Advertisers work hard at getting our attention. From dancing babies and cat herding to supermodels and superstars, companies will go to great lengths to hold our attention during their product pitch. Similarly, we might introduce an important bit of advice with a big flourish or strong word of warning. If someone were to say to you “this one thing I am to share with you is important above all else” would you listen? What if that person were the apostle Paul? He starts off our Sunday sermon text (Philippians 1:27 – 2:11) with a word we translate as “Only”. The theologian Karl Barth paraphrased it as “Just one thing!” He is saying essentially the only thing of real importance in life is what I am about to say. So what does he say? “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (verse 27a). Paul, as we heard last week, has shared autobiographically how his own trials and suffering have “served to advance the gospel” (1:12-26). He is now taking the focus off of himself and putting onto the church – in other words us. He gives them several ethical commands that were, and certainly remain, very counter-cultural. He critiques selfish ambition, and exhorts the church toward humility and ‘others-mindedness’. He writes that even Jesus, the prototypical leader, took the form of a servant and humbled himself – even to the point of death. If we are honest with ourselves, we admit that this is a bitter tasting prescription to our human desires. Yet what is the link between his gospel advancing life and ours? It is not a list of rules to follow, but the person of Jesus Christ. In Christ we have encouragement, we have comfort from love, and we have enablement by the Spirit (cf 2:1) Our new life in Christ ought to form a new community for Christ. What does he say a life “worthy of the gospel” looks like? He writes of three markers: standing firm in one spirit; with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel; and doing so without being frightened by anyone who opposes you. A gospel-worthy life is not one of the lonesome wanderer. It is a life that embraces and values authentic fellowship with a congregation of fellow Christ-followers. It is a life that welcomes the accountability to truth with other Christians. It is a life that seeks to submit to the authority of God’s Word. It is a life that longs for true unity in Christ. The result of which glorifies God and is a witness to both our own salvation and the fruitlessness of life outside of Christ.
Much love,
Pastor Gary
