Living Worthy of the Kingdom pt. 2

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Philippians chapter 1, please be there and help

Philippians 1 · chapter mention

me. Philippians chapter 1, verse 6. There's a

Philippians 1:6

word of comfort for somebody here. It says, being

confident of this very thing. Being what? Confident

of this very thing. That he who has begun a good

work in you, what will he do? He has the capacity

to do what? To complete it. Hallelujah. Until

the day of Jesus Christ. Meaning that what God

has established in you, his work in our lives,

his commitment. You know, in our lives, he's

able to uphold. He's faithful to his word. God

is faithful to his word. Hallelujah. God has

never started something and then he stopped on

the way. Now, God is not depending on your faithfulness

to perform that which has begun. If it depends

on you and I, then God will not be stable. Hallelujah.

If it depends on you and I, what will happen?

God will not be stable. Because we as men, sometimes

we are like what we call the waves of the sea.

We may not be consistent even in our walk with

him. We may not be consistent even in our faith

and our belief in what he has said in his word.

But one thing we can be sure is that God is committed

to his word. He's committed to his promises.

He's committed to his word concerning the believer.

And I want you to know that God is not just committed

to your salvation, but he's committed to upholding

you and keeping you as a believer. Hallelujah.

So we see this in the epistle of Paul to the

Philippian church, as we started looking at last

week, in our quest to understand how we are to

live worthy as members of God's kingdom. We say

that Paul, you know, was writing the book of

Philippians from prison. And he wrote the letter

to the Philippians to express his gratitude for

their generous support to him. And we mentioned

that he also encourages them to remain joyful,

united, you know, despite their experiences,

their persecutions or whatever they pass through,

their trials. And he urged them to follow Christ's

example of humility. That is just the summary

of the entire epistle to the Philippian church.

He also warned them against false teachers because

there were others that were coming to teach something

that is contrary to the faith. And some in good

conscience, some in good will, some... You know,

even from a point that they were doing it to

agitate Paul. He warned him against the legalists,

those who emphasize works as a means of salvation,

as a means of obtaining God's favor. And then

he was also updating them about, you know, his

imprisonment and commending Timothy and also

Epaphroditus. So we mentioned very four things

that we can learn from chapter one. We said the

first thing is Paul's character of prayer and

gratitude. Just as a recap. We saw Paul's character

of prayer and gratitude that despite his imprisonment,

Paul was not languishing in the reality of what

he was passing through. But Paul was full of

gratitude. He was full of joy. All over the epistle,

we see about 15 times, Paul will be mentioned,

rejoice, rejoice, rejoice. Rejoicing not that

he has obtained his release, not that he has

obtained something material. but his rejoicing

is founded in the reality of the work of Christ.

So his external does not confine his state of

joy. And we see in Paul's prayer from verse 3

to 11, he reflects deep gratitude and selfless

focus on what? On spiritual growth of others,

rather his own needs. His emphasis was not on

God releasing him from prison, but rather his

emphasis was what? on the spiritual growth and

development of the Philippian church, the needs

of others. And then, you know, we saw a challenge

for us to examine our purpose and focus on our

prayer life. What is the content and the emphasis

of our prayer life? Our prayer life should not

be, you know, determined by only the circumstances

around us, but we must be consistent in our focus

on the things that matter, which are eternal.

Secondly, we look at Paul's kingdom perspective

on trial. What was his perception about trial?

And how should we, as men and women that are

living, to express the kingdom of God? How should

we also perceive and express, you know, what

kind of attitude should we have towards trial?

Paul viewed his imprisonment as a divine opportunity

to advance God's kingdom. And we mentioned that

nothing happened to the believer without God's

knowledge. And there is no accidental experience

in the believer's life. So every single thing

that happened to us, you know, is an opportunity

for God to be glorified. Even the mistakes in

our lives are things that God can utilize to

reach out to others. So as a child of God, we

must have this understanding concerning trials.

He saw his imprisonment as a divine opportunity

to advance God's kingdom. He encourages the believers

to see trials as not an abandonment, but as a

platform for God's glory and other salvation.

And then reminding us of what? Of joy, even in

suffering. So our joy is not a function of what

happens in the physical, but our joy is a result

of our identity. Our joy is a product of what

Christ has eternally established in us. So we

are not joyful because we have money in our pocket.

