The advance of the Gospel

Philippians 1:1–2 (ESV)

1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

You live your best life NOW in Christ.

Best doesn’t equal easy.

Author of Philippians: Paul

Purpose of Philippians: A book full of Joy and Thanksgiving. A book about contentment

Historical perspective: Who was he writing to - Acts 16

Lydia, Demon Possessed girl, a local jailer who was saved

Last week we talked about adding some essential ingredients in order to live your best life:

Prayer and Thanksgiving, Gospel Partnership, and Overflowing Love

Key verse 13.

Hardship translates to advancement for the Gospel.

Motives for preaching the Gospel.

Philippians 1:12–18 (ESV)

12 I want you to know, brothers, 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 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 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. Yes, and I will rejoice,

PRAYER

12 I want you to know, brothers, 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 and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.

What has happened to him? - Set up the Jail booth

Living in Christ uses every circumstance as an opportunity to advance the gospel.

What perspective do I take on what is happening in my life?

Ever feel “stuck” somewhere?

Is it possible, maybe even probable God has you there for his purpose?

Paul wanted to go to Rome, but not in chains! Years ago I preached a sermon: EVERY OBSTACLE IS AN OPPORTUNITY

Being in jail actually gave him access to people he wouldn’t have had access to otherwise

14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Living in Christ emboldens others to advance the gospel.

Heather and I watched a documentary the other The Jesus Music -

Billy Graham - so many things you could say about this man of God that are inspiring

One of the things he did was have courage to do the hard things (DC Talk, MWS)

People’s stories (testimonies) aren’t meant to just make us feel good, they’re meant to motivate us to move

Why do we say “I could never do that...”

It’s not about how small we are, it’s about how big our God is!

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.

Envy - properly, strong feeling (desire) that sours, due to the influence of sin; (figuratively) the miserable trait of being glad when someone experiences misfortune or pain.

Green with envy - Long ago, the Greek associated a green complexion with sickness, fear, jealousy, and overproduction of bile in stomach, which gives us a clear image of the origination of the idiom “green with envy.”

It is believed that William Shakespeare made this association popular in Othello as:

“Beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on …”

Proverbs 14:30 “30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”

Inside out character - Envy

There are some things that could land you in jail physically as a follower of Christ, but envy will put you in a spiritual prison if not managed and dealt with!

Rivalry - competition - We will get to that in a bit!

Good will - he didn’t say they were doing it perfectly rather that their motives were right!

Motives matter!

Poisoning others

What you talk about with people matters

Who you talk about with other people matters

How you talk about others with others matters

What’s happening under the surface will bubble up

Heart issue

Do we rejoice when other’s suffer? Actually, are we hoping they suffer?!?

So what’s the answer?

18 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,

Living in Christ celebrates the advance of the gospel.

We aren’t in competition (don’t have rivalry) with other churches, we are in competition with the enemy that souls might be snatched from eternal separation from God.

THE MAIN THING IS THE MAIN THING - LIFE IN CHRIST!

For myself and those around me

Do I get it?

What is my it?

That thing that burns in my belly?

That thing that consumes my thoughts and actions?

That thing I want to be known for?

The example Paul gave was that the only thing that matters what what He did for Christ, that’s IT.

13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.

He told the church in Corinth what IT was:

1 cor 10:31 - “31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

IS IT WORTH IT?

Is living like IT matters worth it?

Do I see how important IT is?

Graves into gardens