Rejoice in the Gospel
Notes
Transcript
Good morning Valley Church Clinton!
Hope you’re all doing well on this fine winter morning, if you have your Bibles, get them open to Philippians 1:12-20, that’s where we’ll be today for our message.
Pray
So, there’s a well known phenomenon in my family, it’s known as the Wiram curse or something like that, where pretty much anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
And this manifests really well on vacation.
And my poor wife married into this curse, God bless her, she’s a trooper, because it started on my honeymoon, and it’s never really ended, and I’m sure I’ve told this story before,
But literally a day after we married, our alternator went out on the way to Gulf Shores, and we were stranded for quite some time in the middle of rural Alabama.
Also while we were there, something broke in our condo, I think it was the washing machine, so there was a repair man there for at least a day. On our honeymoon.
I got super sunburnt also, so much that there were various shades of red stripes on my thighs from where I wore different lengths of swimming trunks.
And to top it all off, I honestly don’t even know how I got sunburned, because it rained most of the time we were there.
Needless to say, the Wiram curse followed us that week.
But, the cool thing about a vacation to the beach is, even though conditions weren’t so great, even though I could stand up here and complain about my privilege, guess what? I was still at the beach.
I could still look out the window, while sipping a cup of coffee, and see the beautiful ocean and sand. Even though my circumstances were not great, I was still out of Terre Haute Indiana, enjoying my time at the beach with my wife.
And in Philippians, we encounter a man who’s writing a letter to the church, his name is Paul, and Paul is sitting in a prison cell. Shackled, healing from multiple beatings. Cold. Hungry.
His circumstances are perhaps the worst imaginable.
But then we read his letter, and we hear phrases like “consider it joy” and “Yes, I will continue to rejoice” and “I give thanks to God”.
And this is because Paul has a different view. Because despite all of these things, all of the poor circumstances he’s in, Paul knows the point is the advancement of the gospel, he sees the bigger picture. Because frankly, Paul could still be chasing down Christians in their homes, rounding them up, stoning them, eyes still veiled with religion and self righteousness.
But, instead, although suffering, he knows it’s for something bigger, which is the gospel.
So, I’d like to invite our scripture reader up, Stacye, to read for you Philippians 1:12-20, and if you are physically able, could you please stand for the reading of God’s word?
Scripture Reading
Thank you Stacye, you can all be seated.
So, first thing is first, we need to look at the thing that Paul wants his readers, the recipients of his letter in Philippi, to know.
What they need to know
What they need to know
And notice Paul addresses them as brothers and sisters. This is in part a retelling of how Paul thinks of them, which is like family, and in part a play on Jesus’ reference to God as “Father” or “Abba” in that we are all adopted into the same family.
And this is very culturally significant, because the Greeks in Philippi would’ve been “outside” the family, outside of the covenant, and for a natural born Jew, Paul is braking down boundaries in welcoming the gentiles into his spiritual family.
It’s why Paul writes:
6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!”
That Abba Father, we’re all crying out for the same God, the same creator, this is what Paul is saying about his brothers and sisters in Philippi. Although separated by a continent and imprisonment, they are still family.
So, all this to say, what do they need to know? What does Paul want them to know? I mean, after all, the people of Philippi are expectantly awaiting a status report of their missionary, how things are going, how they can help.
And Paul doesn’t exactly give them what they expect, or at least what I would expect from a prison letter.
The big update is this:
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,
What has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel. That’s the big news.
And look at what Paul says:
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ.
So, Paul’s guards, the ones who are guarding him, taking care of him (kind of, inhumanely probably at first), and these were likely the emperor’s guards, so they were high ranking.
And the guards, they rotated shifts, just like today, probably in 4 hour shifts. So, Paul would have had access to all the guards, the whole swath. Multiple different guards throughout the days and nights.
And then Paul adds the tag, not only have the guards become aware of the gospel, but so also, everyone else.
That means any of Pauls visitors. Friends and families of the guards, workers in the prison, assuming they were near the emperors palace, nobility and governors and statesmen, who knows who else, the list could go on and on.
Everyone else.
What is happening to Paul has advanced the gospel, and everyone knows that Paul’s imprisonment is because he is in Christ.
They aren’t doubtful of Paul’s intentions. They aren’t thinking he’s guilty and trying to cover it with being a good person because of his God.
No, Paul, because of his character, intentions, demeanor, speech, and attention to people, they see him for who he is.
Which is a follower of Christ. A Disciple of Jesus.
He’s not like the other prisoners, he’s not guilty, in fact if you read through the book of Acts, in Paul’s whole imprisonment and various legal trials, no one can ever bring a valid charge against him.
They all ask “what did you do, why are you in jail”, and Paul will say “I don’t know, ask the one’s who put me in here”, and they can never say anything against him.
But, Paul isn’t worried about that. No, what he’s worried about is how he conducts himself, knowing he has eyes on him and a captive guard audience that’s forced to be with Paul as per the job.
