Persevering Together: The Spiritual Fight for Faith

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the metaphor of a fight, drawing from a personal anecdote about a teenage boxing experience to illustrate the spiritual battle that Paul and the Philippians faced. This battle is not a physical one but a spiritual struggle between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world. Paul, writing from prison, encourages the Philippians to remain committed and confident in their faith, despite the persecution they face. He emphasizes that the kingdom of God is breaking into the world, and this mission requires perseverance.

Paul's letter to the Philippians highlights the importance of partnership in the gospel. This partnership is not merely social interaction but a deep commitment to the mission of God. The Philippians demonstrated this by supporting Paul financially during his imprisonment, showing that their faith was active and communal. Paul also calls them to persevere in prayer, not for personal comfort but for the advancement of God's mission. True prayer aligns our hearts with God's will, seeking His kingdom above our desires.

Moreover, Paul speaks of modesty, reminding the Philippians that any good work they do is ultimately God's doing. This humility is crucial in the fight for faith, ensuring that the focus remains on Christ rather than on personal achievements. Alongside modesty, Paul encourages confidence—not in circumstances but in God's ability to complete His work. Even Paul's imprisonment served to embolden the church, demonstrating that God's purposes prevail despite adversity.

Finally, Paul underscores the necessity of community. True Christian community involves deep affection and support for one another, standing together in the face of trials. This communal bond is essential for persevering in the mission of God. As we reflect on these themes, we are challenged to examine our own faith. Are we committed partners in the gospel? Do our prayers align with God's mission? Are we humble and confident in God's work? And do we foster genuine community that supports and encourages one another in the faith?

Key Takeaways:

1. Perseverance in Partnership: True partnership in the gospel involves a deep commitment to God's mission, not just social interactions. It requires us to support one another, both spiritually and materially, as the Philippians did for Paul. This partnership is a shared responsibility to proclaim the gospel and live out the teachings of Christ in community. [47:56]

2. Perseverance in Prayer: Prayer is not about seeking personal comfort but aligning our hearts with God's mission. Paul prays for the Philippians' love to abound in knowledge and insight, emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth over physical needs. True prayer engages us in the spiritual battle for God's kingdom, seeking His will above our desires. [49:36]

3. Perseverance in Modesty: Modesty involves recognizing that any good work we do is through God's power, not our own. It calls us to a true assessment of ourselves, avoiding both pride and false humility. By acknowledging our weaknesses, we allow God to work through us for His kingdom. [56:51]

4. Perseverance in Confidence: Confidence in God's work is essential, even when circumstances seem dire. Paul's imprisonment emboldened the church, showing that God's purposes prevail despite adversity. Our confidence should be rooted in God's ability to complete His work, not in our immediate successes. [01:00:59]

5. Perseverance in Community: True Christian community involves deep affection and support for one another. It is about standing together in trials, encouraging each other, and fostering genuine relationships. This communal bond is essential for persevering in the mission of God, as we cannot do it alone. [01:07:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [0:01:23] - Introduction to the Fight Metaphor
- [0:05:31] - Paul's Imprisonment and the Philippians' Struggle
- [0:10:39] - Perseverance in Partnership
- [0:15:47] - The Role of Prayer in Perseverance
- [0:20:42] - Understanding True Modesty
- [0:25:31] - Confidence in God's Work
- [0:30:59] - The Importance of Community
- [0:36:25] - Paul's Deep Affection for the Philippians
- [0:42:06] - Building Genuine Christian Community
- [0:48:31] - The Call to Persevere in Love
- [0:54:36] - Conclusion: Staying in the Fight
- [1:00:39] - Invitation to CrossGen Retreat
- [1:06:25] - Final Encouragement and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Philippians 1:3-11
- Hebrews 12:3-4

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul express gratitude for in his prayers for the Philippians, and how does this relate to their partnership in the gospel? [49:36]

2. How does Paul describe the impact of his imprisonment on the church's confidence and their proclamation of the gospel? [59:38]

