TITLE: CHRIST IS PREACHED
SCRIPTURE: PHILIPPIANS 1:15-18
(Main thought from Pastor Darrin Hunt 2006 sermon central message which I have expanded upon)
I recall reading a story a few years ago, about an event that transpired the year I graduated High School, matter of fact, in 1979 – Story is recorded in the Wall Street Journal Encyclopedia. The story was told about a College football game when Georgia Tech was ahead of their opponent 7-6 with just a few minutes to go. Georgia Tech had the football and the Coach told the Quarterback – DO NOT THROW THE BALL. They eventually ran to their opponents 10 yard line in last minute of play. However, the Quarterback was overcome by Temptation. He threw the ball and it was intercepted by the fastest back on the team.
• He started rushing toward the end zone
• But the QB suddenly overtook and tackled him
• Game was saved and Georgia Tech won with time running out
• Losing Coach asked – How did your QB catch my fastest back?
• Your back was running for a Touchdown, my boy was running for his life
Let’s ask the question this morning – WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO? What are our MOTIVES and reasons behind what we do? Specifically, ARE WE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS FOR THE WRONG REASONS? In our text this morning we find TWO GROUPS of people:
• Who both did the Right thing
• But for Different Reasons
Before we jump fully into this text this morning, let’s understand the position that Paul found himself during the writing of this text. We must consider VS. 14 “BECAUSE OF MY CHAINS, MOST OF THE BROTHERS IN THE LORD HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD MORE COURAGEOUSLY AND FEARLESSLY”. Paul is in JAIL – INCARCERATED – BEHIND BARS – LOCKED UP – IN THE SLAMMER – whatever term you want to use. In the next Verse Paul quickly addresses the motives of some local Preachers and divides these brothers into two Separate Groups.
• The Good Group
• The Other Group
The first thing we need to consider was THEIR MOTIVE IN PREACHING. I want you to stay with me this morning, because we must be careful, just like these brothers found in the text who lodged some complaints to Paul, we need to identify where we find ourselves. They wanted Paul to justify and help them pick and choose who they felt had Proper and Improper motives when it came to Preaching the Word of God.
Let’s look at Vs. 15 again – WHY DID THEY PREACH? - It is true that some preach Christ out of JEALOUSY and STRIFE. There were a group of Preachers out there that were Preaching only because they were Jealous of Paul’s POWER – AUTHORITY – SUCCESS.
• Paul had become somewhat Famous
• That is the same thing that they wanted
• They wanted to be Recognized on Paul’s level
• Paul was a well know Itinerant Preacher
Now we know THAT JEALOUSY AMONG PREACHERS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN THIS DAY AND AGE. That doesn’t happen among Christians, and especially not among preachers! But, we know that it does, things are not much different today. Oftentimes we find Preachers growing jealous because somebody has a bigger congregation.
• Always disturbs me whenever I meet a new Preacher and the first thing they ask is how big is your church
• We want to Puff ourselves up
• ST. LUKE 22:24-26 “A DISPUTE AROSE AMONG THEM AS TO WHICH OF THEM WAS CONSIDERED TO BE GREATEST”
• Jesus said to them - “THE KINGS OF THE GENTILES LORD IT OVER THEM; AND THOSE WHO EXERCISE AUTHORITY OVER THEM CALL THEMSELVES BENEFACTORS. BUT YOU ARE NOT TO BE LIKE THAT. INSTEAD, THE GREATEST AMONG YOU SHOULD BE LIKE THE LEAST, AND THE ONE WHO RULES LIKE THE ONE WHO SERVES.”
I am talking about the fact that Christ is Preached. There are some that will disagree with where I am heading this morning and tell us that these Other Preachers were Judaizers who had opposed Paul in our text.
• Remember with me that this could not be true because Judaizers Never preached Christ
• It was the Judaizers that Paul condemned in GALATIANS 1:8
• The message was not the Question at All
• The False Motive was the issue that was being addressed in this text
One Group Preached out of JEALOUSY – the Other Group Preached GOODWILL, which means Charity and Kindness. THEIR HEART MATCHED THEIR MESSAGE.
• They enjoyed preaching the Gospel
• They proclaimed it for the right reasons
• They lived to Preach the Gospel
• They were truly encouraged by Paul’s adversity to preach Christ boldly
We have to be careful when we try to PICK AND CHOOSE who we will listen to from the Pulpit. Truth be told, all of us have some issues, some are just more EXPOSED than others. Paul recognized, yes there are two groups of Preachers out there, but refused to condemn one over the other. Paul was pleased because Christ is Preached – FOCUS IS ON THE MESSAGE NOT THE MESSENGER.
