What To Do No Matter What Happens

Philippians 1:27-30

Jim Davis

There was an article in the St. Petersburg Times a couple of weeks ago that revealed that 70% of our children are growing up in single parents homes. It would probably also be shocking to discover how many of the two parent homes are dysfunctional. These statistics reveal that many people today grow up without learning effective communication and problem skills.

Conflict among individuals and groups is nothing new--the first family-fight ended in murder. In the 20th century, though, violence is worsening. Just this past week a woman pulled out a gun and started shooting into a McDonald's restaurant because her fries were cold. Child abuse has risen in three decades from 500,000 to 3 million cases reported annually.

When these people come to Christ and get involved in local churches, they are usually unprepared for the pressures of congregational life. Did you know that most unhealthy church conflicts stem more from relational problems than from differences over doctrinal issues?

Have you ever wished for one simple answer to all of life's problems? Have you ever wished that you could compress all the wisdom you needed for every conflict into one simple answer? The answer would contain the key ingredient to solve all of life's relationship conflicts. I've often wished that I had a simple answer to solve every spiritual conflict Christians face. It would be an answer that tells you what to do no matter what happens. The apostle Paul may give such an answer in the following verses.

Philippians 1:27-30
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-- and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. (NIV)

What To Do In Every Situation

Paul writes the answer in very simple language: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." What do you do in every situation? You live a life worthy of the gospel. Striving to live a life worthy of Christ's name is the only effective way to face every situation. This is the correct response no matter what happens.

The two great commandments to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and to love our neighbor as we love self, if fully lived out, covers virtually all relationship problems. This is what is entailed in living a life worthy of the gospel.

Gary Sweeten says, "Sometimes the ministry is more like herding cats than sheep!" I think this is because we bring our worldly ideals about how to deal with conflict into the church. The world teaches us to see every situation as a win or lose competition. Too much of our hero worship today is built around competitive winners who have little regard for how they win. When winning becomes the all-important issue in every conflict, losing is inevitable. Try imagining living in a home where each person is seeking to win his or her way.

The world may view compromise as the solution to the problem, but it also fosters the win-lose approach to problem solving. Compromise is where we are willing to lose to gain a little. Compromise may ask a person to give up what they believe in violation of their conscience. We don't have a right to ask a person to violate their conscience.

Romans 14:21-23
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. (NIV)

Living a life worthy of the gospel requires cooperation. Paul is attempting to teach the members in the church in Rome to live harmony with each other through cooperation. Cooperation is the attempt to obtain a win-win outcome. Cooperation is more difficult than win-win or compromise approach. Cooperation allows each person to win without offending the other. Cooperation is more difficult and requires patience, the right attitude, problem-solving skills, and the presence of God as he guides us to live worthy of the gospel.

A visitor was being shown around a leper colony in India. At noon a gong sounded for the midday meal. People came from all parts of the compound to the dining hall. All at once peals of laughter filled the air. Two young men, one riding on the other's back, were pretending to be a horse and a rider and were having loads of fun.

As the visitor watched, he saw that the man who carried his friend was blind, and the man on his back was lame. The one who could not see used his feet; the one who could not walk used his eyes. Together they helped each other, and they found great joy in doing it.

Imagine a church like that--each member using his or her strength to make up for another's weakness. That's what should be happening in every congregation of believers.

Determination and Conviction Required

A lifestyle that is consistent with professed beliefs is evidence of conviction. It takes determined conviction and courage to live a life worthy of the gospel regardless of circumstances. Paul writes, "I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." We must decide to live a life worthy of the gospel and stand firm.

Philippians 1:27-28
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-- and that by God. (NIV)

Paul speaks of standing firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened by those who oppose you. Too often when conflict arises it is so easy for Christians to say one thing and do another.

It takes courage and conviction to stand firm. It takes guts to determine to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ in every circumstance.

"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared." (Eddie Rickenbacker, Bits & Pieces, April 29, 1993, p. 12.)

We must not compromise lives worthy of the gospel. We must follow through on our convictions and commitments especially when it's tough. We must do what is right when we don't feel like it. We must stand up for God when we are afraid.

Deciding to live a life worthy of the gospel is not a spur-of- the-moment decision. It is a premeditated response to a situation that is likely to occur. This means that it doesn't matter whether other people stand with you in the crisis or not.

Only conviction can enable you to stand-alone. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the idol, it wasn't an on-the-spot reaction. They had previously purposed not to defile themselves. There were plenty of other Hebrews in Babylon at the time, but these three men were willing to take a stand by themselves.

Living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ is nonnegotiable. When the three Hebrews were dragged before the angry king, he gave them a second chance, promising to let them off if they would bow this time, but they were adamant about not worshiping a false god regardless of the consequences. Many modern Christians would have breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Praise God! He has given us a chance to rethink this!"

Trials come in many forms but they have one purpose. They reveal our character. The way you handle adversity reveals who you are and either strengthens or weakens your faith and character.

Paul is asking us to follow through with our convictions especially when it is tough. Do what's right when you don't feel like it. Stand up for God even when you're afraid. Make sure you don't compromise.

