The Gospel Perspective.
Notes
Transcript
Intro - The moon and stars at the Wildcatter - Perspective, It is always that bright but because of ambient light we don’t always see that reality. Today what we will see from our text is that, No matter what is happening in our lives, as sure as the moon is up there, the gospel goes forth and because of that we should have a Gospel Perspective.
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,
In the midst of suffering we must,
1. Have a Big Picture Perspective. (vs. 12-14)
Know
Jail has a purpose in God’s providence
This wasn’t the first time God had put a person in jail for years for the advancement to His plans to redeem His people.
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
A Parkland County church out side of Edmonton continued to defy a public health closure order on Sunday, even as its pastor, Greg Coates, remains in custody, charged with breaking COVID-19 restrictions.
A steady steam of cars drove into GraceLife Church Sunday morning, packing the parking lot ahead of the 10:45 a.m. service. By approximately 10:30 a.m., drivers were being told the church had reached its fire code capacity and no one else was being allowed inside. Those who could not go inside were encouraged to watch the service online.
Advancement of Gospel
breaking through the line of the enemy to conquer in battle.
2 ways - pagans and brothers
Paul has Gospel Perspective. In the midst of suffering Paul still saw what was happening around him so His circumstances were viewed in light of Christ and Not self.
In the midst of suffering we must,
2. Have a Family Perspective. (vs. 15-17)
Brothers
Sharing the Gospel out of Love
Sharing the Gospel out of Rivalry
Political Campaign
Paul doesn’t call them enemies but Brothers.
1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
People who are not Brothers:
Jesus plus Works
Prosperity Gospel
Brothers who preach the Gospel but sometimes get labeled enemies:
Shallow - No Depth to Preaching
Attractional - Man Centered - All about you
Experiential- Feelings and Fun Church
Self Glory - Celebrity Pastor
Not your Christian Tribe
Paul calls them brothers but clearly shows there is something wrong in their motivation. Though Paul states this clearly, he does not go too the point of calling them enemies, He knows they are brothers.
Be careful to not call them enemies or treat/speak of them like they are enemies to those listening around us.
3. Have a Gospel Perspective. (vs. 18)
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,
Paul understands priority, this text clearly states this. He sees that even though there are some brothers with wrong motivation he says that in spite of it, the Gospel is the priority and because it is being shared he has reason to rejoice.
We need to hear this today, we need to know this today! If jail and rivalry does not sway Paul from rejoicing because of the advancement of the Gospel, we must ask ourselves,
Do I rejoice in the advancement of the Gospel or have I diminished my joy for the gospel due to my circumstances to just one more thing in my life?
If you have diminished it we need to have a refresher course here today.
GOSPEL - God/Man/Christ/Response - New Life for you and others!!
If it has diminished, parable of the soils,
Are you saved?
The final thing we need to ask ourselves today is this,
Does my joy for the Gospel spur me to share the Gospel with others?
Action: Gospel Track Distribution Challenge
