Living A Worthy Life

March 21, 2010

Introduction

What do you know about the church at Philippi? What do you know about the book of Philippians? Let me address the second question first. Some have said that the book of Philippians is one of the most upbeat letters in the entire New Testament. Consider: (Phil 4:4 NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Body

I. How did Paul’s work begin at Philippi?

(Acts 16:9-10 NKJV) And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." {10} Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

A. It started with Lydia:

(Acts 16:13-15 NKJV) And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. {14} Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. {15} And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us.

B. But things soon turned bad. Paul was mistreated in Philippi.

(Acts 16:20-25 NKJV) And they brought them [Paul and Silas] to the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; {21} "and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe." {22} Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. {23} And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. {24} Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. {25} But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

C. God intervenes.

(Acts 16:26-27 NKJV) Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. {27} And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.

D. There was the jailor.

(Acts 16:29-33 NKJV) Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. {30} And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" {31} So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." {32} Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. {33} And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

E. Consider Paul for a moment.

To be up beat about Philippi, Paul had to:

· Have a forgiving spirit.

· Have the ability to overlook the bad.

· Be able to focus on the good in the people of Philippi.

II. As a result, consider Philippi: Lives worthy of Remembering.

I. With Thanksgiving.

Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,”

1. Do we have a thankful heart for other people, especially our brethren?

2. Do we try to live the kind of life that others will thank God for us when they remember us?

3. Dorcas was remembered for her beautiful life and what she did.

(Acts 9:39 NKJV) Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.

II. With Joyful Intercession.

Phil 1:4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

III. For fellowship.

Phil 1:5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

1. Fellowship included their financial support of his work.

(Phil 4:15 NKJV) Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

2. Their support was a consistent support.

IV. With Confidence.

Phil 1:6: “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

1. Our Christian race is to be to the finish line.

(Rev 2:10 NKJV) "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

V. With Affection

Phil 1:7, “just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.”

1. What do we do for people who are in our heart?

· We pray for them.

· God to bat for them

· Encourage them

· Speak good of them

· Forgive them

· Long for them

· Share materially when they are in need

· Bring healing to their hurts.

2. The Philippians shared in Paul’s successes and his imprisonment.

3. God is his record – like an oath if you will.

Phil 1:8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

III. A Life Worthy of Expanding

VI. Their love

Phil. 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

VII. That you continue to the end.

Phil 1:10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be

Phil 1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

1. Fruits of righteousness are a display of good things that we do that others can see.

VIII. Understand what happened to Paul.

Phil 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

1. Joni Erickson Toda says she would not have the influence that she does today if it were not for her disability.

2. Paul used his opportunity as a prisoner to preach to the servants of Caesar’s household.

Phil 1:13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

IV. Hardships and persecution did not stop the preaching of the gospel.

Phil. 1:14 “and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will:16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Conclusion

I. Are you letting the gospel shine in your life?

II. Is is obvious to others that you are living for Christ?

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