Culver Community Church

Pastor Chris Sweeney

Sermon Notes

February 2, 2020

Conduct – Becoming Believers (Philippians 1:27-30)

{vs 27a} Now we’ve seen that Paul can abide the chains, the critics and even the potential death sentence hanging over his head but there is one thing more important to him than all of that.  The point that he wants to make to the Philippians is this: whether I live or whether I die, whether I come to see you or whether I do not is not important (although Paul being freed was probably the main thing on their minds and prayer lists!), he tells them it doesn’t really matter!  What is essential is the character of your conduct - it is that his dearly loved Philippians (and really all believers) learn to live up to Christ’s calling!

In some translations and specifically in the original Greek manuscripts, the first word of this instruction or command (really this plea) is ‘Only’.  The NIV renders it as ‘whatever happens’ which, I feel, does not adequately express the correct thought.  As the first word in the sentence, only receives the emphasis.  Moreover, the word used by Paul meaning only is also exclusive, meaning ‘only and nothing else’!  Paul tells them ‘this is the only issue that is important to me’ or ‘only do this one thing for me’.  Now coming from their dearly loved leader, who may or may not be in danger of losing his life, brings this to a level of importance nearly equal to a last or dying request!

The verb translated "conduct yourselves" here is a very interesting verb.  One rich in meaning for these Philippians.  It literally, means “to behave as a citizen of a polis” (“a free city-state”).  You are to conduct yourselves in such a manner that would be proper behavior for a citizen.  We might say be a model citizen or act in such a way that your nation, city, etc. would be well represented or proud!  In many places abroad, the term ‘ugly American’ is used to speak of rude and crude individuals who do not make us proud!  Paul however is telling them that they are heavenly citizens, now please represent your Sovereign or Lord well.  I want us to ask ourselves today, of what domain or kingdom do we consider ourselves citizens?  We can belong to multiple jurisdictions . . . for example we are in the city of Culver City right now, but also Los Angeles County and the state of California within the United States of America.  However, we as believers should have our highest allegiance to God’s Kingdom!  People from every tongue, tribe and nation across the globe belong to Him and we walk this Earth, wherever God has placed us as foreigners and ambassadors representing God!

The reason this is so powerful for the Philippians is that as an official colony, they were citizens of Rome.  You will remember that even when the apostle Paul initially went to Philippi in Acts chapter 16, they made Roman citizenship an issue - “…These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” (Acts 16:20-21 NIV)  They did not see themselves in terms of a local region but as Citizens of that faraway country called home.  It did not matter how physically separated from Rome they were – they as a community reproduced Roman culture, law and society and enjoyed all the rights of citizens.  This was a point of great pride for their city-state.  Now Paul sets up a parallel here, believers are citizens of God’s Kingdom and while we may be here on Earth amongst strangers and yes, enemies with vastly different allegiances - - - we should act as if we were right there in God’s presence!  Jesus called us out of this world by God’s grace (the gospel), what a high honor and privilege!  It’s about time that we begin to walk in this world as if we belonged to the next!

This truth was really brought home to me some time ago when I was working at the Christian school – the decision was made to have the staff wear polo shirts with the name and logo on them for identification purposes.  Now at work that was one thing – it is easy to have a mindset of representing Christ.  However, when the day was over and I was out in the world – then it became real!  When someone is completely outrageous at the grocery store or somewhere else on the way home - - - I would have to remind myself, my shirt says ‘Christian’ right there for everyone to see.  How should I react in the light of this?  How should we react, in light of the gospel – God’s calling on our lives?  When we pause and think it through - - - we know, all we have to do is ask that famous question “What Would Jesus do?” - and then do our best to get as close as we can!

{vs 27b} Paul goes on to say, if I come back to you or if I remain here - - - I want to be proud of you all, knowing that you are doing what would please God.  If I see it in person or if the news comes to me here – I’ll find out how you are doing.  Please make me and Christ proud by standing strong on the faith, in the truth!

That you are in unity, working together for the Kingdom.  There is no such thing as a nation of one, in order for the nation to thrive – all of its citizens need to be thriving!  It cannot be just the Apostle Paul who is growing in God’s grace (despite his chains), nor the few elders and leaders of the church - - - Paul’s call is for brothers and sisters in Christ to lock arms together and build each other up so that the kingdom and gospel is advanced.  In this way we are like a great cooperative or army - - - let us move together in lock-step as one.

