Title: Disciples Work Together With One Spirit And One Mind
Scripture Text: Philippians 1: 19 – 30
Preacher: Rev Ashok Amarasingham
SERMON NOTES:
1) INTRODUCTION
1.1 Recap the last sermon on Disciples Advancing The Gospel.
1.2 Focus for Today
Petty differences can destroy our unity. Our unity in Christ is vital to complete God’s work on earth and then we be ready to depart – be united with God, forever.
2) DISCIPLES MUST BE PREPARED FOR DEPARTURE: THE NEED FOR HEAD AND HEART TO BE IN SYNC WITH GOD’S PLAN FOR US
2.1 A poem about God’s master plan for us.
“God did it well, but man chose to rebel,
God corrected the wrong, through Jesus, the Strong,
But does man really want to be, with God the Trinity, for all eternity or
Man refuses to let go of earthly family, good company & his afternoon cuppa tea!“
(by Pastor Ashok)
2.2 The meaningful liturgy at Wake services or the funeral seem so nice and well for the departed one in the casket but am I willing to be the next one in the casket?
2.3 Paul has his heart and head in perfect sync. The far better choice was to depart and be with Christ (God) (Phil 1:23).
2.3.1 The ultimate goal for the children of God is to be with God forever and ever. Otherwise Christ would never have died for our sin.
2.3.2 The NT Greek word for “depart” (1:23) had several applications…
2.4 Paul states “Christ will be honoured in my body whether by life or by death” (1:20).
2.4.1 Paul was a spiritual giant. However he recognised that everyone is important in God’s ministry.
2.5 Practical Application
2.5.1 Are we prepared to die? Like Paul, can we say with confidence: Christ will be honoured in my body whether by life or by death?
2.5.2 We should never say: it was an untimely death because ultimately God ordains all of our days on earth (Job 14:5).
2.5.2 If you are afraid of death, begin by talking daily with Jesus. Learn to love God more that indeed your deep desires will be to be with the Lord, forever.
3) DISCIPLES ARE SOLDIERS OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND CITIZENS OF HEAVEN.
3.1 Philippi was a Roman colony and thus the Philippians were Roman citizens.
3.2 Similarly, the Philippians were citizens of heaven living on earth and carrying out their assigned tasks by the King himself, Jesus.
3.3 Soldiers of the gospel must stand firm and be united in spirit and in mind (1:27) and expect opposition (1:28).
3.4 Practical Application
3.4.1 Every means can be used for evangelism but for transmitting the faith of the gospel (from this generation to successive generations) we need unity and teamwork. The church is only one generation away from extinction (if the transmission fails).
3.4.2 Let us empower the youth and young adults – to keep the faith. Let us show them the way to be responsible citizens of heaven, here on earth.
4) CONCLUSION