A Life Worthy of the Gospel-Philippians 1:27-28

New Testament, Philippians, Sermons

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Who on earth can boldly say without flinching, “Yes! I live a life worthy of the gospel”? What Christian is not plagued by some inclination of sin in himself (Gen 6:5), despite his best of intentions and efforts and his heart’s desire to love Jesus and to serve God and others? So, what is Paul saying, when he is commanding us to do something that no Christian can actually do: Live a life worthy of the gospel?

One sentence that sums up Phil 1:21-30 is: “Die is gain, yet I live a life worthy of the gospel to believe and to suffer for Christ.” We can divide this sentence into 4 parts:

  1. Die is Gain (Phil 1:21-24).
  2. Yet I Live (Phil 1:25-26).
  3. A Life Worthy of the Gospel (Phil 1:27).
  4. To Believe and to Suffer for Christ (Phil 1:28-30).

I. Die Is Gain (Phil 1:21-24)

Phil 1:21 is a short, catchy, “likable” verse for Christians. But what does it mean? To live is Christ is knowing, loving, serving, glorifying, enjoying, communing with, having unbroken fellowship with Christ. It is the best life in life, and death is even better! Do we Christians truly believe that to die is gain, not loss? To live is Christ means to:

  • Live for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31), not for my own benefit.
  • Want to know Jesus (Phil 3:10), by reading/reflecting on the Bible regularly (Ps 1:2).
  • Love God (Dt 6:5), not the world (1 Jn 2:15-17).
  • Tell others about Jesus (Mk 16:15), no matter what the cost or sacrifice.
  • Look forward to death, because it is “better by far” (Phil 1:23).

II. Yet I Live (Phil 1:25-26)

No Christian can be happy/victorious without progress, joy and confidence. Thus, Paul wants to live for:

  1. The progress of their faith (Phil 1:25; 1 Tim 4:15).
  2. The joy of their faith (Phil 1:25; Jn 15:11; 1 Th 5:16).
  3. Their confidence/boasting/glory/joy in Christ because of him (Phil 1:26, 6, 3:3; Job 27:6; Acts 24:16; 1 Cor 4:4; 2 Cor 1:12, 4:2 1 Jn 2:28, 3:21).

To live was costly for Paul. It involved whippings, beatings, stoning, shipwreck, constant danger, toil, hunger, thirst, sleepless nights, helplessness, and vulnerability (2 Cor 11:24-27). But Paul was happy because Jesus was all the world to him. However, no one can “make themselves” make progress, have joy, or have confidence. We must know that for us to make progress, there was ONE who had to digress. For us to have joy, there was ONE who had to loose all of His joy. For us to have confidence, there was ONE who completely lost his only source of confidence when he was utterly forsaken and abandoned to die in utter loneliness, agony and misery (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34).

III. A Life Worthy of the Gospel (Phil 1:27)

Phil 1:27 is an ethical exhortation or imperative. How can a Christian live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ? Let us think about the ABCDE of living a life worthy of the gospel:

  • Attitude: Live as a citizen of the kingdom of God.
  • Behavior: Blameless and above reproach.
  • Character, constancy, consistency, Christ-like: Integrity.
  • Doctrine: Live in accordance with the gospel.
  • Ethos, expression, experience: Who are you at your very core?

First, Attitude. The Greek word politeuomai means “to behave as a citizen.” It is the word used to describe one who lives as a good citizen of Rome. As Christians, we do not simply live as good U.S. citizens, but as citizens of the kingdom of God. What would an attitude of one who lives as a citizen of heaven look like?

Second, Behavior. As a citizen of heaven, it should not matter to the Philippian Christians whether or not Paul came (Phil 1:27b). As a citizen of heaven, I live before my King (not before people); I live before an audience of One. I live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15). I want to obey God (Jn 14:15,21), love God with all my heart (Dt 6:5) and keep the 10 Commandments (Ex 20:2-17), though I fail daily. I want to live as if to live is Christ (Phil 1:21). I do not want to abuse my freedom (liberalism). I do not want to live legalistically (legalism). My speech must be truthful and loving (Eph 4:15); it should be full of grace, and seasoned with salt (Col 4:6). In living as a Christian, I will be unwavering in my convictions, unmoved in my faith, and unafraid of any opposition from anyone (Phil 1:27c-28). Although I live by faith, the expression of my faith is not lukewarm and passive, but tenacious and active, and showing mutuality and unity with other Christians,

Third, Character, constancy, consistency. My behavior and integrity as a citizen of heaven should be constant and consistent. My character should be such that anyone who meets me would see my Savior. I should be salt and light that constantly and consistently points to Jesus, especially in the difficult and trying times of life. As we mature as Christians and become leaders in the church our lives should be blameless (Tit 1:6) and above reproach (1 Tim 3:2), not just for others to see, but as a reflection of Christ in us.

