Striving without Strife

I. Conduct worthy of the Gospel

Conduct that consistent and is not dependent upon the Apostle Paul being there and checking up on them to make sure that their conduct is proper.
    1.  God's law condemns the lost man 

    2.  God's law instructs the Christian.
        

II. One Spirit and One Mind

Throughout the Book of Philippians we can see that Paul is concerned about the unity of the Philippian believers.

    1.  Unity is a very difficult thing to maintain

    2.  Most human conflicts are rooted in selfishness or pride 	

    3.  Sometimes it doesn't matter whose right or wrong – Phil. 4:2

    4.  Our Church Covenant on “unity”. 

We also further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior, to secure it without delay.

III. Progressive Sanctification through Use of the Means of Grace

A.A. Hodge defines a “Means of Grace” as having these qualities:
    1)  It is something of divine institution
    2)  It carries with it, from Scripture, a promise of blessing
    3)  It is objective rather than subjective.

1.  The Scriptures are a means of grace – 2 Timothy 3:16-4:5;  1 Peter 1:23-2:5

2.  Baptism is a means of Grace – Romans 6:1-4

3.  The Lord's Supper is a means of grace – 1 Cor. 10:15-21; 11:17-34