A Guide to Correct Living: Conduct

Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, (Break 1) so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, (Break 2) 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. (Break 3) 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. (Break 4)

Break 1 & 2 – Reasons you should have actions/conduct worthy of the gospel.

Who else or what else is worthy of your conduct or actions? No one is worthy of our conduct except Christ Jesus. When we live for him our conduct will be more than adequate for anyone but to what do we live to be worthy of? The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to walk “worthy of the gospel of Christ?” It means that we live a life that represents a Savior who gave up all so that we may have life.

You are writing a gospel, a chapter a 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?
- Source unknown

If I were to check your facebook, song lists on your itunes or ipod, your favorite movies or artists would it reflect conduct or actions that are “worthy of the gospel of Christ?”
What is the gospel according to _________ (you) ?

Break 2 – Your conduct should unite you with other believers

How are you acting away from those that might hold you accountable? This is the true reflection of the inner man/woman. If you put on a front when people around you, you might want to repent or even evaluate your salvation. If you are working hard at deceiving man how much harder are you, in vain, trying to deceive Christ?

Are your actions revealing a desire to conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel?

Let me ask you, if someone were to be explaining you to me, would words such as faithful, united, encouraging, loving or compassionate be spoken? Or would words be: divisive, mean, inconsiderate, hateful, or is a gossip?

My desire for this student ministry and for you as individuals is that what I hear about you is what Paul desired to hear of the saints in Ephesus and the bishops and deacons. That of having: One Spirit, One Mind for the One Faith in the gospel of Christ Jesus.

One Spirit means unity of desires which ties together last week’s study and next week’s.

One Mind means unity of plans of how to accomplish the furtherance of faith in the gospel.

Break 3 –Your conduct should reveal a lack of fear of your adversaries

What does it mean to you, if you fear something?

Doesn’t fear reveal that you believe that something could hurt you, beat you, humiliate you or overcome you? Christ did not give us a spirit of timidity/fear. He gave us a spirit of boldness/power. Christ said to his disciples and to us, "These things I have spoken unto you, that you in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." There is no reason to fear your adversaries! Christ is within you and HE has overcome the world. The World cannot hurt you!

Scripture says that your lack of fear is “to them a proof of perdition.” What does that mean?
Perdition means ruin, loss or waste

Your conduct worthy of the gospel is a waste to the unbeliever but for you it is to your salvation. It is accredited to not creating it. Your conduct is a product of your salvation not the production of it.

Break 4 – Results of conducting yourself worthy of the gospel and not fearing your enemies.

Now let’s think about this, it has been granted (gifted) to you…

1. To Believe in Him

2. To Suffer for Him

References are John 16:33 – You will have tribulations; and 2 Timothy 3:12 – Yes, all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

I usually don't give things to people I know is going to make life hard but Christ's economy is not the same. My mind is not the mind of Christ. I must surrender to His will and way. His gift to us is the ability to believe in God and to suffer for his name. Have you opened your gift?

Maybe you are struggling because the devil and your adversaries are seeing conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ. Is that what they are seeing?

You need to realize the gospel that you are writing. Are you writing a gospel that is only worthy of the true gospel:
when someone is looking?
when there is no adversary to intimidate you?
when there is no persecution to try you?

Don’t live in fear. Live worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace, Blake Prater

A Guide to Correct Living: Desires Phil. 1:19-26

This was last night's Bible Study. I thought it went very well.

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (Break 1)

21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (Break 2)

25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. (Break 3)

Break 1
What is “this?” – Paul’s present sufferings at the hands of the believer’s and government.

What will help deliver him from these things? The believer’s prayers and the Spirit’s supply.

When was the last time you prayed for a fellow believer who you knew was struggling?
Let’s stop right now and pray for someone you know is struggling.

Paul’s hope (desire) was revealed in two ways:

1. That he would not be ashamed. (Paul’s heritage (what he leaves behind))

2. That Christ would be magnified in his body. (Paul’s actions while being in temptations and trials)

“Does Christ need to be magnified? After all, how can a mere human being ever magnify the Son of God? Well, the stars are much bigger than the telescope, and yet the telescope magnifies them and brings them closer. The believer’s body is to be a telescope that brings Jesus Christ close to people. To the average person, Christ is a misty figure in history who lived centuries ago. But as the unsaved watch the believer go through a crisis, they can see Jesus magnified and brought much closer.”– Warren Wiersbe

“The believer’s body is a ‘lens’ that makes a ‘little Christ’ look very big, and a ‘distant Christ’ come very close.” – Warren Wiersbe

Our lives should magnify God whether we are alive or dead. How do you want to be remembered?

