How to Maintain Joy in Ministry

OVERVIEW

Paul is thankful for those at Philippi who are partners in the Gospel of Christ. These are not merely believers who pop into Church on Sunday, nor are they the social butterflies who show up for the chip-and-dip social. Even amid their suffering and struggles, these hardcore followers experience joy, as Paul does. 

Paul’s desire, above everything else, is that the church’s knowledge and discernment would grow and abound in love and so be pure and blameless when Christ returns.

Much of Paul’s later letters focus on Christ’s return. In Philippians 1:6, we read of Paul’s great confidence that the one who began a good work in the Philippian Christians will not fail them; in fact, He is confident that He will complete the job when Christ returns. The good news for us today is that God is not finished with you yet. 

Philippians 1:12–18 ESV

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 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,

INTRODUCTION

Today, Paul turns the focus back to his current predicament in prison.

He gives us a greater purpose for his current predicament and how different people have reacted. Paul’s heart for the gospel comes through in our text today as he explains that his greatest joy is displayed when he hears the gospel proclaimed.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15.

When do we allow our circumstances to hinder our effectiveness as participants in the gospel message?

HINDRANCES TO OUR GOSPEL EFFECTIVENESS IN MINISTRY

Internal Barriers

Our Stage of Life (age, children, finances, job situation, physical disabilities, sickness…)

Lack of Confidence

Ignorance (lack of knowledge or understanding)

Apathy (lack of personal conviction)

Pride (thinking they are above sharing the gospel)

External Barriers

Cultural Differences (difficulty relating to people from different backgrounds)

Social Stigma (facing social norms toward Christianity in specific communities)

Opposition from Authorities (Restrictions or persecution)

Paul could have used many of the excuses we just listed. He could have considered his life stage nearing the end. He could have considered the social stigma that surrounded the Romans regarding Christians.

Instead, Paul wanted it to be known that the result of his imprisonment was positive rather than negative. Notice that Paul says, “What has happened to me.” How often do we wallow in our own self-pity or look at what has happened to us? We pray on sympathy to feed our lack of gospel activity.

I remember hearing a story about a gentleman who was battling an incurable form of brain cancer.

After the gentleman had passed, one of his family members read that the nurse had written on the man’s chart that Mr. X is inappropriately joyful.

The nurse was unable to see how joy could have accompanied such incomprehensible suffering. Has anyone ever accused you of having an inappropriate joyfulness about you?

1. Your Circumstances do not Imprison the Gospel

The Gospel is not bound up in our situation in life. Look at what Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:9

2 Timothy 2:9 ESV

For which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

The word of God is never bound by what this world may do to us.

We read about Paul’s experience during his final imprisonment in 2 Timothy 4:17

2 Timothy 4:17 ESV

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Paul saw whatever situation he found himself as an opportunity for God to use him to advance the gospel message. 

The apostle Paul did not merely say that the gospel had continued to progress despite adversity; instead, the adversity itself had turned out for the gospel's advancement. 

Paul did not try to evoke sympathy from his readers by expressing resignation to his situation, the apostle went out of his way to make sure that the Philippians did not grow overly concerned about him; instead he gave a glowing report of his ministry in prison that intended to produce joy in their hearts (v. 18).

Notice that implicit in this statement is a recognition of God’s sovereign workings in human affairs, though the point may seem veiled by the impersonal ἐλήλυθεν (elēlythen, “come about”).

Paul stressed the ironic turn of events: Some may have intended to curtail his ministry with chains, but his imprisonment led both to evangelizing pagans (v. 13) and to the edification of believers (leading in turn to even greater evangelism, v. 14).

Joy in Haiti

Several years ago, when the Haitian president was taken out, it became a police state ruled by gangs and thugs. One of our partners, “Hope for Haiti,” had a live-streaming interview with Jean’liques, our missionary friend. 

Danny, the director of Together for Haiti, was attempting to get Jean to share how bad and difficult everything was in Haiti. However, Jean continued to play off the struggles by saying everything is Good and God is working. 

This reminded me of his inappropriate joyfulness according to the world’s standards.

When Paul says, “What has happened?” he could be referring to everything that has taken place from Jerusalem to Rome. 

