Being A Prisoner Of The Gospel - Philippians, Part 2 Series

“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 …