I am very reluctant to make a call on what Preacher I would listen to and what Preacher I would not. I am not convinced that I would ever elect to stay home from Church or Revival or other Preaching opportunity because I have judged the Preacher to be Good or Bad – GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT IN HIS OWN TIME. If we Judge, the Bible challenges us to judge righteously. I can’t even look around our own congregation and Pick and Choose what Preachers I would listen to or not.
• Our Ministerial Staff, We know things about one another
• Recently, a Local Pastor who is considered to be a major community leader was in front of paper for DUI
• Not talking about following poor leadership
• I am talking about preaching the Word
• God will do the Judging as to our worthiness when all is said and done
• We all have issues
• If I pick and chose who I will listen to in Pulpit - I can’t even say my Dad
• Rev. Frank Lawson has some issues too
• My Sister, good Preacher, but she can get a little Fussy every now and then
• I won’t leave myself out of the equation
• If I had split personality, could not even say I would come to church to hear me
• I have issues too!
So Paul was putting this all in proper perspective for the Brothers as they began to lodge some complaints against some of the other Preachers. Paul helps us to focus upon only what is important -- that is THE MESSAGE because none of us no matter how hard we try will pass the LITMUS TEST that is outlined in the Word of God.
• We can run around trying to act like we are all that
• We can preach some dynamic messages
• Our calendar can be full of preaching engagements
• But every now and then we still falter and fail along the way
Look at Paul. He is in PRISON as he is trying to help the Preachers. There could be some saying, now why should we listen to Paul? He is not all that. Matter of fact he is in JAIL. He does not need to be trying to help anybody but himself right now. APPARENTLY HE IS GUILTY OF SOMETHING OR HE WOULD NOT BE IN JAIL.
• Could you imagine if we treated Paul like we treat some Preachers
• Sometimes we treat Home Preachers worse than we do Preachers we know nothing about
• If we had decided that we are not going to listen to anything Paul has to say
• How many times the man have to be in and out of jail before we realize he aint about nothing?
• We would have missed out on more than half the NT that he wrote
• Our sermons would run flat every now and then because it would be missing the wisdom of Paul
Paul did not plan on being in Prison. He was called to and sent there for the DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL. He had nothing to boast about, and yet his RIVALS were still jealous. The good group of Preachers saw Paul’s ADVERSITY and his ATTITUDE in the midst of his predicament and it encouraged them to preach Christ themselves out of LOVE and SELFLESS COMPASSION. The Other Group of Preachers, on the other hand, preached out of JEALOUSY and SELFISH AMBITION. VS. 16 “THE ONE PREACH CHRIST OF CONTENTION, NOT SINCERELY, SUPPOSING TO ADD AFFLICTION TO MY BONDS.” They were out to build on JEALOUSY – RIVALRY – FACTION – SELF SEEKING PURSUIT - PARTISANSHIP.
• No matter what our Motive we can always find someone to follow us
• No matter what our Agenda, there will always be a group to follow along
• No matter how we spin our selfishness, there is always room for one more in the crowd
We see this also in our POLITICAL arena. I am so tired of the DEBATES – TELEVISION ADS – PHONE CALLS leading to Election. Each party trying to make the other party look bad instead of talking about the issues and how to improve our country.
• If I can make you look bad
• If I can turn the attention and focus
• Both politicians throwing rocks and hiding their hands
• Each candidate trying to throw dirt on the other in an effort to make themselves look better
• If I can just make you look bad, I can win the election
How often do we try to impress people with our service instead of Preaching? We talk about what we have accomplished - BOOK I WROTE - PRIVATE JET WE HAVE - ROLLS ROYCE WE DRIVE - MANSION WE LIVE IN - BUY MY DVD. Never get around to Preaching Christ. This other group preached Christ to make themselves look good and Paul look bad.
• These “believers” were deliberately trying to stir up trouble for Paul
• They preached not only for their own glory, but also for Paul’s demise
• Paul is finally getting his due, so now it’s our turn to look good
Reminded of Bishop Eddie Long and the problems he has had and Church ministries falling all around him -- Even though he tries to put on a good face. When he was in the media and all the accusations were flying, there were some local Pastors and some mega-Pastors as well that could not wait to get in front of the cameras in an effort to throw more coals on the fire. They did not just go after Bishop Long – there intent was to destroy that entire ministry.
• If we help destroy the ministry some of those members will join my church
• If we help destroy the Bishop some of those members will come back to the local church
• If we talk enough about his arrogance some of those members will turn away
Throughout all of the court proceedings and money lost - closing parts of his ministry. -- Wife left him – he is still standing in the pulpit. THE MINISTRY BELONGS TO GOD NOT MAN. We can try to make Bishop Eddie Long look bad – but Paul would say today – Christ is Preached - God will take care of the rest.
