Philippians 1:12-18 | Advancing Through Adversity
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Sometimes in life we can feel stuck, forgotten, even forsaken. Paul can relate to that. He was trying to do what God had called him to do and ended up in prison in Rome chained to a guard, and yet he not only did not lose hope he rejoiced!
What was it that caused him to feel that way? Can we feel that way too?
How can we keep advancing even in the face of adversity?
Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary a. In Experience (1:10b)
In Paul’s day if an unscrupulous sculptor carved too deeply into the marble, he would put wax in the cut to hide his mistake. Since the wax looked like marble, the craftsman could deceive his customer until the statue was “tested by sunlight.” The hot Mediterranean sun would soon melt the wax and the customer would discover (too late to get his money back) that his statue was not “of unmixed substance.” So wise customers learned to write “without wax” into their contracts to purchase marble sculptures. They demanded that the workmanship be sincere.
In the face of adversity do we melt away or are we found to be “without wax”!
Paul does this by keeping the main thing the main thing!! So what is the main thing…?
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 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,
Pauls One Concern was the Spread of the Gospel
Pauls One Concern was the Spread of the Gospel
…and the gospel was spreading
By Means of His Chains
Divinely Engineered
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
Quote: "God can hit straight with a crooked stick." - Martin Luther
Genesis 50:20 “20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Matthew 26:16 “16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.”
Quote: The grave is empty but the tomb is occupied!…
Decidedly Effective
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
Illustration: A river flows around obstacles, finding new paths to reach its destination, much like the gospel advancing despite Paul's imprisonment.
Isaiah 55:11 “11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Romans 8:28 “28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary (2) His Chains Were Distinctly Productive (1:13)
A wide circle of people in Rome, including members of the palace staff (“Caesar’s household,”
Quote: God’s purposes are not thwarted by the plans of men!
By Means of His Contemporaries
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
The Degree of Witnesses
Acts 8:4 “4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”
Zeal / Enthusiasm = Leader vs Boss
The Disposition of Witnessers
Philippians 4:4 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
The Discrepancy in Witnessing
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
Quote: The true test of a witness is not their words but their hearts
A Foul Motive
Check your motives (1:15–17).
1. Beware of jealousy and envy in life / witness / walk / ministry.
2. Beware of the temptation to promote yourself in life / witness / walk / ministry.
3. Don’t be surprised if others envy you!
4. Pray for God to give you the grace to live out of love for Him and others.
Quote: God can use even wrong motives for His glory !!
A Fruitful Message
Illustration: Like different instruments in an orchestra, each with its own sound, yet together they create a symphony.
Application: Focus on the message rather than the messenger, trusting God to use all for His glory.
Paul rejoices in chains that the gospel is spreading!
18 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,
What has happened to you has really served to advance the gospel.
Therefore be confident in the Lord and boldly live and speak without fear.
What factors may cause people to lose their joy in life?
What might we learn from this passage about how to deal with critics?
Does Philippians 1:12 encourage you? How so?
Why should Philippians 1:12 give us added incentive to speak the gospel to someone?
In what ways can you “put the gospel first” in your relationships?
Why is it easier for us to be courageous in physical ways than in speaking the gospel to someone who is spiritually lost?
Why do you think the sins of envy and jealousy are so prevalent among people today?
What’s most important to Paul: motive or message? Why?
How could Paul “rejoice” and tell others to “rejoice” even though he was in prison? How should his example impact us today?
Do you love Christ’s glory more than your own? Pray for God to help you treasure Christ more than the approval and applause of others.
