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Continuing Joy

Philippians 1:12-26

Intro and Background

When Written?

Probably when Paul was imprisoned in Rome (prison epistles Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians and Philippians)

Why Written?

Gratitude for gift received

Spiritual guidance

Demonstrate Paul’s JOY

Promote Unity (Philippians 4:2 (ESV)

2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to

agree in the Lord.

Share about Epaphroditus

The Author (?s?)

“Paul and Timothy, servants”

(dolos – a slave, bond servant)

“… of Jesus Christ”

Paul alone probably single author…

note use of pronoun “I” not “we”

Why was Timothy mentioned?

- He was part of the team that founded the church (Acts 16–18), Paul intended to send Timothy to the church not long after writing the letter (Phil 2:19),

The Readers

“To all the Saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, together with overseers and deacons” –

Saints – who or what is a saint?

The biblical word for saint refers to consecration. ‘Holy’ –‘set apart’

Overseers - bishops

And Deacons – ministering servants

Officers in the Church at Philippi

The Greeting / Blessing

“Grace to you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”

This is a Common Greeting

Paul’s Great affection for these believer no doubt relates to the origin of the church in Philippi.

Paul’s call into Macedonia – Acts 16

The Holy Spirit direct – Acts13:2,4 to send them on the missionary journey

The Holy Spirit closed the door “forbids them…” Acts 16:6,7

The Holy Spirit calls them vision of a man of Macedonia – Acts 16:9

Marvelous things happened in Philippi! It was a Roman colony:

Lydia, seller of purple – hospitable…

Slave girl, demon possessed, prophesying about Paul’s ministry… but delivered from the demons.

The Philippian jailer… converted.

This background prepares us for Paul’s Confident Thanksgiving and Joy regarding this young church.

Philippians is no doubt the MOST PERSONAL letter of any sent to the churches!

Continuing Joy

Scripture Reading: Phil. 1:1-26

As we continue our study in the book of Phil. tonight we come to the portion where Paul begins to tell the Phil. of some of his experiences in prison. We find out many things about Paul and his work of preaching the gospel even while in prison in Rome. We can see by v. 13 that there have been some converts from his ministry... and when we compare this with 4:22 it would seem that Paul had a great deal of influence among the servants of Ceasar's household. Throughout all of his prison experiences... his continuing theme is Joy... Rejoice with me… even while in Jail... cf. Acts 16:25 singing and praying –The Philippian jailer is converted.

I. THE NEWS FROM PRISON IS GOOD. vv. 12,13 The Philippians no doubt had in their letter expressed their concern and sadness for the misfortune and troublous things which have happened to Paul in prison. Bat notice here how Paul turns this unhappy occasion (on the surface) to an occasion for Rejoicing and Joy. He wants them to understand these things...”that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (v1:12). This is not to say that there has been no suffering or discomfort... notice the reference to “imprisonment” “bonds (KJV) and again in v. 20 Paul makes it quite clear... that there is still the possibility of the death sentence. Yet in spite of this... Paul is convinced... that the will of God is being done. and the cause of the gospel is being advanced. Paul's trial in so far as it has advanced... evidently has made it clear that he is not a seditious disturber of the Roman Peace... as his accuser have falsely charged... but as he has claimed, he is a prisoner for Christ. He is in bonds for Christ... And this is being manifested “it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest…” (v 13) The situation then would probably be.... that as one guard exchanged with another... and is they talked bong themselves in their barracks… that soon the word about what kind of prisoner Paul really was became known throughout all the guards, and to all the others... I doubt if the guards had very many prisoners who rejoiced in the bondage as Paul did. Paul may have seen many converts in Rome as he did with the Philippian jailer in Philippi.

