Philippians-Part 2

Last week we had a good beginning as we discussed Paul’s greeting to the Church at Philippi.

We discussed how Paul called himself and Timothy “servants” of the Church in Christ Jesus

We discussed that there is to be no partiality or favoritism in the Church

And lastly, we discussed that we ought to think of others above ourselves and our circumstances, pray and intercede for others and lastly, that we are partners in this ministry and we’re all in this together!

I want to continue advancing that theme today as we continue and finish up Philippians 1

Gospel Living is Great News

Even in the midst of trials and tribulation the Gospel is great news!

Philippians 1:12-14

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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.

1. Our TRIALS can become great OPPORTUNITIES.

Philippians 1:12–13

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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.

Remember the conditions that Paul was in that we discussed last time.

He’s imprisoned in vile conditions where he could sit and sulk and complain about circumstances and obviously he had plenty of opportunities to do so.

But what does Paul do? Paul uses those moments to advance the Gospel to any and every audience that he comes into contact with.

This requires intentionality in our outlook toward our circumstances.

Our life circumstances are very real, but they are only temporary compared to eternity.

Testimony of the Aaron’s heart surgery as a child and the doctor that said “it makes no sense that any heart form right in the womb”. Opportunity to share the intentionality of God in each situation.

2. How we respond to our trials can affect how others PERCEIVE their own.

Philippians 1:14

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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.

Our response to our personal trials may hinder or embolden others around us that we intentionally or unintentionally influence.

When we know that our faithfulness in the midst of trials encourages others it really lightens the load and brings joy into our lives and a greater ability to endure under it.

What matters most is not our SITUATION, but the furtherance of the Gospel.

Philippians 1:15-18

English Standard Version Chapter 1

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.

1. Some people will not react our suffering with COMPASSION, but rather with PRIDEFUL aspirations and JUDGMENT.

2. And even though we can find FAULT with others motivations, the GOSPEL is greater and we can find reason to REJOICE.

Living for Christ is SUPREME.

Philippians 1:19-26

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21

1. In order that living for Christ to find supremacy in our lives, we must die to ourselves first and foremost (v. 21).

We often find ouselves wanting to be available to God, but being completely devoted to the Lord.

We may say that we want to serve the Lord, but we often want to make sure that it fits into our schedules first.

Living for Christ means dying to ourselves...our own desires, purposes and perspectives.

Matthew 16:24-26

English Standard Version Chapter 16

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

2. We must resolve that escapism cannot be our primary motivation, but that God's Kingdom purpose is supreme (v. 22-26).

Escapism is where we would prefer to leave everything and everyone behind for the sake of seeing Jesus.

And I understand the desire, llike Paul, to be with Jesus and to see Him face to face, but in reality that is a form of selfishness.

FACT: If we are in Christ Jesus...if we have been redeemed, then we will one day see the Lord face to face.

But for now we must remain and we must be faithful to Christ by serving the body and proclaiming the Gospel to lost souls in need of redemption.

That is far better!

I hope to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” one day and if that is the case, then there ought to evidence for Him to say so.

James 1:22-25

English Standard Version Chapter 1

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 2:14-26

English Standard Version Chapter 2

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.