Paul's Epistles – Philippians - Part 3:
Chains Advance the Gospel
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
SERMON INTRODUCTION
Paul’s epistle (letter) to the Philippians
is very important to the Gentiles. It was written to the first church founded
in Europe (Acts 16:9-40).
Though not generally considered one of the
most remarkable or deepest books of the bible, it is considered one of the
sweetest of Paul’s writings.
It is more in the nature of a love letter
to the Philippians, who had excelled all others in devoted attachment to Paul.
Throughout this letter we get a glimpse into the apostle’s heart.
THE CHURCH
The Philippian church was noted for its
generosity. It had repeatedly ministered to Paul (6:15 & 16).
Hearing Paul was imprisoned in Rome they
sent help again by the hands of Epaphroditus (6:10 & 18), who,
however, was struck down on his arrival by an almost fatal illness. Somehow
news of this illness had reached Philippi, to their dismay, and on his
recovery, Epaphroditus was anxious to reassure them in person (11:25-28),
so Paul write this letter for him to take.
So this letter was written by Paul while
in prison in Rome, and given to Epaphroditus to be taken back to the church in
Philippi.
TODAY’S SERMON
Today we look at how Paul’s imprisonment
caused the advancement of the Gospel
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Philippians 1:12-26
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,
that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout
the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters
have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel
without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of
envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that
I am put here for the defense of the gospel.17 The former preach Christ out of
selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir
up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important
thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is
preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to
rejoice, 19 for I know that through your
prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has
happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way
be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ
will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22 If I am to go on living in the body, this
will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to
depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I
remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that
I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in
the faith, 26 so that through my being with
you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Paul opened his letter with a
salutation to all, reminding the church they were not 2 factions, there was no
“real” division, only a perceived one, created through sin.
He continued with thanksgiving
to God for them and a prayer for them.
He now explains how even his being in prison is for the glory of God.
The overall
message of this epistle to the church is;
“Christian unity to be maintained at all
costs”.
I. I WANT
YOU TO KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME
a. Has actually
served to advance the Gospel
i. God only causes the good in our lives
1. James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from
above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change
like shifting shadows.”
ii. However, God does use bad things in our lives for
good!
1. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose.”
iii. We have seen this throughout the bible when bad
things have happened, and God turns them for good.
1. Israelites enslaved, Moses frees and displays the
power of God to all of Egypt
2. Remember, things will work out for His Purpose…this
does not mean everything will always be pleasant in our eyes or
understanding…but what was meant for evil will work out for God’s purpose.
a. i.e. Judas’ betrayal
i.
God did not cause this; we know from the Word that Satan entered him.
ii.
Turning Jesus in was supposed to serve Satan’s evil purpose, however,
going to the Cross was God’s plan all along…and Judas (as well as Satan)
unknowingly worked their evil to God’s purpose in Jesus’ life.
b. As a result, it
has become clear throughout the whole palace guard
i. Being in prison was not pleasant, or God’s will for Paul
ii. However, God turned it to serve His purpose, which
is the first of God’s Will
1. That ALL men are saved & receive the Holy
Spirit
2. That ALL Preach the Gospel to everyone
3. That you receive Gifts and Fruits to enable you to
fulfill the 2nd Will of God
c. Because of my
chains others are encouraged to be confident in the Lord and proclaim the
Gospel without fear
i. Positive outcome in a bad situation, though still unpleasant
II. IT IS
TRUE SOME PREACH CHRIST OUT OF ENVY AND RIVALRY
a. But others out
of goodwill (motivation)
i. Remember, motivation is EVERYTHING to God!
1. Scripture says that Sin as well as Salvation take
place in the heart of man
2. The result of your actions weigh far less than the
motivation behind them
ii. Luke 18:9-14
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down
on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two
men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax
collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by
himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other
people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I
fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would
not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy
on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went
home justified before God.
For all those who exalt themselves will be
humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
iii. On the outside it appears as though the Pharisee, a
teacher of God’s Word was righteous…his outward actions were correct, yet his
heart was full of sin.
b. Those that
preach Christ out of goodwill, do so out of love
i. Their motivations are love, and therefore they are justified before
God.
c. The former
preach Christ out of selfish ambition
i. And therefore, they are not justified before God
III. I WILL
CONTINUE TO REJOICE THOUGH
a. I know through
your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what happened
to me will result in my deliverance (vindication / salvation)
i. Paul knows that whatever takes place, it will be for the Glory of God,
and to further His Purpose and Will!
b. I eagerly
expect and hope I will not be ashamed, but have courage and Christ will be
exalted
i. Whether by life or death
1. How would h be ashamed? If he stopped thinking of
Christ and His purpose, and cared more for his own life.
2. Paul wanted to be brave for Christ whether he was called
to live or die.
3. A martyr will exalt Christ even with his last
breath
c. For me, to live
is Christ, and to die is gain
i. Paul stating
that living must be living for Christ, however dying would be greater to him
because he would be with the Lord
ii. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful
labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
iii. I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more
necessary for you that I remain in the body.
CONCLUSION – convinced of this, i know i will remain
And I will continue with all of you for your
progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your
boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
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