Title: “How to Conduct Yourself as a Christian” Script: Phil. 1:27-30
Type: Series Where: GNBC 6-8-25
Intro: The last year and a half has seen far too many scandals in the American Evangelical church. Names such as Steve Lawson, Tony Evans Oak Cliff Bible, Josh Buice G3, Robert Morris Gateway Church, Kental Glasgow Gateway, Carl Lentz Hillsong, Tony Canmanta Stonebriar Church, Sergio Guardia Thomas Roads Baptist Church were once held in high esteem, but not anymore. Just yesterday heard of failure of a very well-known Christian musician. Without going into details, each man discredited his ministry through behavior that was not becoming of a Christian. Each man demonstrated behavior that has no place in Christ’s Church. We used to say: “X just gave the church a black eye.” Years ago I was talking to a friend of mine who was President of a denomination in another country. He was telling me about a scandal in one of his churches that he was having to address. Then, somewhat wistfully, he said to me: “Chris, when I was a young preacher in the 1960’s there were only a handful of “evangelicals” in our denomination. However, there was never a hint of scandal amongst those men. Today, about 3/4ths of the clergy in our denomination identify as evangelicals, and there is no shortage of scandal.”
Prop: In Phil. 1:27-30 Paul addresses expectations for Christian conduct.
BG: 1. Phil. One of the “Prison Epistles” of Paul from Rome, while under house arrest.
2. Membership in the local church is important. Sets a standard of behavior. Submits to authority. Sharpens our focus of service in the body of Christ.
3.
Prop: Let’s look at Phil. 1:27-30 to realize certain expectations for Christian conduct.
I. The Conduct of the Christian.
A. Christians are to be marked by certain conduct.
1. Paul Writes to the Philippians with loving concern.
a. Paul had a special love, respect, and admiration for this church at Philippi. It was one of the most mature and solid congregations in his charge. Nevertheless, there were potential problems that were looming that he had to address. As is the case with all churches of all eras, Paul warned Philippi to beware of false teachers (3:2). He challenged them to repudiate those who were “enemies of the cross of Christ” (3:17-18). It doesn’t take long for even the most faithful congregation to slip into moral and doctrinal error.
b. Illust: I came to faith thru the ministry of Lakeview Wesleyan Church in Marion, IN, in the 1980’s. Wonderful time period. Vibrant congregation. Strong leadership, excellent preaching, inspiring music, strong support of evangelism and missions. By the 1990’s change of leadership. Change in emphasis of teaching. Several scandals with staff. Conflicts within the congregation. Church nearly died. Praise God, seems to be doing better today. However, why the problems? Was not careful to watch doctrine and their character. Essential for the individual Christian as well as the individual congregation to examine carefully both doctrine and character.
2. Paul Challenges the Philippians to Examine their Spiritual Integrity.
a. Illust: Testing the integrity of concrete is essential in many construction projects. Jeff Warburton would concur. Do you know there are at least 7 Tests one can utilize for measuring the compressive strength of concrete in building projects. 1. Penetration Resistance Test 2. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity 3. Pullout test 4. Drilled core sampling 5. Cast in Place cylinders 6. Wireless Maturity Sensors. 7. Rebound or Schmidt Hammer Test (This is where Charles Schmidt runs at a cement wall. If he runs through it the wall is too weak. If he rebounds off of it, it is strong enough!) Why all the tests? You don’t want a building or bridge to collapse under pressure.
b. The Christian is going to face troubles and struggles in this life. Paul knew this and he wanted to make sure the Philippians knew this. You and I need to know this. Paul wanted the church to remember that there are standards of behavior that are compatible with the power of the Gospel in the believer’s life. Examination and reflection are essential. Testing is essential.
B. Paul challenged the Philippians to Conduct themselves in a Manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
1. How are we to conduct ourselves as Christians?
a. Illust: A generation or two ago, “Deportment Classes” were all the rage in certain sections of the States and across Europe. Today, mostly in the Beauty Pageant industry. Deportment classes and finishing schools have been teaching mostly young women posture, poise and presence for centuries. In those days, a “lady” was expected to carry herself in a certain way that exuded grace, dignity, and femininity.
b. Paul is telling the Philippians and by extension, all Christians, that there is a certain dignity that should be evident in how the Christian carries himself/herself. Paul is placing the words in the text in such a way as to demonstrate emphasis… “Only” – Not necessarily “only” as we would think about it in English, but rather, “What matters most”… Paul was challenging the believers to consistent, holy conduct, that chose to live life in a way that honored the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Illust: We need to ask ourselves this very same question. “Am I living in a way that foremost, is going to honor Christ and His Gospel in every area of my life? Work? Relationships? What I watch? What I read? What I spend money on?
