Philippians 1:14-18 | Christ is Preached

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As you turn your Bibles to Philippians Chapter 1 verse 14 this morning, I will admit up front that I am about to throw stones in a glass house. And here it is: Over the years I have become fairly critical of preaching. I think that this is a relatively common thing for Christians who have been around for a while, as we grow in our faith and our understanding, it becomes increasingly difficult to tolerate bad theology or passages that have been ripped from their context so that they can be inappropriately applied to whatever point the preacher is trying to make.

The most difficult sermons to listen to are the ones where the preacher reads a verse, and once he gets that out of the way begins to give his opinion soaked with “amen” points in order to get the audience riled up. And then there is the self-aggrandizing preaching that is more expository of the poor spirit of the preacher than the word of God.

I know I have shared this before, but I have had the misfortune of sitting through a revival service and on the first day, the preacher told of an experience, as if it were his own, a very unique experience that was given by an extremely well know preacher with a national radio show, and he did so nearly word for word. I will tell you, that pretty well killed my ability to listen to the preaching for the rest of the week.

As conservative Christians it is almost expected that we cast dispersion on contemporary mega-church pastors. Some of that criticism is well deserved. Often much of the criticism comes from statements by whatever famous preacher makes, removed from context, so that envious men can take easy shots at successful ministries.

This is not a new development. In fact, in our passage today, Paul writes to the Philippians about preachers who have ungodly motives. and in his writing we see Paul’s heart on the matter. So please follow along as we read Philippians 1:14-18

Philippians 1:14–18 KJV 1900

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Our message this morning is entitled “Christ is Preached”

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Tension

Contrast

I think we can understand those in v14 who cared for Paul and followed his teaching, that they would be incensed over his treatment, and that it would drive them, making them all the more fearless.

But in verse 15 we are given a contrast. On one hand there are those who preach Christ of good will. but look what it says

Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife

Poor Motivations

Envy

The word envy, no matter how you look at it comes down to just being jealously.

In his commentary William Hendriksen writes:

It should be borne in mind that there was a church in Rome long before Paul arrived there. It can scarcely be doubted, therefore, that certain preachers in Rome had attained a degree of prominence among the brothers. With the arrival of Paul and especially with the spreading of his fame throughout the city … it is easy to understand that these leaders were beginning to lose some of their former prestige. Their names were no longer mentioned so often. Hence, they became envious of Paul. Their motives in preaching Christ were not pure or unmixed.

It is hard to imagine a Christian speaking against an Apostle of Christ, I would suspect that despite the miracles that Paul had been permitted to perform, these men didn’t believe in Paul’s claims to Apostleship.

Paul arriving to Rome is reminiscent of Jesus coming on the scene. John the Baptist had achieved great notoriety, but then Jesus comes a long and things change. When asked about Jesus, John Responded in John 3:30

John 3:30 KJV 1900

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Now, I understand that Paul is not Jesus, but none-the-less, you would think that these other preachers would have a heart to gladly turn the spotlight off of themselves and onto the Apostle.

Common Today

This of course is a motivation today. I now plenty of people who see ministry as something to grasp for power and prestige that they perceive comes along with it.

And the folks who look at the ministry from this perspective tend to get very jealous if someone else is given the glory that they crave.

We see this in a very public way every time a new preacher gains national attention. People claiming to be spiritual gatekeepers, armed with the supposed gift of discernment begin trashing that preacher. Today, with the internet and social media being what it is, they can sew the seeds of their discord further than ever before.

I will say this. When error is introduced in the church, it is the pastor’s responsibility to correct that error. But when we see personal attacks made from the pulpit, or even entire sermons given over to the defamation of another preacher or another church, it is a tragedy, and It is most often rooted in jealousy.

Strife

The word “strife” clarifies the word envy. It means to always have something bad to say about someone else.

More and more, I remember back to the job I had when I was in my late teens and early 20’s. In hindsight, looking back as a much older adult, I can recognize the immaturity I had. One of my managers gave me some good advise when he said “don’t blow someone else’s candle out to make yours look brighter”.

Unfortunately, we see this going on within the ranks of Christianity all too often. Preachers will puff up the church by pointing out the awfulness of every other church, and every other preacher. Rather than admitting fault, some Christians will instead attack the character of anyone whose actions or complaints could make them look bad.

Contention

Our Bible says that these people, in Philippians 1:16

preach Christ of contention

That is a fascinating word, contention. It is ἐριθεία (eritheia) in the Greek. In his commentary on Philippians, John MacArthur wrote this of the word:

ἐριθεία (eritheia) did not originally have a bad connotation but merely referred to working for hire. Eventually, however, it acquired the meaning of looking out solely for one’s own interests, regardless of the consequences to others. It was used of career professionals who ruthlessly tried to climb to the top of their fields in any way they could, and politicians who sought office at any expense.

We have seen this kind of thing play out in politics and on the job but no doubt, just as Paul has, you have seen this in the church as well. Those who would step on anyone, to advance the prestige of their ministry.

