The Unstoppable Gospel

Stronger through force

It is amazing what can be done with plastic. I read an interesting article this week about a new plastic that becomes stronger under force. Here is a brief introduction from that article.

Plastics are amazingly versatile materials, and their usage in all manner of objects is only increasing. Virtually everything you own is at least partially composed of plastic, and that’s usually a very good thing. Plastic is light, inexpensive, and can be molded in any shape. However, it’s not always the strongest material. Many smartphone owners know the sorrow of dropping a phone and finding the fall cracked or chipped the casing. A new type of plastic developed at Duke University could change all that. This material actually gets stronger when it is stressed.

At this point, they described what made this all possible and they ended with...The goal now is to reverse the hardening when stress is removed from the plastic. That would allow shock-resistant plastics that are still soft and flexible. You may never have to worry about a plastic shopping bag tearing again.

Research paper: doi:10.1038/nchem.1720 – “Mechanochemical strengthening of a synthetic polymer in response to typically destructive shear forces”

The idea of something becoming stronger with force is not new. If you have ever watched a Star trek you may recall force-fields where the harder they pushed against them the stronger it became. However, objects are not the only things that become stronger through force. Throughout the centuries it has been proved that the harder political leaders try to shut down the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the faster it spreads.

“Years ago, I remember hearing about a Chinese effort to extinguish Christianity in China. Not by killing them and making them martyrs. They knew better than that, so they decided to spread them out all across China, and as far away from one another as possible. They reasoned that they wouldn’t be able to associate with other Christians, and it would eventually die out, but this backfired. By sending these believers across all of China, they had seeded the gospel of Jesus Christ by means of those who had been sent away. By trying to stamp out the church, they spread it across the entire continent. That’s what persecution does. One good example is when Saul approved of Stephen’s execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 9:1).”

(Read more: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/how-persecution-grows-the-church/#ixzz6KwadwmAM)

Most believe that Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from Rome since many of the details he shares correlate with his “house arrest” while he was in Rome found in Acts 28. One the the interesting details is that when Paul arrived in Rome, he was greeted by believers there, yet there is no known stories of any apostles being there. It is believed that part of the “scattering” which occurred with Stephen’s execution may be responsible for the gospel making it this far away. This demonstrates how adversity tends to “spread the gospel.”

As we continue in our study of Philippians today, we will see how Paul gives credit to and rejoices over such adversity for this reason. Look with me at our text for today found in Philippians 1:12-26.

Philippians 1:12–26 NIV

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted 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 go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Pray

Last week we saw how Paul was encouraged through a “fellowship of the faith.” The believers of Philippi are very precious to Paul and they partnered with Paul by providing for him financially and physically as well as having in common the same kind of persecution.

In verse 12, Paul transitions from his greeting and appreciation of them to encourage them by sharing what is happening because of his difficulties. He continues his letter showing how...

I. Adversity Advances the Gospel (Phil 1:12-26)

In verses 12-26, Paul shares three ways in which his current dilemma is advancing the gospel. The first one we see is that...

A. The gospel is advanced through Paul’s imprisonment (vv 12-14)

Philippians 1:12–13 NIV

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

Philippians 1:14 NIV

14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

The word translated “advance” or “furtherance” in the KJV actually means “pioneer advance.” It was a military term. It referred to the military engineers who went ahead of a troop with the responsibility of opening up new territory. Paul sees is circumstances as providing this kind of pioneering in ministry. It is opening up new territories for which he can minister. This ministry is both to those who have not heard the salvation message as well as to encourage those who have heard it.

First, let us look at...

1. Paul’s ministry to the lost (13)

Philippians 1:13 NIV

13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

You may be wondering, if Paul is under house arrest, how would he have a chance to preach or teach those who do not know Christ. The fun part is that he did not have to seek them out. They were either attached to him or came seeking him. First, there were those attached to him.

a. Paul is guarded by Roman soldiers

That is two soldiers every 6 hours. Even if Paul was not allowed to address them directly, he was allowed company and he spent a lot of that time talking and teaching those who came. These soldiers could not help but over hear what Paul was saying. Probably even more so considering he is under house arrest for real crime. This certainly would have peaked their interest. They were “a prison audience” if you will. However, there were others who were seeking Paul out. These were...

b. Officials of Caesar’s court

There were certain officials sent to Paul during his Roman imprisonment, with the purpose of determining what this new “Christian” sect was all about. What did they believe? What was their purpose? Was this a group that would cause problems for Rome? This gave Paul a perfect opportunity to witness to men who were key in Caesar’s court.