3. What specific qualities does Paul pray for the Philippians to develop, and why are these important for their spiritual growth? [50:42]

4. How does Paul define true Christian community, and what language does he use to describe his relationship with the Philippians? [01:07:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of partnership in the gospel challenge the common understanding of fellowship as merely social interaction? [48:56]

2. In what ways does Paul's prayer for the Philippians reflect a focus on spiritual growth rather than personal comfort? [49:36]

3. How does Paul's call to modesty and confidence coexist, and what does this reveal about the nature of Christian humility? [56:51]

4. What role does community play in persevering through trials, according to Paul's letter to the Philippians? [01:07:21]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Would you describe it as a partnership in the gospel? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to God's mission? [48:56]

2. Consider your prayer life. Are your prayers more focused on personal comfort or aligning with God's mission? How can you shift your focus to pray more like Paul? [49:36]

3. How do you view your own strengths and weaknesses in the context of serving God's kingdom? Are there areas where false modesty might be holding you back? [56:51]

4. Think about a recent situation where you faced adversity. How did you respond, and where did you place your confidence? How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's ability to work through difficult circumstances? [59:38]

5. Evaluate the strength of your Christian community. Who are the people in your life that challenge and support you in your faith? How can you invest more in these relationships? [01:07:21]

6. Identify one person in your community who might be struggling. What practical steps can you take this week to offer them support and encouragement? [01:09:28]

7. Reflect on the upcoming CrossGen retreat mentioned in the sermon. How can participating in such events help you and your community live on mission together? [01:10:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Commitment Beyond Social Interaction
True partnership in the gospel involves a deep commitment to God's mission, not just social interactions. It requires us to support one another, both spiritually and materially, as the Philippians did for Paul. This partnership is a shared responsibility to proclaim the gospel and live out the teachings of Christ in community. The Philippians demonstrated this by supporting Paul financially during his imprisonment, showing that their faith was active and communal. This kind of partnership is not merely about being part of a church group but about being deeply invested in the mission of God, standing together in faith and action. [47:56]

Philippians 1:5-6 (ESV): "because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Who in your community can you support today, either spiritually or materially, to further God's mission?

Day 2: Aligning Prayer with God's Mission
Prayer is not about seeking personal comfort but aligning our hearts with God's mission. Paul prays for the Philippians' love to abound in knowledge and insight, emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth over physical needs. True prayer engages us in the spiritual battle for God's kingdom, seeking His will above our desires. This kind of prayer transforms our perspective, helping us to see beyond our immediate circumstances and focus on the larger picture of God's work in the world. It challenges us to prioritize God's kingdom and His righteousness in our prayers. [49:36]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: How can you adjust your prayer life today to focus more on God's mission rather than personal comfort?

Day 3: Recognizing God's Power in Our Work
Modesty involves recognizing that any good work we do is through God's power, not our own. It calls us to a true assessment of ourselves, avoiding both pride and false humility. By acknowledging our weaknesses, we allow God to work through us for His kingdom. This humility is crucial in the fight for faith, ensuring that the focus remains on Christ rather than on personal achievements. It reminds us that our strengths and successes are gifts from God, meant to be used for His glory and purposes. [56:51]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge God's power rather than your own abilities?

Day 4: Confidence in God's Sovereignty
Confidence in God's work is essential, even when circumstances seem dire. Paul's imprisonment emboldened the church, showing that God's purposes prevail despite adversity. Our confidence should be rooted in God's ability to complete His work, not in our immediate successes. This confidence is not about ignoring challenges but trusting that God is sovereign and His plans are perfect. It encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that God is at work even when we cannot see it. [01:00:59]

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places."

Reflection: What current challenge can you trust God with today, believing in His sovereignty and perfect plan?

