The Faith of the Gospel

Aim: To be well-grounded in the true religion.

Doctrine: The church is to act in ways consistent with her professed faith, whether this is convenient or not, so as to promote the gospel before the watching world.

Exegesis: The practical elements of the faith of the gospel: this faith is united (around our confession) (v. 27), courageous (in the face of opposition) (v. 28), and privileged (in prosperity and pain) (vv. 29-30).

Further application: How to accord our behavior with our beliefs: by ''standing fast'' on a body of good doctrine, we are able to conquer every foe we encounter.

Key verse: v. 27 ''Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel...''