Are we living our lives in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ? How we respond to successes and struggles defines us. We cannot live victoriously if our faith remains halfhearted.

When we stand firm as believers, we are standing firm as a group of believers. To do that, we must prepare for difficult times by standing firm in faith and being grounded in the gospel. No matter what, we should conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Whatever the cost, it’s worth it for the gospel to be preached because the gospel of Christ changes your eternal destiny.

Stand firm in faith at all times, and live victoriously.

Build your Life on A Sure Foundation

A few weeks ago, I gave a message on the call to perseverance. We looked at Matthew 7:24-29 in which Jesus compared two builders:

1) The wise man who built his house on the rock which was steady and stood strong against adverse conditions; and

2) The foolish man who built his house on sand which gave way to the storm.

Above ground, the houses look the same; yet what the houses were built upon was quite different.

The wise builder looked forward and made the preparations necessary to withstand storms; poor conditions and attacks when they might come his way. He was safe and secure.

The foolish builder did not consider any of these. He lived for the moment and when a storm, poor conditions or attacks happened, he was unprepared and the building collapsed with a great crash. He lost everything he had built.

None of us knows what tomorrow will bring; we should each prepare for the future, making preparations for storms, poor conditions and any attacks that may arise.

What is true for the builder’s house is also true for the builder’s life.

Do you remember the song On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand?

The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

Jesus’ teaching was a story, relating to your life and the need to build on a sure foundation. Jesus is that sure foundation.

In Philippians 1:27-30 we find that the Apostle Paul challenges the Philippians to live in such a manner, that whatever might come their way in life, they would be ready and conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Are you worthy of the Gospel?

The question before us today is: Are we living our lives in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ?

What does Paul mean by saying to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel? Paul’s concern for the believer became paramount. He knew all too well about building his life on shifting sand. But once he had an encounter with Christ on the Damascus road, his life and focus changed. Now, what he once tried to destroy, Paul’s sole desire was to see believers contend for the faith.

“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 the one Spirit, striving together as one 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 in 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” (Philippians 1:27-30, NIV).

Paul wanted to encourage those believers in Philippi to keep the faith in the face of difficult times.

The believers in Philippi were aware of Paul’s struggles in life because they partnered with Paul. The things that Paul struggled, suffered, and endured were all due to his faith in Christ and the gospel he proclaimed.

Paul was aware that the believers in Philippi—and that believers everywhere—were experiencing difficult situations and that the followers of Christ would continue to experience such things in the future. Paul wanted the believers to be aware that what he had experienced, and what he was still experiencing, was because of his faith in Christ and it served to advance the Gospel.

Paul was telling the Philippians that no matter what, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. In other words: no matter what may weigh you down; no matter the pressure of society; no matter the dangers you face in life, live in such a way that proclaims your faith in Christ. Stand firm in the Gospel and what you know in your spirit to be true.

Who We Are in the Successes and Struggles Defines Us

Recently, two beloved members of our church passed on after living long lives. I had the priviledge of being part of each of their funeral services, speaking about and reflecting on each of their lives.

At times, all we know about someone is based on a few short years when our lives cross, and yet there is so much more to know about that person.

We can see the struggles of present circumstances, but we may not know the previous struggles that people endured. But all of it together is what makes us who we are in the present.

At the same time, what we experience today and how we react, speaks volumes about what we stand for both in the present and future.

• A positive influence on you and the struggles you may endure will have an effect on who you become and how others view you. A positive experience does not ensure a positive outcome; but a positive influence during a negative situation can make a difference for eternity. Examples:

  • The people of God were blessed by God yet often choose to worship false gods.

  • Saul who later became the apostle Paul had once persecuted Christians; and yet he became the person to write most of the New Testament.

• A negative influence on you and the struggles you may endure can have an effect on you; and yet it is always up to you as to how you will respond. A negative experience during a positive situation can have a devastating effect. But a negative experience can also produce a positive outcome. Example:

  • Paul experienced persecution himself because he became a believer and for his faith in Jesus and the Gospel of Christ.

It depends on your heart and how you view the gospel of Christ.

Sometimes, an addiction of a parent can be passed down by example to a child. But it does not mean the child doesn’t have a choice regarding the addiction. Every child, every person has a choice of how they will act. Every person, every generation has a choice as to how they will respond to experiences in life.

A Foundation in the Gospel Prepares Us

Our selfishness and sinful nature tends to make us focus on things that feed—but never satisfy—our sinful desires and nature. Our sinful nature is contrary and is at odds with the spirit of God. The danger that awaits those who seek to satisfy the sinful nature of their hearts may go unnoticed until it’s too late. It’s possible to become spiritually blind to our sinful nature and actions.

