Philippians Standing, Striving, But NEVER Stressing Look At The Book! Philippians Standing, Striving, But NEVER Stressing

Every day alive is a day for Christing! A Simple World View Paul’s outlook on life was amazingly simple: Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Every day alive is a day for Christing! Should we die, we go to be with the Lord. What we can call a WIN/WIN situation. Helps us to be strong regardless of what is happening in the world around us.

Three Commandments From Paul Paul commanded three things from the church at Philippi which we can use to help us remain focused as Christians. Philippians 1:27-30: Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents— which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

Standing Firm In One Spirit Vs. 27a -- Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit…. In this context worthy gospel walking pertains to Christian unity.

Philippians 2:1-4 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Unfortunate chapter break divides pericope

We must always walk worthily Paul: Whether I’m there or absent… We are to walk in unity at all times, not just when we’re together in the assembly. How do you treat your Christian family throughout the week?

Steadfast In The One Spirit We are bound together by the Holy Spirit of God – 24/7/365 1 Corinthians 12:7-13 Each one given a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Used for the common good. Whatever your gift from God, use it for unity. One Spirit distributed these gifts and the same Spirit dispenses them. verse 13: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.”

What Divides Us? Only superficial things truly can Politics? Ethnicity? Socio-economic differences? Station in life? All such things are of the world and not Christ.

Divided In The Church? By concepts and ideas By traditions and creeds By comprehensions and doctrinal leanings By denominational preferences and alliances There should be no division in Christ and all unity must be in the Spirit.

II. Jointly Striving For The Faith Verse 27b: “…with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel….” We are to be single-minded in our unity. Romans 12:16 – “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 – “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

We Are To Strive Together Two cats tied together at the tails? Difference between united and unity. Mark 9:50 – “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Striving Together How Much? Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor… Galatians 5:15 -- But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Striving For The Faith This unity is not at any cost. Truth must be maintained. The singular faith must be proclaimed. Jude 1:3 – “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.”

Striving For The Faith, cont. 1 Cor. 16:13 – “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” 2 Cor. 13:5 – “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? How well versed in THE FAITH are we?

III. Never Alarmed By Opponents Verse 28: “…in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.” Today I’m combining thoughts of opponents and enemies as the same. Understanding Paul’s statement about being alarmed. This does not discuss slightly different understandings within the church.

There Are Genuine Opponents Matthew 10:35-36 – “For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.” The gospel does divide – between disciples and non- disciples.

There Are Genuine Opponents Phil. 3:18 – “For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ….” Luke 21:14-15 – “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute.” We have Scripture. Will we prepare?

His Enemies Will Perish Psalm 7:9-11 – “O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; for the righteous God tries the hearts and minds. My shield is with God, Who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, and a God who has indignation every day.”

We Must Suffer – But Not Alone! 2 Corinthians 1:5 – For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 1 Peter 4:12-13 --Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

In Closing…. We need the strength of one another, so let’s strive for unity. We need the truth of Scripture, so strive together for the faith. We serve a Mighty God, so don’t be alarmed by our opponents.