STUDYING THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS #4

Phil. 1:27-30

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Verse-by-verse studies of various books are good because they
      cause us to examine every verse.
      1. Through the normal topical preaching method, many verses
         are often overlooked.
      2. We need all of the counsel of God.
   B. We, as Christians, are in the family of God, enjoying the
      fellowship with other children of God.
      1. We are citizens, promoting the kingdom of Christ.
      2. We are servants, dispensing the gospel of Christ.
      3. We are athletes, striving for the faith of the gospel.
      4. We are soldiers, defending the faith of the gospel.
         a. In many respects, the Christian life is not a playground,
            but a battleground.
   C. Let us continue our verse-by-verse study of the book of
      Philippians.

I. Verses 27 of the first chapter.
   A. There is a figure of speech in verse 27 which is not apparent  
      in the English translation.
      1. When Paul said, "Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel,"
         he was literally saying, "Act as citizens in a manner worthy
         of the gospel."
      2. The Greek verb "politeuo" means "to act as a citizen," or   
         "to exercise your citizenship."
         a. The translators did not so translate it, fearing that    
            some might think Paul was teaching us to act as civil
            governments would have us.
      3. Paul is teaching them to exercise their heavenly citizenship
         in accord with the gospel.
   B. Paul exhorts them to live in a manner worthy of the gospel
      whether he was present or not.
      1. Some have a faith that is driven by others and not by their
         own volition; e.g., a wife depends on her husband or vice
         versa; a son or daughter depends on his or her parents or
         vice versa.
   C. The Philippians should stand fast in ONE spirit, that is, in   
      ONE purpose of heart.
      1. The unity of the group is here emphasized by three
         expressions "one spirit," "one mind," "striving together."
      2. It is very important that Christians be steadfastly united  
         in their efforts.
      3. The expression "in one spirit" seems to be nearly an exact
         synonym of "in one mind."
         a. Some versions translate "in one mind" as "with one
            soul."
         b. The terms "spirit," "mind," and "soul," are often used
            interchangeably in the Bible and often used
            interchangeably by the translators.
      4. The Philippians were to be "striving" (KJV) for the faith of
         the gospel.
         a. "Striving" in the Greek, is suatheo, and means literally,
            "striving together."
            (1) The figure refers both to contending in athletic
                games and fighting in battle.
            (2) It is teamwork that brings the victory.
         b. We cannot overstress the importance of teamwork in
            the congregation.
      5. As husband and wife must pull together, not against each
         other, so must the church.
         a. If husband and wife are at war all the time, they
            certainly will not have a good marriage. At times, there
            will be disagreements, but there should not be a
            continual war.
      6. Our striving as a team is to be done for the faith of the
         gospel.
         a. There are many good causes in this world, but none like
            that for which the church of the Lord strives.
   D. The "manner of life of the Christian," or "the action of the
      spiritual citizen," is a powerful preacher. 2 Cor. 3:2; John   
      13:34-35
      1. As an individual, would you preach the doctrine of          
         "salvation by faith alone"?
         a. Would you preach that worship is incidental, Bible study
            is insignificant, giving is unimportant?
         b. Would you preach that it is impossible to fall, and there
            is no reason to fear God?
         c. Would you preach that Christians have no responsibility
            toward the lost?
      2. We need to realize that we can be teaching these things by
         the way we live.
         a. As a congregation, we should be preaching a message of
            love and unity and not a message of envy and strife.
                                   
