A Win-Win Situation
Study in Philippians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Title: A Win-Win Situation
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Paul wanted to go to Rome as a preacher, but instead he went as a prisoner.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
What if your set back in your job or health could be the very thing God wants to use to advance the gospel?
My brother-inlaws career set back turned into many opportunities to be a gospel witness to his team members.
Everyone has heard of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the famous British preacher, but few know the story of his wife, Susannah. Early in their married life, Mrs. Spurgeon became an invalid. It looked as though her only ministry would be encouraging her husband and praying for his work. But God gave her a burden to share her husband’s books with pastors who were unable to purchase them. This burden soon led to the founding of the “Book Fund.” As a work of faith, the “Book Fund” provided thousands of pastors with tools for their work. All this was supervised by Mrs. Spurgeon from her home.
What if we change our perspective and how we look at our current perceived set-back as an opportunity for the Lord’s work?
The same God who used Moses’ rod, Gideon’s pitchers, and David’s sling, used Paul’s chains. Little did the Romans realize that the chains they affixed to his wrists would release Paul instead of bind him! Even as he wrote during a later imprisonment.
9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
He did not complain about his chains; instead he dedicated them to God. Asking God to use them for the advancement of the Gospel. And God answered his prayers.
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
These chains gave Paul contact with the lost.
He was chained to a Roman soldier twenty-four hours a day! The shifts changed every six hours, which meant Paul could witness to at least four men each day!
Imagine yourself as one of those soldiers, chained to a man who prayed “without ceasing,”.
He was constantly discussing with people about their spiritual condition, and he was repeatedly writing letters to Christians and churches throughout the Empire!
It was not long before some of these soldiers put their faith in Christ. Paul was able to get the Gospel into the elite Praetorian Guard, something he could not have done had he been a free man.
According to AeroArt International Inc. The Praetorian Guard grew in number and influence, becoming a major player in Roman politics. Now some of them are Christ followers.
The secret is this: when you have a Gospel mindset, you look on your circumstances as God-given opportunities for the furtherance of the Gospel; and you rejoice at what God is going to do instead of complaining about what God did not do.
14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Paul’s chains not only gave contact with the lost, but they also gave courage to the saved.
Many of the believers in Rome took fresh courage when they saw Paul’s faith and determination.
The Greek word for Proclaim can be translated speak. Speak does not mean “preach.” Rather, it means “everyday conversation.”
Discouragement has a way of spreading, but so does encouragement! Because of Paul’s joyful attitude, even in chains, the believers in Rome took fresh courage and witnessed boldly for Christ.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
It is hard to believe that anyone would oppose Paul, but there were believers in Rome doing just that.
The churches there were divided. Some preached Christ sincerely, wanting to see people saved. Some preached Christ insincerely, wanting to make the situation more difficult for Paul.
One commentary said: The latter group was using the Gospel to further their own selfish purposes. Perhaps they belonged to the “legalistic” wing of the church that opposed Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles and his emphasis on the grace of God as opposed to obedience to the Jewish Law.
I have no patience for churches that try to talk down about another church or see them as rivals.
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
There was no envy in Paul’s heart. It mattered not that some were for him and some were against him. All that mattered was the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
History records that the two great English evangelists, John Wesley and George Whitefield, disagreed on doctrinal matters. Both of them were very successful, preaching to thousands of people and seeing multitudes come to Christ.
It was reported that somebody asked Wesley if he expected to see Whitefield in heaven, and the evangelist replied, “No, I do not.” “Then you do not think Whitefield is a converted man?”
“Of course he is a converted man!” Wesley said. “But I do not expect to see him in heaven—because he will be so close to the throne of God and I so far away that I will not be able to see him!”
Though he differed with his brother in some matters, Wesley did not have any envy in his heart, nor did he seek to oppose Whitefield’s ministry.
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Because of Paul’s chains, Christ was known, and because of Paul’s critics, Christ was preached.
But because of Paul’s crisis, Christ was exalted Greek word meaning magnified! (Phil. 1:20)
It was possible that Paul would be found a traitor to Rome and then executed. His preliminary trial had apparently gone in his favor. The final verdict, however, was yet to come. But Paul’s body was not his own, and his only desire was to magnify Christ in his body.
Does Christ need to be magnified? After all, how can a mere human being ever magnify the Son of God?
Think about a telescope: Stars are much bigger than a telescope, and yet the telescope magnifies them and brings them closer for us to see.
The believer’s body is to be a telescope that brings Jesus Christ closer to people.
To the average person, Christ is a historic figure who lived centuries ago.
But as the unsaved watch the believer go through a crisis, they can see Jesus magnified and brought so much closer.
A Win-Win Situation
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
In his book “This Is My Father’s World,” Maltbie Babcock, wrote “Life is what we are alive to.”
What makes you alive and excited?
Hosting the 4th was a lot. I had many of my family ask to assist me at the smoked filled grill as I cooked the 50+ hamburgers and hotdogs. At one point I came alive hearing my family laughing and splashing in the pool. It excited and joyed my heart and makes life worth living.
In Paul’s case, Christ was his life. Christ excited him and made his life worth living.
Fill in the blanks yourself. (Slide)
“For to me, to live is ________ and to die is __________ .”
“For to me, to live is money and to die is to leave it all behind.”
“For to me, to live is fame and to die is to be forgotten.”
“For to me, to live is power and to die is to lose it all.”
We must echo Paul’s convictions if we are going to have joy in spite of circumstances, and if we are going to share in the furtherance of the Gospel. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!”
23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Torn between two desires. (Eating our with some of you)
Depart: Greek word meaning - to set free.
Departure was a political term; it described the setting free of a prisoner. God’s people are in bondage because of the limitations of the body and the temptations of the flesh, but death will free them.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Conduct: Greek word meaning: Live, lead ones life.
“Am I conducting myself in a manner worthy of the Gospel?” is a good question for us to ask ourselves regularly.
It is worth remembering that the world around us knows only the Gospel that it sees in our lives.
You are writing a Gospel,
A chapter each day,
By the deeds that you do
And the words that you say.
Men read what you write,
Whether faithful or true:
Just what is the Gospel
According to you?
By Paul Gilbert
Pastor do we have any literature we can give our neighbors and friends about the Gospel? Well...
2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.
The best literature in the world is no substitute for your own life. Let others see Christ in your behavior in every circumstance and this will open up opportunities to share Christ’s Gospel with them.”
“The Gospel” is the Good News that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.
The message of the Gospel is the Good News that sinners can become the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
