Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now
My grandparents began the Bill Rice Ranch in 1953. The purpose for their starting the Ranch was because of their burden for their own daughter, Betty, who was deaf. They were concerned because even though they traveled the country and to some extent the world telling other people the good news of the gospel and how a person can have peace with God, their own daughter had never heard that. She traveled with them, yet she had never heard her dad preach because she could not hear.
I’ve told that story often because it is the beginning of the ministry of which we are a part, the Bill Rice Ranch. Last week in south Florida I told that story in a sermon, and after the service the pastor said, “You know, your grandmother was here years ago, and she told that story.” My grandmother died several years ago at the age of 101. It was her story, and her story has shaped my life in many a way. You may have never heard of the Bill Rice Ranch and it may not make any difference to you, but if you belong to Christ, there is a story that should shape your life. That is Christ’s story.
You see, Christ’s story shapes a Christian’s life. In Philippians 1, it is easy to see the governing influence of this first chapter. In verse 5, he says, “For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” He thanked God every time he thought of these people because of their fellowship in the gospel. In verse 7, he talks about the defense and confirmation of the gospel in which they had fellowship. In verse 12, he mentions the furtherance of the gospel despite the hardships that he had encountered. In verse 17, he talks again about the defense of the gospel. In verse 27, he says, “Only let your conversation [lifestyle] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.” They were to be in unity striving together for the faith of the gospel. So, it doesn’t take great concentration to figure out that what was on Paul’s mind was the gospel.
What is the gospel? It is Christ’s story, that Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and that is the good news, the gospel by which a person is saved and comes to fellowship with God. In verse 1 it says, “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus.” So, it is “of Jesus Christ” and “in Christ Jesus.” It is interesting to note that the Apostle Paul called himself a servant and these believers who were set apart were saints. They were saints not because of their work or effort, but because of the gospel. They trusted God to do for them what they could not do for themselves by the power of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
So, what story is shaping your life? Christ’s story shapes a Christian’s life. It should shape our fellowship. There are a number of things that I may hold in common with other people. I like certain football teams, activities, and foods. I went to a certain school and I have certain preferences. Some of those are not important at all and some may have a place of significance, but if I am not careful, I find myself being drawn to people based on superficial similarities and not on the most important thing, the gospel. Am I defending the gospel and not my own territory? Is my fellowship in the gospel and not in my own ministry alone?
In verse 12, he talks about the furtherance of the gospel. He says, “The things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” As he was defending the gospel, he was imprisoned for the sake of the good news of Jesus Christ. So, is my trouble because of my attitude, cantankerous spirit, dishonesty, or my own lack of virtue? Or is the hardship I face because of opposition to the good news the gospel? It is far better to suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong. It may seem unfair, but it is far better to suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong. So, fellowship and furtherance should both be for the gospel.
The Bible talks about the faith of the gospel. Our lifestyle, our conversation, should point to the unity of spirit and mind for the faith of the gospel, that is to say that my life should be a reflection of Who Jesus is and what He is doing in me.
Today, there is going to be a story that is the governing aspect of your life. It may be a family story or a personal story. Those may be fine, but ultimately Christ’s story shapes a Christian’s life.