December 11, 2022 Worship Service
Philippians 1:12-26
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Philippians 1:12 (ESV)
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has
really served to advance the gospel,
I want you to know, brothers,
that what has happened to me
Acts 16:11–15 (ESV) - The Conversion of Lydia
Acts 16:16–24 (ESV) - Paul and Silas in Prison
Acts 16:25–40 (ESV) - The Philippian Jailer Converted
Acts 17:1-9 (ESV) - Paul and Silas in Thessalonica
Paul spends 3 Sabbaths reasoning with them with from the Scriptures
Many believed (including devout Gentiles / leading women)
and the Jews were jealous / they formed a mob
Ultimately Paul and Salas had to leave
Acts 17:10-15 - Paul and Silas in Berea
The arrive in Berea – Many believed
But Jews from Thessalonica leaned the Word of God was being proclaimed,
they came there too. Causing trouble
Paul departed for Athens
but Salas and Timothy remained in Berea
Paul Addresses the Areopagus
Acts 18 – Corinth – the Jews made a united attack and brought Paul before the
tribunal
Acts 19 – Ephesus – Acts 19:21 “…Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through
Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also
see Rome.”
Romans 1:9–10 (ESV)
Romans 15:30–33 (ESV)
Jews cause a riot in Ephesus – but to no avail
Acts 20 Caesarea
the Jews once again plot against him
eventually Paul sets off for Jerusalem
On his way to Jerusalem he calls for the Ephesus elders who come to him
Acts 20:18–24 (ESV)
Acts 21 – Paul arrives in Jerusalem
He visits James and the elders
shares the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
While they glorify God,
But some of the believing Jews are told that you teach other Jews to forsake the customs
Philippians 1:12-26
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Acts 21:23,24 (ESV)
Paul agrees
But while he is in the temple
Jews from Asia stirred up a crowd
Acts 21:28 (ESV)
He was dragged out of the temple
But before they could kill him
He was taken into custody by the Roman soldiers
Acts 22:25 – the Roman Tribune was about to have him flogged when he asks “Is it lawful for
you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”
Acts 23 – Paul is brought before the council –
Paul cleverly directs the conversation so that there’s a dispute between the Pharisees and
Sadducees about the resurrection
Later a there is a plot to kill Paul
He is then sent to Felix the Governor
Acts 24 we see Paul spends 2 years in prison
Acts 25 Paul appeals to Caesar
Acts 27 Paul sails for Rome and is ship wrecked on Malta
Acts 28 He’s bitten by a viper
Acts 28:16 (ESV) – where Paul stayed
Acts 28:20 (ESV) – wearing this chain
According to MacArthur Roman custom : guards chained every 6 hours
Acts 28:23 (ESV) - testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus
Acts 28:30–31 (ESV) – two years - proclaiming
The Philippian church sends Epaphroditus –
o Money
o Companionship
o Report back on his condition and the condition of the gospel
Paul’s Response to Prison
The effect on the gospel
Philippians 1:12 (ESV)
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has
really served to advance the gospel,
has really served to advance the gospel,
o We should note that advancement of the gospel of Paul usual involved
opposition
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 ESV But I will stay in Ephesus until
Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to
Philippians 1:12-26
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me, and there are many adversaries.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 ESV For you yourselves know, brothers,
that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had
already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you
know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel
of God in the midst of much conflict.
Acts 8:1-4 ESV And Saul approved of his execution. And there
arose on that day a great persecution against the church in
Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of
Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried
Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was
ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged
off men and women and committed them to prison. 4 Now
those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
Acts 11:19-21 ESV Now those who were scattered because of
the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as
Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one
except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus
and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists
also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord
was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the
Lord.
Romans 8:28 ESV And we know that for those who love God all
things work together for good, for those who are called
according to his purpose.
Philippians 1:12-26
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2 Timothy 2:1-9 ESV You then, my child, be strengthened by
the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard
from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful
men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering
as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in
civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted
him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according
to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have
the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the
Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember
Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as
preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with
chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
The effect on the gospel
The effect on lost people
Philippians 1:13 ESV so that it has become known throughout the whole
imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
so that it has become known
o not just because of his speaking the gospel
o not just because of his graciousness
o but he was suffering for Christ
throughout the whole imperial guard
o the praetorian guard
o the personal, elite guards of the emperor himself
o protectors of Rome
and to all the rest,
o everyone in the palace / even Rome
o if a revival hit Congress ( the white house staff) … we’d know
that my chains are in Christ;
o I’m a prisoner because I preach Christ
o Acts 28:20 – bound with chains
Acts 28:20 ESV For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see
you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel
that I am wearing this chain.”
o hal'-oo-sis - Short chain, placed over a wrist of a prisoner and soldier
Philippians 1:12-26
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o Escape was impossible … I mean for the GUARD!!!