We are not joyful because our academics is moving

well. We are not joyful because that which we

are believing for in the physical has manifested.

But we are full of joy regardless of our experiences.

And we see this character fully expressed in

the life of Paul in this letter to the Philippians.

And we also learn of Paul's focus to honor Christ.

He says for him to live is what? Is for Christ.

And to die is again. And we're asking ourselves,

what is the focus we are living? What is the

most important priority you have in life? As

young people, we have, you know, the possibility

of being distracted by life, building our lives,

building our careers, building even ministry.

Forget about the most important thing, which

is to live, to honor God, to honor Christ. So

Paul's focus we saw from chapter, verse 19 to

26 of chapter 1. is to honor Christ in both life

and death. Exemplifying a fully surrendered life,

where life means serving Christ, and death to

him is gain. We saw him in the scriptures, we

will see rather, perplexing between being alive

and going. For him to live is to the benefit

of the brethren, and to go to the Lord for him

is a gain. And I trust God that our focus, just

as Paul's, will be to live to glorify God in

every single area of our lives. And as young

men, as young women, we will not be living for

careers. We will not be living for things that

are temporary. You see, when I was coming this

morning, I was sharing with someone that we were

coming together about a young man, very promising

young man, very smart, very eloquent. He was

a junior in high school. Day before yesterday

was his birthday. Everybody was celebrating him.

A lot of accolades praising him, how wonderful

he is. The following day, he was crushed by a

car and then he died. Exactly 31 years, one day.

And then that was the end of his life. And I

was reflecting throughout yesterday and today.

I said, okay, what? Imagine this guy, I know

him to be a very ambitious young man. So what

happened to his ambitions? What happens to his

goals? What happens to his plans and his... His

dreams. And I discovered that life is not guaranteed.

And what the most important thing for us is to

live every day reflecting on why we are here

on earth and doing that which God has called

us to do. Because at any time, we can be normal.

Hallelujah. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Amen?

There's no guarantee. So we must be men and women

of one focus. And that focus will be that we

live in... To honor God, we're living to glorify

God with our lives. And then the fourth thing

we saw was the kingdom lifestyle. Paul was calling

these people in Philippi to live a life worthy

of what? Of their identity as believers. They

live in a Gentile community. So as they live,

they should be able to reflect their identity

as God's children. He calls believers to live

daily. In a manner worthy of the gospel. And

that is a calling for us as we study this book

of Philippians. As we go through this epistle.

God's desire for you. God's desire for us. Is

that we live worthy of our calling. We live worthy

of the gospel. That our lives reflect what we

have received. That our lives reflect the spirit

of God that dwells inside of us. That we live

worthy of the gospel that we have received. A

life marked by unity. boldness and perseverance,

even in suffering, as true citizens of God's

kingdom. And I want us to also note one thing

again that I couldn't emphasize last week about

what we can learn from the church's generosity

to Paul. Amen? As one of the ways to live worthy

of God's kingdom, that we are responsible people

in the kingdom. And one of the ways we express

our responsibility as kingdom citizens is our

engagement. in the work of ministry, especially

when it comes to supporting the work of God in

a practical sense. So from the church perspective,

they partnered with Paul in ministry through

giving to meet his needs and also in prayers.

They don't only pray, right? But what did they

do? They were able to meet his needs, practical

needs as it comes to, you know, support. Philippians

Philippians 3 · chapter mention

chapter 3 verse... 5, 1 verse, verse 3 rather.

Let's look at chapter 1, verse 3. We see from

verse 3, it says, I thank my God upon every remembrance

of you. Verse 2, verse 4, 4, 4, 4, quickly. Always

in every prayer of mine, making requests for

you all with joy, for your fellowship in the

gospel from the first day until now. You are

sharing, this fellowship refers to what? You

are sharing your participation. In the work of

ministry. So every believer who is a citizen

of this kingdom has a share in a participation

in the work of ministry. As responsible citizens

of a kingdom, we are what? We are participants

in the work of ministry. Verse 19, chapter 1,

verse 19 says, For I know that this will turn

out for my deliverance through your prayer. Which

means that the church will pray earnestly for

who? For Paul. So you as a kingdom citizen has

a responsibility of not just supporting with

your finances, but you have a responsibility

of doing what? Of dedicating time to pray, especially

for the progress of God's work. It says, for

I know that this will turn out for my deliverance

through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit

of Jesus Christ. Chapter 4, verse 10 to 20, we'll

see. Let's just move forward and we'll come back.