Truth

Paul Rejoices

what Paul says of these contentious preachers of strife and envy, if I am to be honest, is personally convicting. Take a look at Philippians 1:18

Philippians 1:18 KJV 1900

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Paul says that whether in pretence PRETEND or in truth, he rejoices and will continue to rejoice. How can this be Paul? When the word is so mis-handled, when people are used up for the self promotion of the preacher?

The Heart of Jesus

Jesus dealt with this though. Turn your bibles with me to Mark 9:35-41

Mark 9:38–41 KJV 1900

38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

We, more often than not have the perspective of the Apostles. We see those who don’t follow with us. Those who are outside the camp. We see those who are in other denominations and our heart is to want them silenced.

But what does Jesus say? “Forbid him not”. The problem we have, is that we often forget, even if there are differences and even if there is error, those who labor in the name of Christ are on our side. I am Baptist for a reason, this is a Baptist church for a reason, but so often we emphasize so much on the adjectives that describe us as Christians that we can’t hear the words of Jesus in v40

Mark 9:40 KJV 1900

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

The Heart of Paul

The heart of Paul mirrors, here, the heart of Jesus. Paul gets it. These are people who have been personally attacking Paul, people whose intent is as it says in Philippians 1:16 is

to add affliction to PAUL’s bonds

But Paul says he rejoices. Let’s be clear, these are the enemy’s of Paul, yet still the Apostle rejoices in their ministries. Why is that? Because regardless of how he is treated, Christ is preached.

To study the life of Paul is a lesson in humility. Take, for instance, what he writes in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

1 Corinthians 15:9–10 KJV 1900

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

He reflects on his ministry and concludes, that of the Apostles he is least, he felt a great debt that drove him to push harder in the ministry.

Jesus says in Luke 12:48

Luke 12:48 KJV 1900

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

I think Paul’s drive in ministry comes from a heart that had been so broken, and from a sense of great appreciation of the Grace of God extended to him. He felt unworthiness to his calling in every moment.

Someone once said:

I don’t get upset at the lies people say about me. If they knew my heart, the truth is much worse.

For Paul it didn’t matter what people said about him. All he cared about was what people said about Christ.

Application

Wesley Vs. Whitefield

It is a matter of historic record that the two great English evangelists, John Wesley and George Whitefield, disagreed on doctrinal matters. Both of them were very successful, preaching to thousands of people and seeing multitudes come to Christ. It is reported that somebody asked Wesley if he expected to see Whitefield in heaven, and the evangelist replied, “No, I do not.”

“Then you do not think Whitefield is a converted man?”

“Of course he is a converted man!” Wesley said. “But I do not expect to see him in heaven—because he will be so close to the throne of God and I so far away that I will not be able to see him!” Though he differed with his brother in some matters, Wesley did not have any envy in his heart, nor did he seek to oppose Whitefield’s ministry.

This is how Christians ought to behave. With Christians, conservative Christians especially; we can be so wrapped up in our identity, that we create artificial boundaries of separation.

Don’t get me wrong, the bible talks about this concept that we have termed separation:

Ephesians 5:11 KJV 1900

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV 1900

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

The Bible is clear that there should separation, but it is separation from unbelievers not from other Christians who we believe are in error.

I can guarantee that Paul’s doctrine was sounder than yours or mine. Yet still people were contentious and insincere in there preaching in his day. And for him it was personal. Yet still Paul Rejoiced!

Inspiration

Any Other Name?

There is a reason that I am Baptist. I am obviously versed in what Baptists believe, likely most of you are as well. And I have studied other denominations and have given them a fair look. At the end of the day, I have, in good faith, concluded that Baptistic beliefs are more aligned to scripture than what I find taught elsewhere, and so today I stand before you a Baptist.

And while I think it is helpful for people to understand who we are, It doesn’t bother me a bit if we are or are not called by that name. I want to be called by the name of Christ first, then Baptist, if it is helpful.

It is true that there are some differences that make it very difficult to have close fellowship, as churches, with other denominations. But even if we disagree on a myriad of issues, shouldn’t we be as Paul, and thank God if they are having success in seeing souls saved? Should we rejoice in that the gospel of Christ is preached?

How much more effective would we be at fulfilling the work of God if our energies were spent preaching for Christ instead of preaching against other Christians.

Action

Paul mentions also of those who preach Christ in good will. I sincerely hope that what can be said of this church is that we preach Christ in good will. If you don’t know what it is to have Christ as your savior let me plead to you with this. Everyone here knows their own heart, that we don’t measure up. Nobody has any space to be self-righteous. The good news of the gospel is this. If you repent, meaning, if you turn away from your sins, and If you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ to be in charge of your life. His death will make you right with God. I hope you will make the decision today to follow Jesus.

In a few minutes we are going to close in prayer. If you need to talk to someone about your relationship with God, please stop me after. I will be here as long as it takes and it would be a blessing to talk to you about Jesus.

For those of us who have been in church for a long time. Let’s have a heart of rejoicing. I catch myself being incredibly critical at times, but it’s not our job to correct other churches. Let’s just have joy that Christ is preached. And we will make make sure that we preach Christ as well. In good will.

Pray