The following 28 minute sermon by Dr. MacArthur, is on Philippians 1:27 – 2:4. I found it to be a very powerful sermon, much worth meditating upon.
This is part 2 of a 2 part mini series, part 1 is linked below the video; but I found that part 2 was sufficient, as his review of part 1 sufficed.
Sermon highlights [square brackets, emboldening, and colored text, are mine]:
- Unity, per Philippians 1:27 – 2:4, has 4 elements: standing firm (Ephesians 6); living righteously via biblical truth, as discussed in part 1 of this 2 part series
- Unity is divisive: it excludes some people [professed Christians]
- Unity cannot be possessed by a group of people without regard to what they believe and how they behave: doctrine and conduct are necessary components
- Doctrine must be biblically sound and conduct must be virtuous [consider 1 John – forgiveness via the gospel with one who is not living out a pattern of sinfulness…]
- 1 Corinthians 11:18,19 – divisions must be among you so that those approved are evident
- Who is excluded? Those with unbiblical doctrine, heretics; those who make up their own doctrine [the “church” is full of such people in 2020]; AND those who lead unruly lives, as in 1 Cor. 5:9; who are immoral even though they attend church and call themselves Christian (review of part 1 complete)
- Element 2: be single minded: 1:27,…“standing firm in one spirit with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” and 2:2, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
- The above can happen when one does nothing from selfishness and conceit, but with humility, regarding others better than self
- So, pursue, via the Holy Spirit, unity of spirit in the bond of peace with love and humility
- Element 3: striving together for the faith of the gospel
- Unity is dependent upon: standing firm in doctrine and conduct; being united in heart because we’re humble and loving; striving together for the faith of the gospel
- “Striving:” embodies the idea of an athletic team in competition, or a military unit in war
- Example of seeing a pro football team practicing and the players experienced many fights among themselves which the coaches did not break up; but in an official game, these same men set aside their infighting and focused their efforts on defeating a common enemy
- The church is like that, when they are not organized against the real enemy – the kingdom of darkness as it presents – then there is a lot of infighting
- There is a war (from the kingdom of darkness) against God, the Bible, the gospel, the church, the family, children, women, men, marriage…
- When Christians realize that the above warfare is all around them, then unity is possible, as they unite to fight the real enemy and not each other
- If a church strives for unity in the absence of one of the fronts of opposition above, then it will not happen
- Contending discussed, from the epistle of Jude
- What are we fighting for? The faith of the gospel
- If the church is side-tracked on any other, or lesser priority, then Christians start biting and devouring each other
- That is, the church must strive for truth to bring about true unity
- Striving, that truth might be presented [via the gospel message] to the minds and souls of people; striving against those who defend their sin; against those with bad theology; against sin…
- Those who faithfully do the above will encounter opposition from the kingdom of darkness
- Do not be alarmed at the opposition, take the hits [by grace]
- Opposition is a sign to the faithful of their salvation; it is a sign to the opposition of their coming destruction
- When the battle is fought as it should be fought, with truth, boldness, courage, biblical conviction; it divides, separates those headed for destruction from those headed for salvation
- In such scenarios, it is clear who are the faithful and who are the enemies of truth
- That is, how people react to the truth separates them into one of the two categories
- Hostility, hatred, anger…against the truth, is indicative that one is headed for destruction
- Where there is affirmation, support… of biblical truth, one is headed for salvation
- So, when you have courage, boldness…to preach truth [communicate the truth to others], fight the battle, then you are doing God’s work
- Element 4: Standing firm, being single minded, and striving will inevitably lead to suffering for Christ’s sake
- Php 1:29 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,
- “Granted” = grace: the same grace that enabled one to believe in Christ has been given that one might suffer in His place
- Are you trying to avoid suffering?
- Suffering indicates: assurance of salvation; gives a brighter hope of heaven; perfects one’s usefulness to the kingdom of God; brings joy because it is a privilege; leads to eternal reward; strengthens one; weans one from the world; helps one glorify the Lord; impresses upon one that he is not alone [he is one of a huge number of Christians who have gone before, as in Hebrews 11, 12]
Link to Sermon 1 of 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov6ZoVW8QD0&list=LL&index=2
Please view CATEGORIES for other posts of interest.