Advance the Gospel
Notes
Transcript
Philippians 1:12-13 (CSB)
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ.
Here Paul is, sitting in prison, and he is looking at things from a perspective that is beyond his present situation. He is in prison. Not a glamorous place. Not the kind of place that we look forward to going. Usually when people find themselves in prison, it is not the best days of their life.
BUT when you are adopting the same mind as Christ, your situation does not dictate your mindset.
Paul says, being in prison has not slowed down the Advancement of the Gospel. As a matter of fact, everyone here knows I am here because I AM A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST.
This is a powerful statement, and it shows the sovereignty of God.
How does it show God’s Sovereignty?
Because despite human efforts, the Gospel Advances! No human can thwart the plans of God.
And to take it further, Paul says that everyone in prison, even the guards, know that the only reason he is in prison is because of religious persecution.
Now this is important because ROME has no care about the citizens religious endeavours. So why is he in prison? It would give the people things to think about. But they would know without a shadow of a doubt that this man stood for what he believed. They would ask questions.
Paul’s situation would lead to opportunities to share the Gospel.
Listen, we can often let our situations and circumstances cause us to have periods of doubt and depression. We can be overwhelmed by the afflictions of the world. That is our flesh.
What did Christ say about our Flesh?
The spirit is willing but the FLESH is weak.
This is speaking of the HUMAN spirit. How do I know that? Because Jesus said those words before the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the believers. Now, if you are a follower of Christ, you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you. This means that we need to realize that we do not continue on our own strength, our spirit is powered by the HOLY Spirit.
So was Paul’s! AMEN!
So the same strength that allowed Paul to have a SPIRIT that overpowered the weakness of his flesh, that same power is inside of you and me! AMEN!
Paul is going to teach us to change our mindset so that we can be empowered by the Holy Spirit and see through the lens of God’s Glory.
Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly.
Here is another example of how God can work all things for the good of His children.
Paul is in prison. He is standing firm. He is encouraging others.
And those who are not in prison are gaining confidence.
Not only are the confident in their faith, but they are speaking the WORD OF GOD FEARLESSLY!
So they GAINED CONFIDENCE. Have you ever witnessed someone go through something and their disposition through it gave you strength and confidence? Maybe they were going through something that should have broke them, but the way they carried themself made you stronger?
That’s God shining through them! That is what I call SPIRITual Enrichment.
It’s like being a walking spiritual watering can! Just walking down the roads of this world, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and the glory of God just flowing through you out to those around you, giving encouragement and life!
And that often leads to boldness for the Lord in other people. They begin to speak the Word fearlessly.
What does it look like to speak the WORD Fearlessly?
Simply put, it is the courage to tell other people about the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST! Not caring who says what, or who may be offended!
And we need that today! We need to stop being afraid of what other people may say, or what other people may do, or what harm may come our way - God has called us to make disciples, and this means we have to open our mouths and speak the name of Jesus and RIGHTLY HAND HIS WORD!
To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.
Preaching out of COMPETITION!
This is a reality. Paul knew it. We see it.
Some people - televangelists - they see a way to make the dollar.
Some people - jealous - study all kinds of public speaking and want to be the best preacher.
WHY?
Well, everyone knew who Paul was. His name was famous. And we all know there are people who just HAVE To be the center of attention. They just HAVE to be known.
Or they preach just to cause trouble. Manipulating the Word of GOD for selfish desires.
That seems like it should be frustrating.
But there are those who preach the Gospel not in competition, but in cooperation!
COOPERATION!
COOPERATION preaching lifts up those who also proclaim the GOSPEL! Let me tell you, being a PREACHER of the WORD of GOD IS LONLEY! If God calls you to step into the role of PROCLAMATION, and you obey - your world gets lonely. It shouldn’t, but it does. You learn to rely on God in ways that you never thought possible.
And then you pray for those who are in the calling with you. You preach to them sometimes. You feed from them sometimes.
Paul had an interesting lesson to teach us here.
What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED! And the Word of God never returns void - AMEN!
When the Bible is proclaimed, the Word of God will accomplish what God desires. We are not needed to save souls; God can save souls without us. So when those with selfish ambitions and false desires twist the Word of God, there is someone hearing the message and getting the right thing out of it. Or they are getting interested in the truth.
SOME way, God will use that!
Because HE IS SOVEREIGN!
My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
This right here.
Brothers and Sisters, we are to NEVER be ASHAMED of the Jesus.
Eager - earnest expectation - it means an intensely desired expectation with a high confidence of fulfillment.
Paul knows that his faith is in the WAY - TRUTH AND LIFE - JESUS and that what Jesus starts, Jesus finishes. The ultimate fulfillment - our union with Christ in heaven!
Never be ashamed.
Never be embarrassed.
Paul says - I WILL NOT be ashamed of Jesus.
I WILL NOT be embarrassed about my love for Jesus.
WITH ALL COURAGE - Greek word (parresia) the trait of being willing to undertake activities that involve risk or danger, especially that involve being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech.
Put that with the words before:
I will be bold and speak truth. I will not be ashamed of Jesus and I will not being shame to Jesus.
I will be BOLD and live for Jesus. I will not be embarrassed by Jesus, and I will not embarrass Jesus.
instead - Christ will be highly honored in my body.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.
Paul says: this vessel will be used to glorify God!
Christ will be highly honored in my body.
He will be held in greater esteem than me.
He will become larger IN ME than me.
More of Him - LESS OF ME!
In life
even in death.