Many people are spiritually blind to what a particular action or lifestyle will produce; if they could see and understand the results of their sinful actions, they might have acted differently. Friends, our actions and what we do not see spiritually can result in an eternal mistake.

We must be aware that the enemy can attack at any time and we need to be ready. We need to make preparations for whatever storm or attack may come our way. Like the wise builder we cannot wait until the storm hits. We must live in such a way that no matter the circumstance, we are not spiritually blind to what is happening around us. We must always live as people of faith. We must always live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

The only way to stand firm when a storm or attack hits is to be grounded in the truth of the gospel. Knowing the truth of the Gospel will give you a firm foundation and strength to stand in faith when things get tough.

Paul, being a Roman, knew that the Roman soldiers were well trained and they stood their ground no matter how things may have looked.

• If the enemy outnumbered the Roman soldiers, they stood firm.

• If the enemy strength appeared greater than the Roman soldiers, they still stood firm.

• Roman soldiers were ready for combat and understood their strength depended on one thing: to stand firm together.

The same is true for the church and individual believers. Standing firm in faith and in the gospel of Christ is the only way to defeat the attacks of the enemy.

Training and Preparation Make Us Ready For Anything

Doctors, fire and rescue, police, the military, nurses all deal with emergencies. When an emergency comes they each fall back on their training in order to deal with the emergency.

In an emergency, people will act according to their training. That is why training is so important. Training your mind and spirit in the truth of the Gospel is so important. There is no time to think about what to do when the enemy attacks; there is not time to be fearful of what might happen when the attack comes; no time to get ready; no time to ask what to do.

So Paul tells the believers to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. In other words, remember your training:

• Remember the teaching.

• Remember the cost of the gospel.

• Remember what the gospel means to you personally.

• Act in a way they is worthy of the good news that you received, were taught and know in your heart to be true.

• Act in a way that honors Jesus and the Gospel teaching.

• Paul encourages the believers to act the same way whether he was with them or not.

You see:

• Paul believed for the best in people.

• Paul believed what God started in a person, God would also complete.

• Paul called for the believers to share in God’s Grace with him.

• Paul prayed that the believers would grow in the knowledge of Christ and be able to discern what was best; and to be filled with fruit of righteousness that comes through the knowledge of Christ.

The Gospel is Worth Our Efforts

Paul desired that the believers in Philippi know: all that he had experienced and all he would experience with regards to him suffering for the Gospel was to their benefit. Paul chose to accept all that came his way no matter the intent, as long as the Gospel was proclaimed. Paul understood whatever the cost, it was worth it for the Gospel to be preached. That is why Paul believed it was important to stand firm: both as a church and as individual believers. Paul wanted to convey that it was a privilege to stand and suffer for the gospel. Why is that? It is because the gospel of Christ changes your eternal destiny. It is because Jesus paid the debt that you could never pay. It is because you can never out-give God.

I believe the Gospel—the good news of Christ. The gospel gives us eternal life; it is a worthy enough reason why we should conduct ourselves in such a manner as to live worthy of the Gospel. The Gospel of Christ is worth it, no matter the cost.

What is the Gospel of Christ Worth to You?

Paul says: to live is Christ and to die is gain. Paul was willing to suffer so that others might have an opportunity to hear and believe in Christ and be saved. So, Paul challenges us to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel.

Paul was flogged, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned—many of these on more than one occasion. But he considered it all worth it for the gospel to be preached.

The word contending, has a meaning of striving together, much like a wrestler struggling against an opponent. A wrestler will never win if he thinks he cannot beat his opponent.

We cannot live victoriously if our faith remains halfhearted. When we stand firm as believers, we are standing firm as a group of believers and standing as one spirit for the faith of the Gospel. We are saying: we have no fear!; the enemy is defeated and must flee; the power of God is supreme, we are saved by God!

Stand firm and live a life worthy of your heavenly citizenship.

The words “stand firm” translated means for you to: hold on, remain at your post, endeavor to keep your place, don’t give the enemy a chance to advance.

How much is the Gospel of Christ worth to you?

• Is it worth living in a manner that honors Jesus?

• Is it worth being a living witness of a changed life?

• Can you remember the joy and blessings of God when you first responded to Jesus?

• Can you remember the promises of God that he has spoken to you? 

• Salvation. 

• Healing. 

• He will never leave you. 

• You will be with Him in paradise.

Paul challenges all of us to finish the race and to run the race like one who would want to win a prize. We can only do that if we stand fast and contend for the faith.

We will only conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel when we personally see the worth of the Gospel. Are you living in a manner worthy of the Gospel?

Suggested Praise and Worship

This and other sermons brought to you by Faith Chapel, an Assemblies of God church in Pleasanton, CA.