by John Davis

A Servant’s Gospel-Cause

Phil 1:27-30

 ²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, ²⁸ and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.  ²⁹ For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, ³⁰ engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. (Phi 1:27-30 ESV)

1. In what ways does Jesus set the ultimate example of being a servant

⁴² And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ⁴³ But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,  ⁴⁴ and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mar 10:42-45 ESV)

 2. Explain was Paul means by “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

 3. Define the gospel.

4. Does the following statement reflect your experience in the gospel?

 The Gospel brings us the most passionate love, the deepest mercy, the most magnificent grace, the most underserving forgiveness, and the greatest transforming power.

5. What should be some of the implications of the gospel and our experience of the gospel on a personal, church, and societal level?

6. What do these verses say about how Paul measured the value of the gospel in his own life?

 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ– the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

7. Why does the gospel and the cause of the gospel provide the best basis for unity in a church?

8. How do we ‘contend as one man for the faith of the gospel’?

9. In what way does the gospel and our experience in the gospel become a sign of judgment and salvation?

10. What are the two grace-gifts given to us on behalf of Jesus Christ?

11. Why do we fail to appreciate and value both of these gifts?

 12. Why should the cause of the gospel be worth living and dying for?

John Davis

On September 10, 1970 I came to understand the great love of God for me, a sinner and a rebel. That evening I received God’s forgiveness and a new life through Jesus Christ, who died in my place and rose again to offer forgiveness and new life. I have been senior pastor for over 30 years planting two churches in Buckingham, PA and Queens, NY and serving two other churches in Brooklyn, NY and Roslyn, PA. I am currently the lead pastor at Grace Church of Philly.