Gospel Advancement

David Franks

Gospel Advancement

March 16, 2014

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.

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, 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 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Summary:

Paul assures the Philippians that, though he is imprisoned, the gospel is still advancing. He is joyfully confident that no matter what happens, he will be delivered and Christ will be honored, because to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Outline:

What can stop the gospel from advancing?

-Prison? / Personal Suffering

-Preachers with selfish ambition? / Divided Church

-Death or life? / Uncertain Future

In our first sermon in Philippians we learned how the gospel had changed Paul from a man who hated Christians into a man that is filled with frequent, joyful, thanks towards God and fellow believers. There was great mutual love between Paul and the Philippians and it overflowed in thanksgiving to God. And because of this great love Paul’s suffering became the suffering of fellow believers. When the believers in Philippi received word that Paul was thrown into prison they were deeply distressed. They were not only concerned about their dear friend but also unsure about how the gospel will continue to progress. Would Paul’s imprisonment serve to hinder the advancement of the gospel?

As Paul writes to comfort these worried believers, he desires for them to have a larger picture of what is going on. He writes not simply to inform them of his present circumstances but to turn their gaze away from him and onto what God is accomplishing through his difficulties.

Personal Suffering

Paul begins by saying that his personal imprisonment has really severed to advance the gospel. The word “really” (μᾶλλον) can also be translated “rather”. Paul understands that this news would come as a surprise. They were greatly worried about his physical needs. They feared that this time Paul would not make it out alive. We see this as they sent Epaphroditus, a fellow believer, to bring their gift they had collected. They wanted to help anyway they could.

But Paul wanted them to understand that his suffering, his imprisonment, has rather served to advance the gospel of Christ. While it is not completely clear where Paul was imprisoned when he wrote this letter, many commentators believe he was in custody in Rome. He would have been beaten and chained to a Roman guard under constant supervision. Although he would have been allowed to receive visitors, Paul was no longer a free man. Yet every beating, every humiliating and awkward moment with a guard chained next to him, only provided an occasion for Paul to share the gospel.

Through his suffering the whole imperial guard has come to know that Paul is no ordinary prisoner. He realizes that this imprisonment didn't happen by chance but rather it comes from an all powerful God. Paul says that his imprisonment is for Christ. Paul now is able to proclaim the gospel with every Roman guard that is chained to him. While other prisoners despair or even perhaps spew out threats, Paul is rejoicing and proclaiming Christ. Now lets be clear, this is not just the “power of positive thinking” seeking just to have a better outlook on life. No, Paul is convinced that his suffering serves to glorify God. As one pastor puts it, “Paul may be in chains, but the gospel goes forth unfettered.”

But this not only had an effect on the prison guards but Paul says that his struggles had also served to embolden other believers. He was so zealous in his desire to make Christ known, that nothing could hinder him. Paul was deeply consumed with the glory of God and the desire of men to be reconciled to Him. And when others looked at his joyful boldness even in prison, they were encouraged to preach Christ. Paul’s example was a living testimony to : “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Divided Church

But Paul and the Philippians both knew that not every brother was preaching Christ for the right reasons. It is important for us to be clear on this point. Paul says that there were some who proclaimed the gospel out of selfish ambition and rivalry. They competed with Paul in order to gain a following, perhaps even for financial gain. They may have tried to convince others to see Paul as a failure. Look at the apostle Paul… He is not eloquent in speech. Every time he goes somewhere to preach he only ends up being rejected and often thrown into jail. Surely that isn't someone who you want to follow?

Paul’s Friends Paul’s Rivals

out of goodwill out of envy and rivalry

in love from selfishness, not sincerely

knowing supposing

in truth in falsehood

preached Christ preached Christ

There are clear differences here and it is not that Paul doesn’t think they matter. But the point is clear, although these men seek to provoke Paul to anger, he still rejoices .Why? Because the gospel is still advancing. Although they have done all that they could to oppose Paul, at the end of the day they did the very thing that pleased Paul. They preached Christ. Paul doesn't care about the personal attacks. He is not consumed with others who mock him in his suffering. Even selfish men cannot stop the gospel from advancing. God even uses these men, even in spite of themselves, to declare that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. And this is reason for Paul to rejoice.

