Conduct Yourselves Worthy of the Gospel

In one paragraph

Ray preached from Philippians 1:27 through the opening verses of chapter 2, following the thread of how a church holds together when circumstances are hard. The letter was written from prison, and Paul's own situation kept coming up as an example of suffering that turned out to matter. The central push was toward unity of spirit and purpose around the gospel. Ray started by backing up into the...

Read together

1. Isaiah 25:1 quoted at the opening to lead into worship
2. Philippians 1:12 Paul's circumstances turning out for the greater progress of the gospel
3. Philippians 1:13 Paul's imprisonment becoming known throughout the praetorian guard
4. Philippians 1:14 brothers and sisters gaining courage to speak the word without fear because of Paul's imprisonment
5. Philippians 1:15-18 some preaching Christ from envy and strife, others from goodwill, and Paul rejoicing that Christ is proclaimed either way
6. Philippians 1:21 to live is Christ and to die is gain
7. Philippians 1:22-26 Paul hard pressed between departing to be with Christ and remaining for the Philippians' progress and joy
8. Philippians 1:27 conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ
9. Ephesians 4:1 walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called
10. Philippians 1:27-28 standing firm in one spirit, not alarmed by opponents, which is a sign of destruction for them and salvation for believers
11. Philippians 1:29 it has been granted to believe in Christ and also to suffer on his behalf
12. Philippians 1:30 experiencing the same conflict the Philippians saw in Paul
13. Galatians 1:6-9 Paul warning against deserting the gospel for a distorted version, pronouncing a curse on anyone preaching a contrary gospel
14. 1 Peter 5:6-11 humble yourselves under God's hand, cast anxiety on him, resist the devil, knowing others suffer the same, and God will perfect and establish you
15. Philippians 2:1-2 rhetorical questions about encouragement in Christ, consolation in love, fellowship of the spirit, leading to making Paul's joy complete by being of the same mind
16. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 always be joyful, never stop praying, be thankful in all circumstances for this is God's will
17. 1 John 4:19 we can love because he first loved us

What was said

• When you disagree with another believer this week, ask yourself whether Christ is still being proclaimed before you decide to make it an issue.
• If you are going through something hard right now, tell one person how God is working through it rather than just describing the difficulty.
• Find one person at First BBQ or at church you have never spoken to and treat them the way you would want to be treated if you were the stranger walking in.
• Before the week is out, pray the words David prayed and ask God to restore the joy of your salvation if it has gone quiet.
• When you feel the pull to pick a side in a disagreement inside the church, remember the kids in Kenya and ask whether you are trying to divide what God wants to keep together.

Talk about it

1. Paul wrote that his imprisonment turned out for the greater progress of the gospel. Can you think of a difficult circumstance in your own life where something good came out of it, even if you did not see it at the time?
2. The preacher pointed out that Paul said he could rejoice even when others were preaching Christ from selfish ambition and wrong motives, as long as Christ was being proclaimed. How hard is that in practice, and where do you draw the line?
3. The sermon described the gospel as exclusive but universally offered. How do you hold both of those things together when you are talking with someone who pushes back on the idea that there is only one way?
4. The preacher read from 1 Peter 5 and said that God redeems Christian suffering, and that suffering has been granted to believers alongside belief. How does that land with you, and does it change how you think about what you are going through right now?
5. The story about the kids in Kenya refusing to be divided into two lines came up as a picture of unity. What are the things in your own church relationships or community that tempt you to form sides, and what would it look like to resist that?