“Being a prisoner of the Gospel”
Philippians Sermon Series, Part 2
Philippians 1:12-26
Introduction
- Reminder about our level-set from last week:
1. Christians must reflect the joy of Christ in everything we do
2. This means you and I are to make the Gospel personal, because it is!
3. Not telling shows them that we have nothing different/special to offer them
- This is a great book of discipleship; prayerfully help us draw closer to Christ
-- Living worthy of the Gospel means that we are to be found doing the work
-- That we, as Christians, are in this together – but not for our ego, desire, or needs
- Read (NLT Version) Philippians 1:12-26 / Pray
- TR: So, as we dive in, let’s challenge one another immediately to consider …
Point 1 – Do we celebrate when then Gospel is preached?
- RE: Paul identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ, a slave (GR: doulos)
-- He is literally one who is enslaved by, or captured by, His Lord
-- But the obvious question we’d must ask is this: “Why does he do this?”
- First, we need to understand the context in which he writes (v12)
-- “Brothers and sisters” refers to his Greek brothers, other believers in Christ
-- GR: adelphoi (a-del-fo-i); those who are a part of God’s family
- We’d immediately think of being a prisoner as something negative
-- It has negative connotations from our social climate because it is punishment
-- APP: Paul says it has served to actually advance his ministry!
-- Even in chains (GR: desmous – bonds of Christ) he rejoices
- Why? Because (v13) the entire palace knows who he lives for and serves
-- His willingness to continue preaching, despite being under arrest is admirable
-- This arrest has actually proven as an opportunity for him to witness more
-- Imagine: You are a Roman guard, faithful to Rome, charged with guarding Paul
-- And day and night all you get to listen to is this NUT who loves Jesus!
- Second, Paul uses this as an opportunity to testify about Jesus
-- It is not about Paul, or his situation, but what God has done for him
-- See this: Even as a prisoner who has no physical freedom, he is STILL free!
-- Why? Because he has repented of His sin, chosen Jesus, and followed earnestly
- IMP: If we could get a hold of this, we’d stop worrying about popularity
-- We’d stop worrying about “will so and so like me” and start sharing Jesus!
-- APP: Maybe we’d stop pretending that we have it all together
- How? Watch this for a confirmation of who God is in Paul’s life
-- Here we see the testimony of one man who’s desire is that others would know
-- We see that Paul is willing to do whatever it takes b/c of who Jesus is to him!
-- Confidence is boiling out of him because His relationship is all that matters
- Challenge: Where are we in this? Are we afraid? Do we hesitate? Skeptical?
-- If so … ask yourself: “Who do you truly serve?”
-- Get this: Vertical relationship matters even more than your horizontal ones
- Paul speaks about all that is being done, and why (Re-read v16-17)
-- See subtly of Paul here: takes a swipe at motives of some preaching (v15)
-- Yes, there were people who were envious of Paul’s relationship to Christ
-- So, they preached out of envy, they tried to exalt themselves in front of others
-- APP: It’s sad when those who profess Christ believe there is a competition!
- Implied Ques: Who do they preach for; themselves or to honor God?
-- CHALL: Are we sharing the Gospel message b/c we want to see Jesus exalted?
-- John 12:32, “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”
-- HUGE: The responsibility to tell is ours, the results are up to God
-- Doing this means you show up, you step up, you speak up, you live, serve, obey
- However, v18 presents us with an interesting challenge to ponder …
-- “But that doesn’t matter.” His meaning of words is interesting: “So what”!
