Together Series Part Four
The Prerequisite
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Intro: We will be preaching Part Four of the Together Series tonight.
We have looked at:
1. The Power – Genesis 11
2. The Profit – Ecclesiastes 4
3. The Prayer – John 17
Tonight, we are going to preach about the Prerequisite of Together.
Our text is very specific about who Paul was referring to when he mentioned “together” in Phil. 1:27.
In fact, Paul emphasized it in many places just in this one chapter.
The number one prerequisite for unity in the local church is SALVATION.
There can be no true unity in the church apart from each member having a real born again experience.
TURN TO Ephesians 4:1-6
The number one threat to the unity of the church is an unsaved church member.
- 2 Corinthians 11:26 …in perils among false brethren;
There are sheep and there are goats.
There is wheat and there are tares.
Let’s look at just how many times Paul refers to their salvation; either directly or indirectly.
1. He addressed them as saints in Christ Jesus
- 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2. There will be no grace or peace from God apart from salvation through Jesus Christ.
- 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. There can be no fellowship with unbelievers.
- 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
- Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
- 1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4. Paul referred to the work that God had begun in them.
- 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
5. Paul mentioned that they were partakers of his grace in his defense and confirmation of the gospel.
- 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
6. Unsaved persons are incapable of approving things that are excellent or being without offence.
- 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
7. Unsaved people cannot be filled with the fruits of righteousness.
- 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
8. Unsaved people’s prayers cannot be answered.
- 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
9. Paul was confident of their furtherance and joy of faith.
- 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
10. The adversaries of the believer ARE unbelievers.
- 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.
11. The adversity was a toke or proof of their salvation.
- 28b …which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
12. Paul clearly refers to their faith in Christin verse 29.
- 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Now let’s take a closer look at verse 27.
- 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Notice the importance of salvation in this matter of being “together.”
A group of saved believers that are “together” should produce a:
I. Conversation that Becometh the Gospel
- Vs. 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…
CONVERSATION: manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment
Saved people ought to act like it.
- James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
- 1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
- 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 3
- 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
- 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
II. Continuation that Battles for the Gospel
- Philippians 1:27 …that ye stand fast in one spirit,…
STAND FAST: to stand firm; to persevere, to persist; to keep one’s standing
This speaks of conflict and adversity.
Paul went into greater details about this in verses 28-30.
- 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.
- 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
- 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
We have no reason to be able to STAND FAST.
Paul admonished us in multiple epistles to STAND FAST!
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
- Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
- Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Not only were they standing fast, but they did so in ONE SPIRIT.
What spirit was that?
- 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
III. Concentration that Broadcasts the Gospel
- 27…with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
They were unified in one endeavor.
They had one focus – one desire – one thought – one dream – one mind.
That mind was one of striving – working – laboring – pulling together FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL.
They were concentrated on the Gospel.
Paul referred to “the Gospel” no less than 8 times in this book.
There is the:
1. Fellowship of the Gospel – 1:5
2. Furtherance of the Gospel – 1:12
3. Fight of the Gospel – 1:17
4. Faith of the Gospel – 1:27
Conclusion: There can be no true, biblical unity within the church without every member of the church being born again. That’s just the facts.