Phillipians 1: Citizens of the Kingdom

We continue our series on Philippians. The letter, written from a nasty dungeon in Rome where Paul was chained to an imperial guard. Last week we saw Paul’s concern was for the gospel. He believed it to be an unconquerable gospel. This week we are going to look at unity. Paul had been describing his own personal situation before, now it leads him to talk about the Philippians and to exhort them in their behavior.

Phil 1:27-30 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

I. CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM
Phil 1:27-30 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

The word that is translated “conduct” is literally "to act as a citizen." The Philippians were very proud of being citizens of Rome, but Paul wanted them to focus on a different citizenship.



A citizenship has standards of conduct. Rome had certain standards for its citizens. But Paul persuades them that their greater citizenship is of the Kingdom of God. There are standards for Kingdom citizenship, and we should be even more aware of living up to those. We should be aware of our higher citizenship. We don’t behave to get into heaven, we behave as a result of who we ARE-- citizens of a new kingdom.

What does Paul expect of them?

Phil 1:27 Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

Paul here begins to talk about specifically what he wants from the Philippians. Living as citizens of the Kingdom is going to result in two things:

Standing firm in one spirit

and working as one man for the faith of the gospel.



Notice the word "one" appearing twice. Obviously Paul was concerned about the unity of this church. He gives them two commands. First. …

A. "Stand firm in one spirit"-

He does not want them to play down their Christianity but to stand fast in it--to hold firm. He does not want them to be swayed by the popular culture--but to be persevering in the faith in the face of all opposition. And he wanted them to do this in one spirit. Meaning that they should be united in thought and mind and purpose with regards to the gospel.



What does he mean by this? Why did they need to stand firm? Obviously there was factors that were tempting them to shrink back in fear. There was opposition that would sway them. Yet unity was key to standing firm. The next phrase is

B. "Working Together for the faith if the gospel.”

The emphasis is on Teamwork- Paul insists that they stand as one man for the faith--without being frightened by opposition. See, we have to realize, that Paul expected opposition for the true Christian life. He said that we must stand in the face of opposition and persevere in it.

Unity is essential in such an endeavor.

Unity illustration: united we stand , divided we fall. Paul did not want the church to be arguing amongst itself. Remember that later Paul will address two women who were quarrelling at that time.



Phil 4:22 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.


The word he uses in 1:27 is sunathlo which literally means striving together as athletes. Everybody has a role to play in the church. We need to

Are you conducting yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel? Do you consider your first citizenship being of the Kingdom?

Are you striving for unity and teamwork in the body of Christ?

C. Confidence in Light of suffering.
28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-and that by God.

Paul encourages the believers not to shrink back from the fight. The fact of their perseverance and boldness in the face of opposition will prove or be sign to the opposers that they will be destroyed.

One might be reminded of the martyrdom of Stephen, and how his boldness led to the salvation of others. The testimony of boldness always is impressive to unbelievers--but it is also an encouragement to the church that they are saved, because our boldness is supernatural.

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

1. The Battles prove you are saved. Suffering for the gospel is proof that they belong to Christ because this is what was appointed them. The presence of conflict is a privilege. The suffering has been granted by God. We don’t like to think of the privilege of suffering, but we realize that it is, we can look for the value of it in promoting the gospel.

2. We need to remember that others are going through the same struggles. We know that we are not alone in our struggles. Others are struggling through similar things. God uses our struggles to help us grow .

Do we see the redemptive value of trials and how your boldness in them will work for the sake of the gospel?



Remember you are a citizen of the kingdom of God. You are a new creation. Act like it by standing firm in your faith, working together as a team for the promotion of the gospel, and being confident in the light of persecution that God knows what He is doing.