Click here to download in pdf format.
Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (7-4-1991 Cleland Baptist Church)
Now there is a change in the letter. So far Paul has been
talking about himself – his circumstances, feelings towards his readers,
prayers, what life means to him, and what death means to him. If he had his
choice, he would prefer to be with Christ, for this is far better. But for the
sake of the Christians at Philippi, it was necessary for him to stay to help and
encourage them in their Christian work. But whatever happened, whether he went
or stayed, whether he was put to death or spared, he wanted them to remember the
supreme importance of this – Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the
Gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27). The quality of their Christian life was
crucial and vital.
Paul states here two great principles of Christian
living, which we are going to look at and then see why they are so important. It
is the practice of the New Testament (and in this it is different from the Old
Testament, where the laws given are more precise) to lay down basic principles
and guidelines, which can be applied to all kinds of situations. Scripture does
not prescribe detailed rules and regulations for every situation in which we may
find ourselves. There are hundreds of situations we face each day for which we
cannot quote chapter and verse with detailed rules. But there are basic guiding
principles which we can apply. There is no “chapter and verse” for every
word and action. We get into ridiculous situations if we expect to find them.
Guidelines are given for us to adapt to our situation. Use sanctified common sense and direction of the Holy Spirit in practising them.
politeuesqe is an
important and interesting word. Normally when Paul is describing the Christian
life he uses peri patew, as in walk
worthy of the Gospel (Ephesians 4:1), Walk in newness of life (Romans
6:4), Walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), and Walk in the Spirit (Galatians
5:16). But here is another word for living the Christian life, and the emphasis
here is to behave yourself as citizens. Live as citizens of God’s kingdom.
Philippi was a special place, a colony of the great city
of Rome, a settlement of veterans, who tried to make their city like a little
Rome, though it was a long way away. They dressed like Romans, spoke Latin like
the Romans, and were governed by Roman laws. In other words, in the Roman colony
of Philippi, they behaved as though they were actually in Rome, living like
Roman citizens as much as they could.
So Paul’s argument was to Christians, whose real home
was heaven. They belonged to God’s city, so they were to live on earth as
citizens of heaven. Just as they lived and acted like Roman citizens, though
they were in Philippi, so they must live and act like citizens of God’s
kingdom, though they were on earth. They were to turn the place where they lived
into a little colony of heaven, acting as though they were in heaven.
Our conduct must befit our citizenship. We do not belong
to this world, we are like colonists, for we actually belong to another kingdom.
Christians are unique, distinct and separate people. Jesus Christ gave
himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a
people that are his very own, eager to do what is good (Titus 2:14). We are
in a separate position, distinct from the world that does not believe in Christ.
We are not just men of the world who have added a bit to our lives, with our
church-going and good-living. We do not belong to the world. We are colonists,
whose true home is heaven. We belong to a different order, with different
loyalties, different society, different jurisdiction. We must behave in a way
which will reflect this.
People travelling to foreign countries used to take a
pride in their home country, felt that the honour of their country rested on
them, and did not want to let the side down. (We see the reverse of this in
soccer hooligans abroad – bringing shame on their country in the eyes of
foreigners.) Horatio Nelson’s quote “England expects every man to do his
duty” is still the motto of some today.
So to Christians Paul urges them not to let the side
down. They are God’s people, members of His kingdom, under His laws, and their
citizenship is to be borne in mind. This is the principle to remember in our
behaviour on earth. The good name of God’s kingdom is in our hands. Christ’s
reputation is in our hands. The guiding principle about Christian conduct is
that when we go here or go there, do this or do that, we live as citizens of
God’s kingdom. I urge you, as aliens and strangers (A.V. “strangers
and pilgrims”) in the world, to abstain from sinful desires which war
against your soul (1 Peter 2:11-12). “Aliens and strangers” – people
who do not belong. So we should not speak, act, have values, standards, outlook
and interests of this world.
This is most difficult to do. We are a tiny minority, and everywhere we face the pressure to conform to the standards of this world. But we must remind ourselves every day that we are Christians now, we do not belong to the world, we belong to God, we are citizens of His kingdom, and we must live as that.
Our conduct is determined by our relationship to God and
in the light of what He has done for us, as is set out in the Gospel. What has
the Gospel done?