II. Verse 28
   A. Verse 28 elaborates on the command to act as worthy spiritual
      citizens which was given in verse 27.
      1. Three phrases expand the idea of walking as worthy citizens.
         a. They were to walk worthy of the gospel whether Paul
            was present with them or not. Verse 27a
         b. They were to, with one mind, strive together for the
            faith. Verse 27b
         c. They were to not be frightened by their adversaries.
            Verse 28
   B. Usually, the adversaries of the gospel try to frighten us from 
      our faith and work, rather than physically preventing us from  
      serving Christ.
      1. Very seldom do they try logically to convince us that we are
         wrong.
   C. The fact that the Philippians were being persecuted had a      
      double edge.
      1. It seals the doom of the persecutors as the enemies of the
         gospel, and it confirms the eternal salvation of the        
         faithful who endure to the end. 1 Thess. 2:14-16
         a. Those who oppose the professors of the gospel are
            marked out for ruin.
   D. Christians are to stand fast in the faith in spite of          
      persecutions. Mark 13:13; 1 Pet. 3:14
      1. Remember, it is the Lord who enables us to stand; thus, we
         see an interplay of human responsibility and divine grace.
         Eph. 6:10; Col. 1:11
   E. People of the world are afraid to do right in many things in
      religion today.
      1. Some are afraid to study lest they learn things that upset
         them.
         a. Many have had a bad experience with religious leaders;
            thus, they avoid all religious leaders.
         b. Some are afraid to obey the gospel lest friends, fellow
            workers, relatives, parents, children, or others ridicule
            them for their actions.
         c. Some are afraid to start, fearing they might not be able
            to finish.
      2. Many in the church have failed to take a stand against the
         many innovations which have crept into the churches, for the
         same reasons as those of the world.
         a. See Rev. 21:8 and consider where the fearful are placed.

III. Verses 29-30
   A. Christ has granted to us the privilege of not only believing in
      Him, but suffering for Him as well.
      1. The word "granted" means "to grant as a favor," or "to
         bestow graciously."
         a. How seldom do those who are made to suffer look upon
            their suffering as a gracious grant. The early Christians
            so viewed it. Acts 5:40-41
      2. Therefore, there is no accident in our suffering, nor is it 
         a work of divine punishment as though God were angry with
         us.
         a. On the contrary, it is a sign of His favor and a seal of
            adoption to the children of God.
      3. There are reasons we should look at it as a favor.
         a. When we endure hardships and persecutions because of
            our allegiance to Christ, we are having fellowship with
            Christ. Phil. 3:10-11
         b. We are having fellowship with every righteous person
            who lives or who has ever lived. 2 Tim. 3:12; Matt.
            5:12b
         c. Persecutions and hardships can work out to our good.
            James 1:2-4; Rom. 5:3-5
            (1) In the pictures of the ancient Roman method of
                threshing grain, one man is always seen stirring up
                the sheaves while another rides over them in a
                crude cart equipped with rollers instead of wheels.
                Rough bits of iron were attached to these cylinders
                to help separate the husks from the grain. This
                simple cart was called a "tribulum" from which we
                get our word "tribulation."
            (2) When great afflictions come, we often think of
                ourselves as being torn to pieces under the cruel
                pressures of adverse circumstances. Remember, no
                thresher ever used his tribulum for the mere
                purpose of tearing up the sheaves, but to disclose
                the precious grain. Likewise, God tries the
                righteous, but He never puts them under the
                pressure of sorrow and disappointment needlessly. 
            (3) Let us be patient in tribulation. 
         d. Eternal life comes to those who patiently endure. Matt.
            5:10-12
   B. The troubles of the Philippians were like those that they had
      observed Paul to experience, and like those which they heard   
      Paul was now suffering.
      1. The emphasis is upon the word "same."
      2. We, too, suffer the "same" though the specifics may vary.
   C. The suffering was for Christ's sake.
      1. If we were suffering for ourselves (for some personal
         endeavor or fault), there is no special benefit or reward.
      2. However, when we are suffering for and with Christ, it is a
         high and glorious honor which brings great rewards. 1 Pet.
         2:19-20
      3. Christ suffered for us, and we can show our love and
         gratitude by suffering for Him. 2 Tim. 2:12

Concl.
   A. We are to conduct ourselves in accord with our heavenly
      citizenship.
   B. Our unity of mind enables us to have spiritual teamwork in the
      faith, and gives us confidence in the face of persecutions.
   C. When we are privileged to suffer for Christ, and bear up under 
      it patiently, it is an evident token of our salvation.

Chart:
Summary and Conclusion:

1. We are to conduct ourselves in accord with our heavenly
citizenship.

2. Our unity of mind enables us to have spiritual teamwork in the
faith, and gives us confidence in the face of persecutions.

3. When we are privileged to suffer for Christ, and bear up under it
patiently, it is an evident token of our salvation.