A Life Worthy of the Gospel

Philippians 1:25-26

Introduction►At time of writing Paul is in Rome because he appealed to CaesarJews from Asia, assuming he had brought Gentiles into the Temple,

stirred a mob against, seeking to kill himRescued by Roman guard in Jerusalem, he appeared before

governors Festus and Felix, and before King AgrippaDetermining that he was about to be taken before a prejudiced

Jewish Council, He exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal before Caesar.

Two years confinement at Caesarea, and two years confinement in Rome, He is awaiting trial at the time of writing this letter

Introduction

►His appearance before Caesar is near; he is quite willing to die in defense of the gospel, but expects to be released

Imprisonment has resulted in advancing the gospel (1:13-14)He had dedicated his life to magnify Christ, whether by death

or by living (1:19-20)He has mixed feelings about the alternatives – it would be gain

for him personally to suffer martyrdom, but more beneficial for others if he continues preaching the gospel (Phil. 3:22-23)

Whatever happens to him, he admonishes the Philippians to conduct themselves in a life “worthy of the gospel” (v. 27).

Christians are Citizens of Heaven

►Paul was a Jew from Tarsus (Acts 21:39), and a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29),

His Roman citizenship rescued him from a mob in Jerusalem (Acts 22:22-29)

He had exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar when it became apparent that Felix was about to compromise his life and turn him over to the Jews (Acts 25:1-12)

The Philippians were also citizens of a Roman Colony, with the rights of all Roman citizens

Christians are Citizens Two Realms

►We are citizens of an earthly country, with all its rights and responsibilities – We should strive to be good citizens (Rom. 13:1-7)

We are also citizens of the heavenly kingdom – we must never forget our citizenship is in heaven (3:20)

As citizens of heaven we must be stubbornly different from the world – in dress, in temperament, in speech and in aims

We must, under all circumstances conduct ourselves in a way that is worthy of our citizenship – “worthy of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27)

Four Qualities of a Life Worthy of the Gospel

►Steadfastness – “Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving for the faith of the gospel” (1:27)

The World is full of Christians in retreat – when under pressure, they conceal, or at least play down, their Christian faith

We must never forget a cultural revolution is under way in our country –“we wrestle not against flesh and blood,” but against “principalities and powers in heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12)

We need to “put on the whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:11)Steadfastness = not going back, or yielding to circumstances, or

cowering before the enemy - Satan

Four Qualities of a Life Worthy of the Gospel2. Unity – teamwork, the ability to work shoulder to shoulder, all

contributing to achieving one objective The world may argue and fight, but Christians should be united There must be an espirit de corps that binds all together in Christ –

“for the faith of the gospel” that was “once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3)

Having a “walk worthy of your calling” includes endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3) – “perfectly joined together in one mind an spirit (1 Cor. 1:10)

Four Qualities of a Life Worthy of the Gospel3. A Cool, Calm Courage – We must not be “terrified by adversaries”

(Phil 1:28) Terrified = startled like a scared horse, or fluttering like a surprised

bird Some Christians are like scared rabbits, who jump and run when

the first adversary says, “Boo!” Panic is the worst sort of defeat – Be like war horses who stand

their ground when cannons boom and shells fall at their feet

Four Qualities of a Life Worthy of the Gospel3. Undaunted courage becomes a child of God Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego refused to bow before the

king’s image (Dan. 3:16-18) Peter and John refused to be fluttered by the Jews who ordered

them not to preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:19-20) Our refusal to be deterred is proof to adversaries of their eternal

destruction and our eternal salvation Hostility of the wicked is one sign that we are friends of God

Four Qualities of a Life Worthy of the Gospel4. Willingness to suffer for Christ becomes a child of God

Paul considered it a privilege to suffer for Christ’s sake “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution

(2 Tim. 3:12) Saint in Jerusalem rejoiced “that they were counted worthy to

suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41) Instead of allowing them to make us bitter, we should esteem it an

honor to suffer for Christ (cf. Isa. 8:12; 1 Pet. 3:13-16; 4:12-13)

Four Qualities of a Life Worthy of the Gospel►Thru suffering we have fellowship with the suffering of Christ

Patience and faith was “manifest evidence that God judged Thessalonians “worthy of the kingdom of God” (2 Thess. 1:5)

“If children; heirs – heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together (Rom. 8:17)

A faithful saying – “if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.. If we endure, we shall reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us…” (2 Tim. 2:12)

Conclusion

1. In order to have a life “worthy of the gospel” we must, therefore, be totally committed to Him

Steadfast – striving for the faith of the gospel United – with one mind and one spirit striving for the faith Undaunted Courage – unwilling to compromise with forces of evil Willing to suffer on behalf of Christ2. If you profess to be a Christian, let your life be consistent with

what you profess to be – Don’t be a hypocrite!