Conduct Worth Of The Gospel of Christ

Trinity XVII --- September 18, 2005

Philippians 1:1-11, 19-27

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

This text contains a wealth of nuggets upon which we could meditate today. We could even bring in the few verses in the middle which were skipped, there is even more food for though. There is one phrase that I thought we’d focus upon today to try and tie some things together. That phrase is, “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

What does it mean to “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ?” The most obvious is that you are to live your life as if you bear the name of Christ. Two weeks ago, we discussed the fact that you are a Christian 24/7/365. Your faith is to inform everything you do in every aspect of your life. We asked if people were to look at you at any time of the day or night, would they know that you’re a Christian. Or would there be doubts?

A man sold cut logs; they were supposedly four feet long. People noticed that the logs were usually under four feet each, some noticeably so. This man became a Christian. Some people didn’t believe he’d become a Christian - he still dressed the same, still worked the same job, he still lived in the same home, only now he went to church every Sunday. Someone said, “Just because someone goes to church doesn’t mean they’re a Christian.” There was one gentleman in the group who spoke up, “I have no doubt that he has become a Christian. I bought some wood from him the other day - every log was four feet long, in fact, a couple were even longer.”

People wouldn’t believe he was now a Christian just because he went to church. Instead, they would believe because of his new attitude toward his business. There was evidence he was a Christian, for his faith worked a change in his life.

When our kids go on a school outing, they are told that they are representing their school. They are informed to be on their best behavior, they have the school’s reputation in their hands.

I must ask you a question, do you bear the name Christian and act as if that means something? In other words, do you conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ - at all times and in all situations?

In watching the news, it becomes obvious that those who claim to be Christians are held up to a higher standard than others. Better behavior is expected of them. In most instances, this is done to bring scorn and shame upon the name of Christ because invariably, Christians fail to be perfect. In fact, some Christians think that it isn’t fair that they are held up to such standards, after all, we are all sinners. In fact, Christians are not perfect, just forgiven.

While this is all true, the fact remains, because you bear the name of Christ, your actions and behaviors are held up to higher standards, as are mine as a Pastor. Those standard however, are no greater standards than what God already expects of you.

That is exactly why Paul informs us about his prayer for the Philippian Christians, and for us, in our text, And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

You may well be asking, “Who can do that?” Not me, that’s for sure. I cannot be perfect, pure, and blameless. Can you? Of course not. Sin stains everything we do. That does not mean that we should not be making the attempt.

Thankfully, Christ has done so. He was blameless and pure. Incarnate God, Jesus Christ, was without sin. He was a perfect example of living under the law of God in perfect obedience. A shining example of what it means to be a believer in the One true God. That is why the chief priests and elders had such a hard time finding fault with Jesus, and had to resort to lies in order to bring about His execution.

That too was planned by God, for Christ’s death, was the atoning sacrifice for your sins. And, through His sacrificial death, He takes your sinful life into Himself and bestows upon you His righteousness. Through the forgiveness of your sins, in Christ Jesus, you are freed from the burden of guilt that hinders the joy of life in all people. You are given Christ’s perfect life and the joy that comes from His love of you.

Dear friends in Christ, to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ is to live your life as if you believe you’re forgiven. To believe you are forgiven means you understand that you are a recipient of great and marvelous gifts: eternal life is now yours, death is meaningless, and a place in heaven is waiting for you.

To conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ is to forgive and love others as you have been forgiven and loved by God in Christ Jesus. Did you hear Paul’s prayer? And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, now pay attention, because he continues) filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Filled with the fruit of righteousness in you? Yes! And it comes only through Jesus Christ. It isn’t your own! That’s why you have gathered in God’s house this day. You know your sins and you know your need for forgiveness, so you come to this place. Here, Jesus Christ’s righteousness comes to you. Christ fills you with Himself today in what you hear, in what you eat, and in what you drink. In Christ to you, you are satisfied, and more than that, you are changed.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

You have come here today for something, do you know what it is? You came here to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.

Did you come here to be reminded that you haven’t been perfect? Did you come here to be told how to live a better, more God-pleasing life, as if being told, you could then do so? Or did you come to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ?

Yes, you came to do all those things. Your conduct hasn’t always been a perfect reflection of the Law of God, you’ve fallen short of God’s demands, and sinned. Your sinful flesh failed you; you didn’t live as you desired.

I’d like to tell you again, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. This is more than living in the Law of God.

For what purpose did Christ take on human flesh, live a perfect life, suffer at the hands of the chief priests and teachers of the law, die, and then rise again? He did that to purchase forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation for all sinners - for you. That, dear friends, is the Gospel of Christ.

How can you conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ? Hear the Gospel, receive it and believe it!

The Gospel of Christ wants nothing more than to fill your ears with the sweet message of your salvation, to do nothing more than proclaim to you forgiveness from your sins. Christ desires to come to you in that Word and fill you with Himself - removing sin and giving you a new life.

Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ, for that Gospel lies on the table before us today. The body and blood of Christ, the Gospel in visible form, desires nothing more than to be eaten and drunk. In this salutary meal, you receive all that is Christ’s, His good works, His life, His strength, and the faith to trust that His gifts are all sufficient for your life.

To conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ is nothing more than trusting that the One who began a good work in you, is the One who will bring you to completion at the last day.

So, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Avail yourselves of the gifts God gives in Christ Jesus whereby He makes you His own children. And, in receiving and rejoicing in Christ’s gifts to you, you are living witnesses to the goodness of God and give glory and praise to His holy name. Amen.

The peace of God which passes all understanding keep you hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Back to Sermon Archive.

Back to St. Peter's or Zion Lutheran

Back to the main page.