08/16/2026
Sermon Notes, August 16, 2026
The Philippian Series, Ch. 1:27-30
As we finish chapter 1, the apostle Paul expounds further what living for Christ entails. So, let’s dive in!
A. Live to bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.
1. We are to let our “…manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (ESV).
a. The word manner or conversation comes from the Greek word politeuomai which means to behave as a citizen, that is to avail oneself of or recognize the laws.
1) We are told in Phil 3:20, “20…our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (ESV).
b. By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit we are to live as those whose permanent kingdom is Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ is King.
1) J. Vernon McGee commented on this verse saying, “not only our speech but our entire way of life should be a credit to the gospel of Christ.”
a) The Gospel of Jesus Christ says that in Him not only are we redeemed, saved, and forgiven, but we are also transformed and are being transformed daily to reflect the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives.
b) We are to live consistent with what we believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches and that Gospel that is given to us in the Holy Word of God.
c. “Philippi prided itself on being a Roman colony, offering the honor and privilege of Roman citizenship. Paul reminds the congregation that they should look to Christ Jesus, not to Caesar, for their model of behavior, since their primary allegiance is to God and His Kingdom” (The ESV Study Bible).
B. Maintaining a united witness.
1. The second section of v.27 and all of v.28 states, “27…I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God” (ESV).
a. To stand firm (ESV) or stand fast (KJV) comes from a Greek word that means to stand firm, to persist, to persevere; that is absolute perseverance in godliness and moral virtue in one’s fellowship with the Lord.
1) We are to do this together in one spirit.
a) Spirit comes from the Greek word pneuma, and it means the rational part of people, the power of perceiving and grasping divine and eternal things, and upon which the Spirit of God exerts His influence (Martin Luther said, ‘spirit is the highest and noblest part of man, which qualifies him to lay hold of incomprehensive, invisible, eternal things; in short, it is the house where faith and God’s Word are at home.’”
b) Eph 4:4-7 teaches us, “ 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift” (ESV).
2) With one mind, we are to strive side by side for the faith of the Gospel.
a) The Greek word for mind is psyche which means the seat of the feelings, desires, affections—the soul.
i. This is what John MacArthur wrote about the coupling of one spirit…one mind: this introduces Paul’s theme of unity that continues through ch. 2:4. His call for genuine unity of heart and mind is based on 1) the necessity of oneness to win the spiritual battle for the faith (vs 28-30); 2) the love of others in fellowship (ch. 2:1-2); 3) genuine humility and self-sacrifice (ch. 2:3-4); 4) the example of the Lord Jesus Christ who proved that sacrifice produces eternal glory (ch. 2:5-11).
b) The idea of striving side by side (or together) is simply put to strive together with another in something.
i. This gives us the image of a team struggling together to win the victory; Matthew Henry, in his commentary, applied it this way: Strive together, not strive one with another; all of you must strive against the common adversary.
C. As we are united in Christ Jesus, the Gospel with go forth and will have the victory.
1. Being united in Christ Jesus in one spirit and one mind we can withstand the attacks of our common adversary who is Satan and the enemies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
a. Two things stand out in verses 29-30:
1) As we are united in Christ Jesus, we do not have to be frightened by our opponents.
a) Our Lord Jesus has already one the victory, and Jesus tells us in Jn 15:18, “18If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (ESV).
b) Paul encourages the Philippian Christians that their resolve to be of one spirit and of one mind promotes and defends the claims of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is a clear sign to the opponents of Jesus Christ of their impending destruction—think the Great Judgment to come.
c) As we live in Christ Jesus as His body in one spirit and in one mind, it is clear evidence to us that our salvation in Christ Jesus is real and eternal.
2) As we function as the body of Christ in one spirit and one mind, we will find great encouragement and comfort as we encounter sufferings for Christ’s sake.
a) That’s the point of vs. 29-30, “29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have” (ESV).
b) It’s interesting that the Greek verb for granted comes from the Greek noun for grace.
i. 1 Peter 5:10 teaches, “10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (ESV).
ii. In Mt 5:10-12, Jesus says, “10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (ESV).
