Circumstances and Motives

Introduction

Six Questions (Let the six questions guide your inductive exploration of the Bible text. The sermon outline and follow-up questions are there to help you to explore if you wish)

What do you like/notice in this passage?

What do you learn about God in this passage?

What do you learn about people in this passage?

What do you dislike or is difficult in this passage?

What one thing will you take away from this passage and apply to your life?

Who needs to know what you just learned? When will you share it with them?

What has happened to Paul to bring him to this point?

The church at Philippi was one of the first churches that Paul planted on his second missionary journey.

What does Paul mean by the gospel?

For Paul - the gospel was about Jesus being the fulfillment of everything that God had promised in the OT. This was not about just getting to Heaven, though it included the idea of eternal reward and being with God. His understanding of the gospel was the good news that God had broken through and made a way. Forgiveness was possible, restoration had come, and now life with God could be possible. Now, the world could be blessed now and forever by those who are God’s children.

Acts 16:25–30 ESV

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Acts 16:31–35 ESV

31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. 35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.”

Acts 16:25–40 ESV

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God. 35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Acts 16:36–40 ESV

36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

Our external circumstances can always place us in the center of God’s mission.

Philippians 1:12-14

Philippians 1:12–14 ESV

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Explanation:

v.12 - Paul says that what has happened to him has really served to advance the gospel.

Argumentation:

This does not mean that you will always enjoy your circumstances. However, it does mean that in any circumstance you can find where God is working and be attentive and obedient.

This is not a call for rosy thinking. This is living in reality. A reality that includes God’s sovereign reign over the entire universe.

Illustration:

Application:

Paul’s circumstances would have caused many to turn against God’s plan. Certainly, Paul had times of questioning God but in the end what do you think kept him on God’s mission in the midst of such horrible circumstances? (Read for more of Paul’s suffering and his thought process.)

Our internal motivations are vital if we desire to be in the center of God’s mission.

Philippians 1:15–18a ESV

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. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Philippians 1:15-18a

Explanation: While Paul was in prison - some were preaching in hopes of raising their own standing in the faith community. They were hoping to gain more power and control in the church. There issue was doctrinal - they preached the gospel accurately but their motives were less than stellar.

Illustration:

Argumentation:

Application:

We strive for perfect motives in our walk with Jesus. However, It is true that we never have perfectly pure motives as a result of sin. That being said, how do you know when your motives are not godly and need to be adjusted? What clues you in that you were operating from ungodly desires?

Our flawed internal motivations will not stop God’s mission!

What are some ways that we can cultivate right motivations?

Philippians 1:18 ESV

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Philippians 1:18

Explanation: Paul, in his humility, recognizes that the wrong motives of those who preach will not prevent the gospel message from having its full affect. It is not the messenger that makes the difference but the message.

Illustration:

Argumentation:

Application:

One Small Step: Pray and ask the Lord, “What do you want to do in my current circumstances?” Then, ask him to reveal your motives for serving him. Is there anything part of your heart that he brings to mind that he wants to transform? Submit to his will.