The Fearlessness of Heaven’s Citizens

Introduction

When John Crysostom was called before the Empress and threatened for his preaching, he gave this reply: “What can I fear? Will it be death? But you know that Christ is my life, and that I shall gain by death. Will it be exile? But the earth and all its fullness is the Lord’s. Will it be the loss of wealth? But we brought nothing into the world, and can carry nothing out. “Thus all the terrors of the world are contemptible in my eyes, and I smile at all its good things. Poverty I do not fear. Riches I do not sigh for. Death I do not shrink from. “And so if they banish me, I shall be like Elijah! If they throw me in the mire, like Jeremiah. If into the pit, like Daniel! If they stone me, it is Stephen I shall resemble! John the forerunner, if they cut off my head! Paul, if they beat me with stripes! Isaiah, if they saw me asunder.” Philippians 1:27-30 tells us that this fearlessness in the face of suffering is a mark of God’s people. Study the passage to learn why.

Observation

Pray

Before studying this passage in Philippians, ask the Lord to open your heart to hear His voice in His Word and to change your life based on what He shows you.

Read Focus Verses

Read Philippians 1:27-30. As you read, notice what themes tie the passage together.

Repeated

What word is repeated twice in verse 27?

Keyword - Gospel

Throughout Philippians chapter 1, gospel has been a keyword. In today's passage, it appears twice.

The Gospel

Mark the word gospel in today's passage.

Keyword - Suffer

This passage also speaks of suffering for the sake of the gospel.

Suffering

Highlight the words which refer to the suffering of Christ's people in Philippians 1:27-30.

Lifestyle

What is supposed to define the lifestyle of a Christian according to the beginning of verse 27?

Whose Gospel

Whose gospel is it?

Two Things

What two things does Paul want them to focus on so that they will have a testimony of living worthy of the gospel whether Paul is with them or not?

Opponents

When they are living in unity for the gospel, how do God's people respond to their opponents' threats?

Response

How do the opponents of God's people respond to the confidence that His people have?

Why?

Why are God's people confident in the face of suffering?

A Gift

What are the two aspects of the gift of salvation that Paul highlights in verse 29?

For Whom?

For whom are Christians willing to suffer?

A Model

Who serves as a model of this confidence and willingness to suffer for Christ according to verse 30?

Interpretation

Conduct

Take a look at the word Paul uses to speak of the way these Christians should live. It refers to the proper behavior as citizens.

Citizenship

This idea is further explained in Philippians 3:20-21.

Transferred

In Colossians 1:9-13 we see that a Christian's citizenship was transferred.

A Christian's Citizenship

What is a Christian's primary citizenship according to Scripture?

Sworn In

When did a Christian receive that citizenship?

Defined by the Gospel

Verse 27 tells us that the proper behavior of heaven's citizens is defined by the gospel. This webpage clearly and powerfully explains the gospel in just 6 words.

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Why the Gospel?

Why is the gospel the basis for determining the proper behavior of a citizen of heaven?

How Should We Live?

2 Peter 3:11-12 shows that the promise of coming judgment for the world should change the way we live.

How You Should Live

1 Thessalonians 4:1 is clear that there is a proper way for Christians to live.

Walking Worthy

Ephesians 4:1-3 sounds a lot like verse 27 in today's passage when it speaks of living in a way that is worthy of the salvation God has given His people. Notice how it summarizes this kind of life.

The Gospel's Impact

What kind of impact does the gospel have on a person's life?

Present or Absent

Just a few verses later in Philippians 2:12 Paul again emphasizes the importance of obedience whether your spiritual leaders are present or absent.

The God Who Sees

We see why Christians obey whether or not another person is present in Proverbs 5:21.

Evil and Good

Proverbs 15:3 further emphasizes this truth.

Do What's Right

Why do Christians do what is right even if no one else is there to see them do it?

Likeminded

We just read in Ephesians 4, which emphasizes unity like today's passage does. Notice how Paul brings this theme up again in Philippians 2:1-4.

One Body

Romans 12:4-5 explains why Christians are unified.

Unity

Why is working together for the gospel in unity so important?

An Example

In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 we see an example of a man who lived what verse 27 in today's passage commands.

Perspective

Isaiah 51:12-16 puts the persecutors of God's people in perspective.

Body vs. Soul

In Matthew 10:28 Jesus speaks of why His people don't fear people.

Counted Worthy

Acts 5:40-42 offers another perspective of the fearlessness of God's people.

The Spirit of Power

Notice how 2 Timothy 1:7-8 explains the reaction of God's people to suffering.

The Lord My Helper

Hebrews 13:5-6 adds to our understanding.

Reward

In Revelation 2:10 we see the reward of those who do not fear those who persecute them.

Do Not Fear

According to Scripture, why do Christians not fear those who persecute them?

3 Brave Men

Throughout Scripture we have examples of God's people who did what was right even though they knew they would suffer for it. In the book of Daniel, we are told of Daniel and three of his friends who worshiped God and refused to worship idols even though they faced death for it many times. In Daniel 3, we read about the three friends who would not worship an idol even though it meant they were cast into the fiery furnace. They knew that God was strong enough to protect them, but said that even if He let them die they would not disobey Him. Watch the story and God's wonderful deliverance of these men in this video.

In Your Words

In your own words, retell the story of these three men specifically highlighting their fearlessness in the face of persecution.

Different Views

Verse 28 in today's passage tells us that God's people and the world will interpret this fearlessness differently. Matthew 5:10-12 explains why God's people understand that persecution, and fearlessness in its face, is a sign of salvation.

All Who Live Godly

2 Timothy 3:12 ties all of today's passage together by demonstrating that the godly life called for in Philippians 1:27 will bring the suffering in verses 28-30.

Explain

Why is suffering and a fearlessness in its face a sign of salvation to God's people?

A Gift of Faith

Like verse 29 in today's passage, Ephesians 2:8-9 speaks of the faith to believe as a gift from God.

A Gift of Suffering

1 Peter 4:12-14 explains why suffering is a gift in the Christian's life.

Fellowship

Philippians 3:8-11 also speaks of the blessing suffering brings to the believer.

Count it Joy

This idea is built further in James 1:2-4.

How?

How is suffering a gift to a Christian?

You Saw It

In Acts we read about the persecution against Paul when he first brought the gospel to Philippi. The next place Paul went was Thessalonica, and when he wrote to the Thessalonican church he summarized his time in Philippi in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2.

You Hear It

In Philippians 1:12-13, we see that the church in Philippi had heard about Paul's imprisonment in Rome after his persecution in Jerusalem and Caesarea.

Encouraged

Hebrews 12:1-4 explains why it can be so encouraging to remember others who have suffered before.

Examples

Why does God record examples of suffering believers in Scripture and tell us to remember them?

Paul's Attitude

You can see how Paul's attitude about his sufferings is a good example of what he calls the believers to do in verses 27-30 if you read Philippians 1:19-26.

Paul's Example

What are some ways that Paul's example specifically could encourage a Christian who was suffering for their faith?

Application

Living as Citizens of Heaven

In what ways has this passage challenged you to change the way you live so that you live as a citizen of heaven, making choices based on gospel truth and standing in unity with other believers for the gospel?

Unafraid

Does the thought of persecution or suffering make you afraid? Are there some of the verses that you read today which you can meditate on and pray so that you can become bold in the gospel without fear of other people?

A Gift

Have you or someone you knew ever suffered for the faith (in big or little ways)? How can you change the way you've been thinking about that to reflect the truth you saw today that suffering is a gift like faith is a gift?

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study has challenged you to live like a citizen of heaven and never fear the persecution and suffering that may come in this world.

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