2. We are to live our lives in such a way that it Honors and Does Not Bring Shame on the Body of Christ.
a. “conduct” has a bit of a strange background. Not like what we would probably think. The root is the word “polis” from which we get “city” (Indianapolis, Minneapolis). In Greek times the “polis” was the city state to which a citizen gave his highest loyalty and allegiance. The implication means to be a “good citizen”, or to live like a citizen whose conduct brought praise and honor upon the community and not disgrace and shame. Illust; Philippi was a Roman Colony, and as such enjoyed the very same rights as citizens of Rome. As such the Philippians gave unqualified allegiance to Rome, adopted the Roman dress code, and even spoke the Language of Rome, Latin. They were concerned to be seen as “Little Romans”.
b. The application isn’t very hard to see. If the citizens of this city were so devoted to Rome so as to not consciously bring any derision upon their community through their behavior, then the Christian should have an even higher commitment to the Name and Church of Christ. In 3:20 he actually implores the church to live as “faithful citizens” of heaven! Christian, may I remind you that while you live in this world we live as citizens of 2 Kingdoms. Always make sure you realize which one has your highest priority. Make sure which one controls your behavior and ideology and values. Make sure of which one has your absolute and uncompromising loyalty.
c. Applic: The Church’s greatest testimony before the world is spiritual integrity. It is our obedience to the WOG and to our Savior, Jesus Christ. In writing to the Ephesian Church, Paul reiterates this truth: Eph. 4:1 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…” (NASB 1995).
II. The Character of Christians Living Worthy of the Name.
*Next, Paul outlines for us 4 key character/conduct traits that demonstrate how the believer lives worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A. 1st Mark of Conduct: Standing v. 27 b
1. Paul states: “I will hear of you that you are standing firm.”
a. “standing firm” steko – Refers to steadfastly holding one’s ground regardless of the danger or opposition. Illust: Last Friday commemorated the 81st Anniversary of D Day Invasion. American Troops landed at Utah and Omaha Beaches. British landed at Sword and Gold. Canadians at Juno. Omaha was the most fiercely defended and every inch of ground was taken at a precious price. Those soldiers had to hold that ground at all costs or the reconquest of Europe would have failed. By end of the day 34,000 men would go ashore on a beach less than 6 miles wide, approaching 4000 casualties.
b. Paul’s challenge to “stand firm” has both a positive and a negative connotation. We are to stand for and we are to stand against. We stand for God and His purposes and plans and we are to stand against Satan and his schemes. We are to stand for the truth. We are to stand against falsehood. We are to stand for holiness. We are to stand against sin.
2. Paul gives the Church today this same admonition: Stand firm!
a. Phil. 4:1: “Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” (NASB 1995) In II Sam.23:12 we read: Israelite army all fled Philistines…“But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.” Shammah was one of the three mighty men of King David. He had no backstories. No detailed physical descriptions. No resume to inspire hero-worship. But he had loyalty. And at a critical time, when his presence spelled the difference between life and death, he showed up.
b. Christian, can I encourage you… Show up! Stand firm! I do not know what you are facing. I don’t know who or what you are facing. I don’t know the odds you are facing. Stand firm nonetheless! Maybe your whole support system has deserted you. Stand firm! The Lord is the One Who can give you the victory!
B. 2nd Mark of Conduct: Sharing v. 27 c
1. Next Paul challenges the believer to be Sharing “in one spirit, with one mind”
a. Besides standing firm in and for the faith, there must also be a concern for the corporate unity of the body of Christ, the Church. Commentators disagree on the exact meaning of the word, “spirit” in this verse. Many think that this refers to the Holy Spirt. There are several passages in which Paul is obviously speaking of the Holy Spirit in the believer (ICor. 12:13; Eph. 2:18; 4:3-6, etc.). However, I am not sure that is what he is referring to here. Rather, I think the context of the passage suggest that the apostle is speaking of the believer’s human spirit. Paul is referring here to the mind, the attitudes and perspectives the individual Christian has and carries in his/her own mind that contribute to either harmony or disunity in the body.
b. Read: Phil. 2:1-2 – same mind, same love, same spirit, same purpose. This was because they had committed to a “participation in the Gospel” (1:5). And yet, in 4:2, he still requires Euodia and Syntyche to “live in harmony in the Lord”. What does this tell us? A church can teach correct doctrine. People can be intent on living Holy lives. People can be united in same mind and spirit with the same purpose…and there can still be CONFLICT! And yet, we must address that conflict. We must seek unity with our brothers and not exclusion or alienation.