Both groups in our text this morning were MOTIVATED TO PREACH because of Paul’s imprisonment. However; they were motivated for two entirely different reasons:
• The good group preached out of love and compassion and goodwill
• The other group was jealous and selfish
• They wanted the glory
• They wanted people to follow them and not Paul
• So Paul turns the tables, so to speak
• The Apostle says it just doesn’t matter
• He turns the tables back on them!
• He says Christ is Preached
No matter what our motivation we should also take great joy in knowing that Christ is Preached. Move away from personalities and Personal Agendas and hear the message that is being proclaimed.
• Don’t get me wrong this morning
• I have my favorites
• I have my list of Preachers that I enjoy listening to
• I have some issues with the lifestyles of some Preachers
• That does not distract from the message that they Preach
• It is the message of Christ that is able to draw the people
• It is not our job to judge their Motivation
• Jesus said in ST. MATTHEW 13:30 “LET THE WHEAT AND TARES, LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER…”
• Lord will do the separating when He returns
WHAT DID THEY PREACH? Look at the text again. It is very clear that both groups Preached Christ. We find that fact in VS. 18. Paul does not get offended at these Preachers. He does not decide to fight back. What would that gain him?
• He’s not concerned with why they were preaching
• He is only concerned about what they were preaching
• They were still preaching the true Gospel of Jesus Christ
• That doesn’t mean Paul agreed with or condoned their motives (end justifies the means)
• He was able to look beyond that and see the end result
Paul says because of this we ought not to stay home but we should REJOICE. Look at VS. 18 again “WHAT THEN? NOTWITHSTANDING, EVERY WAY WHETHER IN PRETENCE, OR IN TRUTH, CHRSIT IS PREACHED, AND I THEREIN DO REJOICE, YES AND WILL REJOCIE.” I am reminded of two Great Evangelist – JOHN WESLEY and GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
• Disagreed on doctrinal matters
• Whitefield – Calvinist, Wesley was not
• Both very successful in preaching and bringing people to Christ
• Someone asked Wesley if he expected to see Whitefield in heaven. "No, I do not."
• The person then asked, "Then you do not think Whitefield is a converted man?"
• "Of course he is a converted man," stated Wesley
• "But I do not expect to see him in heaven- because he will be so close to the throne of God and I so far away that I will not be able to see him!"
They didn’t let their differences stand in the way of the Gospel. Like we do today. We have such a DENOMINATIONAL DIVIDE. Believers can’t get along with one another because of DOCTRINE and DOGMA. But Whitefield and Wesley rejoiced because people were coming to Christ.
• Paul’s greatest concern was the advancement of the Gospel
• He rejoiced over this
• Paul rises above the divisions and factions – he takes the higher road
• Paul rises above personalities of the groups – he takes the higher road
• Paul rises above their mannerisms – he takes the higher road
Paul is not teaching us to look beyond the wrong motives, but that doesn’t excuse wrong motives. How many CHURCHES HAVE SUFFERED BECAUE OF WRONG MOTIVES?
• JEALOUSY – SELFISH AMBITION – FAVORITISM - GREED
• How many preachers have preached to draw a crowd or puff themselves up?
• How many people come and leave just because they liked or disliked the preacher?
• How many churches look at other churches with envy?
• They’re growing, they have a great pastor, people love them
• We’re all tempted to “advance the Kingdom” with wrong motives
• Why are we doing what we’re doing?
• Why do we have Ministries – Life Seminar – Workshop - Worship this way?
• Why do we COME - GIVE - SERVE?
FOCUS ON CHRIST. We need to always look at the Big Picture.
• Is what we’re doing or what others doing bringing glory to God?
• Is it fulfilling God’s purposes for His Church?
• Is it following His vision?
There are times when we need to say “THAT’S NOT THE WAY I WOULD DO IT, BUT IT’TS BRINGING GLORY TO GOD AND THEREFORE; I REJOICE.” Paul was so focused on Christ, he refused to let INTERNAL or EXTERNAL adversity get to him. We need to stay focused on Christ and what He calls us to do, no matter what.
--All too often, I believe God works in spite of us instead of through us
--Paul does not matter to Paul, Christ matters Paul
--He doesn’t focus on those with wrong motives
--He focuses on Christ
--The attacks of the selfish believers backfire!
--Paul could not stand before the Church and say Follow Me if he is found home in the living room
--Paul could not stand before the Church and say Follow Me if he picks and choices who he will hear and not hear
--Paul could not stand before the Church and say Follow Me and be Self Righteous
--At the end of the day, after all their efforts to oppose Paul, they have only succeeded in doing the thing that matters most to him and the thing his friends also do
--They have preached Christ
--I am glad today that – Christ is Preached
--Even after tough week – Christ is Preached
--Even in midst of my missteps – Christ is Preached
--Argue with wife all week long – Christ is Preached
--Messed up along the way – Christ is Preached
