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Paul sets two men as examples of what living for Christ looks like. These two men, Timothy and Epaphroditus, live worthy of the gospel. They show humble service in Christ. They are humble like Christ. They work for Christ. They think of the welfare of others. They serve with Paul in the gospel. They seek to advance the gospel. They stick close with him. They support and encourage him much. They are men of proven worth.

Paul is in awe of God. And Paul reminds the church that they should be in awe of God, too. Paul wants the church to set the humble work of Christ and the high exaltation of Christ like a banner before them. Paul shows them the glorious work of God in Christ.

With God’s glorious work in view, Paul urges the church to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. Why? Paul loves this church. They are his dear friends. They are his partners in the gospel. And whether he is with them or not, Paul wants them to obey God. Paul gives them two practical ways to obey God, two directives for working out their salvation. First, Paul tells them to do all things without grumbling or disputing. Second, Paul tells the church to be glad and to rejoice.

Keep this in mind is more than a nice slogan. It’s a constant and needed call for the follower of Christ to think and act like Christ. In the passage before us, Paul urges the church in Philippi to work at their unity. He’s shown that external strife is a serious threat to church unity (1:27-30), and Paul now shows that internal strife is a serious threat to church unity. Paul wants them to work together. He calls them to be of the same mind. What does Paul want them to keep in mind?

Paul wants to honor Christ always, and he wants the church to honor Christ. As he says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” By God’s grace, Paul is in Christ; the church is in Christ. And that makes all the difference. By God’s grace, He brings a marked change to those He calls. Those who are in Christ behave as citizens worthy of the gospel of Christ. They live for Christ.

By God’s grace, Paul has a godly outlook on his current situation. And though he’s in prison, Paul has great joy. He rejoices that Christ is proclaimed. How? What does that look like? First, Paul sees Christ proclaimed in a difficult place. Second, Paul sees Christ proclaimed in divided place.

To a church that started at a prayer meeting by the river Paul says he’s praying for them. His prayers flow. He lays out his prayers for this church that he loves deeply. What does he say? What does Paul pray? Paul prays for the church he loves. He prays God’s grace and peace to them. He gives joyful thanks to God for them. And he asks God that their love abound more and more.

There is a church that thinks they have no need. They say, “I am rich. I have prospered. I need nothing.” Jesus says that they do not realize how bad off they are. They have no idea that they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. This church seems like they are beyond hope. And yet, as hopeless as the church sounds here, Jesus calls them to Himself. He calls them to see how much they need Him.

Who is this One? Jesus is He who loves this church. Jesus protects this church. Jesus speaks to this church. He speaks words of hope. He speaks words of promise. He speaks words of courage. Here Jesus urges a faithful church with little strength to hold fast to all they have in Him.

For a church that has a name for being alive, but is dead, Jesus commands them strengthen what remains and is about to die. Most of those within the church of Sardis have no idea of their grave condition. And so, Jesus graciously urges them to become watchful. He commands them to remember what they received and heard. He commands them to obey. He commands them to repent. Jesus also warns them that if they don’t repent, then He will come against them suddenly.