This would include a riot, a two-year imprisonment in Caesarea, an appeal to Caesar, the threat of his life, a shipwreck on the way to Rome, his house arrest with restricted freedom, and his impending trial (Melick, Philippians, 70). Whether Paul is speaking of all of these events or his present situation in Rome, one thing is clear: it has served to “advance” the gospel.

The Greek word for advance is a military term for blazing a trail as the troops advance.

The Romans thought they would quiet Paul down, but they only gave him a captive audience that he might not have otherwise addressed.

Not only were the guards and Roman officials hearing the good news, but due to Paul’s presence in the great city of Rome, many others were also impacted by his witness. See the providence of God at work here. Instead of living freely and heading to places like Spain, the most potent Christian missionary in the world was allowed by God to be imprisoned. But it was through Paul’s imprisonment that the Sovereign Lord was making the gospel known in Rome.

*The Unhindered Gospel will be Accomplished

The Mission of the Gospel is to Seek and to Save the Lost

We never know how God might use suffering to advance the gospel.

For example, I recently heard about the faith journey of Peter T. O’Brien (renowned Australian Bible scholar—quoted often in theological works) Growing up neither Peter nor his parents were Christians.

However, his mother was significantly impacted by the faithful witness of a neighbor. This neighbor was a simple lady with sincere faith in Christ. Unfortunately, she lived with an incurable disease and suffered day after day, but she never complained.

Her attitude and witness tremendously impacted O’Brien’s mother, who eventually trusted Christ as her Savior. 

Humanly speaking, it was because of this simple lady’s faith that O’Brien’s mother became a Christian. Because of that, O’Brien later believed. He would then go to seminary and get a PhD. Then, he would go to India and make the gospel known for years. Then, he would go to Australia, teach, and write several extraordinary commentaries.

Now, suppose you had said to this simple, suffering woman: “Here’s the deal: If you will glorify Christ in your suffering, then as a consequence Indians will be converted, pastors will be trained to teach the Bible, and countless sermons will be preached. Will you now suffer faithfully every day?”

I’m sure she would have said, “Yes! Of course! I can endure for these reasons!” But she didn’t know all of this would happen. When we’re in the middle of our suffering, we never know what will happen, but we must trust that God is sovereign and that He can and often does advance the gospel through great personal hardships, such as imprisonment or cancer.

Our job is to stay faithful, joyful, and Christ-centered through the suffering, confidently trusting in His wise, sovereign will (D. A. Carson, “The Temptation of Joseph”).

*The Unhindered Gospel will be Heard

First, Paul had a Captive Audience:

I remember hearing my friend Matt Chandler, now pastor of The Village Church,h once share how he came to faith in Jesus in high school through a football teammate whose locker was divinely placed next to Matt’s. The teammate said, “I’m going to share the gospel with you; just let me know when you’re ready.” 

I imagine Paul chained to the Roman guard, saying something similar, “I’m going to share the gospel with you; just let me know when you are ready.”

When all apprehensions and excuses go out the window, you find yourself constantly in contact with unbelievers. 

We can assume that the way in which Paul conducted himself had a profound effect on those guards.

Having come to embrace the Christ Paul preached, the guards began sharing their faith with those around them. The gospel succeeded so admirably in this way that Paul included these words in the conclusion of this letter: ‘All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household’ (4:22).

Paul’s example teaches us to view every situation as an opportunity to spread the gospel. Thus, Christians can, for example, see a hospital bed as a pulpit and the hospital as a mission field.

No Christian can instill faith in other hearts—that is the work of God. But wherever a believer goes, he should leave a favorable impression of his Christianity with those with whom he or she has associated.

PUTTING THE GOSPEL FIRST

What ties us together? What do you discuss when we meet, even after a church service? Mere civilities? The weather? Sports? Our careers and our children? Our aches and pains?

Of course, none of these topics should be excluded from Christians' conversations. In sharing all of life, these things will inevitably come up. But what must tie us together as Christians is our passion for the gospel, our fellowship with the gospel. 

Nothing else seems strong enough to support the extraordinary diversity of people who constitute many churches.

Maybe the reason we do not talk about the gospel with unbelievers is that we do not talk about the gospel with anyone, even other believers. Paul is so consumed with Jesus Christ and the Gospel message that He will share it with anyone who would listen.

“Be a Gospel Person First”

Maybe we do not talk about the gospel with unbelievers because we do not talk about the gospel with anyone, even one another. Paul is so consumed with Jesus Christ and the Gospel message that He will share it with anyone who would listen

*The Unhindered Gospel will be Spoken

Paul speaks of the brothers being strengthened and becoming bold in their speaking because of Paul’s example of daring faith. 

