Rejoice in the Gospel

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

The Advance of the Gospel (vv 12-14)

The Story of Lottie Moon - advancing the Gospel through cookies in China. (Dec. 12, 1840 - 1912) on mission from ‘72.

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

When Jesus is your life, you can trust Him to use you to further the Gospel! When you goal is to make Christ known then you are guaranteed success!

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.

- Paul led to Philippi. Paul and Silias thrown in Prison. Read the story of the Philippian jailor conversion.

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 Ceasar’s palace.

Paul’s perspective as an apostle was to advance the Gospel through all circumstances:

2 Corinthians 4:7–12 ESV

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

2 corinthians 4:7-12

Paul’s focus was on what matters for eternity, so that temporary trials only strengthened his love for the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

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 Ceasar’s own household.

Philippians 4:22 ESV

All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

If your life is full of Christ then what spills out will be Jesus.

Other believers trusted

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 (vv 15-18)

Paul’s imprisonment encouraged others to preach the Gospel. But they did so for two reasons.

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

Motivated by envy and selfish ambition.

We can do spiritual work for selfish reasons.

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.

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!