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Paul finishes the introduction to his letter by summarizing his main point/ theme which he will repeat throughout the entirety of this letter. He gives specific instruction on how to be like Christ.  He urges this church in Philippi to be more like Christ.

 

Think of Christ’s conduct, conduct yourselves in that manner, and do not be afraid of your enemies or the world—Be like Christ, do not be afraid!

 

  1. Be like Christ. Imitate your King as you are Citizens of Christ’s Kingdom.

 

“Only 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…”

--Philippians 1:27

 

Conduct: πολιτεομαι politeúomai, to be a citizen, to behave like a citizen.

 

Paul will use this theme throughout the rest of his letter:  citizenship in God’s Kingdom. 

 

 

“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things, for our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

--Philippians 3:18-20

 

Paul is reminding the church; you are a citizen of heaven!  With your confessed faith in Christ you no longer belong to the world’s imperfect kingdom.  Rather, you belong in God’s perfect kingdom with a perfect king; our heavenly father and Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh… For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

--Romans 8:1-3,14-17

 

This is the family you now belong to!  So, conduct yourselves in a worthy manner before the Lord.  Conduct yourselves in light of this amazing Truth.  Citizens within a country, kingdom or region are subject to the laws of the land and their king’s rule.  They are called to obey that country’s laws otherwise they face the consequences of disobedience. 

 

This life is full of choices.  The average adult makes 33,000-35,000 decisions each day, including what we eat, what we wear, what we will say, and how we will say it.  Gerald Zaltman suggests that 95% of our cognition occurs in the subconscious mind—whether we know it or don’t know it we are consistently faced with choices and make choices. 

 

A citizen must make the choice to follow that country’s laws and standards.  The church in Philippi is being reminded of who they belong to:  Jesus Christ.  They don’t belong to Rome, Caesar, Artemis or even Paul the apostle they belong to the perfect Jesus Christ.

 

“’Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?’ But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, ‘Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites?  Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.’  And they brought Him a denarius.  And He *said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’  They *said to Him, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then He *said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.’  And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.’”

--Matthew 22:17-22

 

Jesus’ dilemma with this question was simple. If He said that taxes should be paid, He could be accused of denying the sovereignty of God over Israel (making Himself unpopular with the Jewish people). If He said that taxes should not be paid, He made Himself an enemy of Rome.  Jesus gives a clear answer—look what Ceasar made—he made this coin.  This coin would have the image of Ceasar on one side with Roman inscriptions making it very clear that the coin is Roman. 

 

The coin has the likeness and inscription of Caesar and Roman therefore it belongs to them.  Give back to them what belongs to them.  You, humans, are pressed and inscribed in the image of God,

 

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

--Genesis 1:27

 

Humans are inscribed with the image of God; we are made in God’s likeness therefore the little coin belongs to Ceasar, but you are mine!  Again, Sin has separated humanity from God, but this is what Jesus is saying here—you are subject to me, your creator.

 

 

 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

--John 10:9-10

 

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience…But God, being rich in mercy because of his great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).  And raised up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

--Ephesians 2:1-6

 

“A true understanding of grace—of God’s unmerited favor—always provokes a life of gratitude and obedience.”

--R.C. Sproul

 

Our citizenship in heaven is not earned! We don’t deserve PR status in heaven because of our rebellion and sin.  But, when you confess your faith in Christ, by his grace you are saved, you become a citizen of heaven because of His perfect life, His humble death, and His glorious resurrection from the grave.  You are alive because Jesus is still alive. 

 

Conduct yourselves in humility, in gratitude, in mercy.  Love one another because Christ loves you.

 

 

 

 

  1. Do not be afraid! Don’t let the world scare you away from being like Christ.  Remain in Christ.

 

“In no way be alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.”

--Philippians 1:28

 

When you are in opposition – do not be surprised.  Welcome it as it is a sign that you are different; that you are saved, that you are following God’s call.  Remember, Jesus is countercultural; and the world’s culture will not like Christians following Christ.

 

Paul’s intention in this letter is teaching the church in how to endure hardship, conflict and suffering.  Don’t let your fear destroy your faith. Don’t let it take you away from your Christ-like conduct.  Paul is about to go into Philippians Ch. 2 which is the greatest summarization of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.  He is going to remind this church of what their Lord and Saviour did for them—He died on a cross, God let Himself die, to give you a great hope of defeating death through Him—Do not be afraid, even of death!

 

Joshua had led the army of Israel against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16).

  • Joshua was an assistant to Moses (Exodus 24:13).
  • Joshua helped Moses at the tabernacle after the golden calf disaster (Exodus 33:7-11).
  • Joshua was zealous to preserve the authority and leadership of Moses (Numbers 11:28).
  • Joshua was one of the two faith-filled spies among the total of twelve who spied out the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:30-14:38).

 

 

“Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous…This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

--Joshua 1:6-7,8-10

 

The Church in Pergamum Compromises their faith because of Fear

 

-Pergamum was one of the most pagan cities in Rome.  It was the first capital of Rome in Asia before Ephesus was made capital.

-The biggest altar to Zeus is in Pergamum.  It is 40 feet high and has idol carvings of other gods surrounding the base of the altar.  There are large steps that lead up to the altar.  Many scholars believe that Antipas was martyred at this great altar of Zeus.

 

“I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast Ny name and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.”

--Revelation 2:13

 

-Pergamum had many cults, pagan religions and influences which were pressuring the church in PergamumAsclepius:  The god of healing.  Baal (the same Baal in the Old Testament).  Serapis:  This cult worshiped the Egyptian god of healing; Serapis—Serapeum.  This place was teeming with pagan religions.

 

“But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality…Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth.”

--Revelation 2:14,16

 

Humans are feeble, fear filled creatures.  We are all prone to fear, we are prone to become fear mongers and we struggle with being afraid or worrisome in some situations.  Fear is a powerful tool which Satan uses fear to stumble God’s church; to take God’s people away from Him.  The church in Pergamum was afraid of death, martyrdom, imprisonment, they were afraid of these cults and pagan worshipers.  So they compromised their faith, they worshiped idols, lived immorally to appease these threats—God calls them to repent.

 

“…For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

--Philippians 1:29-30

 

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

--Matthew 11:28-30

 Run back to Christ.  Do not be like the unrepentant city, do not be like Pergamum, do let fear become your idol, become your god, become your destraction.  Set your eyes on Christ; He carries your burden, He carries your yoke, there is nothing to fear when we live our lives for Jesus.  

“Let us be willing to lose everything rather than lose Christ.”

--Charles Spurgeon