Paul's Purpose In His Imprisonment

I. The Purpose of Paul’s Imprisonment. (1:12-18)

A. To Advance the Gospel (12-13)

Philippians 1:12–13 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.

Philippians 12

Paul begins this letter really clearly explaining what has happened to me has served to advance the gospel. Caused the gospel to go forth...

The gospel has become know throughout the guards and all the rest confirming that Christ had him in prison for a purpose.

B. To Increase Confidence and Boldness in Preaching.

Philippians 1:14–16 ESV

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Philippians 1:14–17 ESV

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

Philippians 1:

Philippians 1:14-

Notice, Paul says while he has been in prison his brothers are growing in confidence!

His brothers are also much more bold to speak the word without fear.

If Pastor Josh, Pastor David, Pastor Adam or myself were in prison for preaching the gospel and wrote you a letter telling you how Christ was advancing the gospel through this wouldn’t you be more bold to preach the gospel in your school?

There is a third purpose/reason for Paul’s imprisonment,

C. To Proclaim Christ.

Philippians 1:17–18 ESV

The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 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:

Paul’s imprisonment was causing some folks to proclaim Christ selfishly, thinking they would hurt Paul.

He wasn’t that concerned with there motive, but with their message!

Paul rejoiced in prison because Christ was proclaimed.

Do you see first how Paul explained the Purpose for his imprisonment? Secondly notice,

II. The Purpose of Paul’s Life (19-26)

A. To Honor Christ

Philippians 1:

Philippians 1:19–20 ESV

for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 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.

Paul understood to honor Christ he needed the help of the church (through prayer), and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Paul had a confident hope, expectation that he would not be ashamed.

Paul had courage even in imprisonment that Christ would be honored in his body whether he lived or died!

B. To Labor for the Church

Philippians 1:21–24 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

Philippians 1:21-

Paul desire to live for Christ, even though he new dying would be a great gain!

Paul knew if he lived it would be an opportunity for him to labor for the church.

Paul explained that to remain work for the good to God’s people was necessary on account of the body of Christ.

Finally Paul wanted his life to be a used,

C. To See the Church Grow and Glory in Christ

Philippians 1:25-

Philippians 1:25–26 ESV

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Paul wanted to continue with the church for their progress and joy in the faith!

Paul wanted the body of Christ, the church to glory in Christ, because he came to them!

So we have seen the purpose of Paul’s imprisonment, the purpose of Paul’s life, so the third and final point this morning is that while Paul was in prison there was,

III. The Purpose of the Church. (27-30)

A. To Stand Firm in the Gospel.

Philippians 1:28 ESV

and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Philippians 1:27 ESV

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Philippians

The church at Philippi was to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

The church at Philippi was to stand firm in the gospel of Christ.

The church at Philippi was to strive side by side for the faith of the gospel.

That wasn’t the only purpose of the Church, they and we are to,

B. To Believe and Suffer for Christ’s Sake.

Philippians 1:28–30 ESV

and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:

The church is to be courageous because of their salvation.

The church is to believe for Christ’s sake

The Church is to suffer for Christ’s sake

Do you see who was at the center of every purpose Paul laid out for us in this passage? Jesus Christ, the purpose of Paul’s imprisonment was for Christ, the Purpose of Paul’s life was for Christ, the Purpose of the church at Philippi and Pray’s Mill is Christ. Therefore, if we desire to like Paul have a Christ centered purpose for our life, we must be first of all be saved through Jesus Christ.