“Pouring Out From Abundance: Gospel-centered Courage of the Church”
Sermon Title: Pouring Out From Abundance: Gospel-centered Courage of the Church
Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30 (ESV)
Introduction
The late Pastor Tim Keller once said, “Because the gospel is endlessly rich, it can handle the burden of being the one ‘main thing’ of a church.” This is exactly what we find in Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. Every aspect of Paul’s life is for the gospel, of the gospel, in the gospel, and due to the gospel. The endlessly rich gospel is to be the center of everything in the church.
Staking our life on Jesus is not easy. We are busy, distracted, faced with opposition, persecution, and suffering. A gospel-centered church needs gospel-centered courage and Paul teaches us how in three ways by being a church that: (1) Stands Together as Citizens of Heaven; (2) Strives Together for the Faith of the Gospel; (3) Suffers Together for the Sake of Christ.
1. A courageous church stands together as citizens of heaven – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit… (v.27)”
- the word “only” indicates that there is only one thing that matters – to live worthy of the gospel of Christ. What does it mean to be worthy of the gospel? Paul is not saying we are deserving of the gospel for the Bible is clear that we are not deserving of the gospel, but it is about God’s grace. He is saying that our lives are to be living proof that Christ is our Lord and King no matter the circumstances.
- The phrase: “let your manner of life (v.27)” uses a Greek word that is used similarly in Phil. 3:20, which translates as citizenship. A church’s manner of life is worthy of the gospel when the church lives as citizens of heaven. Since Philippi was a Roman colony, the Philippians, being Roman citizens, understood that they had dual citizenship, as Roman citizens and citizens of Heaven.
- Being a citizen of Heaven often leads to trouble and requires great courage because we are persecuted like the early church not because we worship Jesus but because we worship Jesus alone.
- The phrase “stand firm” was language for warriors and solders fighting in close ranks to stick together. Paul tells us that we are to stand firm “in one spirit”, the Holy Spirit. We are to stand firm against all things demand and attempts to bind our allegiance and affections to earthly things and away from Christ and the gospel. We are to stand firm against opposition and oppression from the world that views the Word of God as hateful. We are followers of Jesus and we follow His ways. This requires much courage. The gospel of Jesus unites sinners as one Church, in one Spirit, to stand firm courageously together.
2. A courageous church strives together for the faith of the gospel – “… that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. (v. 27b)”
- Striving means to achieve a common goal. The original Greek word connotates a sense of discipline and endurance of athletic endeavor. Like a football team, the church advances together side by side. We are striving for the advancement of the gospel.
- The word “faith” is not a personal and subjective faith but the objective truth of the Bible. When we strive for “the faith of the gospel,” we are working, learning, spread, preach, defend, represent, and live out the gospel. In order for our striving to be effective, the gospel must be at the center of our lives. If not, our striving will be weak, off-balance, and ineffective.
- Striving in a gospel-centered church means that there are no passive passengers. All of us have a part to play. You are more than capable enough to share the gospel at your house, at your workplace, at your schools, at your gym, wherever you are! Because Christ is in you! Just like Paul said, “whether I come and see you or am absent… (v.27)”, you are capable of loving your neighbor for Jesus’s sake. The Holy Spirit who lives in you has prepared you. There are no benchwarmers on Jesus’ team. Stepping outside our comfort zone is scary, but it’s a sign that you are following Jesus, but remember that your brothers and sisters in Christ are with you to help. We strive together for times when my faith, my courage, my strength, fails me today.
3. A courageous church suffers together for the sake of Christ
- Soldiers on a battlefield, players on a sports team, and the church have a commonality – they will suffer losses and it is to be expected. Anything good done in this evil world will cost us something. The Bible tells us, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12).” Living a life worthy of the gospel means that we will face persecution. This is made clear by Jesus himself, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matt.16:24).” For the Philippians, living for the gospel meant facing the Roman world that wanted them dead. They were killed just as Jesus was killed.
- Since the Fall, this world has been rebelling against God which means there is no simple and easy way to follow Jesus without suffering, but Jesus has gone before us and he is leading us to new life in the kingdom of Heaven. Paul reassures us, “Don’t panic. Relax. Jesus is with you.”
- “and not frightened in anything by your opponents. (v.28)” The word ‘frightened’ is derived from an expression for “an uncontrollable stampede of startled horses.” It’s a picture of chaos and panic. Paul encourages us to be courageous and forge ahead because “This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. (v.28)” We may think that suffering means our destruction. Our suffering is not our destruction, it is the destruction of those who persecute us. Your suffering and persecution are a sign of your salvation, a sign that God is with you, not against you. That’s why Paul says, “We rejoice in our sufferings (Rom. 5:3; cf. Acts 5:4),” and, “we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Rom. 8:17).”
- Through Christ Jesus we have eternal life, no longer bound to sin and death. When persecution and suffering come our way, there is nothing to fear. Let us rejoice in our suffering and persecution is proof of your salvation. We rejoice together as we stand our ground together with one spirit and one mind, with our eyes fixed on Jesus. We are witnesses to the world of something that is in us that the world does not have.
- “It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. (v.29)” Suffering is inevitable, but we don’t want nor life suffering, then from where do we get courage? God has granted us two things; First, to believe in him, and second, to suffer for him, and both are part of the life worthy of the gospel of Christ. You need to recognize that both parts are gifts of God’s grace. Our belief in him prepares us to suffer for him. So when persecutions come our way, our courage comes from our faith in the Lord – that we trust in the everlasting love of Jesus, that we belong to him, that through Jesus our salvation is secure. As our faith grows in the Lord, our courage to face sufferings also grows.
Reflection and response
We are in a spiritual battle. Through fear, Satan is trying to intimidate you out of living a life worthy of the gospel. But a regime that rules by fear also lives in fear. As the devil looks at you, he sees Jesus in you, and he sees his own destruction. And because Christ is in you, Satan is terrified. Because of your courage to take the next step to live as citizens of heaven—He is terrified. He knows that a gospel-centered church with a gospel-centered courage will be powerful and effective and he might lose soldiers in his army to the army of God. So he fights, but you will win because Christ has already won. Satan knows his days are numbered. Your life in Christ is living proof of that reality.
· Have you ever faced persecution and suffering for the sake of the gospel (in the home, among friends, from strangers, in the workplace, in school)? What are some of the ways you have suffered for the gospel? How did you react?
· Have you faced persecution by standing with other brothers and sisters or have you tried to do it alone? Have you felt like you lacked the courage to stand for the gospel?
· In what ways can we stand firm together as a church when we face suffering and persecution for the gospel?
· What is the Lord saying to you through the message today?