Sermon Tone Analysis

Philippians 1:27-2:1

I. Behave Appropriately

v. 27

Webster’s– Fit; suitable; congruous; proper; graceful; belonging to the character, or adapted to circumstances;

Appropriately– To set apart for, or assign to a particular use, in exclusion of all other uses;

A. Behave Christ-like

Love (compassion) “Jesus having compassion…”

Obedient “Jesus led of the spirit into the wilderness…” “nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt…”

Faithful “entered into the temple…”

B. Behave Pleasingly

Oh if we would just live with one thought in mind, “Does this please God?”

C. Behave as a Witness

Philippians 1:27

as it becometh the gospel of Christ:

You are the only Bible some will ever read!

II.

Stand in Unity

v. 27

That ye stand fast in one spirit.

Much more can be done by working together…

In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn't.

"What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus.

"These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they're nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold."

"Which channel do you want?" asks Linus.

Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can't you guys get organized like that?"

A. Stand Fast

stēkō

Thayer Definition:

1) to stand firm

2) to persevere, to persist

3) to keep one’s standing

B. In One Spirit

III.

Work Together

v. 27

With one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

A. With One Mind

Which mind?

1.

A mind that loves God

2. A mind that serves

The Mind of Christ

So with one mind we are to be...

B. Striving Together

Sunathleo – sun=in union (with/together)

athleo= a contest in the public lists-contend - struggle along side someone.

More is accomplished if we work together

We spoke of our spiritual gifts last week.

We need to use those fit together, to accomplish what God has in store for our Church.

The story is told about a small, country church where the pastor called a special meeting of the congregation to approve the purchase of a brand new chandelier.

After some discussion pro and con, an old farmer stood up and said, "Buying a new chandelier may seem like a good idea to you, but I’m against it for three reasons.

First of all, it’s too expensive and we can’t afford one.

Second, there isn’t anybody around here who knows how to play one.

And third, what we really need in this church is a new light fixture."

Part of working together is being willing to speak up when you know about something.

But of course doing it in a way that is striving together, not with.

With one mind

Striving together

For one purpose!

C. For the Faith of the Gospel

Spreading the faith of the Gospel

Our focus needs to be God’s focus!

When is the last time you witnessed for Christ?

IV.

Fear Not

v. 28

There will be times when someone is not striving along side us, but is fighting us.

But we need to remember, it’s not us that is doing the work.

You don’t have to be

smart enough

tough enough

super spiritual enough

You just have to go forward in God’s power.

to you of salvation…that of God

A. Power Is of God

But there is something to remember...

B. Does Not Mean No Pain

(v.

28-30)

As the day of Christ approaches, it’s going to get worse!

Again he said we don’t need to think about it, God will give us what we ought to say.

This once again shows it is God’s power, not ours!

1. Evident token of perdition

Proof of destruction (sign of their destruction)

They will think they have won

Even to the destroying of this body.

Our testimony will be proof of a Christ to them

A very earnest preacher of the Gospel was caught and put in to prison in the south of Spain, and expected to die.

There were Anarchists and Communists in the prison; they were desperate and began to write curses on the wall against their captors, so the evangelist wrote on the wall, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Underneath he wrote John 3:16 in full.

That attracted attention.

One of the prisoners was a young schoolmaster, and the evangelist had the joy of leading him to Christ.

One day the schoolmaster said to him.

“My name is on the list today to be shot; I am so glad you wrote that text on the wall.

Before, I should have been desperate, but now, although I do not want to die, I am not desperate, because I know I am going to be with Jesus, and that I shall see you again one day.”

They embraced one another and he was taken out and shot, but one day we shall see him in Glory, brought to the Lord Jesus Christ by the faithful testimony given in prison.

To them it is an evident token of perdition but...

2. To you of salvation

Proof of your salvation

The Grace that you will receive by going through what God allows in your life.

In verses 28-29 he talks about the conflict and suffering, but then look in your Bible at the next verse, verse one of chapter two…which is a continuation of the thought…he says

Come what may God will comfort and guide us through it all.