Sermon Sketch for Sunday, April 27

Whatever Happens
Sticking together through opposition, suffering, and struggles.

Philippians 1:27-30




Philippi was a Roman colony.
Acts 16:11-12
11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia.

- Main route through region
- The Battle of Philippi
- Retired Military Veterans Settled There

It wasn’t easy to be a Christian in Philippi.

1 Thessalonians 2:2
2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.

Caesar Nero (54-68)
Titles Nero Claimed:
Kynos – Lord / Soter – Savior

First Persecution of the Christians in the Roman Empire
The first documented case of imperially-supervised persecution of the Christians in the Roman Empire begins with Nero (37-68).

Philippians 1:27-30
27 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 one spirit, contending as one man 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 on 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.

1. Live the Good News
Philippians 1:27a
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Remember who you are. Be faithful to your true Lord and Savior.

2. Stand Firm in One Spirit
Philippians 1:27b
Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel…

Don’t allow the struggles and problems to divide you. Be faithful to each other.

3. Contend for the Faith
Philippians 1:27b
Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel…

Be faithful to the kingdom purpose and advance the cause of Christ.

4. Don’t Be Afraid
Philippians 1:28
…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.

NASV Philippians 1:28 …in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.

Things that look like destruction for you are in actuality your salvation!!!

5. Suffer for Redemptive Purposes
Philippians 1:29-30
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on 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.

Charizomai (Grace) –
The privilege of sharing in the mission of Christ.
Pascho (pascal lamb) –
Suffering that accomplishes a redemptive purpose.
Agon (painful struggle) –
The same as those who have gone before us--the same as Christ.