Hi there, welcome to NECF. We're excited to share
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to enrich your faith. Here's today's sermon.
Philippians chapter 1, please be there and help
me. Philippians chapter 1, verse 6. There's a
word of comfort for somebody here. It says, being
confident of this very thing. Being what? Confident
of this very thing. That he who has begun a good
work in you, what will he do? He has the capacity
to do what? To complete it. Hallelujah. Until
the day of Jesus Christ. Meaning that what God
has established in you, his work in our lives,
his commitment. You know, in our lives, he's
able to uphold. He's faithful to his word. God
is faithful to his word. Hallelujah. God has
never started something and then he stopped on
the way. Now, God is not depending on your faithfulness
to perform that which has begun. If it depends
on you and I, then God will not be stable. Hallelujah.
If it depends on you and I, what will happen?
God will not be stable. Because we as men, sometimes
we are like what we call the waves of the sea.
We may not be consistent even in our walk with
him. We may not be consistent even in our faith
and our belief in what he has said in his word.
But one thing we can be sure is that God is committed
to his word. He's committed to his promises.
He's committed to his word concerning the believer.
And I want you to know that God is not just committed
to your salvation, but he's committed to upholding
you and keeping you as a believer. Hallelujah.
So we see this in the epistle of Paul to the
Philippian church, as we started looking at last
week, in our quest to understand how we are to
live worthy as members of God's kingdom. We say
that Paul, you know, was writing the book of
Philippians from prison. And he wrote the letter
to the Philippians to express his gratitude for
their generous support to him. And we mentioned
that he also encourages them to remain joyful,
united, you know, despite their experiences,
their persecutions or whatever they pass through,
their trials. And he urged them to follow Christ's
example of humility. That is just the summary
of the entire epistle to the Philippian church.
He also warned them against false teachers because
there were others that were coming to teach something
that is contrary to the faith. And some in good
conscience, some in good will, some... You know,
even from a point that they were doing it to
agitate Paul. He warned him against the legalists,
those who emphasize works as a means of salvation,
as a means of obtaining God's favor. And then
he was also updating them about, you know, his
imprisonment and commending Timothy and also
Epaphroditus. So we mentioned very four things
that we can learn from chapter one. We said the
first thing is Paul's character of prayer and
gratitude. Just as a recap. We saw Paul's character
of prayer and gratitude that despite his imprisonment,
Paul was not languishing in the reality of what
he was passing through. But Paul was full of
gratitude. He was full of joy. All over the epistle,
we see about 15 times, Paul will be mentioned,
rejoice, rejoice, rejoice. Rejoicing not that
he has obtained his release, not that he has
obtained something material. but his rejoicing
is founded in the reality of the work of Christ.
So his external does not confine his state of
joy. And we see in Paul's prayer from verse 3
to 11, he reflects deep gratitude and selfless
focus on what? On spiritual growth of others,
rather his own needs. His emphasis was not on
God releasing him from prison, but rather his
emphasis was what? on the spiritual growth and
development of the Philippian church, the needs
of others. And then, you know, we saw a challenge
for us to examine our purpose and focus on our
prayer life. What is the content and the emphasis
of our prayer life? Our prayer life should not
be, you know, determined by only the circumstances
around us, but we must be consistent in our focus
on the things that matter, which are eternal.
Secondly, we look at Paul's kingdom perspective
on trial. What was his perception about trial?
And how should we, as men and women that are
living, to express the kingdom of God? How should
we also perceive and express, you know, what
kind of attitude should we have towards trial?
Paul viewed his imprisonment as a divine opportunity
to advance God's kingdom. And we mentioned that
nothing happened to the believer without God's
knowledge. And there is no accidental experience
in the believer's life. So every single thing
that happened to us, you know, is an opportunity
for God to be glorified. Even the mistakes in
our lives are things that God can utilize to
reach out to others. So as a child of God, we
must have this understanding concerning trials.
He saw his imprisonment as a divine opportunity
to advance God's kingdom. He encourages the believers
to see trials as not an abandonment, but as a
platform for God's glory and other salvation.
And then reminding us of what? Of joy, even in
suffering. So our joy is not a function of what
happens in the physical, but our joy is a result
of our identity. Our joy is a product of what
Christ has eternally established in us. So we
are not joyful because we have money in our pocket.