Chapter 4, verse 10. It says, but I rejoice in

the Lord greatly that now at last your care for

me has flourished again. Though you surely did

care, but you lack opportunity. Know that I speak

in regards to need, for I have learned in whatever

state I am to be content. I know how to be abased

and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all

things I have learned but to be fool. and to

be hungry, but to abound and to suffer needs.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens

me. And contextually, I can do all things is

referring to what? Abounding and what? And living

in luck. So let's not cut it out of context.

You can't do all things though. Hope you know

that. There are some things you cannot do. So

contextually, you see, it's contextually. He's

saying that I can live in plenty. And I can live

in luck. I'm contented. That is the context of

the conversation here. Context is key. I can

do all things through Christ who strengthens

me. Nevertheless, you have done well that you

shared in my distress. That I participated in

his distress. Now, you Philippians know also

that at the beginning of the gospel, when I departed

from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning

giving and receiving but you only. Now, listen.

Some people have interpreted this verse as they

gave and they received something in return. No.

They gave and Paul received. The giving and the

receiving is that they gave to Paul. And what?

And Paul received. Hallelujah. They have shared

with him in giving and in what? In him receiving.

For even in Thessalonica, you sent aid once again

for my necessities. So this Philippian church

has been consistent in supporting the work of

ministry. And that is a kingdom lifestyle worthy

of emulation. That we are responsible citizens.

Of a responsible kingdom. Hallelujah. Not that

I seek the gift. But I seek the fruit. That abounds

your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I

am full and received from Epaphroditus. The thing

he sent from you. A sweet smelling aroma. An

acceptable sacrifice. Well pleasing to God. And

my God shall supply all your needs. According

to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. and to

our God and Father be glory forever and ever.

Amen. That prayer of God's consumer supply is

a response of an act of generosity of the believers.

And as much as we make ourselves available to

be a channel towards God's work, there's an assurance

of more than enough, not just for your sustenance,

but more than enough that you have the responsibility

of what? Of committing to the work of ministry.

of ensuring the continuity of the work of God

and the plan of God on the face of the earth.

So if we're living worthy as kingdom citizens,

it means that we live responsibly as kingdom

citizens. Hallelujah. Now, in continuation to

what he has said in chapter 1, all the things

that he has noted in chapter 1, let's move to

chapter 2. We will see Paul in chapter 2, from

verse 1 to 11, calling the believers to follow

the example of Christ. For us to live worthy.

Living worthy of the kingdom, we must as well

follow the example of Christ. Give me chapter

2 verse 1 in Amplified Classic. Chapter 2 verse

1, Philippians chapter 2 verse 1. It says, So

Philippians 2:1

by whatever appeal to you there is in our mutual

dwelling in Christ, by whatever strengthening

and consoling, encouraging our relationship in

Him, by whatever persuasive incentive there is

in love. by whatever participation in the Holy

Spirit we share and by whatever depth of affection

and compassion and sympathy. Verse 2. Fill up

and complete my joy by what? By living in harmony

and being of the same mind and one in purpose,

having the same love, being in full accord and

of harmonious mind and intention. Why will Paul

call them to live in unity? Why will Paul call

them to live in love? having the same mind, living

in one accord. Verse 2 suggests that there is

a bit of a conflict in this church. And the believers

in this church, you know, have been called to

live in unity. We can verify that from chapter

4, verse 2, where Paul was telling two people,

two specific people, two people in the church.

He says, I implore it, who? Anyway, I don't know

the spelling, but that's the name. I don't know

the pronunciation. I entreat. Which means that

they have this discontention within the body.

Amen? Verse 3. In spreading of the good news,

the gospel, as have Clement and the rest of my

fellow workers, whose names are in the book of

life. You know, being part of God's kingdom does

not mean that we will not face conflict within

ourselves. Amen? Does not mean that sometimes

the relationship will get sour. Does not mean

that sometimes we will not march, we will not

have conflict. But we have a responsibility as

kingdom citizens to do what? To agree in the

Lord. Amen? to agree in the Lord. If we must

manifest the kingdom, if we must live worthy

of the kingdom, then we have a responsibility

one to another to agree. As kingdom citizens,

we have to live in peace and harmony with one

another. Having the same mind in full accord.

Why? Because a kingdom that is divided against

itself cannot fulfill God's purpose. Amen? A

kingdom divided against itself. You know, in

Matthew chapter 12, verse 25, we see where Jesus

Matthew 12:25

Christ was making reference to his... Give me

Matthew chapter 12, verse 25. And knowing their

Matthew 12:25

thoughts, because he performed a miracle and

they were accusing Jesus of performing the miracle

by a demonic spirit, by whatever spirit. And

knowing their thoughts, he said to them, any

kingdom that is divided against itself is being

brought to desolation and laid waste. and no

city or house divided against itself will last

or continue to stand. Now we can extrapolate

the principle about unity from this verse. A

kingdom divided against itself will not stand

a taste of time fulfilling the purpose of God

upon the face of the earth. If we, because you

see, doing the will of God on earth is not a

responsibility of one person. Amen? You are not

the body of Christ. Hallelujah. You as an individual

cannot fulfill the mandate of God in the world,

on the face of the earth. You need your brother,

you need your sister. It's a collective responsibility.

As much as there is no personal revelation of

Christ, it's a common revelation of Christ. Amen?

So we must understand that we must be committed

to working together. Nevertheless, disagreement

will rise as a family, as a church. As we live,

as we work together, as we relate together, even

as housemates, as friends, disagreement may arise.

But if we want to live as kingdom citizens, we

must prioritize the purpose of God. Listen, the

reason why we must prioritize peace is because

of the purpose and the calling of God upon our

lives. I was counseling some people from the

U .S. When they had an issue, they had a problem,

I said, do you value doing the will of God? or

you value the issue at hand. What is your focus?

Is your focus on the offense that has been committed

or your focus is on the calling of God upon your

life? When your attention is pious towards knowing

the will of God and doing the will of God, then

whatever the offense becomes insignificant, you

quickly want to trash the offense so that you

can move on with doing the will of God. Because

whether you like it or not, you need your brother

and you need your sister. You are in an eternal

family. If you don't like your brother in Christ

right now that you have seen face to face, the

good news or the bad news is that you will see

him eternally. Amen? If you want to continue

in bitterness with your brother in Christ, then

I can assure you that even when he dies, or you

die, you will meet again. Amen? So it's to your

own advantage that you do what? That you love

your brother, that you love your sister, that

you live in harmony, that you live in peace.

Hallelujah. And in verse 3, it says, let nothing

be done through selfish ambition or conceit,

but in the loneliness of mind, let each esteem

others better than himself. This is a kingdom

lifestyle. We must live a life of honor to one

another. Listen, even people in the kingdom of

darkness, they are united. They cooperate. They

partner. They love. Have you ever been to Bia

Paulo and you see drunkards? Do you know how

supportive they are? Do you know how generous

they are to themselves? Sometimes even believers,

you need to learn from the kingdom of darkness.

You know, Jesus mentioned this, that you should

learn from the people of the world, right? In

their own wisdom. That's a mockery, actually,

to the believer. So we have to understand that

we need each other. We must honor each other.

We must love each other. And this love and honor

is one to another. Let nothing be done in selfish

ambition. You know, we live in a generation that

everybody is self -centered. Oh, you know, I'm

protecting my mental health. Oh, I'm protecting

my space, my peace of mind. I was telling somebody

this week, the person is here, the person is

looking at me. I said the fact that you've been

avoiding conflict with people doesn't mean that

you've overcome the issue of, you've not treated

the matter well. Avoidance. It doesn't mean that

something has happened. Until you face people

face to face and you relate and then you discover

that, oh, this person has offended you and you

are able to forgive practically over and over

and over again. That's when we know that you've

grown. But when you avoid problem, when you see

problem coming, you run away. We are not called

to a life of being cowards. Are we together?

In our relationship, we must create room for

offenses before... In fact... We must be ready.

Know this, that as we relate, there must be,

must be offenses. Conflict will rise because

we are humans. Are we together? So your brother

is not, he's not an angel that does not have

a will of his own that is controlled somewhere.

He's a human. So having the room, giving the

room for offense is very, very crucial to living

the kingdom life because you see, it's governed

by love. It's governed by... By love, the love

of God that is in us. We belong to a kingdom

that honors one another. I see the way brothers

and sisters relate in church. Sometimes I wonder

whether you understand the complexity of what

Christ has done for the two of you. And the brother

is a co -heir with you. Right? The sister is

also equally a beneficiary of the same grace.

There's no rank in grace. The same grace. For

the grace of God that has what? That brings salvation

as on what? To some men alone, we have only one

grace and that grace equalizes everybody. Are

we together? Of course, we know there is order

in the kingdom of God and there is a responsibility.

We'll come to that later. But I want you to understand

that you have a duty of honoring every one of

us because that person is, God resides in that

person. That is the reason. Amen? God resides

in that person. So you have the responsibility

of honoring God in that person's life. We honor

our elders and those who serve us and one another,

regardless of age, of status, whether economically.

The person may not be economically buoyant as

you are, but as a child of God, that person has

something that money cannot buy. Amen? He has

an eternal wealth that is beyond what money can

buy, and it's the presence of the Spirit of God

in him. How do you treat your fellow brothers

and sisters in the faith? In honor or dishonor.

Because this is not a character of a man or a

woman that belongs to the kingdom of God. What

is your attitude towards others? We see here

Paul calling to the attention of this church.

Let's see. Let nothing be done in conceit. In

selfish ambition. Putting your own interests

first. But do what? Uphold the interests of others.

than yourself. If every one of us is busy trying

to put the other person first, I'm telling you,

we'll reduce 99 % of our problems because my

goal is to honor you. My goal is to please you.

Your goal is to see there's room for competition

in loving one another. The area we should compete

is in showing love, how we can love ourselves

better. The Bible says, all know one nothing

but except what? Love is a legal debt to all

that you pay for the rest of your life. So we

have a duty, we have a responsibility to live

worthy of our calling as believers, as members

of God's kingdom. Verse 4 says, Let each of you

look not only for his own interests, but also

for the interests of others. Do you put yourself

first or the interests of others first? Sacrificial

living is what defines the culture of God's kingdom.

We belong to God's kingdom and we must also exercise

that culture. We must express that culture rather.

We'll see this in the life of the early church.

Acts chapter 2 verse 44. We'll see how they live

Acts 2:44

sacrificially. Acts chapter 2 verse 44. Yes,

Acts 2:44

44 and 45. It says, and now all who believe we're

what? We're harmony. We're together. We're living

together in harmony, in peace, in harmony. And

all, and had all things in what? In common, which

means that they were living a communal life.

A communal life. And sold their possessions and

goods and divided them among all as anyone had

need. So what was operating in the early church

was not capitalism, right? Greed was not the

order of the day. And this is a product of the

life of God in them. And if we are professional,

we have the life of God in us, it should equally

produce the same result. That you are looking

out for your brother. That you are looking out

for the needs of your sister. That you are ensuring

that within the body of Christ, no one is ignored.

You see brothers and sisters in the Lord tearing

themselves apart because of basic needs. Everybody,

you know, doesn't want to be taken advantage

of. Everybody is protecting his own right. Everybody

is putting his own interests ahead of others.

Acts chapter 4 verse 32, 35. We see another way

Acts 4:32

the early church exemplifies this culture. It

says, now the multitude of those who believed

were of one heart, which means that they were

united. Unity, love, harmonious living, honor.

This is the culture of the kingdom of God. Now

the multitude of those who believed were of one

heart and one soul. Neither did anyone say that

any of the things he possessed was his own, but

they had all things in common, which means they

were living a life of sharing and giving within

themselves. And with great power, the apostles

gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord

Jesus, and a great grace was upon them all. Now

was there anyone among them who lacked? For all

who were possessors of lands, of houses, sold

them and brought the proceeds of things that

were sold was terrified and laid them at the

apostles' feet. Laying them at the apostles'

feet. We've taught you here in church that laying

it at the apostles' feet doesn't mean that they

brought it and put it on their feet. It means

they are laying it at the what? The control.

The leadership. The what? The authority of the

apostles. And the apostles identify who is in

need and they meet the need. That's administration.

Listen, we are not speaking theory here, right?

If you have excess, it's an instruction. It's

an instruction. Bring it that the needs of others

will be met. If you have more than enough, there

are those that can barely live. Some of us will

open our drops. I wonder whether you sell clothes.

You just be eating and adding weight, unnecessary

weight, while others are fasting. Unwillingly.

