Philippians 1:27 - 2:4

 ²⁷ Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 

 ²⁸ Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. ²⁹ For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. ³⁰ We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? ² Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. ³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Consulted and Quoted:

NIV Study Bible, Bryan Chapell, F.F. Bruce, N.T. Wright, D.A. Carson, Sean McDonough, Dennis Johnson. 

How can we possibly live in a manner that is worthy of the gospel? 

• 1.We stand in unity as members of the kingdom of heaven. (1:27)

• The Philippians were proud of being Roman citizens. Rome was the most powerful empire on the planet. But that citizenship had no eternal value. 

• The Philippians were to live as citizens of heaven (1:27).” This is an imperative, a command. Our primary identity is as a citizen of heaven. I live in my earthly country but as a citizen of heaven. 

• “Above all” (“Whatever happens” NIV) It is all-inclusive, the most important thing. We have no excuses. No matter how we are treated, or persecuted, we live in a way that demonstrates the values of the kingdom and brings honor to Jesus. “A manner worthy” How we do what we do is as important as what we do. How we live is crucial to everything else.  

• How do we do this? By “Standing together with one spirit and one purpose and fighting together (1:27).” Paul uses 4 different ways to explain that the way to honor Jesus is to live in unity with other believers from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds (Jew and Gentile) as we focus together on the gospel. 

• 2.We are calm and courageous in times of opposition. (1:28 - 30)

• No need to panic, fear, or be intimidated (1:28). Our courage is a sign to them, they will ultimately be destroyed but that we will be saved. 

• We respond in a way that does not come naturally to us. We are bold but not abrasive, humble but not timid. We are calm but courageous. We are not defensive but move forward proactively, with loving hearts and serving hands, lifting high the name of Jesus.  

• On a battlefield, unity is crucial to survival! The church too easily moves away from the gospel and gets distracted by other, lesser messages such “the American dream, political influence, culture wars, family values”. These are not our core message. 

• Our message is Jesus Christ and him crucified (2 Cor 2:2). Not everything that is American is necessarily Christian. We are called to live winsomely for Jesus, and to stand, side-by-side, arm-in-arm, shield-against-shield with those who are different from us but who belong to Jesus. We are in this together (1:30).

As We Walk With God this Week

1. Resources for the battle are available to us! Paul describes them in 2:1-4. They come to us from the gospel. The grace that comes from God and saves us continues to work in us and to provide us with the resources we need to stand firm in unity no matter what happens to us.  

1. Because we have embraced the gospel, the grace of God is at work in our hearts and our lives. God’s spirit working through his word is providing us with encouragement (2:1), comfort (2:1), and producing in us tenderness, and compassion (2:2). He enables us to be in fellowship with others (2:1) even when they are very different than we are. 

1. Paul is saying, “Your living out the fruit of the gospel in your lives, your manifesting spiritual growth and  transformation brings me great joy. I can see the evidence of God’s work in you (2:2). You are not stagnant, you are growing!” 

1. We need to learn to recognize when and how our old nature is driving us. When it does we are selfish, proud, and self-centered. 

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4)