See, Paul could have easily been a thorn in their side. Mocking them, attempting escape, making their lives miserable.
But no, Paul seems to be liked. He’s not treated like a hardened criminal, he’s still allowed visitors, I mean clearly, Timothy is scribing this letter, which means they spent a lot of time together in his cell, we’re not talking a few visiting hours a month.
This makes me think of my own sphere of influence. Of my own convictions. Because we all live in relative comfort.
I mean, I realize our lives can be difficult, we can be down, we can be sick, we can be low on our money, worried about how to get by, I’m not discounting any of that,
But if you’re here today, you’re not sitting unjustified in a prison cell after being flogged and beaten nearly to death.
And even in our comfort, we still complain. We still don’t see the good in things. Our demeanor is still, “why me, I’m so destitute, life is unfair”, but the reality is, if we are breathing, if we have breath in our lungs, it is more than we deserve, which is death.
And this outlook on life, this Christian hope, when it’s present, it’s life giving to everyone around us, but when it’s absent, it’s sucks the joy out of every room you walk in.
You know the people like that, I be you have one in your head right now.
Our life, our outlook, and our demeanor is a witness to people.
I bet Paul was the first of his kind to ever be in that jail. To rejoice. To be kind to his captors.
That’s why verses like Col 3:12 exists:
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
That’s why Paul advises Titus this:
7 in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. 8 Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.
That’s why Proverbs suggests:
1 A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
In my wife’s side of the family, we lovingly call each other butthrobs sometimes, and that’s what we can be.
Butthrobs.
Because our attitude and demeanor is just as much as a witness as our words, and let me tell you, although I think everyone needs to hear the dictated, out loud spoken words of the gospel message,
Your attitude and demeanor are just as important, because more often than not, with a bad attitude, we’ve lost someone’s attention before even speaking a word.
This is not what we’re called to.
We are called to gentleness and patience, and this is what Paul exhibits in even the lowest of circumstances.
So, Paul then continues his thoughts, and not only has the gospel been advanced, but it’s also it’s being presented better, and specifically more boldy.
The Gospel is Increased
The Gospel is Increased
So, not only is Paul’s imprisonment advancing the gospel, it’s increasing the effectiveness of the gospel in “most of the brothers”.
As he writes,
14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly.
They are speaking the word fearlessly. Their confidence is increasing. They’re stepping out, they’re getting bold.
This is the increasing of faith success marker that we talked about last week.
The brothers, they see Paul in jail, and it doesn’t stop them, but rather it makes them preach more. It makes them share the gospel with no regreets, no hinderance, no hesitation.
This is another multiplying effect of faith on the gospel. When you see someone perserve, fan the flame, it gets you fired up. Ready to conquer the world.
That’s what is happening here.
But. Paul has to pause for a second. He writes this:
15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.
Paul says: hey, you’ve heard these guys preaching and teaching and slandering my honor.
Now remember, honor was huge. This was what’s called an “honor and shame” culture in Paul’s day and location.
And this doesn’t mean “I’m embarrassed, oops, egg on my face”. No, it was so much more serious.
If you brought on shame for some reason, whether it was a bad decision, doing something that wasn’t culturally accepted, something terrible,
You didn’t just bring shame on yourself. No, it was your entire circle. Your family. You affected generations.
Because other people wouldn’t associate with you. It was the beggars, the lame, the deaf, the lepers (all people which Jesus touched, by the way).
Basically, you did everything you could to avoid to avoid shame.
And Paul says these rivals, they’re essentially teaching the same thing as the legitimate brothers, but with bad intentions.
They proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition.
And what does Paul say? Avoid them? Banish them? Kill them?
No.
18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice
Who cares. That’s what he says - who cares.
What matters is that Christ is proclaimed. And in that, Paul rejoices.
Why does he rejoice?
19 because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
And this, folks, this is the crux of the gospel.
And I know that salvation word has a really theological sound to it, but don’t worry, we’ll sort that out here in a second, but Paul goes on:
20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Remember, honor shame. Paul doesn’t care about being ashamed, because he isn’t ashamed in anything.
Because Jesus, his gospel, this is primary. For Christ to be highly honored, not Paul, but Christ—
that is the mission.
Yes, I’m in a jail cell, says Paul.
Yes, I’m being slandered, says Paul.
But the honor that most people in that day were yearning for, the avoidance of shame, Paul’s not worried about that.
He’s not worried about how other people act, or respond to the gospel, or hate him,
Because it is Christ, not Paul, that is supposed to receive honor. And Paul is willing to let his name be slandered, shamed, lied about, smeared,
Just so the name of Jesus Christ is rightly glorified.
And this brings about salvation.
I told you I’d get back to that, so let’s talk about it:
Salvation
Salvation
Let me tell you a little story. If you’ve been following along in our church-wide reading, last week we finished Genesis.
