Sermon Tone Analysis

As It Becometh the Gospel

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Philippians 1:27

It is here that the apostle turns to admonish and provoke the Philippians in their common cause with him.

As an under-shepherd of the good shepherd, he seeks to stir them up to godly living and purpose.

It is his design to unite them with him in the defense of the faith, knowing the day was short and the dangers many.

They must rally to his side in the good fight of faith.

Notice the admonition itself, seen in the word only and the verb translated as it becometh.

The first word speaks to the urgency of the call, while the second to the nature of that call.

As those united with Paul in the defense of the gospel and the pathway of the cross, they were to be conducting themselves in a way that becometh the gospel.

And what was that conduct?

1.

It was one of standing in one spirit.

They were to be united in the faith.

It is the faith and its banner we unite under.

Of one mind, one purpose, and one faith.

2. It was one steadfast in the faith.

They were to be united in a common cause.

They were soldiers together.

They were engaged in a battle, "Who, having a common enemy and a common warfare, ought to have their minds united together in a holy agreement (Calvin)."

3. It was one of all tenacity and fearlessness.

They were to be of an unshaken confidence, given to a fortitude of mind, which Paul impresses upon them.

It is a soldier's confidence they were to have, one that is sustained amidst assaults.

Fortitude.

Steadfastness.

Perseverance.

Free from all dismay.

Doctrine.

We in Christ are to live worthy of the gospel of Christ, which along with our faith, is the sum of our gracious calling.

Consider:

I. We have been called to believe.

True Christianity begins with awe and all reverence, knowing that but by the grace of God we would be doomed.

Humility is the central evidence of true faith.

Consider the fruits of the Spirit, Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, each of these is the evident result of a beggar's salvation.

Love, because he is loved eternally.

Peace, because of a selflessness which has been mediated by the blood of Christ.

Joy, on account of grief, shame, and hopelessness having been abolished in Christ.

Longsuffering, which comes from knowing oneself wicked and forgiven greatly.

Gentleness, because with sovereign kindness one has been dealt with so kindly.

Goodness, which has been learned.

Faith, which has been given.

Meekness, which comes from learning forgiveness.

Temperance, knowing the threat of selfishness.

He that thinks he has a hand in his salvation, or thinks himself worthy or deserving of it, knows nothing of a true Christian disposition.

What does that look like?

First, it does not look like this, like the, Pharisee [who], Stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

That is the evidence of the pretender.

But the true Christian, he is one like, The publican, [who] standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner (Lk.

18:11f).

Why does Paul say, For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake, because no one can ever look upon the cross ahead in Christ and embrace it with all joy, until he understands the mercy that came before.

Only a beggar, publican, and Samaritan, can properly take up a cross and follow Christ.

For mercy and forgiveness has taught us that all is of grace and we are undeserving of it.

It is truly as Christ said, To whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little (Lk.

7:47).

The true gospel teaches us gratitude and what a privilege is ours to believe.

What a blessing to know we have been granted faith from above.

Scripture is clear, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The fact that we believe is all of grace.

We begin this Christian life of faith knowing that to us it has been granted to believe.

Sovereign grace equips us with the armor of humility.

It prepares us for a life of gratitude and delight.

II.

We have been called to suffer.

Once we understand how much we have been given and forgiven, then and only then can we with all joy and desire embrace the cross.

He that is forgiven much, he that knows himself unworthy, with all haste rises quickly and grasps the cross.

The cross is no burden, but an honor to such a one.

Did Mary have trouble bowing before Jesus and wiping His feet with tears?

Was she ashamed with those at the table scoffed and mocked?

No, but love consumed her.

Humility was her proper place and she adored it.

Can anyone say to Christ, "I shall take no cross, who has known Him upon it?"

The Pharisee sits at the table, doesn't stoop to wash, judges those around, thinks himself worthy, while a true Christian rises, stoops, and carries any cross, no matter how humbling or shameful.

For joy, love, and delight, we raise the cross.

Thus, surely no one can bear to hear Paul say, To you it has been granted to suffer for Christ, who has not first seen Christ crucified on his behalf.

What an honor is ours to fight this good fight of faith, and to suffer on behalf of Christ.

Could there be any more honorable calling?

We that are beggars and the world's derided are called to a most noble calling.

We are the Lord's people, and it has been given to us to suffer on His behalf.

Like Uriah, who refused the king's order to go and be with his wife, he refused, saying to David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing (2 Sam.

11:11).

These two clauses are inseparable.

One cannot willingly raise the cross, who has not first known sovereign grace.

Uses

For our determination let us make this our life.

God has already done so, for we have been given faith and a cross.

It is our calling; it is our civic duty and do so with the direction that we seek that joy which is ahead of us united as one.

I shall seek today to sound the alarm!

To rally us to the cause!

For we are always in combat for Christ.

Satan is always on the prowl.

Our enemy is always seeking to infiltrate, undermine, overcome, divide, and conquer the church.

So, we must know that we are never free from this combat.

In what way, since we do not see the threats of bloodshed as Paul?

Where is the battle?

All around us! Consider:

1) The assaults of the world.

The world is seeking to allure and draw us away.

Enticements abound.

Amusements, entertainments, these all have an agenda.

Ease and rest, it is our common inclination.

When pleasures no longer entice, then the world seeks to bolster our confidence in worldly possessions.