Unity and our Motives for the Gospel

Motives - why we do what we do.

They matter, because they really run deeper than the thing we do itself.

They can be the cause of what we do either continuing or failing.

There are all kinds of reasons that we might do a thing, especially a good thing. And there are probably as many, or even more, bad motives than there are good ones.

We can hardly ever judge someone else’s motive, so often we are left with just the fruit of what their action was. That usually is all the information we have, and that usually is all the information we need. Because when looking out at others, our aim in life is not to be the judge of their motive, but to maintain purity within our own heart.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Sometimes, though, we are clued in to see that there were bad motives for a good thing. And in those cases, we find ourselves in a conundrum. The good thing happened, but the reason was bad. So what should our attitude be?

Do we throw the baby out with the bathwater, and dismiss any fruit because it grew from a bad tree? Or do we focus purely on the fruit and dismiss any concern over the root?

In our text Today, Paul addresses such an issue as this, and specifically having to do with out motives for ministry - for spreading the Gospel.

Let’s read Phil. 1:15-18

It is easy for bad motives, like competition or jealousy, to sneak in to gospel work. When the focus of ministry is on Christ, there will be unity.

1. The Example of Paul and His Christian Opponents

A. The Situation - vs. 15-17

Some

envy

rivalry

selfish ambition

seeking to afflict

Others

good will

love

with an eye to God’s plan

Why does it matter? Paul’s place

set for the defence of the Gospel.

Apostle to the Gentiles

Paul and Ananias

Ananias called to help Saul, who was persecuting followers of Jesus even unto death.

Ananias, the normal excuses, but the Lord said

Acts 9:15 ESV

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Paul was a unique, special man called by God to spread the teachings of Jesus, to defend the gospel message from attack and error, and to clarify truths in the Early Church.

He had a very important role. That is easy to see from our perspective, but remember that things are not always as clear while they are being played out.

So naturally

some probably did not appreciate Paul for whatever reason

personality

mistrust because of background

style or mannerisms

And therefore

he faced opposition

often had to defend his apostleship

i.e. 2 Corinthians 11.

Keeping that in mind, this passage opens up to us, especially with one other detail.

Paul was not the first to take the gospel to Rome.

While he was in prison, other Christian preachers were there.

Some, evidently, who did no like Paul.

How might they have sought to harm him?

By boasting of more work, since he was in prison

By discrediting him for the same reason

By even speaking against Him to the authorities, some believe to the point of his death.

Why would they do that?

The human heart is capable of strange gymnastics when things like jealousy, rivalry, or selfishness are involved.

Layers of deceit, planning, covering. Knowing the truth, knowing what matters, but also holding closely guarded prejudices or pockets of unrighteous thought.

Notice what he says about them though

vs. 15 refers back to vs. 14 “brothers”

preach Christ

Does not address error in their message

Does not call them false teachers

We know Paul had strong words for those who perverted the message.

Here they didn’t pervert the message, they were simply against Paul as a person.

So, it is possible for genuine believers who really believe the Gospel to go off the rails, not altogether, but in the arena of their motives.

B. The Conclusion - vs. 18

Compare vs. 18 to Galatians 5 v 12, where Paul says he wishes those who were adding works of the law to salvation would themselves be cut off.

But here, he says “insofar as Christ is preached, I rejoice.”

pretense ..... truth

motives

This was a struggle within the body of Christ, but the message of the Gospel was still going outside of the body to those who hadn’t heard. In that, Paul rejoiced.

2. Our Outward Perspective toward Other Christians

Things that don’t Apply

we are not apostles, so we are not in the unique place of having new teaching revealed to us and through us

We should be careful of how much we are concerned with others opinion of us, as if we ourselves are pivotal to the success of the Gospel in our area.

Things that do apply

other Christians working within the same geographical area

Other Christians who have been here longer/shorter time than us

What our Focus should be

That Christ is preached

the Gospel

1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

That we are growing in love

vs. 9

love, which covers a multitude of offenses

that God is glorified

When those things are met, and are our focus, what can we do?

rejoice

Rejoice, when?

when we see or hear of a new Gospel effort by another church

when we see the growth or success of another ministry

when we hear someone speak well of “the church down the road.”

Rejoice, why?

because they are brothers, not enemies

because we are children of one Father, servants of one Lord, ambassadors of one Message

because there is rejoicing in heaven

cf. Luke 15 v 7

3. Our Inward Discernment of our Own Motives

This is important to remember, and this is the call to personal application on the other side of the coin.

We may perceive imperfect motives on the part of a church down the road, but we are still called to rejoice at their advancement of the gospel.

Like all other sins, we tend to be experts at detecting it in others, and experts in passing over it in ourselves.

What might be our bad motives?

from the text

envy

rivalry

insincerity

Philippians 2:3 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

What might be some other bad motives to watch out for?

Ego

Success feeds pride in disproportionate amounts

Judgmental Attitude

Using our knowledge of Christ as a means of standing over others in superiority

Social Status

Wanting to appear committed to Christ in order to fit in to a certain social sphere

Political Agenda

Using the Gospel to seek to advance an earthly kingdom, rather than the Kingdom of Heaven

Obligation, Pressure

Because we have to, not because we truly believe it.

Comforts

Inasfar as Christ is preached, there is room for joy.

Christ is the master of using all kinds of crazy, messed up situations for good

You are a work in progress

Assuming you truly believe the Gospel, that means that the Lord is working in you.

Philippians 2:13 ESV

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.