Worthy of the gospel
February 2nd, 2009 by Todd JohnsonThe words of Paul to the Philippians in 1:22-30 were our consideration this Sunday.
Philippians 1:27a “..let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”
Kenneth Wuest – v27 “Only [since my only reason for remaining on earth is for your pioneer advance in the Christian life], see to it that you recognize your responsibility as citizens [of heaven] and put yourselves to the absolute necessity of performing the duties devolving upon you in that position, doing this in a manner which weighs as much as the good news concerning the Christ.”
We talked about the statements we are all making with our lives, whether good or bad. People watch us, and they listen to us.
We considered the need to be ‘standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel’ (v27b).
Then, the reality of a real heaven and a real hell, ‘destruction and salvation’ (v28), and that nobody goes to heaven deservingly and nobody goes to hell unwillingly.
I wonder how many really understood the statement that heaven is not the place where good people go and hell is not the place where bad people go. That there are only bad people that put their trust in God & bad people who refuse to put their trust in God. There is only one that is good.. and you’re not Him. 
Finally, we considered v29-30, that ‘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’.
C.S. Lewis – “God whispers to us in health and prosperity, but, being hard of hearing, we fail to hear God’s voice in both. Whereupon God turns up the amplifier by means of suffering. Then His voice booms.”
There you have it.. any thoughts?
I thought that yesterdays message was very timely. In a world where everyone wants to pat themselves on the back because they did something nice, and where feel-good policy making is the order of the day, Paul reminds us that not a single one of us is worthy, regardless of “good” intent, or heart, or actions…we simply do not measure up. I guess that people can look at this message one of two ways, it is either disappointing and makes us all feel inadequate or it is sobering and calls us to action. The latter of the two is how I felt sitting there listening yesterday. How much more do I need to ACT and do my part to spread the Word so that others may know that being a “good person”, as MANY in the world are so fond of saying, just doesn’t cut it. And secondly, that being a child of God does not mean an easy, prosperous and happy-go-lucky existence. When God turns up the volume, he also turns up the heat so to speak. We are refined by fire and it has been hard for me to accept over the years, but the Lord only refines those for whom He has a better purpose…those He loves. These tv-evangelists and inspirational book-of-the-month authors all want us to believe that we can pray ourselves to wealth and happiness…they simply miss the point. Living in Christ means trials and refinement…the sooner we accept that EVERYTHING is a blessing, prosperity and happiness as well as trial and hardship, we will know that we willingly accept the will of God. It isn’t easy to do, not by any means. I loath complaining and recoil from the thought of it, and hearing it on others lips is only less appealing than when I hear it in my heart.
The bottom line, we MUST go about doing Gods work, not our own, and we must accept that His will encompasses both happiness and suffering… Thanks for the great message yesterday Todd.
I just thought it was funny to hear a surfer say that he doesn’t like horses because they’re big, powerful and unpredictable.
Um….
This Sunday for me just drove the point more deeply home that my wake to sleep ministry is the furtherance of the gospel. That my heart must be completely enveloped with God and His Word in order to feel passionately about Him and His purposes.
How gracious His Spirit has been to awaken truth about the mission for progression of the gospel in every area of life. That not a word that leaves our tongues will go unnoted and that they therefore ought to bring glory to Christ! It made me think of a painter. How the strokes of his brush are creating something for the eye to behold, and that our words and actions are like brush strokes, painting a picture of our Savior. With each stroke we either portray Him as infinitely satisfying and infinitely valuable, or we don’t.
Never has the Lord given me such conviction and drive at the same time. I pray fervently and hope that the same passion for the pursuit of the gospel is given to you by His Spirit, In the particular gifts he has given you all. That they would glorify Christ! That every characteristic He’s given will attest to His name, and that every word that you say will declare His beauty and value. And I pray that we you would go forth in all boldness announcing the coming day of our Christ and His righteous judgment, and that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is LORD! And that He will reign forevermore to the glory of His awesome and mighty Name.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. -Romans 12:12
I love you all very much.
Thanks for another great study, I’m lovin Philippians!!! That statement about the dash that is in-between our beginning date and our departing date really hit home. What does my (-) =??
Definitely something to consider and pray about.
Chris – well done! THAT is funny. Did that actually cross your mind as you sat there, or did it come to you later?
There is one minor difference between big powerful waves and big powerful horses… horses have a disproportionate little brain controlling all that brawn!!!!
