesus.
Daniel is a clear biblical illustration of consistency despite what circumstance surround you. In Daniel 6 the princes and governors were trying to bring an accusation against him. Daniel 6:4 tell us they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.” So what was Daniels reward from the world for his consistent walk with God? They convinced the king to change the laws and got Daniel thrown in the lion’s den. Don’t be surprised when you do right according to God’s ways that the world does you wrong, it is opposed to His ways!
Church the great need of the day, no the hour is men and women of Godly character willing to face the inconsistencies of the world in order to enjoy the consistent peace of God!
III. Your cooperation should be a memorial to Jesus
Paul told the Philippians to work side by side. The Greek word used was an athletic term that meant to strive together. Paul is saying the right kind of strife in the church is standing shoulder to shoulder facing the enemy with the Gospel and Armor of faith. The unity of the body is a great Memorial to Jesus. If you remember Jesus High priestly prayer he requested that His body and bride would be one. No not the Roman numeral one but a united body of believers seeking to attain the same mission and goals.
We have a common opponent and we must submit to God and resist the devil and he must flee.
Cooperation means we will have to forgive at times, means we will have to submit at times, means we will have to love at times, means we will have to repent at times, means we will have to stop at times.
Paul is trying to tell the Philippians you must all be pulling in the same direction. God has a plan for you and it will only be accomplished together. The plan God has for the church is only ever accomplished as it strives together as His body and His bride. There is no room for rogue cells going off and doing their own thing. That is a sickness that we usually call it cancer. We have to ask ourselves are we walking worthy of the Gospel? Are we striving together for the goals and objectives God has laid before us?
Look at what He has done! The Lord has used us to baptize 5 people already. He has impressed me to tell you to pray for 10 people to be saved as well as the 10 Baptism. We can cooperate in these kingdom goals.
IV. Your courage should be memorial to Jesus
A) Courage to experience persecution
Paul is encouraging them not to be skittish like scared horses. Jesus told us if they persecuted me they will persecute you. When we stand for truth and speak it even in love we will be persecuted.
2 Timothy 3:12 “In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
The only reason for an absence of persecution is an absence of desiring to live worthy of the Gospel. If we speak out against the killing of babies, the destruction of marriage, the twisting of the sexes, the loosening of morality we will be slandered or slaughtered. We were given a mission by Jesus to speak the truth, walk in the truth and shine as lights. If we do any of this we will feel the pressure of persecution.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon said it well, “The ripest of fruit will be pecked at most by the birds; those who have most of God’s image will have most of the world’s contempt.”
B) Courage to endure pain
What many people want and what too many preachers preach is comfort. We are not promised comfort in this life but pain. In fact Paul here considers it both the will of God and the privilege of the saint. The joy is in suffering for the cause and name of Jesus. None of us go looking to suffer in fact many of us try to avoid it. Suffering may not mean exactly the same thing for us as it did for the first century. It may not mean bodily torment, imprisonment, starvation or a torturous death, but it will always be the price we pay when we uncompromisingly identify with and follow Jesus as Lord. What price are you willing to pay in order to be a living memorial?
C) Courage to emulate Paul
It is often difficult to press on under the pressures of persecution and pain. Paul wanted the Philippians to follow his example. According to acts 14.22 Paul believed that every believer would have some type of pressure or pain until the end of time. However we are to view it as a stepping stone rather than a setback. The pain and pressure we experience and endure should remind us that this world is not our home. We are citizens of heaven and we should live as citizens of heaven.
Conclusion: Each day God gives us a blank canvas to paint on. If we choose to paint with our creativity and wisdom it will be a monstrosity. But if we allow God to lead us in our conduct, consistency, cooperation and courage each day we can paint a work of art in memorial to God. So are you living worthy of the Gospel? Are you making a masterpiece for your heavenly Father?