When you think about it, it would probably feel odd to all of these people that this man is in prison, not for doing anything wrong, but by association with someone else who had done no wrong, Jesus Christ. What an odd thing this would be and we see Paul calling our attention to this when he says, “it has become clear…that I am in chains for Christ.”

But it did not end there. Look at verse 14 where we find...

2. Paul’s ministry to fellow believers (14)

Philippians 1:14 NIV

14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Even though Paul was in chains, he was having such an influence in that other believers were becoming bolder about sharing their faith. The word translated “proclaim” is not talking about preaching. The word literally means, “everyday conversation.” Paul’s case was a big thing. Everybody was talking about it for the reason I mentioned above. Paul is in chains and has done nothing wrong. This provided opportunities for believers to speak about what they knew of Jesus Christ and their personal experiences on the matter. Where before they had been afraid to bring it up, now the subject matter was open and they could speak and not feel threatened by it.

Paul could have been sulky and complained about his imprisonment, but instead he saw it as an opportunity. He was a pioneer opening up new ministry territory.

As believers, it helps us to see ourselves as pioneers. There are always new ways to present the gospel or ways to use our passions and our talents to promote the gospel.

Everyone has heard of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the famous British preacher, but few know the story of his wife, Susannah. Early in their married life, Mrs. Spurgeon became an invalid. It looked as though her only ministry would be encouraging her husband and praying for his work. But God gave her a burden to share her husband’s books with pastors who were unable to purchase them. This burden soon led to the founding of the “Book Fund.” As a work of faith, the “Book Fund” provided thousands of pastors with tools for their work. All this was supervised by Mrs. Spurgeon from her home. It was a pioneer ministry accomplished while she was home-bound.

With our current pandemic, churches all over the world have had to learn knew ways of doing ministry. The result is that ministry is advancing throughout the world. This pandemic may not be fun. It may be scary and hold some dire consequences, but it is providing a means for the word of God to move outside the walls of the church buildings. On a normal week, I preach to approximately 35 people, however, the first video I created at the beginning of this thing has been viewed 87 times by last account. Each video since has continued in the number of times it has been viewed with each passing week.

Our chains may not be as dramatic or as difficult as Paul’s, but God can still use them to advance the ministry. We just need to see ourselves as pioneers and find new innovative ways to advance the gospel through our chains. However, Paul’s circumstances advanced the gospel through more than just his chains. There was something more happening that was advancing the gospel.

B. The gospel is advanced even in wrong motives (vv 15-19)

Philippians 1:15–16 NIV

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

Philippians 1:17 NASB95

17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

Philippians 1:18–19 NIV

18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Here we see that the gospel is advanced due to Paul’s critics making the most of the situation to advance their theology. He is most likely speaking of the Judaizers. These were Jews who were strong advocates demanding circumcision and other Jewish laws to be adhered to by the Gentiles. They believed Jesus to be the Son of God, but were “legalistic” if you will about the law. Paul as well as others believed that circumcision was strictly a Jewish matter while the Gentiles were not bound by that law. Unfortunately, this caused a lot of hard feelings and they rejected Gentiles who were not circumcised. Paul continually fought this battle and we see there were times when he encouraged it and times when he fought against it. With Titus, a Gentile believer, Paul fought that he need not be circumcised. However, Timothy who was part Jew and part Greek, had been raised by his Jewish mother under the Jewish law. In this case, Paul encouraged him to be circumcised to prevent it hindering him in ministry to the Jews.

With Paul in chains, these Judaizers saw their way clear to freely preach their theology without interference by Paul and perhaps causing him distress that he could not do anything about it.

It is interesting that the word which is translated as “selfish ambition” or in other places “contention” actually means “to canvass for office, to get people to support you.” What it comes down to, is that these people were not preaching the gospel out of their love for God or his message. They were trying to make a point and get people in their court. However, Paul was not distressed about it. Whether he agreed with all the details of what they preached, he knew that it was being preached that Jesus was the Son of God that saves us from our sins. That was the most important thing.

