Paul's Imprisonment Advanced The Gospel

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you an offering?

Yes. A living sacrifice.

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers/unbelievers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that GOD meant us to be living sacrifices here on earth for the furherance of the gospel.

Matthew 28:19 (Amplified Bible)

Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

IV. TEXT:

Philippians 1:12 (Amplified Bible)

Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel).

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship, glorify, adore, bless, honor, acknowledge and thank You very much LORD JESUS for I offer You my life as a living sacrifice, holy, which is my reasonable worship service for You.

Romans 12:1 (Amplified Bible)

I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

VI. TITLE:

Paul's imprisonment advanced the gospel

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Apostle Paul

B. Date written: 60 - 64 A.D.

C. Purpose: 3-fold purposes:

1. To express Paul's affection for the Philippian believers

2. To thank them for their gift

3. To encourage them to a lifestyle of unity, holiness and joy

D. To whom written: Philippian believers

E. Main theme: JESUS CHRIST

VIII. MAIN BODY:

Philippians 1:12 (Amplified Bible)

Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel).

Philippians 1:12 (King James Version)

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

A. Paul's imprisonment

"Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment]"

Romans 8:4 (Amplified Bible)

So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit [our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh, but controlled by the Holy Spirit].

Romans 8:28 (Amplified Bible)

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

2 Timothy 2:9 (Amplified Bible)

For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned!

The people around Paul looked at his imprisonment as a negative thing but Apostle Paul looked at it as a positive thing because even though he was imprisoned because of defending the gospel, the WORD of GOD can't be stopped, and can't be imprisoned. But the gospel seeks imprisoned heart to let loose. GOD looked at it as a way for His Glory to be seen through Paul's life. Let's agree with GOD, let's look on it as a way for GOD's glory to be revealed.

John 16:2 (Amplified Bible)

They will put you out of (expel you from) the synagogues; but an hour is coming when whoever kills you will think and claim that he has offered service to God.

B. It only advanced the gospel

"has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel)"

The gospel is unstoppable. Why? Because JESUS CHRIST is the Gospel.

Matthew 4:23 (Amplified Bible)

And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people.

Mark 16:16 (Amplified Bible)

He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in and rely on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] will be condemned.

Romans 1:16 (Amplified Bible)

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,