-- Whatever they do, it isn’t my place to judge – but to share in testifying
- In all this back and forth he confesses one key principle:
-- He is grateful for what has been … and is … happening to him
-- In v19 we see an honest confession of his life and his view on these challenges
-- IMP: That is a tremendously honest view into his faith and his prayer life
- TR: If Paul teaches us anything, it’s a formula on HOW we can …
Point 2 – Be faithful to live for Christ
- Now, watch v20 and see how Paul turns his view to the things to come:
• “I fully expect” … Based on past experiences, I can say for sure
• “And hope” … because my hope is Christ and not on this world
• “I will never be ashamed” … my life is to be lived for Christ, always
- KEY: Paul is not asking to be honored and praised by you and me
-- It is his hope that because he is faithful, God will be pleased with his life
-- APP: Ask yourself each day: “Is my God pleased with me?” (Challenge)
- Additionally, in (v20) see he doesn’t expect to escape the fate of death
-- It is his prayer that he would live with integrity and have courage for Christ
-- Why? (get this) His #1 desire is that Christ would be exalted in his life
- Consider that … Whatever happens, I want all glory to be given to Christ
-- It may sound a bit like Paul has given up here, doesn’t it? Resigned to fate?
-- But then, he closes the door right before the reader has the pity party for him
- v21: “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”
-- It doesn’t matter what happens to me, as long as I am in Him it’s worth it
-- How can he possibly say this? RE his encouragement in Romans 8:18, “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”
- APP: This is a huge opportunity for us to examine our own life
-- Challenge: Whose praise are we waiting for? Whose approval do you want?
• So many today are still looking for the approval of a parent’s love
• Or for someone that has hurt them to make things right
• Maybe for a childhood bully to take away the hurt they caused
• Or perhaps that a former boss might apologize for wronging you
• Or maybe even that a family member would reconcile things again
- But, Paul proudly announces his focus – for Christ to be glorified
-- And if he lives (v22) he can/will continue to glorify Christ even more!
- How does this become real to you and me in 2022?
-- Take this as encouragement and not as a rebuke and then it can become REAL
- Have we not said ourselves “I’m ready to go home and be with Jesus?”
-- We’d think his instant answer would him desiring to give up and just quit
-- But Paul speaks to us with an incredibly honest confession & encouragement
- v23-24: “I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.”
-- I desire to be done with this work and home with Christ forever, but,
-- I know that there is still work to do here and therefore I want to stay with you
-- APP: Whatever God wants here of me, I’m all in! (Are you?)
- Paul says (v25) that he knows he still has work to do because he is convinced
-- Why is he convinced? Because … LOOK AT ME … he is STILL ALIVE!
- TAKE THIS HOME: He’s not worried about how many days he has left
-- He is only focused on the truth that there is still work to be done
- Look church, we should have the same intent and focus for our community
-- How can I be so sure? Because people still need the Lord!
-- People are still dying and going to hell, and this is a burden God has on him
-- It is also a burden that we should have as well … but do acknowledge it?
- FACT: There is no such thing as the Christian retirement home
-- Your funeral has not taken place; therefore, you are NOT done working
- But many ask, why does this revelation bring Paul such joy? (Re-read v26)
-- When we get the chance to be together again … you’ll have even more reason (or at least you ought to) to celebrate and testify to God’s goodness
- TRANS: So, what’s this mean to us today?
Big Idea
- Ponder this for a moment … even in the world’s noise (prison), Paul rejoices
-- Even in the heresy, God is able to use it for His glory and for His purposes
-- IMP: How? He is either God over everything or not God at all!
- God reveals Himself to the listener who earnestly seeks to know Him
-- And it is the Spirit who draws men and women to Him, not the one preaching
-- John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them”
- The danger happens when we are in love with the doctrine and not the Savior
-- When rituals mean more to us than the grace and love that Jesus provides
- Paul’s true desire when it comes to being a slave of Christ is to see Jesus exalted
-- His longing is that others would know the One that he knows so intimately
-- To see others, fall in love with a Savior, who has done so much for him!
-- Why? So, he can rejoice when Jesus is preached because Christ can redeem all!
- Take Away Challenge: Can we say the same about our lives as well?
- So many today are living for themselves and for their honor and glory
-- They want the pat on the back so much they will trample people to get it
-- Or they will cleverly take others down by comparing themselves to them
-- Mentioned this last week: Society is not the enemy … it is not us vs. them!
- Just look at Paul’s confession: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
-- Never once is life about him, but about what Jesus has done for him
- Would we rather live for Christ or ourselves?
- Pray
