50 Adversity

Philippians 1:12-30

EOS-The gospel changes how we view adversity.

I once heard a teacher say that if you are not in a trial right now you are either:

About to go into a trial

Just coming out of one

Tim Chung-Story of his mom-The gospel literally changed Tim and Tina’s moms life and many others outside of her life because it was connected to every part of her.

The gospel changed the way Paul viewed adversity.

The good news literally changed Pauls entire life.

If we view adversity through new lenses (Gospel lenses): Thee traits will be evident in our lives and our Churches.

1. The Gospel will be advanced (12-18).

What is the situation:

Philippians 1:12 NIV84

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

Paul = in jail for doing something good that was not harmful.

How would you respond if you were in jail for your faith?

This has turned out better than I could have imagined.

Philippians 1:13 NIV84

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

Two Advantages came:

The whole palace guard knows about Jesus (13)

Paul is almost thinking you know what-If I am stuck here I have a captive audience. I am literally going to tell everyone about Jesus. Can you picture the a random jailer who wants nothing to do with God and he is like please let this guy go I can’t take it anymore.

Philippians 1:14 NIV84

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Christians are inspired to live courageously (14).

Did you know that the gospel has spread like wild fire in times of persecution. In the early beginnings there was a small group of believers and in a couple hundred years the whole known earth had been penetrated by the good news of Jesus.

Look at China a modern day example. You are not allowed to be Christian. Soon China will have more Christians than America. Adversity is the time when the gospel tends to grow the most.

Are you living courageously for Jesus?

Does your life inspire others to live for Jesus?

Motives

Now Paul is dealing with Motives

Motives are tricky because I think if we are all being honest our motives are not always the best.

Philippians 1:15–18 NIV84

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 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,

Bad motives to preach the gospel-Envy, rivalry, selfish ambition, not sincere, desiring to stir up trouble for another believer in Jesus.

Good motives-goodwill, in love

Paul want them to have great motive but regardless Jesus was being preached.

Great Illustration:

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Pioneers Wanted (Philippians 1:12–26)

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.

Application:

Is the gospel being advanced in your life.

Church we have our top 5 and as we begin to reach our community let’ make sure we are being intentional to pray for, deepen relationships and share with those names on our top 5.

If we view adversity through new lenses (Gospel lenses):

2. Jesus will be exalted (19-26).

Paul just shared what happened because of his imprisonment and now he is sharing what is going to happen. He will either live or he will die. Most likely if you are listening today you are not in jail like Paul but the reality is that this is true for all of us we will all eventually die, but that could be today or it could be many years down the road. And we should have the same mindset as Paul. Let’s see what he says.

Philippians 1:19–20 NIV84

for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 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.

Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible 2. Paul’s anticipated deliverance 1:19–26

1:20 Paul did not want to feel ashamed when he stood before the Lord at His judgment seat. Moreover he was confident that with the prayer support of the Philippians and the Holy Spirit’s enablement he would not. Nevertheless he felt the need for courage. After all, he still had to stand before Caesar and undergo a Roman trial. His greatest desire, however, was that he would continue to exalt Jesus Christ whether that meant that he live or die.

“The believer’s body is a ‘lens’ that makes a ‘little Christ’ look very big, and a ‘distant Christ’ come very close.”

How can we exalt Jesus:

don’t be ashamed of him

have courage to exalt Him.

Then he shares his life passion.

Philippians 1:21 NIV84

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

We have different formulas but only Jesus formula works ultimately

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Pioneers Wanted (Philippians 1:12–26)

Philippians 1:21 becomes a valuable test of our lives. “For to me to live is and to die is .” Fill in the blanks yourself.

“For to me to live is money and to die is to leave it all behind.”

“For to me to live is fame and to die is to be forgotten.”

“For to me to live is power and to die is to lose it all.”

No, we must echo Paul’s convictions if we are going to have joy in spite of circumstances, and if we are going to share in the furtherance of the Gospel. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain!”

This is such a great verse to think through and meditate on. If I live it is going to be Jesus in me and if I die I will be with God in heaven forever.

Philippians 1:22 NIV84

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!

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Pioneers Wanted (Philippians 1:12–26)

What a man Paul is! He is willing to postpone going to heaven in order to help Christians grow, and he is willing to go to hell in order to win the lost to Christ! (Rom. 9:1–3)

Philippians 1:19–26 NIV84

for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 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. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 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! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 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, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Possible Illustration:

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Pioneers Wanted (Philippians 1:12–26)

Does Christ need to be magnified? After all, how can a mere human being ever magnify the Son of God? Well, the stars are much bigger than the telescope, and yet the telescope magnifies them and brings them closer. The believer’s body is to be a telescope that brings Jesus Christ close to people. To the average person, Christ is a misty figure in history who lived centuries ago. But as the unsaved watch the believer go through a crisis, they can see Jesus magnified and brought so much closer. To the Christian with the single mind, Christ is with us here and now.

If we view adversity through new lenses (Gospel lenses):

3. Believers will be encouraged (27-30).

Philippians 1:27–30 NASB95

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Application Question

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Two: Pioneers Wanted (Philippians 1:12–26)

Our chains may not be as dramatic or difficult, but there is no reason why God cannot use them in the same way.

So good how Pauls purpose of being a pioneer wasn’t hindered from circumstances that looked bad but actually strengthened by “bad” circumstances.