Phil 1:27-30 STAND FIRM IN ADVERSITY
Phil 1:27-30
27Only 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
(1) standing firm in one spirit,
(2) with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28and
(3) 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.
29For 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, 30engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Paul encourages the Philippians to remain steadfast and faithful to the Gospel, even in difficult circumstances.
• Their conduct tells the story of our faith in Jesus Christ. Their transformation is real and it must show in the way they live.
• Paul says, “Live in such a manner worthy of the Gospel” so that the world can see and believe, even to those who oppose us.
• “Even if I am not around to watch you, I want to hear that you are conducting yourselves in a manner that is faithful to the Gospel.”
Paul describes this “manner of life” in THREE ways:
• One, “STANDING FIRM in one spirit”, not betraying or compromising the faith.
• Two, “STRIVE side by side with ONE MIND for the faith of the Gospel”. Not just to believe it but to preach it. Work together to proclaim it.
• Three, “NOT TO BE FRIGHTENED by anything done by our opponents.”
Paul painted the context. Despite the difficult environment, stay faithful to the Gospel and preach it, in words and more importantly, in the way you conduct your lives.
• Let your life tell the story of your salvation in Christ, your faith in the Gospel.
• This exhortation was necessary because of the growing persecution they were facing in the Roman Empire under Emperor Nero.
1. LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL
Those who belong to Christ can demonstrate the power of changed lives.
• The Gospel did not just renew our minds; it changed our lives. It does not just INFORM us (that we are sinners in need of forgiveness); it TRANSFORMS us.
• So live in such a way that is worthy of the Gospel. WHAT we know is translated into HOW we live.
Whether in good times or bad, we live out the “good news”.
• Paul has been saying that in Ephesians. Eph 4:1 “…walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
Christianity is a way of life. Our reconciled relationship with God our Father brings about a life change.
• As children of God, we are sanctified and we reflect the character of our Father.
• We live like Christ and no longer according to our sinful flesh.
• This newfound relationship and life change is the thrust of the Gospel.
Many tend to see Christianity as a message that saves us and brings us to heaven. We “get a ticket to heaven” when we trust Christ, and that’s about it.
• While this is true, it is not the main point. The thrust of the Gospel is not about our destination but the new life born out of a relationship with God.
• We are called to live as children of God reflecting His values, His love, and His righteousness.
Our life is a reflection of the Gospel. It is not just a message we believe but a standard we live by.
• Our actions, words, and attitudes are shaped by the Gospel. We bear witness to the power of the Gospel.
• When we live below the standards of the Gospel, we compromise the message and weaken the credibility of the Gospel.
• We give people no reason to believe the Gospel, or the reason not to believe the Gospel.
We bear the image of Christ to a lost world.
Arianne Abela was a great musician and singer (now an accomplished choir director).
She was born without most of her fingers (fused together) on both hands, had no left leg and was missing toes on her right foot, so hiding her hands became almost second nature. While she loved music and sang in the choir, the idea of conducting never entered her mind.
But one day her choir teacher at Smith College asked her to conduct the choir, which made her hands quite visible. From that moment, she found her career, going on to conduct many church choirs and serving now as director of choirs at the university.
She shares her testimony. What does God see in me, with all these ‘limitations’?
God sees beyond the physical to the Christlike persons that we can be. He sees a reflection of Himself. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Gen 1:27
“As His glorious ‘image-bearers’ when others see us, we should reflect Him. That means Jesus, not my hands or lack of fingers, that matter most.”
Whether we know it or not, we are leaving an impression of Christ on others.
• They will see Him through our attitudes, actions and behaviours.
• Let us live a life worthy of the Gospel!
2. STAND FIRM IN OUR FAITH
The Christian life is not a cruise. It is a spiritual warfare but with a certain victory.
• It is a battle between Christ and Satan, light and darkness, sin and righteousness…
• It is a battle with opposition and therefore the need for us to stand strong, stay united and be bold, Paul said.
It is not a solo journey but a collective effort.
• We are called to stand firm 27“in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” 28and not be frightened in any way by those who oppose us.
• Paul’s use of one spirit and one mind tells of the need to be united and to work together as one people; the Body of Christ contends for the Gospel as ONE.
