phil 1:12-14

The New King James Version Chapter 1

12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

In verse 5 we have the phrase "fellowship in the gospel," in verse 7 "confirmation of the gospel" and now "furtherance of the gospel." The gospel is one of the cardinal reasons for our taking up space on earth. What part have we played in the furtherance of the gospel? God is far more interested in the furtherance of the gospel than he is in politics. Are we coupled to the Great Commission? The reason Paul could recognize God's plan for his imprisonment is that it advanced the gospel. When we get to the Judgment Seat of Christ, God is not going to ask us how well we manicured our lawns. He is going to ask us what part we played in advancing the cause of Christ. Obviously God wants us to care for our lawns, if only for our neighbor’s mental health! It is a question of majoring on majors. However, we often major on minors. We make much ado about things of little consequence. We squander our energies. We prostitute our time making religious daisy chains. PRINCIPLE: God's plans to use us transcend our ability to anticipate, from a finite perspective, the global strategy of reaching those without Christ. God has factored adversity into our lives. This often makes no sense to us but nevertheless advances the gospel. APPLICATION: Are you absorbed in advancing the gospel? Have you placed yourself in the infinite hands of God to get the gospel out?

Evidently the church at Rome was typically ineffective in reaching these men. Paul came to Rome as a prisoner and was able to evangelize this Praetorian guard. He had a captive audience. One guard at a time was chained to him. Each shift he had a new opportunity to share Christ. Can you imagine the talk of the barracks? "Have you been chained to that Paul yet? Boy, are you going to get an ear full! All he can talk about is that Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection for our sins." Paul was an effective witness one man at a time. That is where most Christians fail--one on one testimony. The most effective way to reach people for Christ is one on one. I doubt that any of the Praetorian guards attended the stated services of the church in Rome or any evangelistic services. We are the best witness to our relatives, neighbors and friends. We are the best Christians some people 14 Philippians know; it may be that we are the only Christians some people know.

"to speak the word without fear" Fear disappeared from their witness. The prayer of the church shortly after it began was "grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word" (Acts 4:29). One of the least common denominator in witnessing is boldness. If we are not confident of what we are sharing we are dead in the water before we begin. People will know that we do not believe what we are saying. PRINCIPLE: Confidence vanquishes fear. Paul's great model of sharing his faith under adversity and winning some of the Praetorian guard to Christ encouraged Christians to share their faith. APPLICATION: Are we a witness to Christians? Do we model the dynamics of witnessing for our faith?

Ephesians 1:13–14 NKJV

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 2:13–22 NKJV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 3:6–13 NKJV

that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

Ephesians 6:19–20 NKJV

and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Colossians 1:4–6 NKJV

since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;

Colossians 3:1–6 NKJV

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

Colossians 4:2–4 NKJV

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Acts 4:29 NKJV

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,