We are not joyful because our academics is moving
well. We are not joyful because that which we
are believing for in the physical has manifested.
But we are full of joy regardless of our experiences.
And we see this character fully expressed in
the life of Paul in this letter to the Philippians.
And we also learn of Paul's focus to honor Christ.
He says for him to live is what? Is for Christ.
And to die is again. And we're asking ourselves,
what is the focus we are living? What is the
most important priority you have in life? As
young people, we have, you know, the possibility
of being distracted by life, building our lives,
building our careers, building even ministry.
Forget about the most important thing, which
is to live, to honor God, to honor Christ. So
Paul's focus we saw from chapter, verse 19 to
26 of chapter 1. is to honor Christ in both life
and death. Exemplifying a fully surrendered life,
where life means serving Christ, and death to
him is gain. We saw him in the scriptures, we
will see rather, perplexing between being alive
and going. For him to live is to the benefit
of the brethren, and to go to the Lord for him
is a gain. And I trust God that our focus, just
as Paul's, will be to live to glorify God in
every single area of our lives. And as young
men, as young women, we will not be living for
careers. We will not be living for things that
are temporary. You see, when I was coming this
morning, I was sharing with someone that we were
coming together about a young man, very promising
young man, very smart, very eloquent. He was
a junior in high school. Day before yesterday
was his birthday. Everybody was celebrating him.
A lot of accolades praising him, how wonderful
he is. The following day, he was crushed by a
car and then he died. Exactly 31 years, one day.
And then that was the end of his life. And I
was reflecting throughout yesterday and today.
I said, okay, what? Imagine this guy, I know
him to be a very ambitious young man. So what
happened to his ambitions? What happens to his
goals? What happens to his plans and his... His
dreams. And I discovered that life is not guaranteed.
And what the most important thing for us is to
live every day reflecting on why we are here
on earth and doing that which God has called
us to do. Because at any time, we can be normal.
Hallelujah. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Amen?
There's no guarantee. So we must be men and women
of one focus. And that focus will be that we
live in... To honor God, we're living to glorify
God with our lives. And then the fourth thing
we saw was the kingdom lifestyle. Paul was calling
these people in Philippi to live a life worthy
of what? Of their identity as believers. They
live in a Gentile community. So as they live,
they should be able to reflect their identity
as God's children. He calls believers to live
daily. In a manner worthy of the gospel. And
that is a calling for us as we study this book
of Philippians. As we go through this epistle.
God's desire for you. God's desire for us. Is
that we live worthy of our calling. We live worthy
of the gospel. That our lives reflect what we
have received. That our lives reflect the spirit
of God that dwells inside of us. That we live
worthy of the gospel that we have received. A
life marked by unity. boldness and perseverance,
even in suffering, as true citizens of God's
kingdom. And I want us to also note one thing
again that I couldn't emphasize last week about
what we can learn from the church's generosity
to Paul. Amen? As one of the ways to live worthy
of God's kingdom, that we are responsible people
in the kingdom. And one of the ways we express
our responsibility as kingdom citizens is our
engagement. in the work of ministry, especially
when it comes to supporting the work of God in
a practical sense. So from the church perspective,
they partnered with Paul in ministry through
giving to meet his needs and also in prayers.
They don't only pray, right? But what did they
do? They were able to meet his needs, practical
needs as it comes to, you know, support. Philippians
chapter 3 verse... 5, 1 verse, verse 3 rather.
Let's look at chapter 1, verse 3. We see from
verse 3, it says, I thank my God upon every remembrance
of you. Verse 2, verse 4, 4, 4, 4, quickly. Always
in every prayer of mine, making requests for
you all with joy, for your fellowship in the
gospel from the first day until now. You are
sharing, this fellowship refers to what? You
are sharing your participation. In the work of
ministry. So every believer who is a citizen
of this kingdom has a share in a participation
in the work of ministry. As responsible citizens
of a kingdom, we are what? We are participants
in the work of ministry. Verse 19, chapter 1,
verse 19 says, For I know that this will turn
out for my deliverance through your prayer. Which
means that the church will pray earnestly for
who? For Paul. So you as a kingdom citizen has
a responsibility of not just supporting with
your finances, but you have a responsibility
of doing what? Of dedicating time to pray, especially
for the progress of God's work. It says, for
I know that this will turn out for my deliverance
through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit
of Jesus Christ. Chapter 4, verse 10 to 20, we'll
see. Let's just move forward and we'll come back.
