The Christian Life In a Nutshell - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

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The Christian Life in a Nutshell

Philippians 1

Intro: Some have called the book of Philippians Paul’s “thank you” letter for all their help during his time of need. Paul first visited Philippi in Acts 16:12. His first converts were Lydia and her household, the young damsel that was a soothsayer, and the household of the Philippian jailor. The Philippians were a tremendous blessing to the Apostle Paul.

They sent Epaphroditus to minister to him in prison according to chapter 4:18, and they had apparently done this before in the past according to verse 16 when he was in Thessalonica.

The book of Philippians is a book of encouragement and gives us insight into Paul’s tremendous love for these people.

Chapter one is packed with great teaching, but I’d like to focus on just four key words in chapter 1.

These four words pretty much summarize the Christian Life.

I. Faith

·        27 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;

It all starts with faith.

A. Saving Faith

·        Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

·        Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

B. Sanctifying Faith

·        27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…

·        Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

C. Standing Faith 

·        1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

·        2 Corinthians 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

D. Striving Faith

·        with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

·        1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith…

·        2 Thessalonians 1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:

II. Fight

·        7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

·        16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

·        17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

The Christian life is one of battles, conflict, adversity and opposition.

Wherever there is a child of God trying to obey God, there will be a fight.

Wherever the Gospel is being presented, there will be a fight.

Wherever a church is trying to be a lighthouse in their community, there will be a fight.

You are either coming out of a fight, in a fight, or going into one.

The fight is generated in most cases over one key element – the gospel.

The message is constantly under attack.

The messengers are also constantly under attack.

Paul was writing from prison – in bonds – because of the Gospel.

III. Fellowship

·        3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

·        4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

·        5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

·        6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Paul’s relationship with other believers is so evident in many of his writings.

He loved God’s people!

Notice the pattern he demonstrated in verses 3-6:

·        Vs. 3 He was thankful for just the remembrance of them.

·        Vs. 3b He thought about them.

·        Vs. 4 He prayed for them.

·        Vs. 5 He prayed for them with joy, requesting their fellowship in the gospel.

·        Vs. 6 He was confident that God would do a good work in them.

Notice what Paul said in verse 8:

·        8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

·        9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Does this sound like a man that had a “take it or leave it” mentality when it came to God’s people?

The Christian Life is so much better when you’ve got a good relationship with other Christians.

A key aspect of the Christian life is our fellowship with other believers.

Mark it down – a person that is out of fellowship with God will be out of fellowship with God’s people.

IV. Furtherance

You only find this word twice in the whole Bible – both are here in Philippians 1.

FURTHERANCE: progress, advancement

God didn’t save us to keep us where we were.

God’s plan has always been progress; advancement; moving up; moving on; growth; maturity.

A. The Furtherance of God’s People

Paul’s fellowship with God’s people was so important that he was willing to postpone heaven for it.

·        23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

·        24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

·        25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

·        26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

Paul was highly motivated to stay alive so he could help these other Christians for further for God.

The Christian Life in a Nutshell is going further for God, and helping others go further for God.

B. The Furtherance of the Gospel

·        12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

·        13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

·        14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.