Sermon Idea
God calls all followers of Christ to advance the gospel.
Textual Idea
Paul recognized his imprisonment was the will of God to advance the gospel of Christ, encouraging the Philippian ‘saints’ or ‘followers of Christ’ to stand firm side by side as partners, in prayer for one another, and boldly, fearlessly preaching Christ.
Introduction
Has anyone here spent any time in a US prison? They are much different from ancient Rome.
Modern day US Prisons
- Incarceration is the primary form of punishment—Over 2.2M in US prisons--largest population in the world--70% of those released end up back in prison within 5 years
- Capital punishment rarely used--just 20 in 2016--1,458 since 1979--1,283 by lethal injection, 158 by electrocution, 11 by gas inhalation, 3 by handing, and 3 by firing squad.
- US prisons have ‘standards of living’ requirements:
o Cells—mattress bed, natural light, reading light, writing area, and secure storage
o Hygiene—warm shower, individual hygiene items appropriate for their gender; towels and bedding laundered weekly, ability to purchase supplies in commissary, choice in the selection of their own hair styles and personal grooming
o Food—adequate nutritious, healthful, and palatable food, one hot meal daily
o Clothing—daily change of clean, correctly sized, suitable clothing
o Activities--daily significant out-of-cell time, recreation to maintain physical health and to socialize, opportunity for at least one hour/day of exercise
o Health care--preventive, routine, urgent, and emergency health, dental, and mental health care including gender identity disorder treatment
o Religion--Recognize and respect prisoners’ freedom of religion; opportunities to exercise religion; dietary alternatives in accordance with religious beliefs
o Education—provided to develop social and technical skills, prevent idleness and mental deterioration, and prepare the prisoner for eventual release; access to a library, educational courses, and technical trade training; access to newspapers, periodicals, and broadcast media
o Discipline--Never corporal punishment, never extreme isolation or restraints, no form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment
Ancient Roman Prisons
- Prisons primarily a place to keep prisoners pending execution or awaiting trial
- Preceded by being stripped naked and then flogged--a humiliating, painful, and bloody ordeal.
- Bleeding wounds went untreated; prisoners sat in painful leg or wrist chains. Mutilated, bloodstained clothing was not replaced, even in the cold of winter.
- Prisons were more like dungeons
- Conditions were so deplorable that many prisoners died before reaching trial
- Unbearable cold, lack of water, cramped quarters, and sickening stench from few toilets made sleeping difficult and waking hours miserable
- Male and female prisoners were frequently incarcerated together, which led to sexual immorality and abuse
- Prison food, when available, was poor
- Most prisoners had to provide their own food from outside sources
- Many prisoners begged for a speedy death; others simply committed suicide
- If a Roman was caught in the act, or confessed to the crime, their sentence was immediately imposed and no trial was held. Frequently, the penalty was death.
- Forms of capital punishment included being burned alive, thrown off a cliff, hanging, and crucifixion.
- Exile was sometimes imposed as an alternative, in exchange for all their possessions and Roman citizenship.
- Romans also used the prison to hold high profile prisoners of war. Prisoners of war would be held in these dungeons until a public procession, where they were paraded and strangled in public.
- A prominent individual, or one expected to be released, might be kept under house arrest if he or she could afford the rent.
Text
Please turn in your Bible to Philippians Chapter 1. I am going to read Verses 12-19.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
Who is Paul speaking to in this letter? In Verse 12 he mentions, “brother and sisters” and up in Verse 1 he calls the audience “saints.” Does anyone here consider himself or herself a “saint?” That seems like a high bar, at least in our society today. Many may be believers in Christ, once sinners, now saved by grace. None of us has arrived. None are perfect. Few, if any of us, feel like we’ve done enough to call ourselves ‘saints’.
Today, the Catholic Church in particular places a special status on some people. To become a “saint” in the Catholic Church, a person who they believe has made heaven and has demonstrated a life of almost perfect virtue goes through a saint selection process. The Catholic church has ‘sainted’ only around 3,000 people. From the Catholic church definition of ‘saint’, none of us here meets that standard. Why? Because first you have to be dead and second you must be heaven! However, this Catholic practice isn’t Biblical.
In the Bible, the word, ‘saint’ is derived from the Greek verb, hagiazo, which basically means “to set apart,” “sanctify,” or “make holy.” When you and I were saved by Christ and became a believer and follower of Him, we begin a process of sanctification, which means, “to set apart for holy use.” So, when Paul refers to “saints” in this letter to the Philippians, he is talking to all the believers… his brothers and sisters in Christ…all the followers in Christ.
