Paul tells us “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,” (Philippians 1:18, ESV) and in this message we see the Apostle’s heart as he is able to rejoice in the fact that the Gospel is being proclaimed.
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Paul tells us “The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.” (Philippians 1:17, ESV) and in this message we explore what the Word has to say about this group and their motives.
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Paul declares “The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the Gospel.” (Philippians 1:16, ESV). This group acknowledges the fact that Paul is in chains for the defense of the Gospel and preaches out of love. Their whole motive is that they are always desiring what it best for others.
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Christians are sometimes hindrances to the spread of the gospel. Paul says “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.” (Philippians 1:15, ESV). But he goes on and says “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,” (Philippians 1:18, ESV). May we all have this attitude that Paul had in the face of opposition.
Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (19) Online Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (20)We come to this passage in Philippians ”And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” (Philippians 1:14, ESV) Where Paul says my chains have caused others to become much more bold [lit. "abundantly bold"] to speak the word [logos] without fear.
The Church has the truth of the Word of God. We are not to apologize for the truth but we are to speak it in love. Here is a newsflash for you - the world will hate you when you tell them the truth from the Word of God but we have no other option other than speaking the truth in love.
Fear is the opposite of faith and has no place in a believers life. This message is about speaking the Word blodly and without fear.
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“My Imprisonment is for Christ” Paul says “What is yours for?”
“So that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.”
(Philippians 1:13, ESV)
We looked at this wonderful passage in Philippians and talked about suffering for the Gospel. We also looked at God’s providence in the lives of Paul, Joseph and ourselves. Great message that needs to continue to be retold time and time again. May the Lord continue to use our suffering to advance His Gospel.
In Christ
Jeff
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“Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11, ESV)
Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (15) Online Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (18)Paul finishes his prayer with the end result. That all the believers would be filled with the fruit of righteousness, that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. We studied the fact that the Christian life is a supplied life, not a produced life. The Christian life must be supplied by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And since we cannot manufacture, compose, or produce the Christian life for ourselves God gets all the glory. (John 10:10; 15; Eph. 3:17-19; Phil 4:19). I pray that we would all be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus to the glory and praise of God.
