AGAIN I SAY REJOICE
FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL
PHILIPPIANS 1:12-18
INTRODUCTION
- I have a general dislike for clichés. There’s just something about them that makes me cringe. Not all clichés, however. I suppose I could be more specific by saying that I dislike those clichés that over simplify things so as to avoid difficult topics or complicated issues. I use other clichés all the time, even in my preaching, and I’m sure you use them as well. They can be helpful in communication. One common saying that I have heard over and over again in my life is “God works in mysterious ways.”
- I have mixed emotions about this saying because I can picture people using this cliché as an excuse for not understanding something they should understand. However, my reservations concerning this little phrase usually subside when I think about how true, given the proper context, this saying really is. God does, in fact, work in very mysterious ways. The hand of God is at work doing things that we can’t possibly understand; even sometimes right under our own noses. If you’re counting how many clichés I use in this sermon now, there’s number one: right under our own noses.
- But I bring this topic to our attention because the passage before us in Philippians 1 is one of those passages where we see God working in very mysterious ways. We see here what Isaiah proclaimed centuries before when he wrote on God’s behalf: My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. God does things in ways that we wouldn’t ordinarily do them. And he always accomplishes what he intends to accomplish.
- Paul, as you know from our first few looks at this letter, is in house arrest in Rome. Now you would suppose that God would want one of his primary servants to be able to travel across the world to spread the gospel. And in fact, Paul did do some extensive traveling. But at the height of his ministry, as it were, he finds himself confined to prison-like quarters.
- But instead of seeing this situation as some kind of abandonment by God, he understands that God is doing a work in him; and that things are happening because of his imprisonment that otherwise would not have taken place. On the heels of thanking the saints at Philippi for their support and their sharing with him in the defense and confirmation of the gospel; and on the heels of his encouragement to them to continue doing these things with knowledge, discernment, and excellent living; Paul now shares with them what exactly is going on as a result of his incarceration.
- Look at Philippians 1 beginning at v.12.
Read Philippians 1:12-18
- Those who opposed Paul thought that the best way to shut him up was to lock him up. If he was not free to travel and spread his message then certainly his influence would fade. That, however, is not what happened. This gospel that Paul preached continued to gain momentum. So here is what I want us to take careful note of: God can use unusual circumstances to further the supernatural progress of the gospel.
- Let’s take a closer look at what was happening here – starting with vv.12-13; which say again: 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.
- We see here that:
PAUL’S CIRCUMSTANCES CREATED A POWERFUL WITNESS
- When he writes “what has happened to me” he is talking about his imprisonment, of course. Notice what his imprisonment had done. He says that it had served to advance the gospel. And this is an interesting way of wording his point. The word advance is actually a noun in Greek and it refers to progress or forward movement. The related verb actually suggests progress despite difficulty.
- And the way this is phrased sort of carries this idea: I want you to know that being locked up in this house has actually increased my gospel ministry even though you might expect it to decrease it. Paul was experiencing this truth: no amount of apparent difficulty can stop the progress of the gospel.
- The church is the most powerful force on this planet; because it is the only corporate institution fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit. The church is Christ’s bride. It is God’s program. God’s true, authentic church – all believers in Jesus Christ around the world – will never be stopped.
- Jesus told this to Peter in Matthew 16. He said I will build my church, and the gates of [hades] shall not prevail against it. Paul saw Christ building his church from his “box seat” in prison. The gospel continued to advance despite difficult circumstances.
- But how much? He says that his circumstances advanced the gospel. In what ways or to what degree? Here’s what he says: it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
- Imperial guard is translated from "praitorio" (transliterated) or we would say praetorian guard or praetorium. Forms of the same word are used in the gospels to describe the governor’s headquarters during Christ’s feigned trial. Here it refers to the group of soldiers assigned to guard the emperor of Rome. Historians tell us that this guard consisted of several thousand soldiers.
- They were likely divided into different cohorts and would rotate duty in the capital city of the empire. So when we put the pieces of the picture together this becomes rather remarkable. By being imprisoned in Rome while awaiting his appeal before Caesar, Paul was able to make it known to thousands of Romans soldiers that he was not imprisoned because of a crime, but because of his preaching about Christ.