Fourth, Doctrine. Paul says that our conduct/life should be in a “manner worthy of the gospel” (Phil 1:27). A Christian must have “sound doctrine” (Tit 1:9, 2:1). He must know what the gospel is and to explain it with clarity and conviction? What is the gospel (good news)?

  • The gospel is an indicative, not an imperative. There are no commands in the gospel. Saying, “Believe in Jesus,” or “Repent and believe” is not preaching the gospel, even though when the gospel is clearly proclaimed, one would repent and believe in Jesus. Countless
  • Christians, past and present, have given their definitions of the gospel. Here are 2 ways to explain the gospel that I have found useful from the ESV Study Bible

(Two ways the gospel can be summed up in four key words):

  1. Creation. Fall. Redemption. Restoration/Consummation.
  2. God. Man. Christ. Response.

Fifth, Ethos, experience, expression. To live a life worthy of the gospel, we must have Logos (logic), Ethos (ethics), and Pathos (passion); we need the Word as our foundation (Logos), we need transformation to be credible (Ethos), and we need to express our experience in order to be real (Pathos).

Do you live a Gospel Life? Is the Gospel simply head knowledge? Is your heart grounded in the Gospel? Does the Gospel define who you are? Does the gospel inform all areas of your life, including your emotions? Do you live a life worthy of the Gospel? In 2012, may the Gospel be the source of our sanctification, so that by His grace alone, God enables us and empowers us to live a life worthy of the Gospel. (Next week we will study 2 gifts and special privileges of Christians: to believe and to suffer for Christ.)

IV. To Believe and to Suffer for Christ (Phil 1:28-30)

Questions:

  1. What does it mean “to live is Christ”? “To die is gain” (Phil 1:21; Jn 10:10b; 1 Cor 2:2)? How revolutionary is this? Who experiences this (Phil 1:3:8-10; Gal 2:20)? How do we live as if to live is Christ (1 Cor 10:31; Ex 20:2; Dt 6:5)? What is the gain of death (Phil 1:23; 2 Cor 5:8; Rom 7:24, 8:35,37; Jn 14:2)? Do you believe this like Paul that death is gain? Are you prepared for the day of death?
  2. Following Paul’s thesis, core belief, truth claim (Phil 1:21), what is his dilemma (Phil 1:22)? Why is this a delightful dilemma? Why is he torn (Phil 1:23-24)? How did he resolve it (Phil 1:25)? What 3 things does Paul want for them, for us, for churches (Phil 1:25-26, 5, 3:3; 1 Tim 4:15; Jn 15:11)? Is Paul saying, “Don’t seek joy, be selfless, be good, and do good to others”? What did Paul “gain” by staying (2 Cor 11:24-27)?
  3. Why is the imperative of Phil 1:27 be daunting (2 Cor 2:16)? What is significant about whether or not Paul comes (Phil 1:27: 2:12)? What does Phil 1:27 mean (Mt 5:16)? Explain “the gospel.” What does Paul want to see about their tenacity, activity, unity and mutuality of the gospel (Phil 1:27-28, 2:12, 3:14)?
  4. Does the Bible say that there is nothing to be afraid of (Phil 1:28)? What are 2 gifts of God (Phil 1:29)? Is faith a gift (Eph 2:8; 1 Jn 5:1; 1 Cor 12:3; Ac 16:14)? A responsibility (Jn 6:44, 14:1-2; Heb 11:6; Ac 16:31; Mt 11:28)? What does it mean that suffering is a gift (Phil 1:29; Acts 9:15-16; Heb 12:5-6)? Why does God give us such a gift (Rom 5:3-5; James 1:2-4)?

References:

12 Sermons by Ligon Duncan

  1. Phil 1:21-24: To Die is Gain (4 sermons).
  2. Phil 1:25-26: Progress, Joy, Confidence (2 sermons).
  3. Phil 1:27-28: Live a Life Worthy of the Gospel (4 sermons).
  4. Phil 1:29-30: Believe and Suffer for Christ (2 sermons).
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