Gospel Gold Medalists (Pt. 3) - Sharing in Christ’s Triumph without Excuses

Philippians 1:27-30

27 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 the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 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. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

This is the last of a three-part series on Philippians 1:27-30 (you can find part one here).

My last blog focused on the excuses Paul warns against in verses 27 and 28 — making our faith dependent on our circumstances, others, or our opponents.

Let’s look at the rest of the passage and how Paul also warns against using our own lack of power or our own comfort as excuses to keep us from living lives “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Excuse #4 - Dependence on Your Power

One of the reasons I love volleyball is teamwork is required. It is really hard to have a ‘ball hog’ when you aren’t allowed to touch the ball twice in a row. This reminds us it’s not all up to us.

One person alone can’t win a volleyball game.

Even though it might seem like Olympic athletes depend entirely on their own strength, consider everyone working behind the scenes of our star athletes. They all have technical coaches, nutritionists, assistants, strength and training specialists, and sports psychologists.

They don’t have to figure it all out on their own, and neither do you.

Paul tells the Philippians their enemies will be destroyed, but “that [they] will be saved—and that by God” (v. 28).

It’s not up to them!

It’s always up to God. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Almighty One. There are none who can stand against Him.

All you have to do is BE. ON. HIS. TEAM.

So, stop making excuses about the size of your foe and make sure you are conducting “yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Excuse #5 - Dependence on Your Comfort

Athletes suffer for their sport. They put the needs of their team above their cravings for junk food and extra sleep. They push their bodies through pain and soreness. They work out for hours a day. They sacrifice their free time and constantly consider how their every action impacts the team.

When I was playing in high school, our coach prohibited soda and gave us a nightly curfew. He expected us to maintain high grades and hang out with peers who would be good influences.

If we didn’t like those rules, we didn’t have to be on the team, but he made it clear it wasn’t about our comfort. It was about the team, and it was our PRIVILEGE to ‘suffer’ in these ways to be on the team.

Can you imagine new players being drafted for a professional football team, and on the first day they show up, the coach asks them when THEY would like to have practice? He tells them if they ever feel a little tired, they should feel free to take a break. If they are doing a drill, he lets them know they are welcome to sit out if they aren’t feeling it.

Maybe he offers to fan them if they get too hot or brings them a space heater if it gets a little chilly.

Do you know what they call a coach like that? Unemployed.

Because no coach ever behaves this way. Why? It’s not about the comfort of the individual. It’s about the success of the team.

In verse 29, Paul says something STAGGERING. He says, “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”

Suffering is “granted” to Christians? Like a gift?

Welcome to Christianity! I got you a little present to celebrate. Have some suffering —here you go. I hope you like it!

How on earth could it be a good thing to suffer?

In the same way the USA Olympic track team has suffered to be a part of the team. It is their joy to work their bodies to be ready for the competition and be a part of that team.

The USA Olympic gymnastics team is composed of young women who worked for years to make the team. Of course, they have suffered. It is a grueling sport. Don’t you think they count it as joy to be on the team now?

Absolutely.

You and I get to be on an even better team, and what joy is ours that we have the opportunity to be on it.

We often think of suffering as martyrdom, but sometimes, especially where we live, it’s more like how an athlete suffers.

I suffer through giving my time because I want to live a life “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

I suffer through giving up my money because I want to live a life “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

I help the widow and orphan because I want to live a life “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

I invite the marginalized to my table because I want to live a life “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

And yes, as Paul says, “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). So, even if suffering looks more like imprisonment or death, even then, what joy is mine to be on Christ’s team!

Nothing is worth more than that.

If we want to win and share in Christ’s triumph, it’s time to not simply give up our excuses but to defy them.

We have to constantly fight our selfish self — the one that wants to be our own coach, listen to the world, and rely on excuses.

We can’t make excuses dependent on ANYTHING or ANYONE because if we are on the right team, and IF we are going to share in Christ’s triumph and get that gold medal for living a life WORTHY of the gospel of Christ, we are dependent ONLY on God.

And then, there is no way we can ever lose.

No more excuses. It’s time to suit up.