Philippians 4:21-22 ESV Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The
brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet
you, especially those of Caesar's household.
The effect on the gospel
The effect on lost people
The effect on believers
Philippians 1:14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains,
are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
and most of the brethren in the Lord,
having become confident by my chains,
are much more bold to speak the word
without fear.
Paul’s Response to Prison
Paul Response to Critics
The motives
Philippians 1:15 ESV Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but
others from good will.
Some
indeed
o no doubt about, as surprising as it may seem
preach Christ
o These are not heretics
o They had the same theology as Paul
o Not Gal 1:6 ( not another gospel)
o 2 cor 4:13 ( the same Spirit of faith)
even from envy and rivalry,
o envy and rivalry– they were jealous of Paul’s giftedness, success, larger number
of followers, he had directly encountered Jesus
o MacArthur speculates about possible ways of attack:
they said that Paul had sin in his life,
or he doesn’t know how to tap the power to burst out,
or the Lord wanted him out of the way and we’re the ones you should
listen to
if he really a man of God, he’d be martyred long ago: he must be playing
politics
but others from good will:
o goodwill – the correct motive
v15) The motives
Philippians 1:12-26
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The love
Philippians 1:16 ESV The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here
for the defense of the gospel.
but the latter out of love,
knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
o They understood Paul was where he was because he was genuine
The attacks
Philippians 1:17 ESV The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not
sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
The former preach Christ from
o selfish ambition,
they are trying to promote themselves and not Christ
No wonder Paul reminds the readers …
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in
humility count others more significant than yourselves.
o not sincerely,
false motives
o thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment;
they wanted to hurt the reputation of Paul so they could be on top
Paul’s response
Philippians 1:18 ESV 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,
What then?
o So what!!!!
Only that in every way,
whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is proclaimed;
o Even if the motive is insincere, truth is truth
and in this I rejoice, yes,
and will rejoice.
o Continue to rejoice
Paul’s Response to Prison
Paul’s Response to Critics
Paul’s Response to the Threat of Death
Philippians 1:19 For I know
Paul is confident
Philippians 1:12-26
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NOTES: Paul’s response was based on…
The Prayer of Saints
Philippians 1:19 ESV that through your prayers
The Provision of the Spirit
Philippians 1:19 ESV and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, selfcontrol;
against such things there is no law.
The Promises of Scripture
Philippians 1:19 ESV this will turn out for my deliverance,
this will turn out for my deliverance
o His current distress is temporary and he’ll be delivered:
Ultimate salvation – by death
Release from court
According to MacArthur: A direct quote of Job 13:16 (in the original
Hebrew text)
His conscience is clear
Job 13:15-16 ESV Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I
will argue my ways to his face. 16 This will be my salvation,
that the godless shall not come before him.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
The prayers of the Saints
The provision of the Spirit
The promises of Scripture
Philippians 1:20 ESV as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not
be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be
honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
as it is my eager expectation and hope
that I will not be at all ashamed,
but that with full courage now
as always Christ will be honored in my body,
whether by life or by death..
Rom 9:33 = He who believes on Him will not be disappointed
Philippians 1:12-26
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Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
For to me, to live is Christ,
o He is the reason for being (not just the source of his life)
and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:12-26
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PAUL’S RESPONSE TO PRISON
PAUL’S RESPONSE TO CRITICS
PAUL’S RESPONSE TO DEATH
Paul’s Response to Life
Paul’s Dilemma
Philippians 1:22 ESV If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for
me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
If I am to live in the flesh,
o This does not mean being sinful
o But this means to live in this world
that means fruitful labor for me;
o to be alive in this world is to be engaged to fruitful work for Christ
o work for the Kingdom
yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
o To be with Christ / or to yield more fruit … it’s in the Lord’s hands
Paul’s Desire
Philippians 1:23 ESV I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to
depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
.
For I am hard-pressed between the two,
having a desire to depart
and be with Christ,
o He just wanted to be with Christ
which is far better.
Paul Devotion
Philippians 1:24 ESV But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your
account.
But to remain in the flesh
is more necessary on your account.
NOTE: for those who say when someone dies they sleep until Christ comes
Paul says it’s better to depart and be with Christ
Paul Determination (progress, joy and cause to glory)
Philippians 1:25 ESV Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and
continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
Convinced of this,
I know that I will remain and continue with you all,
Philippians 1:12-26
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for your progress and joy in the faith
Philippians 1:26 ESV so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in
Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming
to you again.
Probably released in AD63
And in AD65 imprisoned again
Only Luke was with him
His friends forsook him
And later beheaded