Philippians 1:9-26 Joy in the Journey - People and Sharing the Gospel

Images etched on our minds from Florida

What was the problem? Sink hole? Faulty concrete? Deterioration of the inner rebar?

Whatever the specific cause. The structural foundation could not hold the structure up. And it fell.

Compare that to Saint Catherine of Siena Chapel – the Chapel on the Rock. It is found just outside Estes Park, Colorado. We were there shortly after the great floods that caused damage throughout that area and closed major roads for weeks. Yet, the Chapel remained firm. Untouched. The area below it was swirling with flood waters. But the building just stood.

That’s the way it is with life as well. Everyone establishes their foundations for life. The meaning for life. The purpose for living. Yet most of those foundations are flawed. They will not stand up over time.

Of course the only foundation is Christ. His grace and love demonstrated on the cross provides the foundation for life. And it is more than just a ‘punch your card kind of thing’. Christ must be the foundation for all of life following our response to Him as Savior.

And this foundation is not some horrible, sorrowful path of self denial. No! Paul argues that this is the path of joy. When we live with Christ as our foundation, we discover our purpose and live out our lives with the joy that comes from having meaning and usefulness.

So we began last week in Philippians. Paul unfolds a theme of joy is his letter. He began by Reflecting on the fact that people are a source of joy. Living a life thankful for them. Enjoying the partnership of serving together in His church. And seeing God at work in other peoples’ lives.

Joy is found, not in self consumption. Not in criticism, Not in self promotion over others. It is found in appreciating other people and investing in them and allowing them to invest in us.

This is the second part of the great commandment – Love God / Love others. The two parts are the foundation of the practical Christian life.

The Christian life is not self absorption. It is intended to be outwardly focused.

And here we find joy.

Let’s continue Paul’s letter as he further describes the source of joy in the Christian life.

Philippians 1:9-25 Joy in the Journey People and Sharing the Gospel

We explored how joy is found in others last week. Paul makes one more point about finding joy in others. Joy is found as we pray for God’s working in other’s lives

I. Joy in the Journey: Praying for God’s working in other lives

(ESV) Philippians 1 9 And it is my prayerthat your love may abound more and more, with knowledgeand all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Paul’s prayers look much different than ours. Not so much about self need. Not so much about health needs. Paul’s prayers for others address the deep need of their lives. And the joy comes when he sees these prayers answered.

A. Love Phil 1:9a

(ESV) Philippians 1 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledgeand all discernment,

To a people who have shown their love. He prays that they might continue to demonstrate it more and more

B. Knowledge Phil 1:9b

(ESV) Philippians 1 9 And it is my prayerthat your love may abound more and more, with knowledgeand all discernment,

Not a flimsy, silly kind of love. But a love rooted in knowledge.

Knowledge of what real love looks like. Not rooted in feelings. But intentional. Knowing how God loves. Unconditionally. In the midst of difficulty. Even when the object pushes away. Sacrificing for its welfare.

C. Discernment Phil 1:9c

(ESV) Philippians 1 9 And it is my prayerthat your love may abound more and more, with knowledgeand all discernment,

Knowledge creates discernment. Knowing how to display that love. Knowing when to show tough love. Knowing when our feelings might cause us to enable rather than help. Having a love that is able to navigate each situation so that our love does the right thing.

D. Pure/blamelessness Phil 1:10

(ESV) Philippians 1 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

And the result of this love – a life tested and proved blameless.

Toward others. Not confusing emotions that might cause us to sin.

Toward God. He is not made second place as we place others in His place.

A life of love that is able to live its way out in manner that will be approved when Christ comes.

E. Fruit of righteousness Phil 1:11

(ESV) Philippians 1 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Another way to describe this life. Filled with the fruit of righteous. Producing fruit which is righteousness. Producing fruit that comes from a righteous life (Christlikeness – fruit of the Spirit)

Joy comes from praying for others in a way that transforms their lives.

Now Paul switches gears. Not only are people a source of joy. But sharing the gospel is a source of joy.

Here he isn’t just saying to do some external act to find joy.

No! He is saying that to understand life one must recognize that our purpose is for sharing the gospel – being a light that lives and speaks the about what the Lord has done for people in sin.

We live like life is about us seeking self satisfaction and being fulfilled in the things we want to do. But the Lord has given us a purpose. A mission. To share the gospel. This is why we are still here.

When we understand this, it sheds a whole new perspective on life.

The Philippians are concerned about Paul the missionary who is now imprisoned. But Paul is not concerned. He has joy. Because these hard times are the very means by which the gospel is going out.

If Paul’s purpose in life is to share the gospel, how is he being inhibited by being in prison. He isn’t. He has an audience that was previously unreachable. He can display in his life, in his approach to his imprisonment, that Christ is truly real – if He wasn’t how could he respond in this way. Let’s look at what he says.

II. Joy in the Journey: Living to share the gospel

Reaching those who have no use for the gospel

A. Influences opponents Phil 1:12-13

(ESV) Philippians 1 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.

1. Imprisoned

2. Reach the guards

3. Outside the prison

Being a tool so that others might realize their purpose and find courageous faith to share the gospel

B. Encourages fellow believers to speak boldly Phil 1:14-17

(ESV) Philippians 1 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.

Even when there is division around him and seeking him harm, Paul sees the final result – the proclaiming of the gospel. And so he has joy.

C. Rejoices when the gospel is shared Phil 1:18

ESV) Philippians 1 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.

(ESV) Philippians 1 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,

III. Joy in the Journey: Honoring Christ in life and death

Here is Paul’s perspective. Life is about honoring Christ. Whatever happens, he just wants to honor Christ. Even in the extremes.

A. Honoring Christ regardless Phil 1:19-20

(ESV) Philippians 1 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

What’s the worst that can happen in life? You die. Is this such a bad thing?

B. To die is to be with Christ Phil 1:21-23

(ESV) Philippians 1 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

But Paul is not one pursues suicide. He understands the value of life. Not that all may be wonderful for hisself. But that he might use this life for the sake of others. To minister to them. To grow their faith. To invest in them.

This is the source of joy in this life.

C. To live is to invest in others Phil 1:24-26

(ESV) Philippians 1 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

(ESV) Philippians 1 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.