1. Philippians 1:27-2:4

3. Matthew 7:24-25 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

4. New American Standard Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…Philippians 1:27 Politeuesthe – Old verb from politēs, citizen, and that from polis, city, to be a citizen, to manage a state's affairs, to live as a citizen. Only twice in N.T., here and Acts 23:1. Philippi as a colony possessed Roman citizenship and Paul was proud of his own possession of this right. Word Pictures in the NT.

5. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi… Philippians 1:1 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Philippians 3:18-20

8. “The best argument for Christianity is Christians: their joy, their certainty, their sense of completeness. But when the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians, when they are somber and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths.”

9. “Remain” "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. John 15:4 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8

10. A BIG Deal Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 1 Cor. 16:13 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

11. Sunathlountes - "striving together" as in an athletic contest. "Striving in concert". Word Pictures in the NT "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35

12. I have always cherished the Methodist Church because it gave us the great gift of personal salvation but also the great obligation of social gospel," Clinton said Washington Post, 4/26/2014

13. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition… Phil. 1:28 (KJV) Opportunity to Share

14. “I never forgot that he had as much reason to fear my forces as I had his.” – US Grant

16. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

17. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. Acts 5:41

18. I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said…” Job 42:5-6 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:10 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 1 Peter 4:14

19. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 2 Corinthians 4:17 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; 2 Timothy 2:12

20. Sergius wrote on the wall: “Through this great suffering I have experienced, I have known all the pain, but now I have forgotten it all.”

21. On the green in Lexington, Mass, the words of Captain Parker, at the memorable battle at that spot in 1776: stand your ground, don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here. On the green in Lexington, Mass, the words of Captain Parker, at the memorable battle at that spot in 1776: stand your ground, don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.