VERSE 1
Therefore I (Paul) a Prisoner {not just for common crimes}
For serving the Lord!
WOW! If only we had that kind of dedication and commitment.
Beg you Not “command”, not “ask”
To lead a life worthy
of the calling
To occupy yourself with
To act like what you say you are!
Worthy – “after a godly sort”
In other words, if you’re going to say you’re one of God’s children, you’d
better act like it! There is a manner of living that goes with the “position.”
President’s child: media – everyone sees
Queen’s son or daughter – a certain “way of life”
The world says: be yourself, you don’t have to worry about what people think.
God says: Let there be no appearance of evil. (1 Thess. 5:22)
Be holy because I am holy. (1 Peter 1:16)
Of the calling – the calling by Christ (John 12:32: I will draw all men…)
It is an individual calling (different ways to accomplish same task)
And yet, ALL IN CHRIST!
For you have been called by God!
WOW! What an honor! Better than being appointed to the President’s
Cabinet or the Supreme Court.
A calling in which He showed His love for us by giving His own life as a
sacrifice for our sin.
A calling by which He demonstrated with His own life how we are to live.
READ: Phil. 2:5ff
VERSE 2 (description of the walk)
Phil. 2:3 – esteem others as more important than yourself.
The world says: look out for #1….
The world has a different trinity: me, myself and I
I need to get ahead
I need to climb the ladder of success (no matter who I step on)
But we need to look at the life Jesus, the King of kings lived….
One of servant-hood, of humility, of quiet teaching, of self-sacrifice.
2. Gentle – (meek)
So often in our walk we want to correct those we feel that aren’t living up
to God’s standards.
Now, we are told to “correct” but with GENTLENESS.
READ:
You may have to chase it! Our tendency is to be blunt; everything
in Black and White, not thinking of how the other person might
take it….OR….we avoid it all together.
God’s way is to PURSUE, seek after until you get it, gentleness.
Notice how Paul pairs Humble and Gentle. The total opposite of Proud and Brash. Humble and Gentle are of the fruit of the Spirit….self-less…from love.
As a parent puts up with the mistakes and rebellions of a child….
SUFFER LONG
For, not only did your parents suffer long with you….
Christ suffered long for you in an agonizing death and
God has suffered long with the
entire human race. READ:
That is not what Paul meant here. Be patient and hang in there when your brother or sister fails. In humility and gentleness lead them back to Christ.
In the love we are commanded to
show (Matthew
In God’s kind of love explained in
EX: Your brother in Christ is smoking cigarettes (or something else for that matter)
a. You know that’s a sin and God hates sin. You’d better quit now before God ZAPS you!
Or
b. Brother I love you and know you are struggling with some things. Is there anyway I can help you? If you need me call me day or night, it doesn’t matter what time it is, I’m there for you.
VERSE 3
1.
Make
every effort (
Greek: use speed, effort
DO IT!
2. To keep yourselves
united in the Spirit.
Well, I was thinking about apologizing………….DO IT!
Well, I was thinking about helping with…………DO IT!
Well, I was thinking about how to ……………….DO IT!
Keep yourselves, the church, the “called out ones”, UNITED – ONE
In the Spirit – the HOLY SPIRIT.
Can we agree on the main issues:
All have sinned
The wages of sin is death
Christ died to pay the price for our sin
He rose from the grave after 3 days
We have eternal life when we Believe in Him!
Can we agree to put aside (at least not argue about or let it divide)
The rules of men
The different forms of church government
Secondary issues, like tongues
AND ,
UNITE OURSELVES IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST
Binding yourselves together with peace.
From Christ:
It takes willingness:
It takes
effort:
People are watching your life. Can they see Christ in you?
READ: