Gospel Chains - Phil 1:12-18

INTRO

When I was in college there were a number of classes I enjoyed and some not so much.

Obviously I look back with fondness at learning how to herald God’s word in my preaching classes.

Or diving deep into specific books, learning original biblical languages.

One class that was tough to swallow was The Dynamics of Church Growth.

Now I thought this would be a great class about learning tools to effectively take the gospel to a certain context.

But instead I learned about how to keep your facilities in nice shape so visitors will be likely to return.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

It just felt very sterile and more akin to maintaining a business than building a gospel family.

But I did learn some interesting things.

Do you know the number one thing that will cause a visitor to church to not return?

It’s not the preaching.

It’s not the music.

It’s not kids ministry.

It’s the women’s restroom.

Statistically speaking if you have a dingy bathroom you ain’t gonna make it.

So imagine my surprise when I go to read the text this week and I see the strangest church growth technique I can imagine.

Get your pastor arrested.

Paul is in chains.

He is in Rome, under house arrest awaiting trial and the church? It’s booming y’all!

Despite this pretty terrible circumstance, the church is flourishing.

Again let’s set up context.

Paul had longed to take the gospel to Rome, but God had taken him to Macedonia where he inadvertently through some interesting circumstances started the Philippian church.

You can go to Acts 16 if you want to read the full story.

Fast forward it’s now several years later.

Paul had been arrested and as was his right as a Roman citizen he had appealed to Caesar.

The way there had been brutal though...

On the journey to Rome he had been shipwrecked on the island of Malta.

There he was bitten by a deadly poisonous snake and by God’s grace lived to tell the tale.

He finally gets to Rome and he is under house arrest with a Royal guard a Praetorian guard.

He has to pay for his housing, while he can have visitors he is extremely limited in what he can do.

So the Philippian church has been anxious for Paul.

They send money to him and they want to hear how he is doing.

To what I imagine is their surprise Paul is jovial!

He is happy, elated even at what God is doing.

Even though his life is the equivalent of a gospel punching bag he can’t help but see how God is using it for good and gospel advance.

Now as we walk through this account this morning here is the word I want you to write down and keep at the forefront of your mind: Perspective.

Perspective.

We talked about this a few weeks ago, Paul has a Godward prospective.

Here is my big idea today:

When the gospel is the one great permanent circumstance, all other circumstances must bow to God’s gospel purpose.

Do you have that kind of Godward prospective?

That no matter what, no matter how difficult this life gets, the main thing has been dealt with.

You are right with God.

And now that no matter what...

the most significant thing is that the gospel would go to others.

That’s how Paul thinks.

And Coram Deo…this is the perspective we should have.

That whatever comes, we would trust that the God who has shown us unfathomable mercy, the God who set the sun in the sky, he knows what he is doing and it will work for our good!

I want to look at Paul’s chains today.

I want that idea of perspective to permeate your mind.

Let’s look first at providence in chains.

I. Providence in Chains.

Philippians 1:12–13 (ESV)

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.

Now remember why Paul is in chains. Look back to verse 7

Philippians 1:7 (ESV)

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

Paul is in these chains because he had been sharing the hope of Jesus, he had been making a defense for the gospel.

Usually when you plan a missions trip going to jail isn’t at the top of the list of strategic planning.

But Paul doesn't say that his chains have prevented the advance of the gospel, he says they have served it!

That’s right not only have his chains not hindered the gospel, they have advanced it.

That’s because God’s ways are not our ways.

Again Paul has a godward prospective.

This shouldn't be a surprise for the Philippian church.

After all one of the core team members was a Jailer who had kept watch over Paul.

Paul didn't sit in prison bemoaning the fact that now he couldn't preach.

He sang worship songs!

This past week my family and I were all at home recouping from COVID.

I was frustrated initially because I had just gotten back from a time with other Pastors in Florida and I was deeply encouraged and refreshed.

I really believe God had given me a fresh vision for coming back and leading Coram Deo.

Then I come home to the buzzsaw of sickness.

At first again, I wanted to complain.

But then I sat on a couch with Hannah one night sharing my heart and my vision for what God had been teaching me from his word.

I played with my son.

And I saw God’s unbelievable kindness to help me apply what I had learned at home first.

To take the hope of Jesus to my wife and son.

To fight for them and pray with them.

COVID had to bend to God’s gospel purposes in my life and in my family.

Listen Coram Deo this isn’t some kind of cheesy glass half-full ideology.

It’s not a hang in there cat poster.

This is an abiding truth that our God is good.

His providential hand works masterfully for our good.

