Philippians 1.27.2.2 Contemporary Servcie (3)

In one paragraph

Pastor Ray walked through Philippians 1:27-30, zeroing in on what it means to conduct yourself worthily of the gospel and what Paul actually wanted to hear about the Philippian church. The sermon kept circling back to one idea: the gospel is worth standing for, worth sharing, and worth suffering for, together. The word "only" at the start of verse 27 caught Pastor Ray's attention before he even...

Read together

1. Psalm 100 opening call to worship, shout with joy to the Lord
2. Philippians 1:27-30 main passage for the sermon, conduct worthy of the gospel, standing fast, suffering
3. Philippians 1:12 things concerning Paul turning out for the furtherance of the gospel
4. Philippians 4 be a citizen of heaven
5. 1 Thessalonians 2 walk worthy of God who calls you into his kingdom and glory
6. Colossians 1 walk worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit, increasing in knowledge of God
7. Ephesians 4 walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called
8. Galatians 5:1 stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free
9. Ephesians 6:14 stand firm with belt of truth and breastplate of righteousness
10. Ephesians 2:10 we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared in advance
11. Acts 16 Paul's first visit to Philippi, meeting Lydia, the jailer, the demon-possessed slave girl
12. 1 Corinthians 1 the cross is foolishness to those perishing but power of God to those being saved

Talk about it

1. Pastor Ray pointed out that every 'you' in Philippians is plural, and that Americans tend to treat faith as an individual matter. How does thinking of your faith as something you hold together with others, rather than on your own, change the way you see your everyday life as a Christian?
2. Pastor Ray described 'walking worthy of the gospel' not as earning something but as living out what you have already received. What does that look like in a practical, ordinary week for someone in this church?
3. The word Pastor Ray translated as 'striving together' carries the idea of athletes cooperating vigorously on the same team. Where do you see that kind of vigorous cooperation happening well, and where do you think it breaks down, either in this church or among Christians in Jackson more broadly?
4. Pastor Ray said that God has graciously granted believers not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake, and he gave examples like Dr. Cashin staying in Bangladesh after being beaten. How do you respond to the idea that suffering for the gospel is a gift, and does that sit comfortably or uncomfortably with you?
5. Pastor Ray closed by asking whether you would rather have God work through your striving together or in spite of your indifference. What is one specific thing, suited to how God has made you, that you could say yes to this week as part of striving together for the faith of the gospel?