Chapter 4, verse 10. It says, but I rejoice in
the Lord greatly that now at last your care for
me has flourished again. Though you surely did
care, but you lack opportunity. Know that I speak
in regards to need, for I have learned in whatever
state I am to be content. I know how to be abased
and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all
things I have learned but to be fool. and to
be hungry, but to abound and to suffer needs.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me. And contextually, I can do all things is
referring to what? Abounding and what? And living
in luck. So let's not cut it out of context.
You can't do all things though. Hope you know
that. There are some things you cannot do. So
contextually, you see, it's contextually. He's
saying that I can live in plenty. And I can live
in luck. I'm contented. That is the context of
the conversation here. Context is key. I can
do all things through Christ who strengthens
me. Nevertheless, you have done well that you
shared in my distress. That I participated in
his distress. Now, you Philippians know also
that at the beginning of the gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning
giving and receiving but you only. Now, listen.
Some people have interpreted this verse as they
gave and they received something in return. No.
They gave and Paul received. The giving and the
receiving is that they gave to Paul. And what?
And Paul received. Hallelujah. They have shared
with him in giving and in what? In him receiving.
For even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once again
for my necessities. So this Philippian church
has been consistent in supporting the work of
ministry. And that is a kingdom lifestyle worthy
of emulation. That we are responsible citizens.
Of a responsible kingdom. Hallelujah. Not that
I seek the gift. But I seek the fruit. That abounds
your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I
am full and received from Epaphroditus. The thing
he sent from you. A sweet smelling aroma. An
acceptable sacrifice. Well pleasing to God. And
my God shall supply all your needs. According
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. and to
our God and Father be glory forever and ever.
Amen. That prayer of God's consumer supply is
a response of an act of generosity of the believers.
And as much as we make ourselves available to
be a channel towards God's work, there's an assurance
of more than enough, not just for your sustenance,
but more than enough that you have the responsibility
of what? Of committing to the work of ministry.
of ensuring the continuity of the work of God
and the plan of God on the face of the earth.
So if we're living worthy as kingdom citizens,
it means that we live responsibly as kingdom
citizens. Hallelujah. Now, in continuation to
what he has said in chapter 1, all the things
that he has noted in chapter 1, let's move to
chapter 2. We will see Paul in chapter 2, from
verse 1 to 11, calling the believers to follow
the example of Christ. For us to live worthy.
Living worthy of the kingdom, we must as well
follow the example of Christ. Give me chapter
2 verse 1 in Amplified Classic. Chapter 2 verse
1, Philippians chapter 2 verse 1. It says, So
by whatever appeal to you there is in our mutual
dwelling in Christ, by whatever strengthening
and consoling, encouraging our relationship in
Him, by whatever persuasive incentive there is
in love. by whatever participation in the Holy
Spirit we share and by whatever depth of affection
and compassion and sympathy. Verse 2. Fill up
and complete my joy by what? By living in harmony
and being of the same mind and one in purpose,
having the same love, being in full accord and
of harmonious mind and intention. Why will Paul
call them to live in unity? Why will Paul call
them to live in love? having the same mind, living
in one accord. Verse 2 suggests that there is
a bit of a conflict in this church. And the believers
in this church, you know, have been called to
live in unity. We can verify that from chapter
4, verse 2, where Paul was telling two people,
two specific people, two people in the church.
He says, I implore it, who? Anyway, I don't know
the spelling, but that's the name. I don't know
the pronunciation. I entreat. Which means that
they have this discontention within the body.
Amen? Verse 3. In spreading of the good news,
the gospel, as have Clement and the rest of my
fellow workers, whose names are in the book of
life. You know, being part of God's kingdom does
not mean that we will not face conflict within
ourselves. Amen? Does not mean that sometimes
the relationship will get sour. Does not mean
that sometimes we will not march, we will not
have conflict. But we have a responsibility as
kingdom citizens to do what? To agree in the
Lord. Amen? to agree in the Lord. If we must
manifest the kingdom, if we must live worthy
of the kingdom, then we have a responsibility
one to another to agree. As kingdom citizens,
we have to live in peace and harmony with one
another. Having the same mind in full accord.