II. OTHERS ALSO PREACH BECAUSE OF PAUL. vv. 14-18.

Not only have the things which have happed to Paul (v. 12) caused the gospel to be spread by Paul's own preaching to the guards.... but also Paul's boldness has also encouraged many of the other Christians to be bolder in their witness. It would seem that the Christians in Rome were suffering some kind of persecutions at this time also... and when they saw how willing Paul was to preach Chris even while he was a prisoner... they also were encouraged to preach Christ... The term used here to preach Christ... should not indicate to us the common idea that we have of a minister preaching from the pulpit in a formal way... rather this is the response of lay persons... to witness to their faith in the Gospel... the Truth as they knew it. We see that Paul was having two different kinds of people who were preaching. Some for good reasons and others for bad. We are not told who these preachers with bad motives were... perhaps they were some from the Roman church who were not in sympathy with Paul’s preaching, and were jealous of his influence. The church in Rome was there before Paul arrived. Or perhaps they were even some of the Judaizes... but notice that even though their motives were unworthy... Paul’s reaction to their preaching is full of grace and love. He rejoices in that Christ is Preached. God has said... His Word not return void! However, in addition to those who “proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.” there y were also those others... Who preached Christ out of love, because they knew that Paul was in bonds for the defense of the Gospel. They were strengthened and encouraged in their preaching! What is the Result??? In all of this Christ is Preached. “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,” (v 18)

III. PAUL IS CONVINCED THAT ALL OF THIS WILL WORK OUT FOR THE BEST. Vv. 19-26

The word deliverance in v. 19 probably refers primarily to the idea Paul’s being delivered from prison… in order that he will be able to continue to serve Christ… There are two things which give Paul the confidence that he will be delivered… 1) the fact that they are praying for him… and 2) the ‘help of the “Spirit of Jesus Christ” no doubt the H.S. This is the only passage that uses this phrase… which would imply the doctrine of ‘filioque’, eg. The Spirit proceeding from both the Father and the Son.

Paul’s desire in all of this was that he Might make a positive and unashamed witness for the gospel of Jesus Christ. This was no new desire… and Paul says that this always his desire... v. 20. He is confident that he will be released... and yet it does not really matter for the same result will be accomplished no matter what happens... Christ will be magnified – in life or death! At the mention of this possibility Paul then goes on to explain a little of his ‘dilemma’ to the Philippian Christians. Paul in. his Christian experience is not above and beyond the many perplexing, problems and questions that often face all of us. In a very real sense Paul is here saying... “I wish I were dead! and yet we must member that he is not saying this in the way a non-believer might say this today. He is not despondent... he has not become weary of life; he is not desiring an easy way out of his problems. No none of these are the reasons that he says... “I wish I were dead”. No His reason is If he were dead then he would be at home with Christ. He faces the ‘dilemma’ of which he desires most to have. This is not a question of whether on choice is right and the other wrong. In this case both results are good and proper. It is rather a question of which is more desirable. A translation by. Dr. J.W.C. Wand brings this idea out... He renders it this way - “To me indeed life means Christ, and death would bring an added advantage. But so long as physical existence gives an opportunity of fruitful work, I hardly know which to prefer (See NBC, p. 1036).

The expression that Paul uses in v. 23 is a sea going Metaphor... the idea is that of a commander of a ship desiring to set sail in order to return to his home port and his family...and yet he knows that the best interests of the voyage may be better served by saying longer.” This certainly describes the position of Paul... and of every true Christian. What can be better than to be taken to be with the LORD? (Do we really desire this??? or are we still tied to the pleasures of this world!!!) And yet while we may desire to go and be with the Lord... it may serve his purpose better to have us remain here for a while longer and serve in the building up of his Church. Paul concludes that this is truly the will of the Lord and he is confident that he will be released so that he can come and be with the Philippians again. (v26) and also see chap 2:24. Notice in this passage Paul’s thoughts concerning the life after death. He has no thought at all concerning any intermediate state... or period of waiting to be with the Lord. For Paul to die - is to be immediately in heaven in the presence of Christ! The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.” Westminster Divines.

CONCLUSION

Finally, we see the theme of ‘rejoicing’ again (v.26). Paul is rejoicing in his prison bonds because the gospel of Christ is advanced (v.12). He rejoices that Christ is preached even though some of the ones preaching are doing it out of ill will toward him (v.18) and now Paul once again is rejoicing and speaking of their rejoicing... because he is confident that he will be released and be able to come to them again. This he says will make their rejoicing more abundant. (they are already rejoicing...) Perhaps from our study of this book we will be able to learn more about the subject of Joy and Rejoicing... Are you really Joyful??? How does a person really rejoice? some Just seem a bubble over with Joy. Do you? As you study search for things which caused Paul to be Joyful. How does he encourage rejoicing, etc.?

Philippians 1:12–26 (ESV)

12I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

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

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

15Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.

16The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

17The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

18What 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,

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

20as 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.

21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.

23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

26so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.