MAKE THE GOSPEL ATTRACTIVE

 

 

 

Dr. Howard Hendricks, told of being on a flight where an obnoxious man was raising a stink about every minor grievance he could think of. Even though most people would have told the guy where the exit door was, each time the stewardess responded with kindness and grace. After watching this for some time, Hendricks called her over and complimented her on her good attitude with this difficult man.

He asked for her name so that he could commend her to the president of the airline. He was taken aback when the stewardess responded, “Thank you, sir, but I don’t work for American Airlines.” She looked like she worked for American Airlines. She had on their uniform and nametag. “You don’t?” Hendricks sputtered. “No,” she explained, “I work for Jesus Christ. American Airlines just pays the freight.”

Paul told the Philippians  “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (1:27). The word translated “conduct yourselves” is literally, “live as citizens.” It was a word that meant a lot to the Philippians.

Philippi was a Roman colony and the people there took pride in their Roman citizenship. They lived in accordance with Roman customs. Even though they were about 800 miles from Rome, they were governed by Roman laws and answered directly to Rome. They were a Roman outpost and lived differently than the people surrounding them because they were citizens of a different country. The Philippians thus understood from their own experience what it meant to “live as citizens”.

In Philippians 3:20 Paul wrote, “For our citizenship is in heaven.” He is suggesting that we are citizens of heaven and while we are on earth we should behave like heaven’s citizen. Paul is saying that no matter where Christians live geographically, they must view themselves as citizens of heaven. Though we are also citizens of this world, we should be distinct because our primary citizenship is in heaven. We seek to please our heavenly master and to live by His laws as revealed in His Word.

The Christian’s life must be worthy of the gospel of Christ. The term “worthy” pictures weighing something on the scales; the idea is that your manner of life should weigh as much as the gospel you claim to be committed to. To live your life as a citizen “worthy of the gospel of Christ” means to represent Christ in all you say and do. People are not really interested what you believe in , but in how you live. It is not enough to just learn the Word; we must live the gospel out in every area of life. Paul did “all things for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor.9:23).

In his letter to Titus, Paul instructed him to teach the people in his congregation to live distinctive godly lives in the homes and in the vocations. In titus 2:1-13 he wrote “you must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and to be subject to their husbands so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly encourage the young men to be self-controlled, in everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back at them and not to steal from them , but to show that they can be fully trusted , so that in every way , they will make the teaching about God our savior attractive. For the grace of God …teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled , upright and godly lives in this present age.”

Paul is telling Titus that God’s word must be applied to specific situation. Every member should live with a view to adorning the doctrine of God in every respect, for the eyes of the watching world. Then the unbelievers will say, “there goes a people in whom God is at work and you can see that He is at work by their character at home and in their vocation.” Today the main complaint from unbelievers is that Christians do not practice what they preach.

As Christians, we should blend in with the world in matters that do not violate biblical principles, for the sake of opening the door for the gospel (1Cor. 9:20-23). But, even so, our heavenly citizenship should mark us as distinct. We are ambassadors for Christ, representing His heavenly kingdom here on earth. He makes his appeal through us (2 Cor. 5:20). We should be marked by godly morals and character qualities (Gal.5:22-23). Instead of living for the things of this world, we should live for the kingdom of God.

It’s a sad thing when the Church blends in with the world in matters where we should be distinct, and is distinct in matters where we should blend in. If we belong to Christ, it should be seen in our day to day practices. Some people will say it is impossible to succeed in their vocations if they run them on Christian principles.  So they live according to the gospel on Sundays but fight their way through the vocation jungle Monday through Friday.  Paul told the Philippians to be patriotic citizens of heaven every day, throughout life.

Paul wanted the Philippians to know they were accountable before him “I may hear of your affairs”. He would check up on them and would be overjoyed if he heard they were doing the right thing even in his absent.  He yearned to hear about the church “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (1:27).

The word translated “stand firm” described a Roman military formation in which the soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder and back to back with their shields up and their spears outward. It was the strongest possible defensive position. The word also described a soldier who defended his position at all costs, even to the point of sacrificing his own life. To stand firm means to hold fast to a belief, a conviction, or a principle without compromise, regardless of personal cost.

Christians should stand firm “in one spirit, with one mind.” As followers of Jesus, we have a common goal and a common enemy.  We need each other to win the war and to reach the goal. Like soldiers standing firm, we too are to stand together in our struggles. We play as a team to advance the gospel and promote the kingdom of God on earth.  On our own, we will be overcome by Satan and our own flesh. We need the accountability, encouragement, and comfort that come from being in community with other believers.

Paul wanted them to strive together for “the faith of the gospel”.  Their unity would promote trust and belief in the gospel. He tells the Philippians that walking in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, is so much easier when they are standing firm together in one spirit and striving together with one mind. They need to keep each other accountable and encourage one another and lift up the wounded.

The “faith of the gospel” is the Christian faith as defined by the gospel. Paul’s instruction to Titus was “you must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. “Faith of the gospel” involves certain core truths. The gospel affirms that all men are sinners in need of a Savior; Christ the son of God atoned for our sin; He took a human body, died for our sins and resurrected on the third day triumphing over sin, death and hell. We are saved by faith apart from any human merit or works.

The Christian faith and conduct must be appropriate to the standards given in the Bible. We have a tendency to feel OK if we are doing better than those around us. But Paul doesn't say, "Conduct your lives according to the standards of the world."  He says, "Conduct your lives according to the gospel." It's not enough to keep the behavior.  The gospel standards go beyond the standards of the world. For example forgiving your enemies is not enough, Matthews 5:43-48 commands "Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you"

Make sure that your faith is defined by the gospel of Christ; in every area of your life your behavior as citizens should add up to the gospel you represent. Keep close to other believers for accountability, encouragement and comfort. They will help you to hold fast to your conviction and principles without compromise, when you feel like giving up.