Characteristics of a true church

Pastor Ronald

Book of Philippians

Characteristics :
Philippians 1:12-30
1. A true church rejoices in suffering
- Paul preached a gospel of adversity
- Take up your cross of suffering, adversity (Philippians 1:29)
- I must be prepared to suffer for Christ's sake, we should not complain, question when we suffer.

2. A true church reinforces the unity (Philippians 2:1-18)
- Allow the gospel to transform your relationship to one another
- Demonstrate the gospel (Philippians 1:27)
- Defend the gospel (Philippians 1:28)
- The bible is based on right or wrong, black or white, not relativism

3. A true church is rooted in righteousness (Philippians 2:14-15)(Philippians 3:7-11)
- My life will become an instrument of righteousness
- My righteousness comes from my position in Christ (Philippians 3:8-9)
- I have righteousness of Christ in my life and my desire is to be cut off from sins by daily set apart my life for Christ. Make decision to do what is right (Philippians 3:10-11)

4. A true church is to resolute in partnership with God (Philippians 1:3-5)
- Koinonia = Partnership
- Whatever that happens to one affects the other
1. Concern for each other
2. Concern for the advancement of the gospel

What are some obstacles / hindrances to unity :
1. Self-Importance (Philippians 2:3)
- We have to think of others better than ourselves

2. Self-Interest (Philippians 2:4)
- We have no rights as christians because we are all sinners. We come by the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ
- Have the mind of Christ. Let the mind of Christ in us affect our relationships. Even though Christ have the rights He was humble (Philippians 2:5)

A. Suffering is normal for christians

B. Suffering is greater for believers then for non believers. This is due to the fact that we live in a fallen world and we are not given immunity. We suffer also because we are not of this fallen world, we will experience all kinds of things because the world hates us. We are social misfits because the world jokes are not funny to us (John 15:18-19)

C. Suffering is good for christian, Amen! (Philippians 3:10)

Suffering is good for christians :
- only when suffering is undeserved
- only when we have overcome the suffering. We cannot just come to a point of resigning to it, even the world can do that. For christians, we continue to rejoice. Yes, we are still going through, but all things turns out for good to those who loves Him. God knows we have the capacity to handle the situation (John 16:33)

Philippians 1:21
I know the hope that I have in Christ...... for me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.