Philippians 1:12-20

Greater Progress of the Gospel

Paul is in a Rome being held by Roman guards. We do not know if he was in the prison or under house arrest in Rome. More than likely he was under house arrest. Acts 28:16

Acts 28:16 NASB95

When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

He was sent to Rome because he appealed to Caesar in his trial for sharing the gospel. Acts 25:9-12

Acts 25:9–12 NASB95

But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. “If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”

While he was in Rome he was able to share the gospel with the Roman soldiers as well as anyone who would come and visit him. He knew that his message was going to move the roman soldiers to faith in Jesus. Not only this but the other Christians in Rome got bolder in sharing the gospel after hearing and seeing what Paul was going through for the cause of the gospel.

Application

Paul was more concerned with the progression of the gospel than he was his own personal convenience. His freedom was taken away and he could not travel and share as he had in the past. One might think that this would hinder the spread of the gospel but it didn’t. As a matter of fact it enhanced the moving of the gospel.

Rome was the center of the world. The more people he would share the gospel with the further it would spread. People would leave Rome and go home and share the good news with others.

The spread of the gospel should be more important to us than our personal convenience. People of significance are able to lead more people to Christ because they are intentional about sharing and putting their own personal preferences aside for the cause of the gospel.

Gospel Competition

While Paul was imprisoned some were trying to preach Christ out of envy while others were doing it out of love. The ones that were doing it out of envy were those who tried to lead more people to Christ than Paul. They would try to discount Paul’s apostleship and out do him in converts. They wanted to be better than Paul. If they could win more to the Lord they would see themselves as better than Paul. They wanted to lead people to Christ to glorify themselves.

Still others were sharing the gospel out of love. They had a burden for the lost and wanted them to come to faith in Jesus. They desired to advance the kingdom of God to bring glory to Jesus.

Paul was indifferent to the motive as he states in Philippians 1:17-18

Philippians 1:17–18 NASB95

the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Paul was more concerned about the gospel being shared than the motives of peoples hearts. The reason for that is the end gamer is the same. CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED!

Application

This is kind of the same today. Churches see one another as competitors rather than team mates. A bigger church appears to be the better church. They have more members, money, better buildings, programs, and technology. This may be true but none of that makes influence. It does make for more convenience!

Significance comes from making disciples. This entails leading people to faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrating how to follow Him.

Kingdom advancement is not a competition. All churches should be on the same team because we all have the same mission.

All churches are different and necessary. There is enough work for church to do.

When we get to heaven God is not going to ask how many people were in your church, or how much money you gave, or positions you held in the church. Jesus will ask did you do what I commanded. Matt. 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 (NASB95)

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Did you make disciples?

Exaltation of Christ

Paul knew that whatever happened to him that Christ would be exalted. If the Lord let him live in Rome, he would continue to share the Gospel. If the Lord decided to end his life, his death would serve as a catalyst for the spread of the gospel.

Paul was not concerned about his life as much as he was about exalting the name of Jesus.

There is no shame in the exaltation of Jesus.

Application

Our lives are meant for this same purpose. 1 Cor. 10:31

1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB95

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Westminsters Catechism

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man? A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach? A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

Q. 4. What is God? A. God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.

Q. 5. Are there more Gods than one? A. There is but one only, the living and true God.

Q. 6. How many persons are there in the godhead? A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

Q. 7. What are the decrees of God? A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.

Q. 8. How doth God execute his decrees? A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.

Q. 9. What is the work of creation? A. The work of creation is God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.

Q. 10. How did God create man? A. God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.