SHARING GOD'S GRACE

                                                          LESSON SCRIPTURE: PHILIPPIANS 1

                                                             PRINT: PHILIPPIANS 1:18B-29

Key Verse:  Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know
that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:27.

PHILIPPIANS l:18B-29 (NRSV)

18b Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

19  for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.

20  It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death.

21  For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

22  If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer.

23  I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better;

24  but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.

25  Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith,

26  so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

27  Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel,

28  and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God's doing.

29  For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well...

PHILIPPIANS l:18B-29 (KJV)

18b ...and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19  For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

24  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

25  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

26  That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

28  And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

29  For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS
July 26 - August 1

Monday — Acts 9:10-16 (Paul's Call to Service)

Tuesday — Acts 21:27-36 (Paul's Arrest)

Wednesday - Acts 22:30-23:11 (Paul's Trial before the Council)

Thursday — Acts 25:1-12 (Paul's Appeal to Caesar)

Friday — Philippians 1:3-11 (Paul's Prayer for the Philippians)

Saturday — Philippians 1:12-18a (Paul's Imprisonment Spreads the Gospel)

Sunday — Philippians 1:18b-29 (Paul's Struggle with His Future)

INTRODUCTION

Flip Wilson in his variety show which aired from September 1970 to June 1974 popularized the saying, "The devil made me do it." When Flip or one of his characters on the show did something wrong they would blame the devil for their actions. Throughout time, people have blamed the devil or others when caught doing wrong. Who did Adam and Eve blame for eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Consider a toddler when caught doing something that the parents said do not do it.

We have to learn to take ownership of our actions and not blame someone else. We even blame the circumstances of life for some of our wrong decisions. Adverse circumstances do have an impact on what we become. However, even in those circumstances we must take responsibility for the decisions we make. Life may seem to offer only one decision, but there is always an alternative. Consider our African ancestors who suffered the pain and degradation of the European slave trade. They had no choice when they were enslaved or born into slavery. Yet many took responsibility for themselves in adverse circumstances as to whether to wallow in despair and make excuses or change their situations for the better. Consider Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Denmark Vesey, and others.

It is important that those being introduced to the Good News know that their past circumstances should not dictate their choices and actions today or define who he or she is or can become within the body of Christ. That is what this lesson is about - exercising a strong faith and testimony that cannot be compromised by one's past or current circumstance.

BIBLE STORY

When Paul wrote this letter to the church of Philippi, he was under house arrest in Rome. (Acts 28:11-31) Paul was imprisoned approximately two years on false charges by the Jews in Jerusalem. (Acts 21:17-26:32) He visited Thessalonica and Philippi on his second missionary trip. (Acts 16:11-40) In fact, he visited Philippi first and then traveled to Thessalonica along the Egnatian Way that linked the two cities.

In Philippi, Paul was thrown into prison for healing a fortune teller.

Paul wrote this letter to the church to thank them for their monetary support as he awaited trial and to warn them of potential problems. He had a special fellowship with the church in Philippi. He knew that they were praying for him. Paul was confident of the power of their prayers and the working of the Holy Spirit on his behalf. Because of this support he was delivered from indulging in a pity party or from seeking ways to end his ministry because of his current situation as a Roman prisoner. He also knew that he would be found innocent of the false charges.

As Paul waited, he did not want his circumstances to be the reason for him making decisions that were shameful for him as an apostle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He wanted to exalt Christ whether he was a prisoner or if he was executed. Paul understood the benefits of living for Christ and dying for Christ. He was torn between the two -to live or to die. Living for Christ meant facing an executioner and going home to be with Christ in heaven. However, living would allow him to continue the loving relationship he had with the Philippians and other believers he had grown to cherish. Paul liked the first option best. He really wanted to meet Jesus face-to-face with joy and excitement instead of the fear he felt during their first encounter. However, he realized that this was not the best thing for the ministry the Lord gave to him. He still felt compelled to teach and encourage the churches that he had founded in their spiritual growth, and to make new converts.