Plus I have a verse…
Ps 20:7ESV
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Cindra – Thanks for sharing what God is doing in your life lately. It has encouraged me to hear it.. and it excites me as well.
“Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher..”
Todd, I have verses for all my phobias as well. I’m afraid of the sea and have tons to show how demonic it is, but I don’t want to ruin your fun.
Cindra, you’re so cool.
Very convicted about your comment regarding the gap between my belief and my behavior. That both inspires me to live my beliefs, and at the time causes me to throw myself on the mercy and grace of God (an appropriate response, I am convinced).
I think the term “striving” (vs 27) is a good way to be introspective about how we am living out our faith. Do I strive for the furtherance of the gospel????
Todd- I was very blessed on Sunday to see a number of NU students with their families in attendance 2nd service; also, I was encouraged by the ’2nd service families’ who chose to hit 1st or 3rd this week so that those NU families could park in our lots and fit in our sanctuary and hear God’s Word proclaimed simply and powerfully and faithfully.
“For 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, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had…”(29-30a)
Careful consideration of this truth, our being granted the privilege of suffering for Jesus’ sake, is pretty heavy to me. I did think your example of the men and women running to recruiter’s offices throughout our country to serve (at great personal cost) in the war on terror was spot-on. Working with high schoolers for the past 10 years has brought plenty of faces to fit your example- kids who knew full well what they were getting into by signing up for the military in today’s violently unstable environment. These young men and women counted the cost and saw the chance to serve for freedom’s sake as an absolute honor. That picture was perfect for my mind.
T. Chavez Action, in the prayer for our president blog #48. I responded back to a comment you made. My heart and intent weren’t right towards you in my response and I wanted to ask your forgiveness.
Tommy- It’s like my man Bono said, “It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s all-right…”
Forgiven.
But only if you add your thoughts about last Sunday’s message.
Smiley face.
I’ve said this in the past. So to those who insightfuly perceive that I am repeating myself from a year ago, kudos! This is the condensed version.
We are all sinners. And in truth mar our witness before the world much more then we are even aware. So in light of this truth I try to preach, when I do preach, Gods grace and forgiveness to me and the entire world at the cross.
Todd you are right! There are just bad people. Including us as believers. So being a “super squeaky clean” Christian isn’t going to have the impact that the list below would have as far as being a witness. Including.
a) loving unbelievers around us despite there attitudes, rejection, and persecution.
b) preaching grace and forgiveness of sin for Us as well as the world.
c) keeping our eyes and minds on Jesus with JOY despite the circumstances that rise up to tear us down.
in my opinion these are the intangible attributes that God uses to break down a persons blindness to Himself, Jesus, and the bible. but then again I may just be justifying myself? Anyone have any comments?
Many years ago, as an impressionable kid, I was forced to go to “church”. I met a few wonderful saints and some rank hypocrites. I did not understand the gospel, judged the church and eventually dismissed Christianity as irrelevant, looking elsewhere for significance and truth. I saw the lie of the 1960′s free love, rejected the 70′s and so on. I traveled to Asia, climbed mountains, skied peaks, surfed all over and still could not find what I yearned for. I created a religion that I thought would meet my needs and almost immediately found myself unable to keep its basic tenants. Then I met a man who was so in love with Jesus, I was compelled to understand this thing he called faith. I analyzed his words, his faith, his book, ran them through every worldly filter for truth, fact and objectivity then found myself at the foot of the cross, seeking the forgiveness of my Savior. My point is that we, the church, will be judged by the outside world as we proclaim Christ. There are wheat and tares in every church. I resolve to remove every conscious stumbling block that keeps me from winning souls to Christ. I pray I can live out my faith, striving to walk in the Spirit and if absolutely necessary, use words as a testimony of my gratitude to Christ. “Let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” I say “amen” to Mike’s summary (a, b, & c).
Todd, thank you so much! Another awesome sermon
that really convicts me and helps me dig deeper in
my walk with Jesus! My light and momentary problems with
my health issues pale in contrast to living my life as a testimony
to Jesus. It’s truly my heart’s desire to grow in my prayer life too because
I want Jesus to be seen, not me!
Cindra, your post reminded me of the story about a famous English wildlife painter. He used his pen to turn an ugly tea stain on the wall of a British pub into a beautiful stag (which also happens to be an allegorical symbol of Christ – the White Stag).