Philippians 1:27-30 - Homiletics

Practical exhortation.

I. CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION THE CONDITION OF CHRISTIAN JOY . Only (the word is emphatic) —only , St. Paul says, whether he lives or dies, whether he comes again or sees them in the flesh no more, whatever happens to him or to them—let them mind this one thing, holy living. This must be, he says, your one desire, your one aim, to live as Christian men should live.

II. ST . PAUL ADDRESSES THE PHILIPPIANS AS MEMBERS OF A CHURCH ; not isolated individuals, but members of a community, knit together into one body.

1 . We are citizens of the heavenly commonwealth , under the one heavenly King. We must fight under his banner against the common enemy. There is need of united action: union is strength; we must stand fast, keeping our ground as in battle, striving together. Disunion breaks the power of the great army; it dissipates Christian energy, and impedes grievously the progress of the gospel.

2 . Christian union is the unity of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God, abiding in the whole Church and in each individual Christian, is the bond of union. The spirit of the believer is the sphere of his influence. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit;" "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace." The more fully he abideth in us, the more shall we be disposed to love one another, to hate party spirit, to remember that we are one body in Christ.

3 . If we preserve the unity of the Spirit , we shall strive together with one soul. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit will direct all our affections, emotions, and desires to bear on the one great object, the progress of the faith.

4 . This Christian energy , this holy courage , is the gift of God. It shows that his presence goeth with the Christian host. It is the pledge of victory to his servants, of ruin to their adversaries.

5 . And it implies willingness to suffer. Patience, as well as courage, is the gift of God. It is as high a privilege to be called to suffer with Christ and for Christ, as it is to work for him.

Lessons.

1 . The gospel is the good tidings of God's unspeakable gift: think of your Christian privileges, your Christian responsibilities, and walk worthily of the gospel.

2 . Pray for the grace of perseverance, pray for it daily, earnestly.

3 . Endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit.

4 . Remember that suffering comes from our Father in heaven; he chasteneth us for our profit. Suffering meekly borne, borne in the faith of Christ and out of love for Christ, becomes a blessing.