While Paul knew that the Lord had more work for him to do, the outcome of the trial was still to happen. Paul did not want his circumstances to discourage or impede the spiritual growth of the church of Philippi. He encouraged them to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Paul was saying, live as living witnesses of the gospel of Christ and citizens in God's Kingdom. Paul used this phrase in letters to other churches - Roman 16:2; Ephesians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Colossians 1:12.

As citizens in God's Kingdom, the Philippians pledged allegiance to Christ and should be and act in accordance to this high calling. As citizens, they could stand firm together by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that united their citizenship under a common goal and purpose. As a united force, they could overcome their current situation, living under fear; frightened by those who seek to stop or harshly oppose them. Unity under Holy Ghost power even when outnumbered came with the assurance of victory over enemies.

Paul reminds the church that as citizens of faith we will suffer. Paul has suffered. Jesus suffered. The reason for the suffering was three-fold - proclaiming the gospel message; living as aliens on earth; and the consequences of sinful actions. Many suffered in the early church as they proclaimed a message that was contrary to the religious practice, values, lifestyle and purpose of the culture in which they lived. Paul's letter encouraged the Philippian Church members to be courageous zealots for the cause of Christ. Stand tall, move forward with boldness, and don't back down were the marching orders for those who desired to be members of God's Kingdom.

LIFE APPLICATION

Many of us have loved ones or know people who were ready to leave this earth and "go home to be with the Lord." This has usually happened when a person perhaps was sickly or elderly. They had not necessarily given up on living, but felt their purpose on earth had been accomplished. They were ready to rest from their labor in order to spend time with Jesus. At the crossroads between life and death, they choose death over their current circumstances, are at peace with God and their circumstances; and they quietly move on to another existence trusting God's provision.

For many of us this way of thinking may be difficult to understand or accept especially when the persons involved are our loved ones. Our hearts long to hang on to them because we want to be able to continue to spend time with them and seek their wise counsel. But our loved ones, if they can be counted among the faithful, placed their destiny in God's hands and were at peace, as was Paul.

Today the church is not a united force as it was during the New Testament times. Many times, it is difficult to identify the citizens of God's Kingdom where Christ is the Chief Prince or citizens under Satan's reign. Believers must still be taught as Paul taught the Philippian Church to make the decision to live worthy of the high calling of our Lord and Savior. Living for Christ should not be viewed as a burden or impossible. It is a privilege and honor considering all that Christ has done for us.

CONCLUSION

As citizens of God's Kingdom, we need to live worthy of the privilege. However, we must understand that we are citizens of the Lord whether we have departed from our earthly shells or are still living on earth engaged in proclaiming Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We must choose to stand firm in the Holy Spirit as citizens in God's Kingdom empowers the church to be a united force for the Lord as we confront the evil afflicting the world around us. We must be fearless, bold, and courageous in the face of the opposition. Backing down is not a choice for us to make.

Questions

1.  Share an account about someone who faced Paul's dilemma and chose death over life.

2.  Examine your life.   Has it become a privilege or a burden to live worthy of being a citizen of God's Kingdom? What do you see as its benefits and non-benefits?

3.  List ways we can live worthy of the gospel.

4. How can it become more effective according to what you learned from this lesson?

CLOSING PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for allowing me the privilege of being a citizen of your kingdom. As I stand firm in the Holy Spirit I know I will be empowered to spread the gospel message to the rest of the world with boldness. Amen!

Hymn: Lead Me, Guide Me

                                                                                         D E C A L 0 G U E

Superintendent-And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law

Superintendent-Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law

Superintendent-Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Superintendent-Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.  Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord hath made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day: Wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and hallowed it.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

My soul be on thy guard,

Ten Thousand foes arise;

And hosts of sins are pressing hard

To draw thee from the skies

Superintendent-Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Superintendent-Thou shalt not kill.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Superintendent-Thou shalt not commit adultery.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Superintendent-Thou shalt not steal.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Superintendent-Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.

Superintendent-Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

School-Lord, have mercy upon us, and write these laws upon our hearts.

Nearer my God, to Thee,

Nearer to Thee!

E’en though it be a cross

That raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be,

Nearer my God, to Thee!

Nearer to Thee!

Superintendent-Hear what Christ, our Savior saith: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great Commandment.  And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.  On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

All-Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.  As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.     Amen