GREAT THINGS ARE INVOLVED IN STRIVING THE
GOSPEL OF CHRIST FOR GOD'S GLORY & PRAISE.
(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
*INTRODUCTION:
Strive or Striving - to devote serious effort to
accomplish the job.
* Endeavor - an extra effort to finish the project.
* Paul gave an encourage to the Philippian Christian that they will
stand fast in one spirit and mind to STRIVE FOR THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL.
* To strive the faith of the gospel, speak of the Worthy Living of the
Christian while Paul was not them.
* ( Colossians 1:10
) That ye
might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good
work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
* What was saying to the Philippian Christian to show to the World
through their Worthy living and pleasing God in their life example. That is
striving the faith of the gospel and that is a Worthy living and pleasing God
in our Christian life.
* There many ways that we can
strive the faith of the gospel in our Christian.
1. JERUSALEM SHOWED TO STRIVE THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL BY
THEIR FAITHFULNESS TO WORSHIP GOD IN HIS TEMPLE.
( Acts 2:46-47 ) 46 And they, continuing daily with
one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their
meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour
with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be
saved.
a. Jerusalem Church showed their love to God by their faithfulness
worship God every day the bible said.
* Paul was reminding the Hebrew
Christian not to forsake the assembly in the Church at first day of the week.
( Hebrews 10:25 ) Not forsaking the assembling of
ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so
much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
* So many Christians are faithful in Worshipping of the first day of the
week.
* Pastor of the is always reminding every believer to attend Sunday
Worship service.
( I Corinthians 16:1
) 1 Now
concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches
of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week
let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there
be no gatherings when I come.
* King David was great encouragement in worshipping God in His Temple.
( Psalms 122:1-2 ) 1 I was glad when they said unto
me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
2 Our feet shall stand within thy
gates, O Jerusalem.
* Challenge to Worship God in first day of the week is Worthy living and
pleasing to God.
* Jerusalem Church Worship God every day. They strive together for the
faith of the Gospel. To God be the glory.
* King David was always excited when Gods people will tell to him "
Let us go into the house of the Lord. Big Amen and Amen.
* Church or Church are excited when our brethren will tell to us "
Let's us come into the house of the Lord.
* Or are like Thomas who is always absent Sunday Worship service.
* Great promises of when Christian give God their priority in
worshipping in His Temple.
( Mathew 6:33 ) 33 But seek ye first the kingdom
of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
2. MACEDONIAN CHURCH SHOWED TO STRIVE THE FAITH OF THE
GOSPEL BY THEIR FAITHFULL IN GIVING TO THE LORD.
( II Corinthians
8:1-5 ) 1
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of
affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the
riches of their liberality.
3 For to their power, I bear
record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4 Praying us with much intreaty
that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the
ministering to the saints.
5 And this they did, not as we
hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of
God.
* Paul encourages the Corinthian Church to give to the Lord faithfully
and cheerfully.
( 2 Corinthians 9 :7
) Every man
according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of
necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
* The good example of Macedonian Church in giving.
1. They gave first their own
selves when they have nothing to give because they are in deep poverty the
bible said.
2 . Paul do not expect that in
their deep poverty the more the can able to give because they first their own
selves. Wow this is an amazing action in giving of the Macedonian Church.
( II Corinthian 8:5
) And this
they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and
unto us by the will of God.
* The good Testimony of the Macedonian Church in giving.
1. They gave to the
sacrificially and liberally
( 2 Corinthians 8:
1-2 ) 1
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the
churches of Macedonia;
2 How that in a great trial of
affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the
riches of their liberality.
2. They give willingly and readily and abundantly.
( 2 Corinthians 8:
12-14 ) 12 For if
there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and
not according to that he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men
be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at
this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance
also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
3. They gave cheerfully and abundantly with the purpose of their heart
in giving.
( 2 Corinthians 9
: 6-7 ) 6 But this I say, He which soweth
sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap
also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for
God loveth a cheerful giver.
4. Great promises of God to faithful Christians in giving.
( 2 Corinthians 9:
8-11 ) 8 And God
is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all
sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath
dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for
ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to
the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and
increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing
to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
* Challenge in to Christians in their faithful giving to the Lord.