We all know Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

I love what pastor David Strain says on this:

Romans 8:28 doesn't say everything is going to be ok. It says that all things work together for good. And the “good” in view is ultimate and final good. It is gospel good. Romans 8:28 is not simply a statement of God's general providence, governing and upholding all His creatures and all their actions. It is a statement of gospel providence. God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He works all things together for the sake of His church. He works all things together for the gospel.

Having a Godward prospective says this life may mean cancer or chains, but in the end I know the lamp will be the lamb!

I know all things will be made new.

So I will give every ounce I have, blood, sweat and tears so the others would know this amazing news.

Nothing can steal your joy when you have this kind of prospective.

Now heres the thing not only is Paul trusting in God’s providence with, but those who are witnessing his circumstances are responding to advance the gospel.

Look at verse 13 again.

II. Witness in Chains

Philippians 1:13–14 (ESV)

so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

So now we see how Paul’s chains have been an effective witness for gospel advance.

Paul is in Rome and he is chained to a guard.

But not just any guard he is chained to the elite bodyguards of the emperor the Praetorium.

There were around nine thousand of these elite soldiers.

Somehow word had spread about Paul.

His witness had utterly permeated this body of soldiers.

His predicament, his temperament.

All of it had somehow captivated these men.

Not only that check this out!

Look at chapter 4

Verse 22

Philippians 4:22 (ESV)

All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

The gospel had found it’s way into Caesar’s household!

Paul’s witness had penetrated right into the very home of the Emperor himself!!!

What an impact a life of faithfulness and integrity can have in the midst of suffering.

Who knows who is watching you as you go through life’s challenges.

A missionary who was speaking to a group of Hindu women was surprised to see one of them get up and walk away.

Soon she returned and listened more intently than before.

As soon as he had finished he asked, “Why did you leave in the middle of my message?”

She responded: “I was so interested in the wonderful things you were saying that I went to ask the volunteers outside who were serving if you live like you teach. They said you do. So I came back to hear more about Jesus.”

The challenge to us isn’t difficult.

Do we cherish Christ that even in difficult circumstance others can clearly see he is our prize?

Do we effectively showcase gospel hope to a watching world?

Well we know Paul is making an impact.

But what about the Roman church?

Surely they are dismayed to hear about Paul’s arrest?

Hearing that Paul, the one who had been fearlessly proclaiming the gospel, empowering and planting churches, has been bound in chains.

Did it strike fear in their hearts?

Where they concerned that perhaps it’d be best to just be quiet.

“Don’t stir the pot, don’t speak about Jesus…just go forward and keep to yourself.”

Is that what happened?

Well as we see in verse 14 no, they’ve become emboldened!

Paul’s example stirred courage in the heart of the church.

Again...Perspective.

Something about the willingness to forsake everything for the sake of the gospel rattles the church from slumber.

It sets in mind again perspective.

What truly matters.

What do we live for?

In 197 AD Tertullian the ancient historian wrote

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church _Tertullian

Just as the chains of Paul gave rise to the sudden progress of gospel proclamation in Rome...we see that throughout church history persecution leads to a gospel explosion.

The gospel won’t be contained.

Several years ago the story of Jim Elliot and the missionary team that sought to reach the violent Auca tribe in Ecuador came back into discussion in the church with movie The End of The Spear.

The story of five Wheaton college graduates who left everything to bring the gospel to this hostile tribe in the jungle.

Two days after they made contact they were tragically speared to death.

Their death was seemingly untimely and horrible.

Yet it sparked a fire.

There was a wave of Missionary zeal that sparked and led many to count the cost.

The most poignant moment being that years later another team returned including siblings of the original team and Jim Elliot’s own widow to reach the very people who had murdered their loved ones.

Before the original team had left to their demise Jim Elliot had written in his journal a thought that echoes Paul’s own conviction

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. _Jim Elliot

The gospel is worth it.

The gospel is worth it.

Paul would lay down his life for the cause of Christ.

As the church watched it stirred their heart to do the same.

Because nothing will stop the cause of Christ!

Listen to Paul’s words to the young pastor/church planter Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:8–9 (ESV)

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!

Coram Deo what will you give for the sake of the gospel?

What risks will you take for the kingdom?

How will the blood of the martyrs, the suffering of the saints compel you to boldness?!

now these chains have shown god’s providence, they have given Paul a bold witness…finally we see Joy

III. Joy in Chains

Philippians 1:15–18 (ESV)

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 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 says that while the church was inspired to showcase the hope of the gospel not everyone left with pure motives.

Some went to make a name for themselves.

Now that Paul was out of the picture they could make a name for themselves.

They would be the big shot.