Why? Because a kingdom that is divided against
itself cannot fulfill God's purpose. Amen? A
kingdom divided against itself. You know, in
Matthew chapter 12, verse 25, we see where Jesus
Christ was making reference to his... Give me
Matthew chapter 12, verse 25. And knowing their
thoughts, because he performed a miracle and
they were accusing Jesus of performing the miracle
by a demonic spirit, by whatever spirit. And
knowing their thoughts, he said to them, any
kingdom that is divided against itself is being
brought to desolation and laid waste. and no
city or house divided against itself will last
or continue to stand. Now we can extrapolate
the principle about unity from this verse. A
kingdom divided against itself will not stand
a taste of time fulfilling the purpose of God
upon the face of the earth. If we, because you
see, doing the will of God on earth is not a
responsibility of one person. Amen? You are not
the body of Christ. Hallelujah. You as an individual
cannot fulfill the mandate of God in the world,
on the face of the earth. You need your brother,
you need your sister. It's a collective responsibility.
As much as there is no personal revelation of
Christ, it's a common revelation of Christ. Amen?
So we must understand that we must be committed
to working together. Nevertheless, disagreement
will rise as a family, as a church. As we live,
as we work together, as we relate together, even
as housemates, as friends, disagreement may arise.
But if we want to live as kingdom citizens, we
must prioritize the purpose of God. Listen, the
reason why we must prioritize peace is because
of the purpose and the calling of God upon our
lives. I was counseling some people from the
U .S. When they had an issue, they had a problem,
I said, do you value doing the will of God? or
you value the issue at hand. What is your focus?
Is your focus on the offense that has been committed
or your focus is on the calling of God upon your
life? When your attention is pious towards knowing
the will of God and doing the will of God, then
whatever the offense becomes insignificant, you
quickly want to trash the offense so that you
can move on with doing the will of God. Because
whether you like it or not, you need your brother
and you need your sister. You are in an eternal
family. If you don't like your brother in Christ
right now that you have seen face to face, the
good news or the bad news is that you will see
him eternally. Amen? If you want to continue
in bitterness with your brother in Christ, then
I can assure you that even when he dies, or you
die, you will meet again. Amen? So it's to your
own advantage that you do what? That you love
your brother, that you love your sister, that
you live in harmony, that you live in peace.
Hallelujah. And in verse 3, it says, let nothing
be done through selfish ambition or conceit,
but in the loneliness of mind, let each esteem
others better than himself. This is a kingdom
lifestyle. We must live a life of honor to one
another. Listen, even people in the kingdom of
darkness, they are united. They cooperate. They
partner. They love. Have you ever been to Bia
Paulo and you see drunkards? Do you know how
supportive they are? Do you know how generous
they are to themselves? Sometimes even believers,
you need to learn from the kingdom of darkness.
You know, Jesus mentioned this, that you should
learn from the people of the world, right? In
their own wisdom. That's a mockery, actually,
to the believer. So we have to understand that
we need each other. We must honor each other.
We must love each other. And this love and honor
is one to another. Let nothing be done in selfish
ambition. You know, we live in a generation that
everybody is self -centered. Oh, you know, I'm
protecting my mental health. Oh, I'm protecting
my space, my peace of mind. I was telling somebody
this week, the person is here, the person is
looking at me. I said the fact that you've been
avoiding conflict with people doesn't mean that
you've overcome the issue of, you've not treated
the matter well. Avoidance. It doesn't mean that
something has happened. Until you face people
face to face and you relate and then you discover
that, oh, this person has offended you and you
are able to forgive practically over and over
and over again. That's when we know that you've
grown. But when you avoid problem, when you see
problem coming, you run away. We are not called
to a life of being cowards. Are we together?
In our relationship, we must create room for
offenses before... In fact... We must be ready.
Know this, that as we relate, there must be,
must be offenses. Conflict will rise because
we are humans. Are we together? So your brother
is not, he's not an angel that does not have
a will of his own that is controlled somewhere.
He's a human. So having the room, giving the
room for offense is very, very crucial to living
the kingdom life because you see, it's governed
by love. It's governed by... By love, the love
of God that is in us. We belong to a kingdom
that honors one another. I see the way brothers
and sisters relate in church. Sometimes I wonder
whether you understand the complexity of what
Christ has done for the two of you. And the brother
is a co -heir with you. Right? The sister is
also equally a beneficiary of the same grace.
