It Is Time To Proclaim The Gospel

JANUARY 17, 2021 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 1:12-17 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES IT IS TIME TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL INTRODUCTION We have recently witnessed things that we thought would never happen to us in America Not just the coronavirus pandemic, but many other unprecedented things are happening Paul has a message for the Christian and church for such a day that we are experiencing Regardless of what has happened, is happening, or will happen, we must proclaim the Gospel All that we are currently witnessing is telling us how important it is for us to be a gospel witness Php 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; First notice that Paul is speaking to the “brethren” his words speak to us today, especially to our day Paul speaks with strong determination it is important that we understand what he is saying Paul wants us to learn what he has learned through the experiences of life, for sure God is in control Paul did not complain about his circumstances, he prayed that God would show him what to do Paul did not allow his circumstances to fill him with disappointment, he looked to “things above” Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Regardless of what we are facing we must turn to Christ) He accepted his circumstances as a God-given appointment, an opportunity to minister Paul’s mindset was, regardless of my circumstances, the gospel must be proclaimed We need to learn that things which happen to us may be God appointed, if so, there is a purpose Regardless of the source of our circumstances, God can use them in our life for a good purpose Remember the old saying, when life gives you a lemon, make lemonade By the grace of God, we can make lemonade out of all the lemons of our life Paul had been arrested because he was preaching the gospel, he was beaten and cast into prison What did Paul do while he was in prison? He proclaimed the gospel, the good news People are talking about the news of today and what we are hearing is not good news Now is the time for Christians to proclaim the gospel, be sure you understand the gospel Paul said the gospel must be “first of all,” 1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; To proclaim the gospel is to tell people what Jesus did for us so that we could be saved, 1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: If you are saved you know how important it is to proclaim the gospel, now is time to do it Php 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; Paul said, everyone here knows why I was put in prison, which is a testimony for Christ Paul called it “my bonds in Christ,” I am a prisoner because I was serving Christ (verses 7,13,14,16) Which has become well known and that is good, people are talking about that servant of Christ The man who was put in prison because he was telling people about Jesus Christ Paul was chained daily to different guards, they heard Paul pray, proclaim the gospel, and praise God I am sure that those guards normally heard prisoners cursing, complaining, and claiming innocence What a difference it was to be chained to the man who proclaimed the gospel The guards went home and told their families, their families told the neighbors, the good news spread Page | 1 We hear daily the bad news of coronavirus, the state of American government, and our ungodly society America must hear the good news,1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: As Christians today we must be encouraged to proclaim the gospel, it is the answer to our problems Php 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. First notice who Paul was referring too, they were “brethren,” meaning that they were saved They were “in the Lord,” they knew that they were saved, and they had experienced a revived spirit Paul called it, “waxing confident,” they had been encouraged by Paul’s faith in the Lord They had been persuaded by Paul’s example they had a renewed confidence in the Lord, Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (We need to show one another this truth) Here we see the power of a personal testimony, it can be an influence upon the lost and the saved Today we are in need of many more Christians becoming “much more bold” to proclaim the gospel The point is, we need much more confidence, courage, and boldness than we now have Why is it that we fail so often to do what we know must be done? It is of eternal value We must “speak the word,” we must proclaim the gospel, as easy as we conduct every day conversation The gospel is far more important than most of our everyday conversations, we talk much about little We must proclaim the gospel “without fear,” listen to Peter as he spoke to the officials, Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. What was the results of Peter and John’s boldness to speak, Act 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (What a testimony) It is time for our world to witness a generation that has been with Jesus, listen to the officials, Act 4:16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. The world cannot deny a true witness for Christ, they may reject it, but they cannot deny it The officials faced a dilemma, Act 4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. (There is power in the name of Jesus) They threatened them by demanding them not to preach the gospel again, Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John did not have a dilemma, Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. Pray that it could be said of us, we cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard of Jesus Peter and John came together with the church and they prayed, Act 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, Act 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. Prairie Grove Baptist it is time for us to pray for boldness to proclaim the gospel If we do God will shake this place with the power of the Holy Spirit in the year 2021 Paul said our purpose for presenting Christ must be “of good will” Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: Believe it or not it was happening, believe it or not it is still happening today There are people in churches today and preachers in the pulpit today guilty of what Paul is saying Page | 2 They are doing it for impure motives, doing it for what they can get out of it Seeking fame, recognition, personal attention, money, authority, competing for status and position Paul is