“Stand Firm in the Faith”
Paul’s letter to the Philippians offers some key elements to “Maintaining the Joy of the Lord No Matter What”. There were many “No matter whats” going on both in Paul life an in the group of believers meeting in that metropolitan Greek city.
Paul was in prison unable to freely carry out his calling. People were doing things just to cause distress in his life out of envy and strife. Paul face the possibility of execution. He received news of relational issues among them, pride, selfishness, grumbling, disputing, lack of genuine concern for each other, severe illness on team members, a lack of passion to know Jesus, and the presence of those who were not genuine followers of Jesus.
For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. Philippians 3:18-19
Amidst all these things, Paul maintained joy and wrote about “Maintaining the joy of the Lord no matter what.”
He could do it through a focus on the right things. Focusing on what is important brings everything else into perspective. Paul addresses the important things in each chapter.
1. ADOPT THE RIGHT AXIS – Passion to praise Christ
Paul’s passion to exalt Christ in everything enabled him to rejoice no matter what.
2. MAINTAIN THE RIGHT ATTITUDE – Passion to please Christ
Paul’s passion to please Christ through a life of service to others brought genuine joy.
3. PURSUE THE RIGHT AIM – Passion to pursue Christ
Paul’s passion to pursue Christ above everything else lifted him above the disappointments and discouragement of pursuing temporal things.
Besides a passionate desire to praise, please and pursue Christ, Paul focused on a number of lifestyle activities and character traits associated with living a life of joy in a difficult world.
4. PRACTICE THE RIGHT ACTIONS – Passion to live well
Passion to live well
Paul pursued a passion to live well. This includes some specific areas. We have touched on the first.
A. Stand firm in the Lord 4:1
Therefore, my brothers, dearly loved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, dearly loved.
The use of “therefore” at the beginning of this instruction logically connects with statements immediately preceding. Paul just finished admonishing the Philippians to keep living by the standard of behavior taught by him and demonstrated by him.
First, because there were some who turned out to be an enemy of the cross by their fleshly appetites and earthly focus.
Second, because they were citizens of a heavenly kingdom awaiting the return of their Savior.
He told them to keep STANDING FIRM while they are waiting for Jesus’ glorious return when even their physical bodies would be transformed. Paul used a military term meaning to hold your ground, persevere, stand fast. The opposite of standing firm would be to fall, stumble, defect, give up, lose heart, grow weary, doubt, run away, lose focus on knowing Christ, get distracted, get tossed to and fro.
Scripture often addresses these tendencies under persecution. A good soldier of Jesus Christ employs every resource to stand firm in the fight. Considering the Lord’s imminent return, keep standing in the face of difficulty. Like a unified army, Paul admonished them to stand firm together. Paul also reminded them of the source of their strength by instructing them to stand firm IN THE LORD.
Their ability to stand firm directly relates to our connection with the Lord.
Stand firm because of your relationship to the Lord.
Stand firm by drawing on the strength of the Lord.
Stand firm by following the direction of the Lord.
We spent some time last year exploring areas in which we need to stand firm.
These are all joy-killers.
APPLYING STANDING FIRM IN THE LORD
Stand firm against persecution and false teaching
Stand firm in the storms of life.
Stand firm against the schemes of the Devil
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13
In the process of exploring Bible passages that call us to STAND FIRM, I encountered several verses calling us to stand firm in the faith. This morning, I want to share some of those verses and how they relate to us today.
Stand firm in the faith.
The noun “Faith” and “belief” come from the same Greek root word.
That root is translated “faith” 239 times and “belief” 1 time.
The verb “believe” coming from the same Greek root also appears 239 times.
The Old Testament terms translated faith and believe also signify the same concept.
The concept of faith and believing occupies a large portion of the New Testament.
The core idea concerns an inner persuasion as to the truth or value of something.
To act on that God-inspired inner persuasion is to “believe” or trust.
To have faith and exercise faith (believe) both come from God.
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, Philippians 1:29
Another aspect of faith used in Scripture refers to a set of basic Biblical beliefs; sometimes called Creeds or Doctrine or Orthodox Theology or The Truth.
Technically, it is a reference to any Divinely-revealed truth recorded in the Scriptures through divine inspiration. This aspect of “faith” is usually indicated when the article “the” precedes the word “faith”. I will focus our time today on the call to stand firm in THE FAITH.
I first want to explore some of the passages calling for adherence to THE FAITH.
I want to touch on the personal aspect of STANDING FIRM which deals with our personal response to THE FAITH.
Next week I want to take some time to explore some of the essential foundation truths of the Bible we must hold fast in an ever-growing relativistic culture.
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 1:3-4
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:14
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); Romans 10:8
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. Acts 16:5
When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:21-22
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:11-16
But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. 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, 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. Philippians 1:24-28
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:6-8
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:6-12
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Basic Beliefs
Scripture calls us to stand firm in THE FAITH. This is a call to constant vigilance as to the foundational truths of the Bible. We live in a time when “doctrine” has been abandoned as something to be avoided. Doctrine is a word that describes teaching. It refers to basic teaching. All of Scripture is included in “THE FAITH”.