- And it very interesting to notice that in the book of Acts and in a few other of his letters Paul comments about being in chains. The chains that he refers to were sort of like extended handcuffs. One cuff went on his right arm, then there was a short chain (probably about a foot or two long) that went, not on his other wrist, but on the left wrist of a Roman soldier.
- Well no wonder the Praetorian guard was hearing about Christ! Some of them couldn’t get away from Paul for hours, even if they wanted to. These were some of the most important, influential soldiers in the entire empire. There is almost no way Paul would have ever been able to reach them outside of prison. But inside, he was actually chained to some of them.
- You just never know how God is going to use you. We tend to seek after the big stage. We are drawn to the “glitz and glam” - to those things that are showy and attractive. And you know what, sometimes God uses the big stage. Sometimes he works in large, visibly noticeable ways. Sometimes he uses optimal circumstances. But sometimes he’s working in the jail cell. Sometimes he’s working in the homeless shelter. Sometimes he’s working in the school, funeral home, or small factory. We may be saying “I’ll never reach anyone here.” and God may be saying “I’ve put you here to reach those you couldn’t reach elsewhere.”
- What a powerful witness Paul’s circumstances allowed for! The imperial guard was hearing about Christ. But that’s not all, is it? He says that it has also become known to all the rest that his imprisonment was for Christ. What might that mean?
- The phrase means all the remaining ones. In other words, everyone else not included in the imperial guard. Certainly, this means that everyone else in Caesar’s household who were not soldiers were aware of Paul and the gospel he proclaimed. But it likely means everyone else in Rome.
- Now forms of communication weren’t what they are now, but word would have gotten around about this strange prisoner who was influencing the praetorian guard and others around the emperor. So Paul is, on a certain level, reaching a city from a jail house. This is what he means when he writes that his circumstances had actually provided for the advancement of the gospel despite apparent difficulty.
- God can use you no matter what your circumstances are. Paul is proof of that. And not only was Paul being used to influence the influential, as it were, in Rome; he was being used to encourage other believers.
PAUL’S CIRCUMSTANCES ENCOURAGED FELLOW BELIEVERS
- He writes in v.14: And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Fear is a crippling emotion. When you are afraid of something, or afraid to do something; very few things will convince you to lay that fear aside.
- The first century world was not a friendly place for the new believers in Jesus Christ. The church was constantly being persecuted – both by Jewish and Roman leaders. And no one, however brave they are, wants to be persecuted. No one wants to be harmed or killed because of what they believe. But that is what was going on at the time Paul was writing this letter.
- In fact, persecution started out “small” and over the course of the first few centuries grew to the point where Christians were being burned alive while tied to stakes, crucified as criminals, and thrown to lions. Tradition tells us, and whether this is true or not is up for debate, that Paul was beheaded in Rome.
- So these are some of the things that the Philippians saints feared if they made too much of a nuisance by preaching the gospel. We would all fear these things. But as they watched Paul continue to proclaim the name of Jesus despite imminent danger and the possibility of execution, they began to follow his example. They began to preach boldly, he says, laying their fear aside.
- Had Paul not gone through this imprisonment, these believers never would have been encouraged in this way. So not only was God using Paul despite his circumstances to influence those outside the church – authorities in Rome; he was using Paul to influence those inside the church – other brothers and sisters who were spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.
- For us, being afraid to preach or share the gospel is a common occurrence, I’m sure. That is not a commentary on us a church particularly, but a realization that fear and timidity is not a new device of the enemy. In fact, Paul’s dearest protégé struggled with being afraid and ashamed of preaching the gospel. Look at 2 Timothy 1:6-8.
- Paul writes this to the young pastor of the church in Ephesus: For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
- Apparently this young man struggled at times with being afraid to preach Christ, or being afraid to proclaim the gospel because of what the consequences might be. And Paul encourages him not to be ashamed, because God has given us power, and the ability to love and exhibit self-control even in the direst of situations through the Holy Spirit.
- This is what the Lord told Israel in Isaiah, and I believe we can take comfort in this as well: fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- When we understand, as the Philippians began to grasp as they watched Paul, that God’s gospel will continue its progress despite the best of human and satanic efforts against it, then we will find courage to boldly preach it no matter the cost.