And the latter part of Genesis contains one of my favorite story arcs in the whole Bible - the story of Joseph.
Jospeh was born to family of 12 brothers, and for some reason he was absolutely adored by his father, clearly the favorite.
And before you judge too harshly, don’t pretend like all you out there with kids don’t have a favorite, even if it’s a close race, okay?
But, Joseph’s Dad gives him a coat, you probably know it as the coat of many colors, and his brothers get super jealous.
So, naturally, they beat him nearly to death and throw him in a well, but realize that murder probably isn’t a great idea, so they sell him to some slave traders passing by,
And Jacob ends up in Egypt.
And his master’s wife in Egypt tries to seduce him, and Jospeh get’s caught, and thrown into jail, but eventually he starts interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams.
And eventually, Joseph becomes second in command in the entire Egyptian government.
Now, I just covered like 25 chapters of Genesis, so go read it yourself, but Joseph is in a good position.
And then, famine strikes, and guess who shows up groveling at his doorstep, not recognizing them?
His brothers. Hungry to the point of starvation.
And there’s a back and forth, but essentially Joseph brings them in, forgives them, let’s them live with him,
But his brothers are still skeptical and scared. They’re wondering why this once slave, now powerful Joseph, their bother, is sparing their lives.
This is what Joseph says:
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.
And there’s our salvation word again - did you catch it? Survival.
Of many people.
This is the purpose of salvation. Rescue, survival, deliverance.
Doesn’t this parallel Paul’s story so well?
In the face of everything going wrong, in the horrible, unfair situations we find Paul and Joseph in, God uses it for good.
God has a plan. And I wouldn’t say God causes bad things to happen, or desires evil to happen, I don’t think that’s the case.
But I can assure you, God is in control.
And He will use your situation for good, if you let Him.
And the point of these circumstances isn’t so you can be miserable. It isn’t so you can be treated unfairly.
It isn’t so we can complain, and stew, and have bad attitudes,
Or find our names honored or shamed,
Paul’s situation, Josephs misadventures, I would call them completley horrible and unfair. But.
The purpose was the survival of many people. It was gospel advancement.
It was so other people could speak boldly about the word.
It was for the preservation of God’s people, to save them from themselves, from sin and death.
And our mission today is no different. Our mission as disciples of Christ is for the survival, for the salvation, for the rescue of many people.
Your Mission is for the survival of many people
Your Mission is for the survival of many people
You know this verse,
16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Jesus came to earth to save people. He didn’t bring religion.
He didn’t bring government or military power.
He didn’t bring a feel-good message that your truth matters.
What Jesus brought was rescue. Salvation.
See, Joseph was an archetype of Jesus, which simply means that he was a shadow.
All the bad things that happened to Joseph, it was for a purpose. Joseph could’ve easily sent his brothers to the torture chambers. To execution. Back out to famine.
But what he did was invite them back into fellowship, into forgiveness, and took care of them in his palace the rest of his life.
And let me tell you, we think those brothers were monsters, but look at what we did to Jesus.
We didn’t sell Jesus into slavery. We killed him.
Hung him on a cross.
And now, were in the famine called death. And we don’t know where to turn, we don’t know where to go, but what we do know, is that death is coming. Like a ticking time bomb.
And we come groveling to a man named Jesus. Who is now sitting on the throne, complete control, complete holiness, holding the keys to death because he walked out of a tomb.
We’re at this man’s feet, Jesus. And he picks us up, dusts us off, invites us to dine at his feast, and takes us in for eternity.
Even when what we deserve is to be sent away to die in our famine.
See, this is why we can deal with our circumstances. Because yes, bad things will happen. Evil will happen to us, it will.
But just like sitting at the rainy beach and looking out the window to see the beautiful ocean,
In our struggles and sorrows and in our bad situations,
We can look out the window and see eternity with our savior.
If you don’t have this security today, if you have never given your life to Christ in this way, as your savior from death and sin,
Please, consider it today. Don’t leave this room without talking to someone. Because there’s nothing that can save you outside of Jesus Christ.
He is the way, the truth, and the life. This is the only decision that you ever need to make.
If you are a follower of Christ,
Look up. Because you’re at the table with Jesus.
Don’t forget, our circumstances don’t define truth. I know you’re hurting, I know you’re in pain, I know it’s hard, life sucks sometimes.
But like Paul, keep your eyes on the prize. Don’t forget, there’s more to this life, and there’s a coming time where creation will no longer groan.
That’s the hope we have.
And you can choose to be bitter, you can choose to be miserable. Or.
You can choose to bring honor to the name of Christ, and advance his gospel.
Because our mission is for the survival of many, and we have too much work to do to sulk in our situations that God wants to use for good.
For the salvation of the many.
35 “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, and then comes the harvest’? Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest.
The mission is urgent, and it’s yours in Christ.
Let’s pray.
