Honor and Deliverance

Background

Transition from present rejoicing (12-18a) to future rejoicing (18b-26)

Rejoice connects vs 18 to itself

Rejoice that the gospel is being spread in Rome regardless of motivation. Rejoice for confidence in deliverance and honoring Christ

Prayers that I will be delivered 18b-19

2 kinds of deliverance

Transcendent salvation or temporal emancipation

Reference Job 13:13-16 ““Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.”

Hope that Christ will be honored 20

Unashamed

Shame brought on to family by kids, Our kids carry our name and are entrusted to bring honor to that name

Contrast shame of not honoring Christ with shame of being in prison and receiving a conviction

To live is Christ

Not perfection but the act of being perfected

tasting full joy

gaining in knowledge of peace

making progress for the kingdom

To die is gain

experiencing perfection

obtaining full joy

knowing peace

completed kingdom building

Matthew 13:44 ““The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

IT WAS WORTH IT