Again what may come as a surprise to the Philippians and even to us, is that Paul rejoices that the God of all grace will never be hindered. We know how hard it is see others pass us by. Seeing that co-worker get the raise, knowing that they work only for selfish reasons, can be painful. They cut corners. They make promises but never fulfill what they say. They even lie about others to be seen in a better lie. But Paul is not concerned with his own name to be lifted high. He doesn't care if people make much of him. No, his delight is that Christ is preached. Yes their actions are sinful and wrong but at the end of the day the job is done: the gospel has advanced.

Uncertain Future?

Paul calls his friends who worry about him to see the bigger picture. In his sufferings in prison and even through these rival preachers Christ is proclaimed. And this is reason for rejoicing! Many are coming to know and place their faith in Jesus. Now having reassured them how his past difficulties have only served the cause of Christ, Paul makes this glorious statement: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” It is clear that he is not blind to the difficulties, for he faced many. Yet Paul is confident that God’s purposes will triumph.

Brothers and sisters, are we not so often tempted to doubt how God can use the great difficulties we face for good? Do we have a view of God that when bad things happen we cannot see how good could come out of it? So often our view of God is just too small. I do not seek to minimize the difficulties and pain that you feel but we serve a God who is never taken off guard. When the church is persecuted, God is not surprised but rather uses even such persecution to advance the gospel.

Paul says that if he is to live it will serve to bring glory to God. While he remains in the flesh he has work to do. As long as he has breath he will proclaim the gospel so that others may be built up in Christ. There is no retirement plan for Paul. He doesn't long to be released from prison in order that he can take it easy. If Paul is to live it means fruitful labors, gospel advancement until the Lord takes him.

He reinforces his confidence in God by declaring that even death is gain. This is foreign to our modern culture. We hide from death. “Prior to the first half of the twentieth century, when extended families often lived near each other and even in the same house with one another, it was not uncommon for children to observe death firsthand and to learn to cope with it from older family members.” But today it is seldom spoken of. When it is mentioned on t.v. it is quickly passed over and not reflected on. We are afraid to think about death and try to hide it so we never have to think about it.

Paul, and each of us as Christians, have a much great perspective on death. Because of Christ triumph over death, we can join with Paul and say that to die is gain. Both in life and in death we belong to Christ. If we remain in the flesh we desire to bring glory to Christ and if we die we will bring glory to Christ.

Do you believe that even in death you can bring glory to Christ? The Puritans often spoke of the need to live our lives now in preparation for dying well. And there is perhaps no greater testimony of our confidences in the gospel than for us to be truly convinced that death is gain. This world which fears death needs to see men and women counting death as gain. When we declare with Paul that being with Christ is better than anything this world can give us it provides a powerful witness and the gospel advances.

But congregation, what holds all of this together? How is it that Paul can rejoice while being chained to a Roman guard? How can he still delight when rival preachers speak ill of him? And when facing the thought of death, how can Paul find courage and hope? It is clear from our text: the gospel is worth living and dying for and as long as it is advancing there is reason to rejoice. Paul faced many frustrations and great suffering but his consuming passion was the glory and exultation of Christ. He actually believed that his chief end was to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever!

“Paul expressed his supreme goal- to promote Jesus’ glory, whatever the cost or benefit to Paul himself- in order to whet the Philippians’ and our appetites for the same heart-satisfying aim. He wanted to make us all to feel his thrill at the privilege of magnifying Christ. This privilege, and nothing less, is what you and I were made for.”

Jesus Christ suffered, died, and was buried to save us from our sins. And His resurrection confirms His victory over sin and death. Christ has conquered! The gospel is indeed great news! And nothing will impede Christ from saving His own. While we continue to receive news of the persecuted church around the world, this does not mean the gospel is hindered. Not at all! As the early-church father Tertullian wrote, "the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. 36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

This is how God has and will continue to advance his kingdom. There will be times of prosperity for the church and perhaps even more often, times of GREAT suffering. But through it all the gospel of Christ is advanced, our God is glorified, and many are brought to saving faith. This is reason to worship. This is reason to rejoice.

May our gracious God enable us to count all trials, suffering, and difficulties as joy so long as Christ is glorified and the gospel is advanced. May He so shape our hearts that we join Paul in saying, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Closing prayer from Valley of Vision:

Sovereign God,

Thy cause, not my own, engages my heart, and I appeal to thee with greatest freedom to set up thy kingdom in every place where Satan reigns. Glorify thyself and I shall rejoice, for to bring honor to thy name is my sole-desire… Lord, use me as thou wilt, do with me what thou wilt; but, O, promote they cause, let they kingdom come, let thy blessed interested be advanced in this world! It is thy cause and kingdom I long for, not my own.