Persecuted Christians often inspire otherwise timid believers.

After Jim Elliot and his four missionary friends were brutally killed by the Auca Indians, a high number of Wheaton College graduates offered themselves as missionaries in the years following (Carson, Basics, 24). A similar thing happened to Paul’s sufferings. Christians were becoming more confident and bold and speaking “fearlessly.”

I remember as a teenager when we had mission week in the church. I would hear the stories of faithful missionaries and those suffering and persecuted for their faith worldwide. 

Missionaries like this faith and commitment to the gospel have significantly impacted my life, so I serve in the ministry today. 

Note: Notice the word boldness for what is spoken in the believer’s lives.

Notice that we have the theme of courage and boldness throughout the remainder of this chapter. Philippians 1:20

Philippians 1:20 ESV

as 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.

This theme is repeated again in Philippians 1:28

Philippians 1:28 ESV

and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

I heard this story of a pastor driving home from work one day when the car in front of him accidentally hit a guy on a bicycle. 

The cyclist got up and pounded on the hood of the driver’s car. In his rage, he then went over to the driver’s side door, opened it, and began kicking and punching the driver—who happened to be a 75-year-old man! 

The pastor was sitting behind this scene and was faced with a decision. What should he do? Should he get out and help? He had a baby in the back seat to make things more complicated! Determined to help, the pastor got out of the car and pulled the cyclist off the older man. As he did, the cyclist wouldn’t stop. He got physical with our pastor, too, and even tore his shirt off in his effort to get back to assaulting the driver. 

So, the pastor had to make another decision. Should he punch this guy? He decided yes. And with one upper-cut punch, he knocked this guy out! When the police came and verified the story from all the witnesses, who honked and clapped when this originally happened, the policeman asked the pastor, “How many times did you punch him?” He said, “Honestly, just once.” The policeman said, “That’s what everyone else said.” 

Everyone secretly hopes for such boldness boldness. Every Christian hopes for half the boldness of Paul. 

I had a dream years ago when we started the Journey Church. I used to have this colossal pulpit made of 1/2 steel. In my dream, a gunman came in the back of the Church, and without thinking, I picked up the pulpit and charged down the aisle, yelling, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” 

2. The Gospel is Not for Your Own Glory

Philippians 1:15-18.

What is Paul talking About?

Some are taking advantage of Paul’s imprisonment to gain the spotlight for themselves. But others do it with the best heart and intentions ever. 

One group is motivated by pure love, knowing Paul’s suffering is sincere and for the greater good of the gospel. The other group is greedy and glad that Paul is out of the way so that they can gain more for themselves. They are very selfishly motivated. They see it all as a competition, and the worse it goes for Paul, the better it can go for them. 

Paul has decided that motives, whether good, bad, mixed, or indifferent he cares that Christ is proclaimed.

*Check Your Motives

Paul indicates that some preachers preach out of sincere motives of goodwill while others have nefarious motives. 

Warnings Against False Motives

1). False motives can produce Envy and Jealousy

You would think that all ministries sincerely want to see others succeed. However, in my experience , when a group of pastors is assembled, they quickly turn to comparison and crowd-thumping to appear more successful than the other pastors. 

Envy and jealousy are as old as Cain and Able. The conversations may go something like this. “How many people are you running on Sunday mornings? What new building projects have you started? What new programs have you started this year? etc.” I have seen pastors begin to try and inflate their successes to one-up another pastor and his accomplishments. 

Be alert to the presence of such temptations. Ask yourself:

Am I constantly comparing myself with others in ministry?

Do I rejoice when my friends succeed, or do I grow jealous?

Do I resent it when others are praised?

Paul was uniquely gifted and used by God. Instead of rejoicing in Paul’s ministry, the envious evangelists resented him and couldn’t rejoice in the Savior’s work through him.

Sadly, that sounds very familiar to our day.

2). False motives can produce the tendency to Promote Yourself

In Philippians 2:2-5, we read that “we are to have the same mind and the same love. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit; rather, in humility, we should regard others as more significant than ourselves. We should not seek what benefits our own interests, but instead focus on what helps others." 