There's no rank in grace. The same grace. For
the grace of God that has what? That brings salvation
as on what? To some men alone, we have only one
grace and that grace equalizes everybody. Are
we together? Of course, we know there is order
in the kingdom of God and there is a responsibility.
We'll come to that later. But I want you to understand
that you have a duty of honoring every one of
us because that person is, God resides in that
person. That is the reason. Amen? God resides
in that person. So you have the responsibility
of honoring God in that person's life. We honor
our elders and those who serve us and one another,
regardless of age, of status, whether economically.
The person may not be economically buoyant as
you are, but as a child of God, that person has
something that money cannot buy. Amen? He has
an eternal wealth that is beyond what money can
buy, and it's the presence of the Spirit of God
in him. How do you treat your fellow brothers
and sisters in the faith? In honor or dishonor.
Because this is not a character of a man or a
woman that belongs to the kingdom of God. What
is your attitude towards others? We see here
Paul calling to the attention of this church.
Let's see. Let nothing be done in conceit. In
selfish ambition. Putting your own interests
first. But do what? Uphold the interests of others.
than yourself. If every one of us is busy trying
to put the other person first, I'm telling you,
we'll reduce 99 % of our problems because my
goal is to honor you. My goal is to please you.
Your goal is to see there's room for competition
in loving one another. The area we should compete
is in showing love, how we can love ourselves
better. The Bible says, all know one nothing
but except what? Love is a legal debt to all
that you pay for the rest of your life. So we
have a duty, we have a responsibility to live
worthy of our calling as believers, as members
of God's kingdom. Verse 4 says, Let each of you
look not only for his own interests, but also
for the interests of others. Do you put yourself
first or the interests of others first? Sacrificial
living is what defines the culture of God's kingdom.
We belong to God's kingdom and we must also exercise
that culture. We must express that culture rather.
We'll see this in the life of the early church.
Acts chapter 2 verse 44. We'll see how they live
sacrificially. Acts chapter 2 verse 44. Yes,
44 and 45. It says, and now all who believe we're
what? We're harmony. We're together. We're living
together in harmony, in peace, in harmony. And
all, and had all things in what? In common, which
means that they were living a communal life.
A communal life. And sold their possessions and
goods and divided them among all as anyone had
need. So what was operating in the early church
was not capitalism, right? Greed was not the
order of the day. And this is a product of the
life of God in them. And if we are professional,
we have the life of God in us, it should equally
produce the same result. That you are looking
out for your brother. That you are looking out
for the needs of your sister. That you are ensuring
that within the body of Christ, no one is ignored.
You see brothers and sisters in the Lord tearing
themselves apart because of basic needs. Everybody,
you know, doesn't want to be taken advantage
of. Everybody is protecting his own right. Everybody
is putting his own interests ahead of others.
Acts chapter 4 verse 32, 35. We see another way
the early church exemplifies this culture. It
says, now the multitude of those who believed
were of one heart, which means that they were
united. Unity, love, harmonious living, honor.
This is the culture of the kingdom of God. Now
the multitude of those who believed were of one
heart and one soul. Neither did anyone say that
any of the things he possessed was his own, but
they had all things in common, which means they
were living a life of sharing and giving within
themselves. And with great power, the apostles
gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus, and a great grace was upon them all. Now
was there anyone among them who lacked? For all
who were possessors of lands, of houses, sold
them and brought the proceeds of things that
were sold was terrified and laid them at the
apostles' feet. Laying them at the apostles'
feet. We've taught you here in church that laying
it at the apostles' feet doesn't mean that they
brought it and put it on their feet. It means
they are laying it at the what? The control.
The leadership. The what? The authority of the
apostles. And the apostles identify who is in
need and they meet the need. That's administration.
Listen, we are not speaking theory here, right?
If you have excess, it's an instruction. It's
an instruction. Bring it that the needs of others
will be met. If you have more than enough, there
are those that can barely live. Some of us will
open our drops. I wonder whether you sell clothes.
You just be eating and adding weight, unnecessary
weight, while others are fasting. Unwillingly.
