3. The Gospel in Chains

Introduction

Philippians 1:12–26 (ESV)

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 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 honoured in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Uno Cards - flip reverse. Uno - cruel game. +2, +4, New one where you swap decks!

Frustrating playing with God - there’s an enemy fighting against God and His people. But God is never surprised, and His ways are mysterious. What the enemy plans for evil, God uses for good.

This morning we’re looking at how this mindset flips how Paul thinks about his imprisonment, and how we may gain something of the strength Paul demonstrates.

1. Unstoppable Gospel

Paul is writing them in prison. Questions of his ministry, whether he still needs support - opposition to Paul claiming it was stupid to get imprisoned in the first place. Some even becoming angry with Paul for shining a light so brightly on Christianity and making their lives harder than perhaps it needs to be.

BUT Paul says Philippians 1:12-13 “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.”

Chains/imprisonment and Advance - not words that usually go together! (proskopē (hinderance) becomes prokopē (advance)

What evidence of Advance? Opposition from outside: The Palace/Imperial Guard (and the rest) know that Paul’s imprisonment is for Jesus

KEY POINT: Most would look at a prisoner and conclude they were in Caesar’s chains; Caesar is Lord, they are at his mercy.

Instead, they see that Paul is in chains because of the Gospel, and his life is still very much in the hands of Christ. Paul had made a choice to stand up for Jesus, and so had chosen his chains. Paul, and the chains, were Christ’s.

Even more evidence from Paul’s imprisonment but it’s not all good, at least on the surface.

Philippians 1:15–18 “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,”

Goodwill - in Paul’s absence, preachers rise up to fill the gap. Joys of an interregnum

But there’s Bad will too… Preaching out of Envy and Rivalry, to harm Paul- competition in the Gospel?! Reprehensible character.

Truly Christians, true Gospel, but defined by different attitudes towards Paul.

And yet, even in this God uses their evil for His Gospel. Paul is unconcerned with his fame - only that the Gospel message is shared.

Looking for good within suffering is difficult to say the least - pursued casually it can seem dismissive of real pain and suffering, and Paul was truly suffering. But considered well it can give us hope in the most difficult of circumstances. Make room for the mystery of God.

My own story - suffering opened me to Jesus. Brought me here. Real pain, and real evil BUT also real blessing. Best and worst moment of my life.

Let us not diminish the pain and pretend it isn’t there, and be honest with God. Cry out to him, we are given good examples of heart-cry to God in the Bible for a reason. Casual engagement with the plan of God, especially by others, isn’t helpful. “all things work together...” the damage that verse does when used thoughtlessly.

But also, don’t let our pain become the focus of our lives - don’t let pain turn to bitterness, it easily happens. Keep hope!

MAIN POINT: The irony of the enemy's schemes is even with their evil intent they are still used by God for good. We don’t suffer for nothing, our struggles are meaningful - they are seen, and they matter to God. He is there, and you are not alone.

We’re in good company - ironic conquerors after Jesus.

2. Gain, Not Pain

Paul continues after reframing his suffering.

Philippians 1:19 “for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,” - What deliverance? Two options:

Physical - Like in Acts 27:34 (same word) during his dramatic voyage they would be saved from the storm. Indeed Paul says Philippians 1:25 “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,” - on the face of it he expects to be freed.

Salvation - Makes more sense with the language he uses:

Philippians 1:20 “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 honoured in my body, whether by life or by death.” Death is a very real possibility, physical rescue is not guaranteed.

His only concern is not his own pain or suffering, but that Jesus would be honoured by his life, and if needed, his death:

Paul’s pain is not his focus - it is the Gospel. He wants others to share in the joy and power he has found. And all of it comes from a thoroughly Christ centred life - Jesus as the focus.

Canterbury Cathedral - central and unmissable… or is it? Don’t notice it anymore.

A City shaped by the Gospel, Thomas Beckett, but now barely notices. The decay of time and the apathy of a historic faith. Forget the bricks, remember Jesus.

Don’t let Him become part of the furniture - centre your life around Him - it’s for our good!

Temptation - capture a better vision. Fear - capture a better vision. The vision is Jesus and the future He has purchased for us on the cross.

Philippians 1:21–23 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Genuine debate which is better! What vision! What did Paul see that we struggle to?

Eternity: “Everyman has two lives, and the 2nd begins when he realises he has just one.”

Time is limited, make every day count - but also a paralysing fear and need to protect.

Rephrase: “Everyman has two lives, and the 2nd begins when he realises He is immortal.”

Freedom, courage, boldness - you cannot defeat someone who is immortal.

Look at Paul, how do you conquer Paul?

Disciples 11 of the 12 killed. Paul beheaded outside Rome. Peter crucified upside down. James thrown from the top of the temple and beaten to death with clubs, all whilst praying “forgive them father, for they know not what they do.”

Ahead of you is eternity with Christ and deliverance from all pain, all suffering, all evil and opposition - life as it was intended to be. Keep going, hold fast, and look to Jesus and His love for you in all seasons.

If you want strength, power, courage and a light way of living - look to Jesus, His love and promises, and make Him the centre of your life!

3. Sharing the Struggle

But Paul’s life isn’t all about eternity, for there is much to be done here and now:

Philippians 1:24–26 “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

God used Paul imprisonment to set the Church on fire. In two specific ways:

1. Prayer - the saints are motivated to pray.

Philippians 1:19 “for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,”

Paul is supported “through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” helps keep his focus on his deliverance - his eternal life.

Practical help - financial aid

Spiritual support, prayer for Paul to remain strong and loyal to Jesus.

So pray for each other, not only for the practical, but for the Spiritual battle that takes place. There’s an enemy that wants us to fall. Stand together and pray for strength to keep Jesus at the centre.

We are never alone: Like Paul, Prayer and the Spirit of Jesus means we are never truly alone and can continue in the fight - prayer partners with the Spirit - together we stand, together we hold fast - even over vast distances.

2. Paul’s imprisonment inspired others:

Philippians 1:14 “And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

Paul’s imprisonment served as a lightning rod for other believers. They became energised by his imprisonment.

The example of other Christians - courage is contagious - when you fight it encourages the rest of us to fight.

“Blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church” - Tertullian. Persecution has the opposite effect, Church is China for instance, Iran, Baptists in England.

But still, Paul wants to remain with them in the persecution.

Philippians 1:24-26 “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

AND SO Paul is motivated to carry on for the progress of the Church - He would like to die and be with Jesus, yet he wants to stay support his friends. For suffering will come to them soon too - Paul sees this coming, and wants to be with them in it.

Conclusion

Partnering together for the Gospel - God used a situation that might have divided a Church, and scattered them, to unify them and inspire them.

Our prayer is to know Jesus, know His love, and support each other in making Him the centre of our lives!