{vs 28} The Greek word used for ‘being frightened’ here literally means to be terrified, not a momentary startle or fright but a state of terror!  Paul does not even questions whether things will come to oppose the believers – it is assumed!  Now these believers, who stand together in unity, building each other up in faith have no place being terrified in their minds.  Have you ever noticed that it is way easier to be afraid when you are alone?  The opposite is true, when we are together (physically and one in spirit) we are stronger!  And our lack of fear in the face of frightening things is a witness to those who oppose us (whether people or spirits).  By standing in faith we proclaim that God is true, that His Word will not fail and that the ultimate destination of those who oppose Him (and His children) is destruction.  Faith tells the world that I believe my God will deliver me!  It is strong and bold and hard to ignore – like the children of Israel who faced the threat of the fiery furnace and said –

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." - Daniel 3:17-18 NIV

That is standing in faith, knowing that God can deliver but even if He does not, I will still believe!  Stephen, the first martyr stood before the council in this type of faith and boldly declared the gospel from the beginning of the Old Testament until his day and in a rage, they dragged him out and stoned him!  This is the kind of faith that drives Satan and those who are doing his bidding crazy!  Crazy enough to heat the furnace seven times hotter.  Crazy enough to become a mob and execute a man before the trials over, even though they have no right to do so!  And yes, crazy enough to maybe, just maybe realize that this faith in God could be right!  It is my belief that the Holy Spirit used Stephen’s testimony to begin to affect a young man named Saul, who just happened to be holding the coats as they killed him (why else would that be mentioned?)

Fear – this is one of the enemy’s greatest tools.  Besides keeping us from the gospel itself, keeping believers in fear is even greater than having them wallowing in sin!  I know that’s shocking and I know that we spend so much time as believers trying so very hard to avoid sinning but, God has removed the consequences of sin at the cross – fear however, keeps us from pleasing God!  Yes, fear is the anti-faith!  We cannot please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). The Christian life is dependent upon faith. We stand by faith; we walk by faith, we live in faith.  Faith is loved and honored by God more than any other single thing. It is so important that our entire relationship (notice I didn’t say religion) is called “the faith”!  The Bible teaches that faith is the only approach that we have to God; salvation is the free gift of God (His grace) received through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)!  Someone may be saying, “God, I believe in You and that You are a good God, but I do not believe in Your Son, Your Word or the gospel; I do not believe what You say.” In order to please God, you and I must believe Him and put our saving faith, a reliant, obedient faith in Him.

Now faith and fear cannot co-exist!  Let me clarify that – we can have a ‘Godly, reverential fear’ which I will call awe or reverence that is not incompatible with faith.  For example, Hebrews 11:7 tells us that “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”  However, my point is that ungodly (for lack of a better word) fear – the terror that grips us because of circumstances, trials or troubles and the kind of fear that dreads what may happen - - - that cannot coexist with Godly faith.  By faith we stand on the promises of God, believing what He tells us about ourselves, our future and what He will do.  It is impossible to believe (fearfully) that any weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54:17) or that God is not able to work all things out for the good of them that love Him (Romans 8:28)!  No!  Fear of today is a lack of faith in God; one or the other will always win out and take over our hearts!  Which one will you support in this battle?

{vs 29-30} Good news!  You and I have been given the gift of suffering!  What are you saying Paul?  Much like Jesus’ promise that no one wants to claim “In this world you will have troubles…” (John 16:33) this is the gift everyone wants to leave unopened!  Paul wants to remind them that it is for a reason.  Paul’s suffering was for the Kingdom and for his own spiritual growth.  The Philippians didn't need to fear that their present trial (or Paul's trials) meant that God abandoned them. Their present difficulty was granted to them, not as a punishment, but as a tool in God's hand.

The key to suffering with joy is right here - - - it’s faith in God!  Paul serves as an example and he teaches us that we must stand together as citizens of God’s Kingdom, in unity and in faith.  Then we will live up to the high calling of the gospel.  Then we will have faith that God is in control and that He is willing and able to do all that He has promised.  A faith that tells us God is able to do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us!” (Ephesians 3:20) and that we need not fear.  In fact, terror/fear cannot coexist with this kind of overcoming faith!