Break 2

What s something you are passionate (have a strong desire) about?

Would this desire be enough to stay alive for? Would it be enough to die for?

Now, put it into this sentence: But if I am to live on for ______, this would mean _________ for me.

What would be the benefit for you, others, or Christ if you chose this?

Break 3

Now, are you confident in your greatest desire? Are you sure this is what would drive you?

Now, let’s change gears for the ending.

Would you being present here be any better for someone or would you being in heaven be better for someone?

Would you be in heaven? Remember, Paul is contemplating this because he is in jail awaiting a sentence on a life or death conviction.

Are you walking with Christ in such a way that people desire you to come to them?

A Guide to Correct Living: Preach the Word Phil. 1:12-18

This is from two weeks ago on Wednesday Night. The first week I had no typed notes, just hand written.

12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me (Break 1) have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; (Break 2) 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. (Break 3)

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 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. (Break 4) 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. (Break 5)

Break 1:

Who was Paul talking to? Brethren (the saints at Philippi, overseers and deacons)

What has happened to Paul? He’s imprisoned. Acts 21-28 give account of all that Paul had went through: imprisonment, harassment, threats against his life, shipwreck and false accusations.

Our own trials fail in comparison to Paul’s but we do face trials, most of which are inward. We struggle within ourselves of importance, adequateness, and fear. These are not marks of ones who are empowered by the Spirit but are led by the Devil. The Holy Spirit is powerful and not fearful. If we have Christ, we are powerful and can overcome trials through the power of Christ in us.

Break 2:

The Furtherance of the gospel? What does that mean?

How can trials further the gospel?

When the gospel progresses through trials to who is this revealed and to what does it reveal? It is revealed to the Palace Guard and everyone else. To what does it reveal? It reveals that the chains that Paul bears are those of being in Christ.

Reference: Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away and behold, all things are new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

When people hear your speech or see your life, do they see someone whose “chains are in Christ?”

Break 3

Why is it that most and not all of these brethren, are more bold to speak?

Where do you fall? Are you of the most? Or the others?

Many things give us boldness to speak.

Let’s look at a few examples:

1. 2009 Alabama wins National Championship…Alabama fans become extremely bold

2. 2010 Auburn wins National Championship… Auburn fans become extremely bold

Now, most of us in here can say that we did become bolder in speaking up about our teams after such impressive seasons and victories. Now, Think of Jesus!! Jesus didn’t win a game for a season but defeated death, hell and the grave for an eternity!! Where is our boldness?!? We Must Preach the Word!!

Break 4

2 Types of Preachers: 1. Selfish Preacher 2. Selfless Preacher

1. Selfish Preachers: Preach out of…

a. Envy – 5355 – phtonos (fthon’-os) – jealousy.
Ref: Romans 1:29; 1 Tim. 6:4; Titus 3:3; James 4:5

b. Strife – 2054 – eris – quarrels
Ref: Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Timothy 6:4

c. Selfish Ambition

2. Selfless Preachers: Preach out of…

a. Good will – 2107 – eudokia (yoo-dok-ee-ah) – purpose
Ref: Luke 2:14

b. Love – 26 – agape – affection
Ref: John 5:42; John 13:35; Romans 5:5

Break 5

So, what do you do about these two types of Preachers? Rejoice!!

Why would you rejoice? What should keep someone from stopping them?

Are they theologically preaching something wrong? Are they teaching against the apostles teachings or Christ’s teachings?

Paul recognizes their hearts intent but God’s Word is God’s Word regardless of the tool being used to distribute it or the motive in which that tool is distributing it. It is the Word of God.

Now, if it were being twisted and abused; yes, stop it but if it is an inward problem with the speaker and not the outward proclamation, let them continue.

Preach Christ! Do not preach you, or anything else; Preach Christ!