Where's the love we speak of? So believers, we

must live worthy of our calling. What we are

calling us to do is to live our identity as those

who have experienced the love of God and expressing

it, expressing it within. See, we're not talking

about unbelievers. You know what we love in this

generation is media attention. We want a situation

where all the world will see us doing good works

and our statuses is full of praises, pictures

of doing charity. Listen. When you look through

the scriptures, I will say this and then you

think maybe I'm being biased. No way in the Bible

there was an emphasis, right, to give to unbelievers.

It's not a mistake. Now, we are not saying that

you shouldn't give to people that are not believers.

That's not what we are saying. But the emphasis

first is what? That they will see. That they

will see. See, how will they know that you are

my disciples and you love one another? How will

they know the love of God? It's through your

example, how you portray the love of God expressively.

It's not in words. The kingdom of God is not

about words. It's not in talking. It's in power.

And this power is not healing the sick and making

the cripple walk. It begins by what? An expression

of love. That must be done from the point of

love. It's a caution for somebody here. You must

allow the love of God that is already in you

to find expression. Amen? You must allow the

love of God in you to what? To find expression.

And then in verse 5, he brought in Christ. Let

this mind be in you which was also in Christ

Jesus. And we see calling the believers to emulate

the life of Christ. How did Christ show us an

example to follow? It says, let this mind be

in which was also in Christ. Right? Now, the

life of Christ is already in the believer. Now,

we are not trying to tell you to manufacture

an ability from somewhere else. We are not trying

to tell you to produce a lifestyle that is not

within you. No. In Colossians 2 verse 6. We will

Colossians 2:6

see that the believer already has a life and

the nature of Christ in him. Therefore, we must

showcase it. Colossians 2 verse 6. It says, as

Colossians 2:6

you therefore have received Christ Jesus, the

Lord, so do what? So walk. Walk here means live

according to what you've received. Are we together?

So we are not calling you to live out a life

that you don't have the ability to. Christ has

shown us an example and he lives in us. And it

is through him that we're going to live. Let's

see briefly and examine his humility. How he

was, he gave us an example. He says he is, verse

5, chapter 2, verse 5. Philippians chapter 2,

Philippians 2:5

verse 5. He said, let this mind be in you, which

was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form

of God, did not consider it robbery. To be equal

with God. And I do say this always. I say there's

nothing God has ever told men to do that he has

not done it by example. If it's humility, Christ

is a perfect example of humility. If it's love,

he's the perfect expression of love. There's

no instruction that God is a leader that leads

by example. Hallelujah. God leads us by example.

And we see that example in Christ. Because it

is through Christ that we know the character

of God. That we know who God is. So first of

all, he is God. And he emptied himself by becoming

a man. He became obedient to death on the cross.

Then he was exalted. Hallelujah. I don't want

to go into the details of the name that was given

to him. We know that the name that was given

to him was not J -E -S -U -S. Right? We sang

a song about the name of Jesus. And the name

is not J -E -S -U -S. Because Jesus was never

called Jesus in his time. Hope you know that.

There was no English, so it cannot be Jesus.

Name there refers to what? His accomplishment.

The things he has accomplished. We have established

this during our teachings in the cell meetings.

And his exaltation is as a result of what he

has portrayed in his humility. And him becoming

man. It's humbly for God to become man. We see

the sinless God suffering for sinful men. We

see the just God suffering for unjust men. So

you suffering for your brother is not because

your brother deserves it. Right? You sacrificing

to be good to your brother is not because your

brother deserves the goodness. Because in the

first place, you never deserve the goodness of

God. But nevertheless, God is good to you. How

much loss are you willing to suffer for your

brother or sister in Christ? How much are you

willing to let go for the sake of the love that

you have towards your brother and sister? Romans

Romans 5:6

chapter 5 verse 6 and 8 will see what Jesus did

for us. Romans 5 verse 6 and 8. For when we are

Romans 5:6

still without strength, which means when we are

sinners, when we are helpless, when we are without

the ability to help ourselves, in due time Christ

died for the ungodly. So Jesus never died for

godly men. Jesus never died for good men. It

is in his death that we became good. Hallelujah.

Verse 6, verse 7 rather. For scarcely for a righteous

man will one die. Have you ever seen a man walk

up and say, ah, this man was arrested because

he stole this amount of money, especially where

we come from in Africa. The part of Africa I

come from, there's a lot of political, you know,

manipulations of resources. And they usually

arrest people. Have you ever seen somebody to

come and say, oh, I'm standing in for this person.