ESV puts it beautifully - “striving side by side” instead of “striving together”, which gives the picture Paul has been emphasizing in this letter.
• “We are in this together, side by side; partners in the Gospel.”
• The Philippians have been supporting him in his travelling ministry, in prayers and in their constant giving.
SIDE BY SIDE is like the game we play, a Three-Legged Race:
A Three-Legged Race
If we have played the three-legged race before in games we understand. One of your feet is tied together with your partner and you are to win the race.
It is impossible to win the race on your own; you have a partner tied to you. You can only win TOGETHER.
If one of you falls to the ground, the other person has no other option but to help you get up and then the two start to move again.
That’s the unity of the Body of Christ in the work of the Gospel. We cannot reach the world on our own, by ourselves.
• We don’t win this race alone. It is impossible. But together we shall win.
• We are called to stand firm, strive together, and face the challenges with courage because victory is assured.
1:28 “This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”
• NLT: “This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”
• The victory is assured by God. Those who fight against the Gospel, fight against God’s will.
• They will be defeated ultimately, while our deliverance is sure and assured because it comes from God.
Paul encourages the Philippians not to let fear hinder their witness. Stay faithful and be bold, even in the face of adversity.
3. BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST
1:29 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, 30engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
We are not asking for suffering but it can come because of our witness for Christ.
• Living a life worthy of the Gospel will mean possible persecution, as Paul himself has experienced.
Jesus said it upfront – Matt 16:24 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up His cross and follow me.”
• He was not talking about the small cross we wear around our necks, on a necklace, but the weight of suffering we need to carry because we follow Christ.
The Philippians live in a Roman world which is against the Gospel and Christ. They are, at that time, facing growing persecution under Nero.
• The fallen world is in rebellion against God. There is no way they can follow Jesus without suffering, to varying degrees.
• Paul encourages them to stand strong and steadfast just as he has done.
• For we are called to not only BELIEVE Christ but also, because of our belief, to SUFFER for His sake.
An early church father in the 5th Century, John Chrysostom (347-407AD), Archbishop of Constantinople and a fervent saint of God, was persecuted for his bold preaching.
[chrysostom in Greek, “golden-mouthed”, celebrating eloquence.]
Empress Eudoxia (Byzantine Empire) threatens Chrysostom with banishment.
John: “You cannot banish me, for this world is my Father’s house.”
Empress: “But I will kill you.”
John: “No, you cannot, for my life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Empress: “I will take away your treasures.”
John: “No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.”
Empress: “But I will drive you away from your friends and you will have no one left.”
John: “No, you cannot, for I have a Friend in heaven from whom you cannot separate me. I defy you. For there is nothing you can do to harm me.”
That’s the faith of many of the great saints of God in the early centuries.
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Suffering is not a popular topic, but it is a reality of the Christian life.
• Paul presents it as being “granted to you” – that means, when we serve Christ, we can expect to face difficulties and suffering.
• Paul puts it as a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ and the Gospel.
• For we are called not only to believe Him but to also suffer for His sake.
Taking such a stand is a witness to the world. When we endure hardship for the sake of Christ, we demonstrate the depth of our faith and the reality of our hope.
• In our struggles, we join the ranks with those who have gone before us — Paul, the apostles, and countless believers throughout history — who also suffered for Christ.
• Hebrews 11 says they are men and women of faith.
Heb 12:1 “1Therefore, 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, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…”
• We are not alone in this. We have a great cloud of witnesses. Let us do our part in this generation.
Conclusion
1. LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL
2. STAND FIRM IN OUR FAITH
3. BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST
We are called to live lives worthy of the Gospel.
• We stand firm in our faith, united for the sake of the Gospel, and we are prepared to make sacrifices for Christ.
• The task ahead may not be easy but it is purposeful, rewarding and the end is sure.
When we live this way, we bring glory to God and we shine His light in a dark world.
• May God grant us His grace and strength to be faithful and steadfast.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us life and hope. Help us to live as faithful servants of God, reflecting Your love and truth in everything we do.
Grant us unity as a church and courage in the face of opposition. And when we face suffering, help us to embrace it with faith, knowing that You are with us and that our struggles are not in vain.
May our lives bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray, AMEN.