2. Unity in the Church is one of Christ’s Great Passions.
a. Illust: For what did Christ pray at the Last Supper in John 13:34-35 (READ)? In just a short while later, in what scholars call His “High Priestly Prayer” (John 17:21-22 – “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—”
b. Illust: Tony Dicastanzo – “There can be union without unity: tie two cats together by their tails and throw them over a clothesline. There you will have union, but certainly not unity! Ask yourself the question: “Am I alienated from another believer? What steps do I need to take to help insure the unity of the body? Church strife doesn’t always involve such flagrant sin as adultery, fornication, defamation, yet grudges and bitterness and disharmony can be just as damaging.
C. 3rd Mark of Conduct: Striving v.27d-28
1. The 3rd admonition Paul gives here is for the Christian is: “striving together for the faith of the Gospel…”
a. The 3rd characteristic of worthy conduct the apostle calls us to emulate is that of ‘striving together” which means to “compete in a contest”. Is a compound Greek verb coming from the preposition sun (with) and the noun athleo. Meaning to compete in a contest. It’s where in English we get the words “athlete and athletics”. Most athletics is a striving. There is competition and training. But notice, this is not an individual sport. This is a team sport. “striving together”.
b. “strive together” – Not strive on your own. We already saw we are to do on our own. We are to “stand firm”. How, this section shows us that we are to “strive together”. It is ABSOLUTELY essential that the Christian is committed to a local body of believers. What is the focal point of that striving? “The faith of the Gospel”.
2.What can we accomplish when we commit to “strive together”?
a. Illust: Earlier this week I was reading in my morning devotions from II Sam. 23, there in vv. 9-10 is but a snippet of an event where one of David’s “Mighty Men”, Eleazer, son of Dodai, and king David, stood together against the Philistines. V.9 records that all of the Israelite army had fled and only the two men standing firm. Killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to grip sword any longer! “The Lord gave him a mighty victory that day”.
b. Again, Paul’s terminology here comes from the realm of sports or warfare. It suggests that we are in a battle or a contest. The Kingdom of God is going forth and will conquer but there will be battles there will be contests along the way. Illust: One thing I have notice with the rise of so many preachers/teachers online today is how very critical we have become of one another. I am not talking about those who are not believers, but the sniping that goes on at other brothers and sisters in the Lord. I think we need to back it down a bit. I think just because one relatively well-known speaker or another says something on his 10 minutes of daily fame, we don’t need to rush right out and begin an inquisition of a brother.
D. 4th Mark of Conduct: Suffering vv.29-30
1. Believers will suffer for their faith in Christ.
a. “For Christ’s sake” – often swear words in the mouths of the unsaved, however, not the case here. Believers will suffer for their faith in Jesus. Isn’t this the same truth Paul taught in II Tim. 3:12 “Everyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
b. Notice those three little words: “has been granted” this comes from the same root word from which we get “grace”! Literally means to give, render or grant graciously”. I want you to think about this… Not only does God give believers the marvelous gift of faith to believe in Him, He also gives us the privilege to suffer for His sake! (Maybe some think: “Don’t be so gracious to me, Lord!”)
2. What is the first thing believers have been granted “for Christ’s sake”?
a. It is the faith to believe in Him! (Read Eph. 2:4-8) John affirms this in John 1:12 “As many as received him, to those who believe in His Name, He gave the right to be children of God.” Grace and faith are gracious gifts of a loving God.
b. The 2nd gift that God grants is the expectation of the same conflict. If people hate Christ, they probably shouldn’t be enraptured with you and me. Illust: A bar of steel is worth five dollars. When it is wrought into horseshoes, it is worth ten dollars. If made into needles, it is worth three hundred and fifty dollars. If wrought into penknife blades, it is worth thirty-two thousand dollars. And if it is wrought into springs for watches, it is worth two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. What a drilling the poor bar must undergo to be worth a higher value. But the more it is manipulated, the more it is hammered, and passed through the fire, and beaten and pounded and polished, the greater the value. Those who suffer most are capable of yielding most; and it is through pain that God can get the most out of us. (Credit: James Pless -Sermon Central)
C. Applic: Standing, striving, sharing, and suffering. These are normal for the Christian. Are they normal for you and me?