The courage with which the church holds to a life worthy of the gospel is the only hope of converting the world. Paul instructs the church in Philippi to contend "as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved-- and that by God." The only hope for converting those who oppose us is for us to demonstrate Christ's presence as we live a life worthy of the gospel.

Would you rather be a tumbleweed or an oak in your influence on others? That's the question posed by Galen Anderson, who wrote, "A man's life is like either the tumbleweed or the oak tree. Some people just grow like the weed. They are of no value in their youth, and as the years of life come they break loose and become a blotch on society. They have no useful purpose in life-- just drifters. Their loved ones will mourn their loss, but society will not miss them. Then there are those whose lives are like the oak. They have turned from the frivolity of this life and have invested in things that have genuine worth. Their influence for good will live on in the lives of others after they are gone. Their death is noticed because their lives were spent bettering the nation and the community. They will be missed."

We Should Contend for Unity of Purpose

Paul writes, " . . . contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." Paul speaks of contending for unity in times of trouble. I know that you have seen a lot of contention over your lifetime, but how many times have you seen a group of people contending as one person to live lives worthy of the gospel.

We must learn to relate to others in a healthy ways. There are some useful perspectives that will help believers as they learn to relate to God, each other, and the world in healthy ways.

We should expect struggles as we attempt to live for Christ. Paul writes, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." We must recognize that struggles are as inevitable for each of us as it was for Paul and the Philippians.

It is easier to respond more appropriately if we recognize that people will sometimes be emotionally volatile. Jesus expected Peter to deny him. He expected him to curse those who said that he knew Christ.

Luke 22:31-34
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." (NIV)

It would be a tremendous help if we would only try to understand that this is true with every relationship. We should expect conflict and plan to deal with it in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Dealing with conflict in a manner worthy of the gospel would promote the spiritual growth of every person involved.

Determine to have a peaceful presence. Knowing that conflict is inevitable when churches grow will help us to determine to have a peaceful presence when it does occur. We may not be able to control the responses of others but we can determine beforehand that we are going to live a Spirit controlled life. This will allow us to remain calm when others display heated emotions.

Philippians 2:3-7
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (NIV)

Deciding to exert a peaceful influence will eliminate rashness. When there was an uproar in the city of Ephesus over the gospel. An Ephesian official stood up and gave wise counsel. He said, "You ought to be quiet and not do anything rash" (Acts 19:36) Indeed, much trouble and regret could be avoided in our lives if we displayed the same caution and common sense when confronted by trying situations. Determining to have a peaceful presence would prevent rash outburst.

Paul is encouraging us to have a predetermined response no matter what happens. A conviction about an appropriate predetermined response will prevent spur-of- the-moment decisions. A premeditated response to a situation of conflict will allow us to make preparation for conflict beforehand.

While some matters should never be put off until tomorrow, others are of such a nature that they require a reasonable period of delay for judicial and prayerful consideration. Only after such thoughtful pondering can a proper course of action be taken.

Accepting personal differences is crucial in resolving conflict. It is incumbent upon those who wish to live a life worthy of the gospel to accept those with different viewpoints. Expressing acceptance of others without condemnation of differences pours oil on troubled waters.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (NIV)

Sometimes in order to exert a peaceful presence it is necessary to keep whatever you believe just between you and God. Paul says in reference to eating meat and not eating meat, "So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God" (Romans 14:22).

Discourage placing others or yourself on pedestals. I am afraid that many desire a pedestal instead of a place of service. It would be much better if you let the people you lead know that you are fallible; don't let them put you on a pedestal.

Les Christie said, "The less capable you are, the better it will be for those you serve--they'll have to come to your rescue." (Quoted in Youthworker Journal, Winter 1994.)

Jackson Wilcox related an incident from the life of the great Italian conductor Toscanini in the book 450 Stories From Life. During a rehearsal at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, the maestro offered some constructive criticism to a featured soloist. She was too proud to accept his help, however, and expressed her resentment by exclaiming in anger, "I am the star of this performance!" Toscanini responded wisely and firmly. Madame," he said, in this performance there are no stars." Wilcox commented, "Unless the soloists and the members of the chorus were ready to work together in harmony, there could be no symphony!" We can make no advances with only solo work. All of us, from the greatest to the humblest, should work together in harmony and devotion.

Do you know what is more difficult than not seeking to be placed on a pedestal? To live without the respect you think you deserve. Many of us could live without ever seeking to be put on a pedestal. That wouldn't be difficult at all. However, it is difficult to live without proper respect. In every situation we must emphasize the absolute need for healthy relationships.

Conclusion:

In the days of the French monarchy, a tutor was hired to instruct the prince of the reigning royal family. The young heir, who led an undisciplined life, often misbehaved. The poor plebeian teacher was frustrated because he didn't dare punish a prince. So how could he correct this delinquent successor to the French throne? After much thought, the tutor purchased a short piece of purple ribbon, symbolizing royalty and the color of old France. He pinned the ribbon on the lapel of the young prince's coat. Looking his student in the eye, he said respectfully, "Sir, whenever you behave in a manner unbecoming of the French throne and of the French king, I shall point to the royal color on your coat and make my appeal by that."

I would like to point Christians to a life worthy of the gospel as a reminder of how to respond in every situation. I would like to encourage you to stand firm and contend for unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.