Where's the love we speak of? So believers, we
must live worthy of our calling. What we are
calling us to do is to live our identity as those
who have experienced the love of God and expressing
it, expressing it within. See, we're not talking
about unbelievers. You know what we love in this
generation is media attention. We want a situation
where all the world will see us doing good works
and our statuses is full of praises, pictures
of doing charity. Listen. When you look through
the scriptures, I will say this and then you
think maybe I'm being biased. No way in the Bible
there was an emphasis, right, to give to unbelievers.
It's not a mistake. Now, we are not saying that
you shouldn't give to people that are not believers.
That's not what we are saying. But the emphasis
first is what? That they will see. That they
will see. See, how will they know that you are
my disciples and you love one another? How will
they know the love of God? It's through your
example, how you portray the love of God expressively.
It's not in words. The kingdom of God is not
about words. It's not in talking. It's in power.
And this power is not healing the sick and making
the cripple walk. It begins by what? An expression
of love. That must be done from the point of
love. It's a caution for somebody here. You must
allow the love of God that is already in you
to find expression. Amen? You must allow the
love of God in you to what? To find expression.
And then in verse 5, he brought in Christ. Let
this mind be in you which was also in Christ
Jesus. And we see calling the believers to emulate
the life of Christ. How did Christ show us an
example to follow? It says, let this mind be
in which was also in Christ. Right? Now, the
life of Christ is already in the believer. Now,
we are not trying to tell you to manufacture
an ability from somewhere else. We are not trying
to tell you to produce a lifestyle that is not
within you. No. In Colossians 2 verse 6. We will
see that the believer already has a life and
the nature of Christ in him. Therefore, we must
showcase it. Colossians 2 verse 6. It says, as
you therefore have received Christ Jesus, the
Lord, so do what? So walk. Walk here means live
according to what you've received. Are we together?
So we are not calling you to live out a life
that you don't have the ability to. Christ has
shown us an example and he lives in us. And it
is through him that we're going to live. Let's
see briefly and examine his humility. How he
was, he gave us an example. He says he is, verse
5, chapter 2, verse 5. Philippians chapter 2,
verse 5. He said, let this mind be in you, which
was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form
of God, did not consider it robbery. To be equal
with God. And I do say this always. I say there's
nothing God has ever told men to do that he has
not done it by example. If it's humility, Christ
is a perfect example of humility. If it's love,
he's the perfect expression of love. There's
no instruction that God is a leader that leads
by example. Hallelujah. God leads us by example.
And we see that example in Christ. Because it
is through Christ that we know the character
of God. That we know who God is. So first of
all, he is God. And he emptied himself by becoming
a man. He became obedient to death on the cross.
Then he was exalted. Hallelujah. I don't want
to go into the details of the name that was given
to him. We know that the name that was given
to him was not J -E -S -U -S. Right? We sang
a song about the name of Jesus. And the name
is not J -E -S -U -S. Because Jesus was never
called Jesus in his time. Hope you know that.
There was no English, so it cannot be Jesus.
Name there refers to what? His accomplishment.
The things he has accomplished. We have established
this during our teachings in the cell meetings.
And his exaltation is as a result of what he
has portrayed in his humility. And him becoming
man. It's humbly for God to become man. We see
the sinless God suffering for sinful men. We
see the just God suffering for unjust men. So
you suffering for your brother is not because
your brother deserves it. Right? You sacrificing
to be good to your brother is not because your
brother deserves the goodness. Because in the
first place, you never deserve the goodness of
God. But nevertheless, God is good to you. How
much loss are you willing to suffer for your
brother or sister in Christ? How much are you
willing to let go for the sake of the love that
you have towards your brother and sister? Romans
chapter 5 verse 6 and 8 will see what Jesus did
for us. Romans 5 verse 6 and 8. For when we are
still without strength, which means when we are
sinners, when we are helpless, when we are without
the ability to help ourselves, in due time Christ
died for the ungodly. So Jesus never died for
godly men. Jesus never died for good men. It
is in his death that we became good. Hallelujah.
Verse 6, verse 7 rather. For scarcely for a righteous
man will one die. Have you ever seen a man walk
up and say, ah, this man was arrested because
he stole this amount of money, especially where
we come from in Africa. The part of Africa I
come from, there's a lot of political, you know,
manipulations of resources. And they usually
arrest people. Have you ever seen somebody to
come and say, oh, I'm standing in for this person.