Day 5: Building Genuine Christian Community
True Christian community involves deep affection and support for one another. It is about standing together in trials, encouraging each other, and fostering genuine relationships. This communal bond is essential for persevering in the mission of God, as we cannot do it alone. Such a community reflects the love of Christ and provides a support system that strengthens our faith and commitment to God's mission. It challenges us to be intentional in our relationships, investing time and effort to build a community that reflects God's love and grace. [01:07:21]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you contribute to building a stronger, more supportive Christian community in your church or neighborhood today?

Quotes

1) "What we find here in Philippians is that Paul and the Philippians are in a fight and the stakes are a little higher than they were for me that Saturday morning. Right? Paul is actually in prison. It's pretty serious. And when he looks at what's going on, he says that like the kingdom of God is breaking into this world and the kingdoms of this world don't like it. There's resistance, there's this battle between good and evil and essentially what he's saying to the Philippians is stay committed, stay confident, persevere. You in this fight through the death and resurrection of Jesus, it's kind of inaugurated this fight between good and evil and it's not over with one hit and so we are called to persevere." [47:56] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "You see, when the struggle is real, when the struggle for the faith, the struggle for good is real, the mission remains. And so we're not called to persevere just for our own survival, right? I think sometimes that's what perseverance can make us think of or sound like is I have to persevere for my sake so I can get by. But actually Paul is calling them to persevere not for their own sake but for the sake of the gospel, for the sake of God's mission to bring his kingdom on earth." [49:36] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "True prayer isn't about asking for comfort, right? And it's not wrong to pray for physical needs. We know that that is part of God's mission in the world, is actually healing bodies as well. But prayer is actually about us engaging in the fight for the kingdom of God. Us wrestling against spiritual forces that are fighting against us. It's about us seeking God's will together and aligning our hearts with his mission." [50:42] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Persevering in prayer means trusting that God knows what is best for the mission, even when it contradicts what we think we need. When things get difficult, when the struggle is real in your life, and I mean, the struggle for the kingdom of heaven, when there's temptations to compromise, when it's difficult to know what's right, the mission of spreading the love of God, of participating in the kingdom of God remains. What are you praying for? Are your prayers aligned with God's mission or are they just focused on your own comfort and desires?" [52:50] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "True modesty isn't downplaying ourselves, it's humbly acknowledging that it's God who works through us. And so in this perseverance in the fight for the faith, Paul encourages the Christians, don't make it about you. Remember that it's all about Jesus. But I think there's a temptation kind of in the other direction here as well. There can be a tendency at times to kind of puff ourselves up or think more of ourselves than we ought to. But I've also seen people kind of have this false modesty. Oh, I couldn't possibly talk to somebody about Jesus. I wouldn't know what to say. I don't know enough. I don't really understand." [56:51] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "When the struggle is real, perseverance means staying confident in God's work, even when it looks like we're losing. I wonder where you place your confidence. Whether you look to your own abilities, your own circumstances, to think about whether you're good enough or whether you can accomplish enough, or whether you look to God's ability to work, even through the hardest situations." [01:05:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "True Christian community is about standing together, encouraging each other, and persevering together through trials. This is how Paul talks about the Philippians in verses 7 and 8. He says, It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. And whether I'm in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share, and that's that same partnership word there, again, translated differently. It's the same word. Share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus." [01:06:25] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "When the struggle is real, when we're wrestling in the faith, we're wrestling for the souls of those who are hurting and broken and in need. We need each other more than ever, and so we persevere together, not just as individuals. How strong is your community? Who in your life challenges you, holds you accountable, and loves you, deeply loves you no matter what? Are you doing the work that's necessary to actually build relationships like that, not just surface relationships, not just people that you can kind of say, hey, how are you doing, and kind of do a little bit of that, but are you doing the work that's necessary to actually build relationships like that, not just people that you can kind of say, hey, how are you doing, not just people that you can kind of say, hey, how are you doing, but people that you really deeply know, care about, and love, and who feel the same way about you in holding each other up as you work for the kingdom of heaven?" [01:09:28] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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