Two considerations come to mind.
One, not everyone interprets the Scriptures the same way and therefore complete unity regarding the faith seems illusive.
Two, the Bible is no longer considered by many as our only infallible and authoritative source of faith and practice.
Recent surveys among those who consider themselves orthodox and even evangelical no longer stand firm in the faith.
• 46% of self-identified evangelicals believe that God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam
• 55% believe they will earn a place in heaven by being generally good.
• 83% of this group believe a person obtains peace with God by first taking the initiative to seek God and then God responds with grace.
• Only 52% agree that sex outside of traditional marriage is a sin.
• Only 47% agree that abortion is a sin.
• 54% do not believe they have a responsibility to share their faith with others.
A recent LifeWay Research study found that only 45 percent of those who regularly attend church read the Bible more than once a week. Over 40 percent of the people attending are reading their Bibles occasionally—maybe once or twice a month, if at all. In fact, 18 percent of attenders say they never read the Bible.
A dangerous trend in today’s churches focus on some sort of feel good experience more desirable than the actual teaching of scripture. This is evidenced by the absence of actual engagement with the text of the Bible.
Rather we study what other have said about the Bible or some social or psychological moral lesson.
If Jesus spoke the words of eternal life and we never engage with what He said, where does that leave us?
If God tells us to long for the milk of the word to grow spiritually and we rarely even read it, where is growth.
Many have so little actual knowledge of the Bible, they are unable to even discern when false teach creeps into the church. How can we hold firmly and stand firm in a faith that we don’t even know? Do we know what we believe and why?
Standing firm involves not only knowing and embracing basic truth but living it as well. Do we really believe what we profess? Part of standing firm in the faith is to organize our life according to what it proclaims. If we are persuaded of its reality in our mind, if follows that we would apply it to our life. If we really believed the declaration of the Bible that our infinitely great, holy and good God works ALL THINGS together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose it would dictate our response to those THINGS that don’t seem so good at the moment.
Standing firm in the faith involves entrusting our very souls to what is declared and the God who declared it.
Scripture addresses those who failed to stand firm in THE FAITH.
There are a number of words that describe this lapse of faith. Doubt, wander, lose heart, stumble. Church history points to many who struggled through what became known as the “dark night of the soul” where they for a time lost a firm grip on the truth. Even the faith of the disciples lapsed from time to time inviting a rebuke by Jesus.
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. Mark 16:14
John the Baptist struggled all alone in prison for boldly declaring God’s word and pointing the way to Jesus the promised Messiah.
The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Luke 7:18-19
The New Testament describes…
Those who depart from the faith 1 Tim 4:1-3
Those who swerve from the faith 1 Tim 6:20-21
Those who wander from the truth. James 5:19; 2 Tim 4:4; 1 Tim 6:6-12
Those who turn away from listening to the truth 2 Tim 4:4; Tit 1:14
Those who suppress the truth Rom 1:18
Those who exchange the truth for a lie Rom 1:25
Those who have served from the truth 2 Tim 2:18
Those who oppose the truth 2 Tim 3:18
Those who pervert the truth Jude 1:4
There are numerous other passages describing actions other than standing firm in the truth.
The whole letter the Hebrews was written to encourage those who were about to lose their grip on their new-found faith. The writer reaffirmed the truth about Jesus. He wrote about the superiority of Jesus over the Judaic system they had discarded to follow Christ. He portrayed Christ as the superior spokesman, prophet, priest, sacrifice, covenant. In that letter, we find the familiar “faith” chapter where he listed those who stood firm in the faith even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Some saw miraculous deliverance from those circumstances.
Others held onto their faith even though it cost them their very lives.
Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:35-40
The writer referred to these faithful witnesses in the very next chapter as he calls us to a similar grip on the faith.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 12:1-3
All through the letter he exhorts them to stand firm in the faith.
We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. Heb 2:1
Therefore, holy brothers and companions in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession; Hebrews 3:1
Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. Hebrews 3:12-13
Therefore, while the promise to enter His rest remains, let us fear that none of you should miss it. Hebrews 4:1
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. Hebrews 4:14
Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity… Hebrews 6:1
Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance. 6:11-12
Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:35-36
Paul called the Corinthian church members to make sure they were in the faith.
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5
As you read the declarations of our faith in the Bible ask yourself these questions.
Do I really belief what it says?
If I really do believe what it says, what different would it make in my daily life?
Don’t be afraid to struggle with the doubts. Let the doubts drive you to a deeper dependence upon God. Know that in the dark night of the soul, the seeming silence of God; He does work ALL THINGS together for good.
Not all things ARE good but the Master Designer ably weaves every circumstance into a grand plan that we may never understand until we view life from eternity.
There are two passages that sit heavy in my thinking.
Now without faith (noun) it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe (verb) that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:23
There is a positive side of this.
Joy in believing
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
It seems clear that joy and peace flow from the act of believing.
Therefore, my brothers, dearly loved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, dearly loved.
Stand firm against persecution and false teaching
Stand firm in the storms of life.
Stand firm against the schemes of the Devil.
Stand firm in THE FAITH.
