Stand Firm In Adversity Series

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.