Text: Philippians 1:27-30
Open:
The Apostle Paul had a special love, respect, and appreciation for the church at Philippi. It was one of the most mature of the churches described in the New Testament. Nevertheless, its members had a number of problems, some of them potentially serious. In 1:27-30 Paul turns from the autobiographical emphasis of the first part of his letter in order to focus on the Philippian congregation. He calls them to carefully consider their own hearts to determine if they were persons of spiritual integrity. Paul's appeal to them applies to every believer and every church, in every place and time. The question of spiritual integrity simply put--does what we profess publicly we believe match who we are in private?
We Display Spiritual Integrity by a Consistent Lifestyle (1:27).
"Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ..."
1. "Live" is the main verb in verses 27-30, which is a single sentence in the Greek.
- The word comes from the root word polis, and from it we get such words as "political" and "metropolitan."
- The verb carries the basic meaning of being a citizen. By implication, it means being a good citizen, one whose conduct brings honor to the political body to whom one belongs.
- The use of this word had to do with the fact that the city of Philippi was a Roman colony.
- A Roman colony was described by one ancient writer as a miniature likeness of the Roman people.
- Addressing a Roman colony from the Roman metropolis and writing as a Roman citizen, Paul uses the political image as a reminder of the responsibility of citizenship.
- He teaches that Christians are ultimately citizens of God's kingdom, with the responsibility of living a heavenly life on this earth in the midst of ungodly people and often hostile surroundings. The saints are reminded that as a colony of heaven, we are to lead heavenly lives on earth.
- Paul's phrase in verse 27 could be translated literally, "Behave like citizens."
But, how in the world do we do that?
2. "Worthy" answers the question.
- The word is used here with the meaning of "weighing as much as another thing." Believers are to see to it that their manner of living weighs as much as the gospel they profess to believe, or their words will have no weight ("weasel words").
- What lends weight or significance to what we say is the fact that our life is congruous to the message we proclaim.
Eph 4:1, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
*The church's greatest testimony before the world is spiritual integrity. By living below God's revealed standard we seriously undermine the credibility of the gospel and weaken our impact on the world.
- It is amazing to me how rapidly the Church keeps morphing to look more and more like the world. When the unsaved look at the church there appears no reason to believe the gospel because the church resembles closely what they see everywhere else.
II. We Display Spiritual Integrity By Unity in the Church (1:27b).
"So that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel."
1. "Stand firm" translates the Greek word steko, which refers to holding one's ground regardless of danger or opposition.
- The word was used of a soldier who defended his position at all costs, even to the point of sacrificing his own life. Figuratively, it refers to holding to a belief, conviction, or principle without compromise, regardless of personal cost.
- Standing firm is both positive and negative:
Stand for God & against Satan
Stand for truth & against falsehood
Stand for righteousness & against sin
1 Co 16:13, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."
2. "In one spirit ... with one mind."
- Unity was a major theme of Paul and it seemed he was constantly struggling against division--Jews versus Gentiles, slaves versus free, men versus women, believer versus believer (deals in chapter 4 with conflict between two women in the Philippian church--Euodia & Syntyche).
- Unity in the church was also one of Christ's great passions.
Jn 13:34-35, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Jn 17:21-22, "that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one."
- According to Jesus, the highest proof, the clearest evidence that the gospel is true, is the authentic love expressed between believers.
Again, we ask: how do we forge such a unified body?
Answer: "Striving side by side..."
3. Sunathleo-- Compound Greek word made up of sun (with) and athleo (to compete in a sporting event).
* Unity is produced by striving together toward a common goal, not by focusing on unity/agreement.
- This is the unity of the squadron, fighting outfit, not a support group turned in on itself.
- In other words: unity is a by-product, not an object.
4. Functional unity is fearless. "no way intimidated by your opponents."
- "intimidated" is a word often used to describe a startled horse that bolted, often due to something harmless, and threw its rider.
- Being fearless means that we don't allow small things (disagreements on preferences) to distract us from our common mission.
Close:
We are called as a church to passionately pursue our God-given mission, and in the process, display spiritual integrity that convinces of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our serving must match our preaching. Our testimony must match our testifying. Our practice must match our praising. Our helping must match our hallelujahs. Our loving must match our living.
(Dr. Dane Fowlkes, pastor)
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