I'm the one that I should be punished instead
of this person. No. We even say, let them deal
with him. He serves him right. It says, for scarcely
for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps
for even a good man, someone will even try to
die for. It's good. But look at Jesus in verse
8. But God, what did he do? He demonstrates his
own love towards us. In that while we were still
in sin, we're enemies of the cross. We're enemies
of God, rather. We're standing in opposition
to God. What happened? He died for us. So your
goodness towards others must be what you see
in Christ demonstrated. He demonstrated love
to an unjust people to justify us. So your goodness
to others is not a product of their good behavior
towards you. Do you know how many times I've
forgiven him? Do you know how many times I've
been supporting her? Enough is enough. The day
that God will say enough is enough with you.
It may sound funny, but we are indebted when
it comes to love. Eternal debt. of showing love
one to another. Hallelujah. So we must take up
the challenge this week to do good to one another.
Take up the challenge of living a sacrificial
life, life of honor. Decide that I'm going to
be a blessing to my brother. I'm going to live
up to the name. I'm going to live up to the name
of Christ. I'm going to live up to the established
works of Christ in me. I'm going to allow what
Christ has accomplished in me to find expression.
Let that be our determination this week. I must
live worthy. Verse 27 of chapter 1, it says,
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel
of Christ, so that whether I come and see you
or I'm absent, I may hear of your face, that
you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind,
striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Hallelujah. Now, do you have any... Discord with
somebody in church? Do you have any disagreement
with somebody in church? Do you have any unresolved
issues? You can never, if you like, fast for
30 days, 40 nights, right? You cannot fulfill
the will of God in that condition. Because the
same spirit that is in you is the same spirit
that is in that believer. So we must resolve
all our issues in love. We're not looking for
blame. We're not looking for who is wrong or
who is right. We're not looking for our own interests.
We're not trying to clear our name because, see,
sometimes we are funny as humans. We just want
to clear our name so that we'll have good records.
You know, I don't have any issue. I don't have
any issue. But actually, there's an issue. And
the reason why some of us come to apologize is
not because we really want reconciliation, but
simply because we want to have a good name before
people or good reputation. But see, whatever
we do must be grounded in love because love is
a culture of the kingdom you belong to. So where
have you been lacking? Or where are you struggling?
Where are you struggling? Just pray. Open your
mouth and speak to God. Later on we'll see. Paul
will say, walk out your salvation with fear and
trembling. Meaning that you should bring to fruition
what is in you. And he didn't just leave it there.
He says, for it is God who works in you to will
and to do of his good pleasure. Which means that
the ability to do the life that God has called
you to do. It's by God himself working in you.
What you do is you surrender and you allow the
love of God to flow through your life. I just
want you to say, Lord, I surrender to your will
for my life. I surrender to your work in my life.
I give expression to my identity. I give expression
to my identity. Enter a commitment going forward.
The commitment to honor God with my life. The
commitment to live a sacrificial life. The commitment
to honor the body of Christ, the believers. the
commitment of putting the needs of others ahead
of myself. Speak to God. This is practical Christianity.
This is actually living and manifesting the kingdom
of God. This is actually living, demonstrating
your identity and your citizenship, expressing
our identity, our citizenship as members of God's
kingdom. The only way that men will know God
or will understand the love of God is in us living
in love one to another, expressing love towards
one another. And I want you to pray for this
church and say, Father, your love will be seen
in expression in our church. And whatever we
do, we don't do things out of love. We do things
in love. Later on, we'll see Paul commending
Timothy and Epaphroditus, who almost gave up
his life for the work of ministry. And that was
out of love for the church. See, everything we
do in the kingdom must be done in love, must
be done in honor. Say, Lord, help us to live
as we ought to live. Let our conduct be worthy
of our calling. Let our lives be lived worthy
of the calling of God. I want you to pray for
yourself areas of your struggle and say, Lord,
help me in this area. I know expressly this is
an area of my life that I'm struggling to allow
your love to find expression. Lord, help me at
this moment. Help me, Lord, to give expression
to your love in me. Indeed, you've started something
in me and you're committed to bringing it to
the end. Lord, help me. Thank you for listening
to today's sermon. Your journey matters to us.
Let's keep walking together. Visit our website
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notes for additional insights. If today's message
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next time, be blessed.