But catch this Paul doesn’t care.

You know why?

Perspective.

As long as the name of Jesus was being heralded he was going to have joy.

The power of the gospel doesn't lie in the holiness or sincerity of the one preaching but in the gospel preached.

It’s in the fact that Jesus the son of God has made a way.

He has made a way.

As I wrote this sermon I listened to the song Dead Man by Gable Price.

Hear these words from the chorus:

If I reap what I sow, If you ask for I owe.. I'd be a Dead Man! On the cross you sent a flood, now I've been bathed in the blood I'm washed clean

This is the power. You have been saved!

You are no longer dead. You are new.

Luther called John 3:16 “the heart of the Bible—the Gospel in miniature.” It’s so simple a child can understand it; yet it condenses the deep and marvelous truths of redemption into these few pungent words:

“God” … … The greatest Lover

“So loved” … … The greatest degree

“The world” … … The greatest number

“That He gave” … … The greatest act

“His only begotten Son …” … The greatest Gift

“That whosoever” … … The greatest invitation

“Believes” … … The greatest simplicity

“In Him” … … The greatest Person

“Should not perish” … … The greatest deliverance

“But” … … The greatest difference

“Have” … … The greatest certainty

“Everlasting Life” … … The greatest possession

Paul knew that power in a profound way…it pulsed in his veins.

No chains on earth could bind its power or the joy that it produces.

From the chains he wore in a small room in Rome Paul watched the gospel of the Lord Jesus advance and grow.

What happened... it filled his heart with joy.

The reason is because the gospel was the one permanent circumstance that caused everything else to bow....

Everything...His comforts, his reputation, his own ministry it all took second place to the great desire of his heart to see Jesus be made much of.

Unlike those who were Jealous of Pauls ministry who preached from selfish ambition, Paul was just glad that these men preached Christ at all.

They did not threaten him.

If Christ was preached Paul rejoiced.

Perspective.

What is your perspective?

There was a British minister named W. E. Sangster, began to notice some uneasiness in his throat and a dragging in his leg.

When he went to the doctor, he found that he had an incurable disease that caused progressive muscular atrophy.

His muscles would gradually waste away, his voice would fail, his throat would soon become unable to swallow.

Sangster decided to continue laboring how he could, figuring he could still write and he would have even more time for prayer.

“Let me stay in the struggle, Lord,” he pleaded.

“I don’t mind if I can no longer be a general, but give me just a regiment to lead.”

He wrote articles and books, and helped organize prayer meetings throughout England.

People would apologize for all he was enduring and he would respond, “I’m only in the kindergarten of suffering,”

Gradually Sangster’s legs became useless.

His voice went completely.

But he could still hold a pen, shakily.

On Easter morning, just a few weeks before he died, he wrote a letter to his daughter.

In it, he said, “It is terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice to shout, ‘He is risen!’—but it would be still more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout.”

What is your perspective?

Do you want to shout songs of joy despite your circumstances?

Again this hits us, where is our perspective.?

Are we caught up in what our co-worker said, what someone posted online, what that person thinks about me?

Are we bound to the ups and downs or is the motivating factor of our life the gospel?

Conclusion

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

The example we see here is when someone understands that.

That we can’t hold on to all the things we chase in this life.

Be it retirement, a new position, even time with loved ones…all things we can’t keep.

Things we will ultimately lose.

But eternal life.

Life in the presence of the King…that is something that we cannot lose.

Put Christ first.

Our comforts, our bruised feelings, our reputations, our motives....all of these are insignificant in comparison to the splendor of the gospel.

Our aspiration is to be with Christ. To make much of Christ.

What is your aspiration?

Is it to make money?

Is it to get married?

To Travel?

To see your grandchildren grow up?

Find a new job?

None of those things are bad, none should be despised.

The question is whether these become so devouring that your central aspiration is squeezed to the side or choked out entirely.

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Parents what are you teaching your children is the most significant and important?

Statistically speaking your child won’t be a professional athlete…but there is a 100% chance they will stand before a Holy God.

What then?

How many good things have we made God things?

Are you hurting this morning?

Perhaps hampered by physical pain, sleeplessness, a job you hate, numbness.

Come to the fountain that never runs dry.

Stop drinking from empty cisterns.

When we rest in the hope of Jesus it sets perspective that even in the crucible of suffering we see the powerful evidence of the trustworthiness and truthfulness of the gospel of grace.

When the gospel is the one great permanent circumstance, all other circumstances must bow to God’s gospel purpose.

Today set your perspective in place.

Look to the greatest moment, your salvation.

What is your perspective?

Let’s pray.