Tag: Jesus

EMBERS: Philippians 1: 27-28

by Sylvia Dickson

I am posting on Saturday before Easter. In verse 27 Paul tells us to let our lives be worthy of the gospel. This is the gospel: Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, joyfully obeying all of the Father’s commands. He suffered from temptations by Satan, was reviled by mean, judged unfairly, and crucified as our sin-bearer and experienced God’s wrath for us. He was buried, but after 3 days, he came back to life as he had said. We believe and are saved.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. John 11:25

27 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, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 

So, here it is, folks. You are on the line for Christ. Your behavior matters. Your beliefs matter. Your affections matter. Your speech matters. Your relationships matter. Your work matters. Your unity as a church matters. Your worship matters. Your reputation matters. Is how you live gospel-worthy? Are you standing firm on the truth? Are you walking together in the faith? It’s not an easy road to walk, so you need to do it together, side by side. The church is a body, working together for the gospel, helping one another. Living for Christ is not a lonesome life, nor an independent one. With the Spirit of Christ linking us, we are a chain that has no weak links.

 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 

Together, by faith in Christ, we have security. Paul’s letter to the Romans expands on the fact that nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). We meet opposition to the gospel in different places; however, we can stand firm and be assured that God is at work for our good and His glory. Putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) enables us to stand boldly—to fearlessly face opposition and persecution.

That’s Progress

by Sylvia Dickson

This is a short post, because if I included the next verse I would have to include the next verse and the next. That would be too long. Philippines 1:24-26 says enough for us to give us the glow of God’s Spirit at work.

Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2

24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.  Paul emphasizes that God is keeping him around to guide and build the church. He sees that remaining here is not for his preservation, comfort, or freedom. He is alive for the church. Paul’s joy is to see them/us faithful, finding pleasure in Christ, and being passionate for Christ. A growing, dynamic faith honors Christ. His aim is to glorify Christ through a faith that is mature, knowledgeable and deeply rooted in Christ. If and when Paul goes to Philippi, he wants them to see that his life is consistent with this faith he is holding up as worth living and dying for.

Philippians 1: 12 – 18

The Advance of the Gospel

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.  There is no doubt in Paul’s mind that God is sovereign and designed his imprisonment for His glory. We should not be discouraged when we hear that other believers are suffering for the gospel. Paul clearly sees that his imprisonment can only promote the gospel to benefit the world in revealing God’s glory back to a dark world. He doesn’t talk about being delivered from prison, but is focused on how God is using prison to change hearts in the Roman guards and others that come into contact with him and others converted by the gospel. Surely, he is not in the place of his choice: free to come and go. However, in this place of God’s choice he makes the most use of his time. He talks about joy and suffering in this letter, and certainly he is qualified to do so.

 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  So, what has happened because Paul is in prison? Are others ashamed to preach? Are they afraid? No, they see Paul’s model of turning a bad situation into something good. They see God’s faithfulness as the gospel is shared and lives are changed. They see the courage, peace, and joy of trusting in God. They see the Holy Spirit vividly working to encourage them through Paul’s witness.

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. Some are preaching the gospel ‘They are preaching out of love for Christ and Paul. Others use the gospel to try to goad Paul, discourage him, get him upset, rile him up because Paul knows they are not true believers. Maybe they are using the gospel to get money, fame or a following. They are promoting self by using the gospel. Again, Paul recognizes that God will use whatever is spoken to glorify himself, spread the gospel, and draw others to Christ. The good will speakers are focused on serving others by preaching Christ’s love, love for Christ, Paul, and for the lost. Paul rejoices that Christ is the focus of the pretenders and the sincere.

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed.  If the gospel of Christ is the message, God can use it to save sinners. Even preachers who are self-centered, proud, who want others to serve them are used by God for noble purposes. Sometimes, it’s hard to separate the message from the messenger and we get upset. If people are responding to the true part by repentance and new lives, we should be happy. God will put a hunger and thirst for the truth into each believer.