( Acts 20:35 ) I have shewed you all things, how
that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of
the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
* ( Malachi 3:10-12
) 10 Bring
ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house,
and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the
windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room
enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer
for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither
shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of
hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you
blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
* To God be the glory for all faithful Christian in giving.
* Paul as a faithful Missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ was very
thankful to the Philippian Church who supported him in the Mission work.
( Philippians
4:15-16 ) 15 Now ye
Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and
receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye
sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift:
but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I
am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you,
an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all
your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
* Praise the Lord for faithful supportive Church to the needs of the
Church and to the Mission work.
3. THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH WHO SHOWED THE FAITH OF THE
GOSPEL BY FAITHFULNESS IN SERVING THE LORD.
( 1 Thessalonians
1:1-7 ) 1 Paul,
and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in
God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from
God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for
you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your
work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your
election of God.
5 For our gospel came not unto you
in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;
as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And ye became followers of us,
and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the
Holy Ghost:
7 So that ye were ensamples to all
that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
* Paul gave a good comment to the faithfulness of the Thessalonica of
their service to the Lord.
( 1 Thessalonians
1:2-3 ) 2 We give
thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your
work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
* Paul was very thankful to the Lord the Thessalonians good testimony in
serving Lord.
( 1 Thessalonians 1:
5-9 ) 5 For our
gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy
Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you
for your sake.
6 And ye became followers of us,
and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the
Holy Ghost:
7 So that ye were ensamples to all
that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 For from you sounded out the
word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your
faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
9 For they themselves shew of us
what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God;
* Good testimony while serving the Lord faithfully.
1. They were zealous and dedicated
in their service to God.
(1 Thessalonians 1:3 ) Remembering without ceasing your
work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
2.They good followers of Christ
and of God servant.
( 1Thessalonians
1:6) And ye
became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much
affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
3. They are good example Christians in Macedonia and Achaia.
( 1 Thessalonians 1
:7 ) So that ye
were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
4. Paul testify that Thessalonian
Christians are faithful and committed in their service to God and spread their
faith to the whole region.
(1Thessalonians 1 :8
) For from
you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also
in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to
speak any thing.
* Challenge to faithful service to God by the Thessalonians Church. They continue serving the Lord till Jesus
comes.
(1 Thessalonians
1:10 ) And to
wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which
delivered us from the wrath to come.
* Challenge to faithful serving God till Jesus comes. Big amen and
amen!!!
4. THE SOULWINNERS OF THE LORD JESUS SHOWED TO STRIVE THE
GOSPEL OF CHRIST WITH COURAGE AND BOLDNESS.
( Acts 5: 17-20 ) 17 Then the high priest rose up,
and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees ,) and
were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the
apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by
night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the
temple to the people all the words of this life.
* The Soulwinners of the Lord Jesus strive the faith of the gospel even
there is great threat in their lives.
1. They were imprisoned but still they continue spreading the gospel
Christ without fear.
(Acts 5:17-18 ) 17 Then the high priest rose up,
and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees ,) and
were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the
apostles, and put them in the common prison.
2. The Lord send Angel to help them to escape from prison house.
( Acts 5:19 But the angel of the Lord by night
opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
3. God commanded them to continue to preach and share the gospel of to
the lost people in the Community.
( Acts 5:20 ) 20 Go, stand and speak in the
temple to the people all the words of this life.
4. The enemy of the gospel continue to warn and stop them to preach the
Name of Christ in the Community.
( Acts 5:26-28 ) 26 Then went the captain with the
officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest
they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them,
they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly
command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled
Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
5. Peter and others disciples answered the authority.
( Acts 5:29) 29 Then Peter and the other
apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
6. The great results of boldness and courageous soulwinning of Jerusalem
Church.
( Acts 2:41 ) 41 Then they that gladly received
his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls.
* ( Acts 5:6-7) 4 But we will give ourselves
continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole
multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,
and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a
proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set before the
apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased;
and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great
company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
* Conclusion
CHURCH LET'S STRIVE TOGETHER THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST.
1. IN OUR WORSHIP TO GOD.
2 IN OUR GIVING TO GOD.
3.IN OUR SERVICE TO GOD
4.IN OUR SOULWINNING TO THE LOST WORLD.
* To God Be the Glory.
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