Living for Christ, Trusting in Christ, Suffering for Christ

  • Pastor Josh Smith
In a world filled with distractions and self-centered pursuits, how do we ensure our lives reflect the purpose for which Christ came? This message challenges us to examine whether our daily actions align with the mission of Jesus, urging us to live as citizens of heaven, even amidst trials. Discover how Paul’s imprisonment reveals the true essence of living for Christ and the joy found in suffering for His sake.

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Living for Christ, Trusting in Christ, Suffering for Christ

Message Summary
In a world filled with distractions and self-centered pursuits, how do we ensure our lives reflect the purpose for which Christ came? This message challenges us to examine whether our daily actions align with the mission of Jesus, urging us to live as citizens of heaven, even amidst trials. Discover how Paul’s imprisonment reveals the true essence of living for Christ and the joy found in suffering for His sake.
Key Scripture
“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.”
Philippians 1:21-22 NLT
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: Understanding Our True Citizenship

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Devotional: As believers, our true citizenship is in heaven. This means our values, actions, and priorities should reflect the kingdom of God, not the temporary pleasures of this world. Paul reminds us that while many live as enemies of the cross, our focus should be on Christ and His return. Living as citizens of heaven requires us to pattern our lives after Christ and those who exemplify His teachings.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean to you to be a citizen of heaven?
  2. How can you pattern your life more closely after Christ?
  3. What earthly desires or habits might be hindering your heavenly focus?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deeper understanding of your identity as a citizen of heaven.
  2. Ask God to reveal any areas in your life that need to align more with His kingdom values.

Day 2

Day 2: Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30 NLT

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

Devotional: Paul calls us to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and purpose. This involves courage in the face of opposition and recognizing the privilege of suffering for Christ. Our conduct should reflect the transformative power of the gospel, serving as a testimony to others and a sign of our salvation.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel in your daily life?
  2. What does standing together with one spirit and purpose look like in your community?
  3. How can you view suffering for Christ as a privilege?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for strength and courage to live a life worthy of the gospel.
  2. Ask God to help you see suffering for Christ as a privilege and an opportunity for growth.

Day 3

Day 3: The Joy of Suffering for Christ

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16 NLT

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

Devotional: Suffering for Christ is not a sign of failure but a partnership with Him in His suffering. Peter encourages us to rejoice in trials, knowing they bring us closer to Christ and His glory. When we bear the name of Christ, we are blessed, and the Spirit of God rests upon us. Our suffering should be for righteousness, not wrongdoing, and we should praise God for the privilege of being called by His name.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you find joy in suffering for Christ?
  2. What does it mean to be a partner with Christ in His suffering?
  3. How can you praise God in the midst of trials?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the ability to rejoice in trials and see them as a partnership with Christ.
  2. Ask God to help you praise Him even in difficult circumstances.

Day 4

Day 4: Unity in the Body of Christ

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 NLT

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

Devotional: Unity in the body of Christ is essential for living a life worthy of our calling. Paul urges us to be humble, gentle, and patient, making allowances for each other’s faults out of love. We are called to maintain unity in the Spirit, recognizing that we are one body with one hope, one Lord, and one God. This unity reflects the peace and love of Christ to the world.

Response Questions:

  1. How can you contribute to unity in the body of Christ?
  2. What does it mean to make allowances for each other’s faults out of love?
  3. How can you lead a life worthy of your calling?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for humility, gentleness, and patience in your interactions with others.
  2. Ask God to help you maintain unity in the Spirit and reflect His peace and love.

Day 5

Day 5: Bearing Fruit for Christ

Scripture: John 15:1-8 NLT

I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

Devotional: Bearing fruit for Christ is a sign of true discipleship and brings glory to God. Jesus teaches that we must remain in Him to be fruitful, as He is the vine and we are the branches. Our connection to Christ is essential for producing the fruit of the Spirit and fulfilling our purpose. The Father, as the gardener, prunes us to increase our fruitfulness, and we must remain in His love and word to thrive.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean to remain in Christ, and how can you do this daily?
  2. How has God been pruning you to increase your fruitfulness?
  3. What fruit of the Spirit is most evident in your life, and what needs more growth?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deeper connection with Christ and the ability to remain in Him daily.
  2. Ask God to help you bear much fruit for His glory and to embrace His pruning process.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

    • Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to the message of living a Christ-centered life.Introduction: Briefly summarize the sermon, highlighting Paul’s message from Philippians about living a life worthy of the gospel, even in the face of trials. Emphasize the importance of aligning our lives with Christ’s mission and the joy found in suffering for His sake.Discussion Questions:
      1. What does it mean to live as a citizen of heaven?
        • Context: The sermon emphasized that our true citizenship is in heaven, and we should live as if we are already there. This means our actions, decisions, and desires should reflect the values of the kingdom of heaven.
        • Follow-up: How can we practically live out our heavenly citizenship in our daily lives?
      2. How can we ensure that our lives are centered on Christ?
        • Context: The pastor challenged us to examine whether our daily actions align with the mission of Jesus. Paul’s life, even in prison, was focused on preaching Christ, regardless of personal cost.
        • Follow-up: What are some practical steps we can take to keep Christ at the center of our lives?
      3. What are some areas in your life that may not align with living for Christ?
        • Context: The sermon encouraged self-reflection on parts of our lives that might not reflect Christ’s purpose. This involves dying to self and allowing Christ to be at the forefront.
        • Follow-up: How can we surrender these areas to God and seek His guidance in transforming them?
      4. How do we find joy in suffering for Christ?
        • Context: Paul found joy in his suffering because it furthered the gospel. The sermon highlighted that suffering for Christ is a privilege and a sign of our heavenly citizenship.
        • Follow-up: Can you share a time when you experienced joy in the midst of suffering for your faith?
      5. How can we support each other in living out our faith boldly?
        • Context: The sermon stressed the importance of unity and standing together in one spirit and purpose. Paul encouraged the Philippians to fight together for the faith.
        • Follow-up: What are some ways we can encourage and support one another in our group to live boldly for Christ?

      Closing Activity: Encourage group members to write down one area they want to surrender to Christ and one way they can support a fellow group member in their faith journey. Share these with the group if comfortable.

      Closing Prayer: Conclude with a prayer asking God to help each member live as a citizen of heaven, to find joy in suffering for Christ, and to support one another in their faith journey.

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