Paul indicates that some were guilty of “rivalry” (v. 17) or “selfish ambition” (ESV, NASB). They sought recognition and admiration from others. Serving Jesus out of rivalry reflects distorted motivation.

Unfortunately, this mindset is still prevalent today.

How sad it is to compete with others on the same team! It is truly disheartening when we serve with selfish ambition, especially considering that the essence of our message revolves around a Savior who emptied Himself for sinners. Guard against the sin of rivalry by prioritizing the glory of Jesus over your own. Make it your ambition to make Christ known, not yourself (2 Cor 4:5).

Due to their jealousy, they may do many things. They may criticize you unfairly, disassociate with you, speak against you, or disrespect you. 

You might think this will never happen, but you should reconsider. What should you do when this does happen?

You should follow Paul. He doesn’t try to defend himself or get caught up in it all. He knows that God will ultimately judge the hearts and ministries of people. So, he focuses on proclaiming Christ and prioritizes the gospel. You can’t control what others think of you; all you can do is finish your race with faithfulness.

Paul Understands that the Message is More Important than the Motive.

Have you ever met someone who is the motive police? Wherever they go, they scrutinize people's motives. It's not that Paul doesn't care about motives; he cares more about the gospel. 

3. The Gospel is What Matters the Most

Paul doesn’t use his pulpit to criticize the motives of other pastors. God will take care of their misguided intentions. He’s just glad they are proclaiming Christ and Him crucified.

We all have heroes in the preaching of the faith. I listen to them regularly and hold them in high regard. However, I must remember that they are just men used by God. It is possible to do good things while having faulty motives.

In Galatians 1:6-9, Paul admonishes the Church for following a different gospel that is being preached. 

Why does Paul admonish the Galatian false teachers but not the envious evangelists? It’s simple. The envious evangelists in Philippi were preaching Christ, while those in Galatia were not. The Galatian teachers were distorting the gospel. Paul never tolerates a false gospel. The message mattered more to Paul than the motives of the messengers. Granted, Paul would prefer both the message and the motive to be pure, but he placed the highest importance on the message.

This is an important word for the Christian community, which continues to vilify people. We must ask whether they are preaching Christ. 

Every one of us must check our hearts and motives daily at the door before we are the first to cast the stone. 

Do you care more about Christ’s glory or Your Own?

WHAT THEN?

Translated: “But What does it Matter”

Paul sums up his reaction to the situation created by this conflict of loyalties. As he assesses the division within the Christian community which surrounds him, he is gladdened by one all-important fact: whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.

“Yes, and I will Rejoice”

Paul’s greatest joy in life and death is hearing Christ proclaimed. We proclaim many things in this life—our work, political beliefs, and sports teams. But do we proclaim Christ with the same vigor, joy, and passion? 

Do you wake up every morning and leap for joy because you have another day to share Jesus Christ? 

To Proclaim: This means announcing something we consider to be of utmost importance. 

Many of us are so earthly-minded that we are of no heavenly use. We spend our days wrapped up in the cares and worries of this world and forget our primary reason for living—our primary reason for being saved. 

CONCLUSION

I sometimes chuckle at halftime interviews with football coaches. There are many moments for laughter during these often awkward or heated interactions. What I find most amusing is the simplicity with which the coach speaks. The multi-million dollar coach will say, “We just need to run, block, and tackle better.” You want to ask, “Really? They’re paying you all that money to say that?”

Of course, he could elaborate on these fundamentals, but he keeps it simple and focused. That’s what we must do to advance the gospel and maintain joy in ministry. We need to keep our focus on Jesus and prioritize the gospel. We should care more about people and the glory of Christ than our own glory. Stay focused.

We often get wrapped up in many other things that don't matter in the grand scheme of eternity instead of concentrating on the one thing that truly matters. Is Christ being proclaimed and exalted above all voices? If not, why not? 

At last, we return to the individual personal level of life. 

Differences in personal likes and dislikes will remain in the church; different stages of sanctification will mark Individual Christians, and other appreciations of God's will for a person’s life will continue to be expressed. 

But all these are secondary to the grand truth of individual redemption by the blood of Jesus Christ and of being accepted by God in Christ. What grips and controls Paul in his Roman jail cell is his possession of the saving truth of the gospel. 

If anything in our lives is less significant than our knowledge of Jesus Christ and His plan of Salvation, then we are not living according to God's priorities.