Rejoice in the Gospel (2)

When Jesus is life your circumstances and ambition will be centered on making Jesus known.

The Advance of the Gospel (12-14)

Paul saw that the things that happened to him were used by God to further his divine purposes.

When Jesus is your life, difficult circumstances are revealed to be divine providence to further the Gospel! When your goal is to make Christ known then you are guaranteed success!

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

The “things that happened” to Paul.

The Past - The Philippians had personal experience with how God used Paul’s imprisonment to bring others to Christ.

The Journey - Paul longed to Preach in Rome, but he surely did not plan to go as a prisoner, yet God’s plan brought him right into Caesar's palace.

Preached to King Agrippa Acts 26:28–29 “28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.””

Paul witnessed to the men on the ship, including the centurion.

Paul witnessed to the people of Malta.

2 Corinthians 4:7–11 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

The Present - Paul was witnessing to every guard assigned to him, and many accepted Christ.

The story was being repeated in Rome. As the Praetorian (Imperial) Guard heard Paul’s testimony of Christ, and saw the witness of His life they desired the Savior that he proclaimed.

The Gospel even spread to Caesar's own household.

Rainy days in Honduras led to meeting a man passing on the street who accepted Christ!

Your circumstances are part of God’s bigger plan and He will use them to advance His kingdom if you will trust Him in them.

If Paul could use His imprisonment to proclaim Jesus, how should we prioritize the use of our freedom?

The Ambition for the Gospel (15-18)

Paul’s imprisonment encouraged others to preach the Gospel.

Some preached to gain their own following and diminish Paul’s influence.

Motivated by envy and selfish ambition.

Do we rejoice when we hear that revival has come to another church, or do we secretly wish that our own church would be exalted?

Some preached to carry on the work that Paul had started.

Paul preached to further the message of Jesus Christ. Rivalries are turned to victories when Jesus is your life!

Paul’s joy was aligned with heaven’s joy! Christ is proclaimed! Jesus is made known! Sinners are saved! Hallelujah!

If you want joy - make Christ your life!

Joy is having assurance that God is at work though your circumstances to make Christ known!

Joy is knowing that Jesus is being preached and people are coming to salvation!