It is true that people who preach for the wrong reasons can cause harm. People are sometimes saved, but later discouraged by the actions of the one who lead them there. In those cases it is because their eyes are hearts are on the pastor and not really on Christ. Others find Christ through such preachers but even when the preacher fails later on, they remain true to the gospel because they were seeking the right thing; Christ.

Unfortunately, there are many who preach for the wrong reasons. However, if a person is truly seeking God, they can still come to a saving relationship with Christ through people preaching with wrong motives. Once they have given their lives through Christ, the Holy Spirit can lead them to what is right. Paul understood that and rejoiced that the word of God was being spread, even if it was for the wrong reasons. What they intended to distress Paul actually encouraged Paul.

So the gospel was being advanced due to Paul’s chains and his critics but also due to Paul’s crisis. You see...

C. The gospel is advanced through both life and death (vv 19-26)

Philippians 1:19–26 NIV

19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted 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 go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

I like the way Warren Wiersbe says is in his commentary:

“Because of Paul’s chains, Christ was known, and because of Paul’s critics, Christ was preached. But because of Paul’s crisis, Christ was magnified!”

Paul did not know if he would be given freedom or death upon final sentence. However, he knew that no matter which way it went, God would use it to advance the kingdom. Just has Stephen’s martyrdom and spread the gospel before him. Paul felt some conviction that he would most likely be freed due to the prayers of the people and the way the Holy Spirit was providing, but he still knew it could go the other way. However, Paul felt peace in either circumstance. All he sought was for God to be glorified and the gospel to be advanced. In Paul’s mind, he won either way. He says it well in verse 21.

Philippians 1:21 NIV

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

If he lived, he lived in the Spirit of Christ daily. It was a relationship, a companionship he relished in. Even if Jesus was not there in the flesh, he knew the Spirit of Christ resided within him leading and guiding him. However, if he died, then he would be with Christ physically for all eternity. This was what he yearned for. This was his living hope. So either way, he won as there is nothing that can separate him from his God. Paul said it himself in Romans 8:38-39.

Romans 8:38–39 NIV

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul knew that his job here on earth was to advance the gospel and all of his current circumstances were achieving just that. He was making “pioneer advances” for the gospel.

Conclusion

We too are to be gospel pioneers and it is not always easy. However, instead of sulking and complaining, we should see each struggle as an opportunity and watch for ways we can be gospel pioneers. Another quote I like by Dr. Warren Wiersbe is, “God still wants His children to take the gospel into new areas. He wants us to be pioneers, and sometimes He arranges circumstances so that we can be nothing else but pioneers.

This pandemic is the chains we are currently in. For some of us, we feel far removed from the threat and feel like we are “imprisoned” for nothing. Others are living within the threat and everyday fear they may be exposed and come down with it.

Last week I spoke of the book, The Fellowship of the Ring. I watched it again this week and there was a quote in it that stands out to me every time I watch it. Then I always chuckle when I find that it was important enough that they mention it again at the end.

Frodo and Gandalf are in the mines and find they have become a tomb for the dwarfs that had lived there. They are under threat by Orks and may yet lose their lives as well. Frodo in tears says, to Gandalf.

“I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had ever happened!” To which Gandalf responds, “So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given you.”

As Paul faced the possibility of his death, he rejoiced in what was being achieved and looked forward to the victory he would receive when the time of his death did come.

Before this pandemic ends, we may face the death of someone we love or perhaps even our own death. There is nothing we can do about that so why dwell there? Instead, we need to think out we can be pioneers of the gospel. As other family members or friends share their concerns, we can share how Christ has given us peace in the moment and victory over death in the end. Perhaps some, like me, can find innovative ways to share the gospel through social media. I have to say that I have shared my peace and messages on my personal FB page and had friends from high school and other times throughout my life respond saying that what I had shared encouraged them.

We have many talents in our church that we could share with others during this time. Perhaps we sew face masks and pin a scripture of hope to it for distribution. Bars of soap can be made and distributed with scriptures. Pictures can be painted that are peaceful and scriptures added to them. Find encouraging YouTube videos and share them with someone you know can be encouraged through them. Email a friend who doesn’t know Christ and share something encouraging from God’s word with them. There are probably a lot of other things that I cannot think of that you can. Be a gospel pioneer! Seek for ways to advance the gospel during these days when others are hurting. Now is a time when they are ready to hear good news!

Pray