In our past – sins forgiven, and redemption through
Christ’s atonement. We are not our own, but have been bought at a price.
Delivered from lost eternity, taken from the clutches of the Devil, placed
firmly on a rock. This is all of God’s grace and mercy, we have not earned or
deserved it. It all flows from the Cross – the agony and suffering and
sin-bearing death of Christ.
In the present – through the Gospel we are new men and
women. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the
new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). As new men and women we have a new
outlook, new loyalty, new standards and new values, new tastes and new
interests. All this is possible because we are indwelt by a new power – the
Holy Spirit dwells in us, and He gives us the power to live above sin, to
overcome and defy it.
In the future – the Gospel assures us of a new hope for
the future. Most people do not have a clue about what will happen to the world,
what changes will take place, and about God’s intervention. They assume all
will carry on as it always does, and hope for the best. But the Christian has
his mind and sight set on Christ’s return, which may happen at any time. This
exerts immense influence on his life, for he does not want to be ashamed when
his Master comes back. This motivates him to say “no” to ungodliness and
worldly passions, to live self-controlled, upright and godly life, while he
waits for that blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our God and Saviour
Christ Jesus (Titus 12-13). Everyone who has this hope in him purifies
himself just as He is pure (1 John 3:3).
So the Gospel speaks of forgiveness of the past through
Christ’s death, transformed life in the present through His indwelling, and a
glorious future with Him because of His return. This must influence our
behaviour.
This is the second crucial principle to guide us in our
choices and our behaviour. Is this or that worthy of the Gospel and Christ who
died, indwells and is coming back for me?
“You
are writing a Gospel,
A
chapter each day,
By
the deeds that you do
And
the words that you say.
Men
read what you write
Whether
faithful or true.
Just
what is the Gospel
According
to you?”
These two guiding principles are so important. Why? For several reasons – God’s calling and election, God’s will for us, gratitude for our salvation – and others besides. But we are going to concentrate on one other consideration. The most important weapon in spreading the Gospel is the lives of believers – not great sermons or brilliant books. It has always been so. Nothing so perfectly commends the Gospel of Christ as a practical demonstration of Christian living.
This was true in the early days, and is still true today.
Because of the persecution of Christians recorded in the Acts of the Apostles,
Christians were scattered abroad, and wherever they went they spread the good
news of the Gospel by their lives and their testimonies. After New Testament
times, pagan historians show that nothing influenced the ancient world more than
the quality of life lived by these people. John Wesley said of the early
Methodists, “Our people die well”. They also lived well!
When lives stand out like this, it always causes
questions to be asked. Why are these people so different? What enables them to
so live and die? People are not interested in mere theory, theology or dogma –
but they are interested in life and the living. People today faced with problems
and troubles, as their ideas and philosophies break down, may be searching for
answers. Are they going to find the answer in the Christian Gospel? That may
depend on the life you are living before them. You yourselves are our letter
written on our hearts, known and read by everybody (2 Corinthians 3:2). The
best tract or literature in the world is no substitute for your own life. Let
them see Christ in your behaviour. This will open up opportunities to speak of
the Gospel to them.
N.B. If your life does not count for the Gospel, then it counts against the Gospel. People may think, “If that’s what Christianity is, I don’t want anything to do with it.” The worst enemies of the church are inconsistent Christians. The hindrance to the Gospel in many homes is inconsistent Christian parents, “brought up on a Bible and a bad temper”.
Whatever happens, above everything else, at all costs –
Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel. Live as citizens of
God’s kingdom, and do so in a way which will be worthy of the Gospel.
The world we live in is largely non-Christian, and we may
feel weak and frustrated. We seem to make little impact. It is clear that there
are many things we need. Revival above all – that is in the sovereign hands of
God. But in the day of small things, the one great need is for the world to see
the difference the Gospel makes to people. It is a power. We are not mere
theorists and philosophers. Rather, we are in touch with God’s power. It
affects the way we live, our outlook and values, the way we face trials and
problems, our reactions to world events, outlook on death and future life. The
world needs to know there is power in the Gospel.
In our workplace, our business, our profession and our home – Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1). Then we shall be able to conduct ourselves – live as God’s citizens – in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
