Advance Through Adversity

Last week…

I think what Paul wants them to understand is the depth of Love God has for them.

And as time progresses, they will learn and understand the whole plan

The plan that was laid out in the Hebrew Bible

That they were to be included in the redemption of God

They are the ‘nations’ that are to be blessed through Abraham.

I titled this Love and Literature

Their understanding is going to come by learning about the God of Israel

His Messiah

And their inclusion

Before we get to Philippians, I want to go back to Jesus…

Jesus opened his ministry in Luke by saying this:

Luke 4:16–21 NASB 2020

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him. And He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: “the spirit of the lord is upon me, because he anointed me to bring good news to the poor. he has sent me to proclaim release to captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” And He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all the people in the synagogue were intently directed at Him. Now He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Two things:

First, Jesus is claiming the Jewish Messiah has arrived.

He is the one speaking it.

Those attending put two and two together, and they understand he is speaking of himself.

Second, everyone hearing this who is Jewish knows this reference to Isaiah 61.

They see themselves as captive to the Romans

Jews scattered among the nations see themselves captive to those nations.

Luke 4:22 NASB 2020

And all the people were speaking well of Him, and admiring the gracious words which were coming from His lips; and yet they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

Notice the doublespeak of the people in his hometown.

Here is the dichotomy…

It is very clear…

Release the captives

Set free the oppressed

Yet, here they are, under Rome, hearing this is fulfilled today.

How do we resolve this riddle…?

We read scripture… :-)

Philippians 1:12–20 NASB 2020

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brothers and sisters, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking that they are causing 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. But not only that, I also will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Paul’s imprisonment is not a setback but a prophetic echo of Israel’s exile—God is scattering the message of Messiah like seed among the nations, fulfilling the ancient promise that through Abraham’s seed all nations will be blessed.

I. God’s Purposes Prevail Through Hardship (vv. 12–14)

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…” (v. 12)

Main Idea: Paul is in chains, but the gospel is not. Like the exile of Judah to Babylon, Paul’s “exile” to Roman imprisonment becomes a divine strategy.

The Context: Paul is writing under house arrest (Acts 28:16, 30).

The Result: The whole praetorium hears of Christ; believers are emboldened.

Scriptural Echo: Isaiah 11:12 – YHWH will “raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel.”

Application: Your suffering might be the soil God is using to plant His word in someone else. Like the exiles in Jeremiah 29, seek the welfare of the city you’re in—even if it’s not where you want to be.

II. The Gospel Is Greater Than Motives (vv. 15–18a)

“Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry… but what then? Only that in every way… Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.” (vv. 15, 18)

Main Idea: Paul refuses to let petty rivalries distract him from the bigger picture: Christ is being made known.

Divided Motives: Some preach out of rivalry—perhaps even hoping to add distress to Paul.

Paul’s Response: Rejoicing. The gospel is proclaimed—that’s the mission.

Scriptural Echo: Joseph to his brothers (Gen 50:20): “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good…”

Application: Don’t be derailed by impure motives around you. The mission isn’t about your platform—it’s about the Name. Let the Word go forward.

III. Joy Anchored in Deliverance and Purpose (vv. 18b–20)

“Yes, and I will rejoice… for I know that through your prayers and the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance…” (v. 19)

Main Idea: Paul anticipates either vindication or death—and he’s okay with either. His joy comes from knowing Christ will be magnified.

Wordplay: “Deliverance” (σωτηρία) can mean rescue or salvation; it echoes Job 13:16 LXX.

Assurance: Through prayer and Spirit, Paul knows God is acting—no matter the outcome.

Purpose: That Christ would be exalted “in my body, whether by life or death” (v. 20).

Scriptural Echo: Daniel 3:17–18—“Our God can deliver us… but even if not…”

Application: Can you say, “Whether I succeed or suffer, I want Christ to be magnified”? That is the freedom of gospel joy. It doesn’t depend on outcomes.

Just as Judah went to Babylon…

Israel was scattered to the nations…

Paul is taken to Rome…

(the heart of the Gentile world)

Theological Reflection: Paul as Exiled Israel

Paul’s imprisonment mirrors Israel’s exile.

Just as Judah went to Babylon, Paul is taken to Rome—the heart of the Gentile world.

Genesis 48:19 – Ephraim will become the “fullness of the nations” (מְלֹא הַגּוֹיִם).

Romans 11:25–26 – Paul sees Gentile inclusion as fulfilling this promise: when the seed of Israel is scattered among the nations, the harvest is not destruction but redemption—“and in this way all Israel will be saved.”

Theological Closing Exhortation: You are part of that scattering and gathering. God places you where you are—not to waste your suffering, but to sow His Word. Be bold, be joyful, and let Christ be magnified.

That is all fine and good…

But…

Let’s focus on Philippians 1:20:

“…that Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

This isn’t a call to ignore suffering—it’s a call to name it and let Christ shine through it.

Realistic Application for Today’s Sufferers

1. Acknowledge the pain. Paul doesn’t deny hardship—he writes from prison, uncertain if he will live or die. Likewise, those suffering from grief, illness, abuse, or broken relationships shouldn't be pressured to "get over it." Instead, they’re invited to meet Christ in it.

2. Redeem the moment. Paul sees his imprisonment as a platform. Suffering, though unchosen, can be offered. When you write the letter anyway, forgive the sibling, share your story, show up for worship—you testify that pain does not own you.

3. Invite Christ into the body. Paul says “in my body”—not just his spirit. Whether it’s chemotherapy, courtrooms, tears, or trauma flashbacks, Christ is glorified when we invite Him to be present, to sustain, to shape us in those very places.

When we weep with Christ, we witness without words.

What if Christ followers did...

What if Christ followers lived as though pain wasn’t proof of God’s absence, but the place where His power and tenderness dwell most visibly?

What if we bore suffering with honesty and hope— not false smiles, but faithful presence?

What if our lives said to those far from Christ: "We suffer too, but we don’t suffer alone. And we don’t suffer without purpose."

That would be a witness worth watching. That would be the gospel, embodied.

Advance Through Adversity