Philippians 1:12-18 ESV
12 I want you to know, brothers [and sisters], that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[f] and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word [of God] without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
“This is the Word of the LORD.” [Thanks be to God.]
“You may be seated.”
Philippians 1:12 ESV
12 I want you to know, brothers, [and sisters] that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
This is how Paul comforts these Philippians…
These people that he loves dearly.
He says…I want you to know that…
‘My circumstances actually have come about for the progress of the gospel…’
The spread of the gospel
The advancement of the gospel
The growth of the gospel
What are Paul’s circumstances?
Paul is in prison
Paul is in chains
Paul is suffering
Paul is saying…
The purpose of my suffering is for the progress of the gospel
What are your circumstances?
What are you currently struggling with?
What is the weight that you’re bearing?
What is your suffering?
God wants to use your suffering…
To grow you in the gospel
To grow others in the gospel
To reach others with the gospel
God wants to use your suffering…
To make you better than you could ever be on your own
God in His Word is giving us His mind
He is sharing with us His heart & His purposes & perspective
The question that we should ask ourselves when we suffer is not…
Why God?
Why me?
Why this?
Why now?
But rather…
How can I respond to this circumstance in a way that honors Jesus?
Help me!
How can I proclaim Your goodness, Lord Jesus?
Help me!
How can I declare Your faithfulness?
Help me!
How can I bring You glory…even in my circumstances?
In my suffering!
In my grief
In the midst of this horrible loss
In my pain
In my poverty
Even in my waiting!
Even in the middle of this storm!
There’s more
Paul is comforting them with the fact that the gospel is spreading
The implications of this
The underlying truth that we have to see…
Is that the motivating force of our life, as followers of Jesus…
Should be…
must be…
the growth & the advancement of the gospel…God’s kingdom
This is the mission
This becomes life’s purpose & goal when we see Jesus as He is
Matthew 28:19 ESV
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [into] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
I want you to know that…
‘My circumstances actually have come about for the progress of the gospel…’
For the advancement of the gospel
For the further progression & growth of God’s kingdom
My circumstances…
My imprisonment
My chains
My suffering
God is using to advance God’s kingdom
God’s church
God’s mission
This is God’s mission
Jesus prayed…
‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done…on earth as it is in heaven.’
The progress of the kingdom of God
The advancement of the kingdom of God
So that all of God’s elect children would repent & follow Jesus…
Living fully surrendered lives…
Life with Jesus
Under the rule & reign & authority of their King, Jesus
Life with Jesus
This is the mission
And it’s not just repent & believe & be baptized
But then it’s also…
Matthew 28:19 ESV
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [into] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
When we repent…
When we obey…
When we help others to repent & obey…
When we invite others into this Life with Jesus…
The kingdom of God advances
When we are facing difficult circumstances…
The storms of life…
And we choose to respond as Paul is doing here
We are pushing back the darkness
Jesus said…
“...I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Philippians 1:12 ESV
12 I want you to know, brothers, [and sisters] that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
Philippians 1:13-14 ESV
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard [praetorium] and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word [of God] without fear.
2 RESULTS →
The reason for Paul’s imprisonment…Has become public knowledge
The reason for Paul’s imprisonment…
which is because of Jesus (the gospel)...
Has been made known, far & wide
Most of the Christians in Rome have become more bold in their witness
Philippians 1:14 ESV
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word [of God] without fear.
Fellow Christians in Rome are more bold in their witness
They have grown in their faith & in their confidence in Jesus
The gospel is spreading
Acts 28:30-31 ESV30 He [Paul] lived there [Rome] two whole years at his own expense,[g] and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Paul is chained to a Roman guard 24 hours a day
Roman Christians are visiting him & he is teaching them & ministering to them
Preaching to them
Encouraging them
Paul is being fruitful in his difficult circumstances
Philippians 1:14 ESV
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word [of God] without fear.
Philippians 1:15-17 ESV
15 [In addition to these, some also] Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry [strife], but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
Some preach Christ…motivated by envy & rivalry – A
Some preach Christ…motivated by goodwill – B
Those motivated by goodwill…Speak out of love – B
Those motivated by envy & rivalry…Speak out of selfish ambition – A
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
18 What then?
How should we think about this?
What can be said about this?
How can we respond to the fact that people are speaking about Christ…
Both from loving motives & hateful motives?
Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
I rejoice!
I am delighted!
Because Jesus is proclaimed
Romans 1:16 ESV
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…
2 Timothy 1:7-8 ESV
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 ESV
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers [and sisters], as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV
11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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