I'm the one that I should be punished instead

of this person. No. We even say, let them deal

with him. He serves him right. It says, for scarcely

for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps

for even a good man, someone will even try to

die for. It's good. But look at Jesus in verse

8. But God, what did he do? He demonstrates his

own love towards us. In that while we were still

in sin, we're enemies of the cross. We're enemies

of God, rather. We're standing in opposition

to God. What happened? He died for us. So your

goodness towards others must be what you see

in Christ demonstrated. He demonstrated love

to an unjust people to justify us. So your goodness

to others is not a product of their good behavior

towards you. Do you know how many times I've

forgiven him? Do you know how many times I've

been supporting her? Enough is enough. The day

that God will say enough is enough with you.

It may sound funny, but we are indebted when

it comes to love. Eternal debt. of showing love

one to another. Hallelujah. So we must take up

the challenge this week to do good to one another.

Take up the challenge of living a sacrificial

life, life of honor. Decide that I'm going to

be a blessing to my brother. I'm going to live

up to the name. I'm going to live up to the name

of Christ. I'm going to live up to the established

works of Christ in me. I'm going to allow what

Christ has accomplished in me to find expression.

Let that be our determination this week. I must

live worthy. Verse 27 of chapter 1, it says,

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel

of Christ, so that whether I come and see you

or I'm absent, I may hear of your face, that

you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind,

striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Hallelujah. Now, do you have any... Discord with

somebody in church? Do you have any disagreement

with somebody in church? Do you have any unresolved

issues? You can never, if you like, fast for

30 days, 40 nights, right? You cannot fulfill

the will of God in that condition. Because the

same spirit that is in you is the same spirit

that is in that believer. So we must resolve

all our issues in love. We're not looking for

blame. We're not looking for who is wrong or

who is right. We're not looking for our own interests.

We're not trying to clear our name because, see,

sometimes we are funny as humans. We just want

to clear our name so that we'll have good records.

You know, I don't have any issue. I don't have

any issue. But actually, there's an issue. And

the reason why some of us come to apologize is

not because we really want reconciliation, but

simply because we want to have a good name before

people or good reputation. But see, whatever

we do must be grounded in love because love is

a culture of the kingdom you belong to. So where

have you been lacking? Or where are you struggling?

Where are you struggling? Just pray. Open your

mouth and speak to God. Later on we'll see. Paul

will say, walk out your salvation with fear and

trembling. Meaning that you should bring to fruition

what is in you. And he didn't just leave it there.

He says, for it is God who works in you to will

and to do of his good pleasure. Which means that

the ability to do the life that God has called

you to do. It's by God himself working in you.

What you do is you surrender and you allow the

love of God to flow through your life. I just

want you to say, Lord, I surrender to your will

for my life. I surrender to your work in my life.

I give expression to my identity. I give expression

to my identity. Enter a commitment going forward.

The commitment to honor God with my life. The

commitment to live a sacrificial life. The commitment

to honor the body of Christ, the believers. the

commitment of putting the needs of others ahead

of myself. Speak to God. This is practical Christianity.

This is actually living and manifesting the kingdom

of God. This is actually living, demonstrating

your identity and your citizenship, expressing

our identity, our citizenship as members of God's

kingdom. The only way that men will know God

or will understand the love of God is in us living

in love one to another, expressing love towards

one another. And I want you to pray for this

church and say, Father, your love will be seen

in expression in our church. And whatever we

do, we don't do things out of love. We do things

in love. Later on, we'll see Paul commending

Timothy and Epaphroditus, who almost gave up

his life for the work of ministry. And that was

out of love for the church. See, everything we

do in the kingdom must be done in love, must

be done in honor. Say, Lord, help us to live

as we ought to live. Let our conduct be worthy

of our calling. Let our lives be lived worthy

of the calling of God. I want you to pray for

yourself areas of your struggle and say, Lord,

help me in this area. I know expressly this is

an area of my life that I'm struggling to allow

your love to find expression. Lord, help me at

this moment. Help me, Lord, to give expression

to your love in me. Indeed, you've started something

in me and you're committed to bringing it to

the end. Lord, help me. Thank you for listening

to today's sermon. Your journey matters to us.

Let's keep walking together. Visit our website

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notes for additional insights. If today's message

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next time, be blessed.