3. LOVING TO ADORN THE GOSPEL (Philippians 1:27-30)

The fellowship at Philippi were to adorn the gospel in their entire manner of living. "Conversation" (KJV) "conduct" (NKJV) i.e. "citizenship". Philippians 3:20 tells us the place of our citizenship. "For our citizenship is in heaven". We are not to follow the world's fashions - we do not belong here, we live by the rules of heaven.

Doing His will on earth as it is in heaven. Our CONDUCT is to be GOVERNED by the gospel. A happy fellowship does not follow the world's pattern - a worldly fellowship cannot speak to or help a needy world - only a Spirit-filled and yielded and obedient fellowship can speak to the world, and demonstrate the better life. A happy fellowship is a diplomatic house in the local setting. Jesus gave complete instructions as to our diplomatic relations with the world. In His prayer in John 17 the world is referred to 17 times.

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Our Lord Taught Our Situation In The World

The world hates our King.

John 17:25 "... the world hath not known thee: ..."

John 17:14 "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, ..."

The Lord's people live in a world that does not know God - a world that hates those who do know God, as the world hated Christ who knew and fully revealed God. Today the world pretends respect but has not changed. The change is not in the world but in the less aggressiveness of Christians, through compromise. A happy, revealing fellowship is hated by the world.

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Our Lord Taught Our Separation From The World

We have been redeemed "out of the world" (John 17:6 KJV). 'In it, but not of it' we must be preserved from its evil, (John 17:11,14,15 ). Ours is to be a clean-cut separation - the Lord commanded it.

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Our Lord Taught Our Service To The World

If we were to be here for purity and separation alone, we would have been taken home. Jesus prayed that we should not be taken. We are here to serve - we are to go with the message (John 17:18 ). Convince the world of God's grace so that they will believe (John 17:21,23 ). The world is not a PLAYGROUND - it is a PREACHING GROUND - our existence here is only justified as much as we speak of Calvary, and show by changed lives Calvary victory. A happy fellowship adorns the gospel as shown in Philippians 1:27-30.

3.1. ADORN THE GOSPEL BY OUR LIKENESS (Philippians 1:27)

"Worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27 NKJV). Our belief and behaviour must be alike. Christianity is more than a way of life - it IS LIFE. Not a CREED - but CHRIST. To live as becomes the gospel we must manifest the likeness of Christ. Anything less would belittle the gospel. Christ is the great pattern for us to practice daily.

1 John 4:17 " ... because as he is, so are we in this world. "

1 John 2:6 "... walk, even as he walked. "

1 John 3:3 "... purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

As He is, so are we. Living like we believe, is the watchword of a happy fellowship.

3.2. ADORN THE GOSPEL BY OUR ONENESS (Philippians 1:27)

Live in accord for the faith and among ourselves.

Philippians 1:27 "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,"

The happy fellowship strives to keep the unity - presents a united front to the world. Only one basis is offered for union - the faith of the gospel. No true union apart from the Truth. No right to hold anything contrary to the faith of the gospel. Pet ideas - peculiar theories are dividing believers, and wasting precious energy. Jude 3 exhorts us to:-

Jude 3 "... contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

In this brief letter Jude mentions some of the fundamental aspects of "THE FAITH" of the gospel.

	God is the Father of all who believe (Jude 1 ).
	The only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 4 ).
	The grace of our God (Jude 4 ).
	The total depravity of man (Jude 7 ).
	The Personality of the Holy Spirit (Jude 19 ).
	The existence of a personal devil (Jude 9 ).
	The fact of judgment and hell (Jude 6,7,13 ).
	Justification by faith alone (Jude 20 ).
	The personal return of Christ (Jude 14 ).
	The sovereignty of God (Jude 5 ).
	The values and accuracy of the Scriptures. Jude 5-19, bases all teaching from quotations.

3.3. ADORN THE GOSPEL BY OUR BOLDNESS (Philippians 1:28)

Philippians 1:28 "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."

No matter what subtle strategy is used, or what strange obstacles are placed in the way, we are not to jump aside like a frightened horse. We can expect such opposition from the enemies of the cross. Consistency in withstanding the opposition indicates the God-wrought work in believers. Adversaries of the gospel are bound for perdition. How crowded are the ranks of the fearful.

Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man bringeth a snare: ..."

We live in a day when many are adept at spiritual acrobatics of jumping aside from consistent testimony, when there is opposition to Christ. Only unflinching boldness becomes the gospel.

Acts 4:13 "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

The happy fellowship is bold for God, with a Holy Spirit given boldness. (Acts 4:31 ).

3.4. ADORN THE GOSPEL BY OUR HARDNESS (Philippians 1:29,30)

The happy fellowship knows that it is the army of God, and is partaker of the sufferings for Christ. As His soldier we are to endure hardness (Philippians 1:29,30 ). It is God's will that we suffer for His sake.

2 Timothy 3:12 "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

It is a gift from the Lord. (Philippians 1:29 ). Early followers knew that discipleship involved suffering; and when they endured affliction for Him, they "were rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 5:41 KJV). The Philippi fellowship knew the joy of suffering for His sake. Identification with Christ will involve suffering and hardship - as good soldiers let us become 'worthy of the gospel.' What a fellowship! Are you playing your part in a fellowship that adorns the gospel? By likeness? Oneness? Boldness and hardness?

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What is to govern your conduct, and that of the whole fellowship, so as to become helpers to a needy world? (Philippians 1:27 ).

2. How important is it to present a united front to the world? (Philippians 1:27 ).

3. Would you hold that the faith of the gospel is the basis of our unity, and what we are to unitedly contend for? (Philippians 1:17; Jude 3 ).

4. What great reason do you have for not being frightened by enemies of the cross? (Philippians 1:28 ).

5. To whom can you turn for the boldness you need? (Acts 4:31 ).

6. Among your granted privileges do you count "to suffer for His sake"? (Philippians 1:29 ).