not referring to false teachers or to a false doctrine, he speaks of those who speak the truth Otherwise, he would not rejoice, Php 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Paul was not referring to those who would pervert the gospel of Christ, which he identifies in Galatians They were preaching Christ and not another gospel, Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Paul was not thankful for those who preached another gospel, he desired God’s curse be upon them, Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Paul himself was an example of those who preached Christ “of good will,” as explained in, 1Th 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 1Th 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 1Th 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Paul ministered to others out of love, some ministered out of envy, strife, and contention Php 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: “Contention” represents a motive of self-interest, more interested in money than ministry They were preaching like the politicians of today, seeking people to support them They spoke the right message but with the wrong motive, Peter has a message for us, 1Pe 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Christians leaders are to care for the people of God as a shepherd cares for his sheep Serving as an “overseer” of the sheep is the work of a shepherd The word “oversight” has the meaning of “to shepherd,” to tend a flock, to lead to pasture Referring to the spiritual care of the flock, looking after their spiritual needs But the overseer must have the right attitude which is not the desire for “filthy lucre” “Filthy lucre” is when the motive for ministry is material gain or personal profit Peter said ministry must be of “a ready mind,” the very opposite of “constraint” Which means having the right attitude, having the right motive Paul says the same when he says there were those who were “not sincere” They had selfish motives, which included a wrong attitude toward Paul Because of jealously they were thinking of adding to Paul’s burdens someway They had no thought of comforting Paul, their desire was to “to add affliction to his bonds” We find that hard to believe, why would they do that? The answer is often referred to in scripture The NT often warns against strife, envy, impure motives, and selfishness, which still exist today Which we will soon see in Philippians, Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. In 1 Corinthians 3 Paul speaks of carnal Christians, those who are saved but living like they are lost, 1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Page | 3 Paul presents the evidence against them, the proof that they were “carnal” Their behavior was a witness to the truth of their spiritual state They were acting like spiritual children because they were “carnal” “Envy” can be a good thing or a bad thing, zeal or an earnest desire for-that which is good is a good thing Paul uses the word “envy” to show their “jealously” which was a bad thing Jealously is a selfish desire because self is first in a person’s life “Strife” was a problem in the Corinthian church, 1Co 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. (“contentions” is the same word translated “strife”) They were squabbling, quarreling, arguing, bickering, and disputing against one another Many churches today are filled with fusing and fighting, and Satan loves it It happens because there are too many carnal Christians in the church “Spirituality” will unite Christians in their ministry, “strife” will lead to division “Division” was a problem in the Corinthian church because of carnal Christians Christians who were jealous and filled with strife Too many churches today have the problem of “division” There are too many church splits today because of carnal Christians Division begins when one jealous person goes to another complaining, and then another Paul had instructed the church at Corinth, “no divisions among you,” 1Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. The answer to the problem of division is “Spirituality” and “care for one another,” 1Co 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. Church members need to grow up spiritually and quit acting like spiritual babies The answer to all church problems is the love of God, 1Jn 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. The beginning of our relationship with God was God’s love The beginning of our relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ was God’s love The right relationship with one another can only be through God’s love Php 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. There were those who had pure motives, they supported Paul out of a heart of love There is nothing like the love of God working within a Christian ministering to others, 1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (love) The fruit of the Spirit is the character of the Holy Spirit being lived in a Spirit-filled life The fruit of the Spirit is presented as one cluster of fruit beginning with love, Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, “Love” is mentioned first because it is the beginning characteristic of the Christian life From “love” there comes a cluster of fruit known as the fruit of the Spirit The Greek language has several words for “love” This word speaks of “God’s Love” a self-denying and a self-sacrificing love God’s love is to be the motive behind all that we do, the motive of all our actions, 1Co 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity. (love) There is no greater testimony than loving others with the love of God Paul speaks of those who were ministering through love, they knew that God had a purpose for Paul Even though Paul was in prison God would fulfill that purpose in the life of Paul Paul said, “I am set,” which meant God had given him a special assignment Page | 4 His duty was to defend the gospel and he accepted full responsibility, 1Co 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! Woe unto us today if we preach not the gospel, Peter instructs us, 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: We must “be ready,” be prepared, ready for every opportunity to speak for Christ The world is desperately looking for answers to the trials and troubles of today Christians have the answer, our hope is in Christ, the world needs to see it and hear it in us If the world ever needed the Gospel, it sure does need it now Listen to the song Page | 5