- Fortunately for us in America, opposition to the gospel is largely ideological not physical. In other parts of the world, being a Christian can cost you your life. And we certainly rejoice that God is currently protecting us from such horrors; but we can’t assume that that will always be the case. There may come a time in our lifetimes when preaching the gospel requires the courage these saints were experiencing on account of Paul. That is, courage to preach Christ boldly under the threat of physical persecution.
- So look to what Paul endured and extract from that the same thing the Philippians did: preach the gospel with boldness, knowing that God will work no matter what happens.
- Now if we could stop the story here we could end on a high note. Unfortunately, Paul’s situation not only caused some to preach boldly for the right reasons, but also caused some to preach for the wrong reasons.
PAUL’S CIRCUMSTANCES GAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THE OPPOSITION
- Picking things up in v.15: 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 rivalry, 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.
- Here’s another cliché for you: all that glitters is not gold. Apparently there were men who were preaching Christ, but doing so not for God’s glory, but because of their own jealousy of Paul.
- They supposed that in the eyes of Rome Paul was the poster boy for Christian preachers. So if they continued to preach the gospel, perhaps the Roman authorities would punish Paul as a way of sending a message. So their motives were insincere.
- It does not say why they were jealous, or why they thought they were in competition with Paul. But whatever their reasons, they were using the gospel for their own ends. So Paul has opposition coming from two directions. Of course, the Roman government was threatened by Paul; and he also had enemies hanging around the church.
- Now Paul did not intentionally seek controversy. He did not purposely make enemies. But because Paul was so committed to the clear, unadulterated, biblical gospel, it is not surprising that he faced opposition. Because when you stand up for Christ, you will face opposition.
- It’s been said that “If everybody likes you, you’re probably not doing anything.” Jesus told his disciples to expect resistance from the world. John records these words of Jesus in John 15: If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
- So at some point in our Christian walk, we will face opposition to our commitment to Christ. And Paul’s response to his opposition is exemplary. Rather than picking a fight with these men who sought his harm, he rejoices that Christ is being preached.
- And this is interesting, because Paul was not the type to let false teaching go unchecked. If these men who thought they were competing with Paul were teaching falsehood, he would have rebuked them sharply and without hesitation.
- So their doctrine was right. Their understanding of the gospel was right. Whatever they were preaching was biblical, but they were doing it with the wrong motives. And in this particular case Paul simply stayed the course, and let God handle the fakes.
- Romans 12:14-21 says this: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Now there were other times when Paul was very combative; very defensive. So we must not get the idea that Christians are called to be door mats for their enemies, but in certain circumstances it is better to avoid confrontation. And in this case, Paul did that. He rejoiced that even though the motives of these men were amiss, the biblical gospel was being proclaimed.
- So Paul’s situation created a powerful witness, it encouraged other believers, and it also brought on opposition; but as we wrap up consider this last point:
PAUL’S CIRCUMSTANCES FURTHERED THE GOSPEL IN EVERY WAY
- This is why Paul was so full of joy despite his experiences. He was aware of God’s sovereign hand at work in the midst of the madness. He says: Only that in every way...Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. And I want to extrapolate a principle from this that is important for us to understand. It is that when you are being obedient to Christ, and you are seeking his will in your life; no matter what things may look like to you, you can be confident that God is at work in your life.
- See the joyful Christian life isn’t always the comfortable Christian life. Things aren’t always easy and care free. They don’t always go according to your plan; but they always go according to God’s plan. And when we know that whatever is happening to us is for the sake of the furtherance of the gospel, we can rejoice.
- We know that God has our good and the greater good of his chosen ones in mind. That’s what Romans 8 says, right? And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
- Your circumstances are not only not a surprise to God, he is using your circumstances for his purposes. You were foreknown by him, predestined to salvation by him; and so he called you, justified you, and will glorify you. Nothing interrupts that process in your life; and nothing interrupts that process in the life of any of God’s elect. The gospel message will accomplish the salvation of God’s people no matter what.
- So Paul says “Lock me up if you want.” “Preach the gospel with wrong motives if you want.” Those things will not stop the ultimate progress of God’s gospel – precisely because it is exactly that: God’s gospel. His Spirit is behind the work. That is why it will have its intended effect.
- So be encouraged, brothers and sisters. God has you where he wants you, and will use you in any situation when you submit to him.
