The gospel is meant to inform & affects our relationships
Philippians 4:1-3 Therefore, my brothers,1 whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,1 help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is meant to constantly inform and affect how we live as a church.
- Philippians 1:27 Paul encourages them to be standing firm –in one spirit – with one mind – striving for the faith of the gospel.
- 2:2 - he tells them to complete his joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind…
- 2:5 …he tells them to have this mind among themselves which is theirs in Christ Jesus
1. Because of the gospel, We are called to stand firm in the Lord.
- 1:5 - Paul began the letter by thanking God for their partnership in the gospel and encourages them of his confidence in the fact that God will bring the good work that He began to completion at the day of Jesus Christ
- 1:7 - he commended them for the fruit that they have born that confirmed that God was at work in them, because they were partakers with him of grace in the defense and confirmation on the gospel
- 1:12-14 - even his imprisonment has turned out for the advancement of the gospel
- 1:20-25 – no matter what happens Christ will be honored. To live is Christ & to die is gain
2. Because of the gospel, We are called to agree in the Lord
“the division of Christians is the sin of fratricide” - J.A. Motyer
3. Because of the gospel, We are called to labor for the gospel
“To put it like that rebukes our lukewarm affection for our fellow Christians. We have a long way top go before we are feeling the emotions of Christ towards each other as Paul was – we who so easily dismiss from our reckonings those whom God has accepted and reconciled, and who so lightly offend those for whom Christ died. If we felt for each other s Paul did, we should soon recognize the scandal of division.” – J.A. Motyer
Potential Application Questions:
1. Where are we tempted to calibrate the “compass” of our lives to something other than the gospel?
2. Where our lives are not calibrated to the gospel – what does re-orienting our lives to the gospel look like practically?
3. What should standing firm in the gospel look like in our relationships & in the face of opposition?
4. Where are you tempted to let your preferences take priority over the gospel in relationships?
5. How do we respond when our differences are challenged?
6. How can we apply the gospel to enable us to agree in the Lord?
7. How is our affection for our co-laborers in the gospel? If it is weak – why is it weak and if it is strong, why is that?
8. How can we labor together for the gospel more effectively in our relationships?