Therefore, if you are a believer…a follower of Christ…then you are a “saint.”
Paul is writing to the saints…brothers and sisters…believers…followers of Christ in Philippi.
The Apostle Paul may have spent as much as 25% of his time as a missionary in Roman prisons. We know of his brief lock-up in Philippi, two years' incarceration in Caesarea, and at least another two in Rome.
On this particular occasion, Paul wrote to the church in Philippi while he was in Rome under house arrest. The churches, including this one in Philippi, were under heavy persecution. The Jewish leaders and the Romans were ridiculing, falsely accusing, beating, and even killing believers.
Now we better understand the context of Paul’s letter. Please look back at Vs 12, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”
In what ways does God use us to advance the gospel? Paul identifies at least three ways in Philippians 1:12-19.
If you are a follower of Christ, then you are called to play a part in advancing the gospel. The first way God works through you and me to advance the gospel is through our difficult circumstances.
I. God advances the gospel through our difficult circumstances.
A. Paul’s situation
Paul finds himself in chains. He is under house arrest in Rome. Paul is quite familiar with Roman prisons. In fact, on his past visit to Philippi, he ticked off the owners of a slave girl. This slave girl could predict the future through an evil spirit. Paul cast out the evil spirit in her, freeing her, but also eliminating her owner’s source of income. This cause an uproar. Paul and Silas were beaten, chained, and thrown into solitary confinement in the local Roman prison awaiting trial. Sound familiar? Both Paul and the followers of Christ in Philippi no doubt remember how God used that past difficult circumstance.
While Paul and Silas were chained up in the worst part of the prison, they began praying and praising God at around midnight. God sent an earthquake, caused the prison doors to fly open, and the chains to fall off them. Through his past imprisonment, Paul was able to win the jailer and his entire household. If you find yourself in chains for Christ…pray and praise God!
Fast forward to the writing of the Philippian letter. Paul finds himself back in chains, but this time by the Roman imperial guard under house arrest in Rome awaiting trial. Paul knows, for a fact, that his imprisonment is the will of God. He knew that, if God didn’t want him in chains, he would be freed. He says as much in Acts 20:22-23: “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.” While preaching the gospel in Jerusalem he was, in fact, arrested. This circumstance allowed Paul to preach the Gospel to governors, kings, and the Roman imperial guard (Acts 22-28). While under house arrest, Paul was able to freely preach and advance the Gospel in Rome, just as God intended.
Both Paul and the Philippian church are suffering for Christ. Both are facing difficult circumstances. Paul knows that the stress of the circumstances could cause some of the saints in Philippi to waiver.
Paul knows it is God who put him in prison and not the enemy. He is there to advance the Gospel, whether he dies or is delivered. Paul recognizes that to die means he will immediately be with Christ in paradise. But Paul is convinced that God will deliver him because his work is not yet complete. He settles the matter when he says, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” (Vs 21)
No matter the circumstance, Paul knows God will triumph, the gospel will be advanced, and those that remain faithful will suffer for the cause of Christ, but will ultimately be saved.
All Christians will suffer for Christ, but God will deliver and save those who remain faithful. God’s primary purpose for all Christians is for them to do their part in advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
May 19, 2013 Tornados
Does anyone remember what happened on May 19, 2013? That afternoon a tornado touched down in Edmond Oklahoma, damaging homes and businesses. Another touched down just East of Edmond off Post Road. Another touched down just north of Luther Oklahoma. The debris circulation was ½ mile wide. A fourth large tornado touched down east of Norman Oklahoma, turning into a waterspout on Lake Thunderbird, eventually damaging several homes in the area. Little Axe Oklahoma was devastated by that tornado. One 76-year-old man lost his life. A fifth EF4 tornado ravaged through a little trailer park in Bethel Oklahoma called Steelman Estates, totally wiping it out. A 79 year-old man lost his life in Steelman Estates. That same tornado eventually crossed I-40 & highway 177, eventually taking out several homes in Dale Oklahoma, including Doug and Toby’s home.
You might say, “How does that horrible tragedy have anything to do with advancing the Gospel?”
Let me tell you about Doug and Toby. They lost everything they owned that day. It was a difficult circumstance in their life, but God came through. All they lost God restored and more. Their testimony has touched countless people. Through this difficult situation they will both tell you they came out with stronger faith and a story about how God, and God’s people, came through for them. God is able to use Doug and Toby’s difficult circumstance to advance the Gospel.
This tragedy fundamentally changed the way Cross Connection Church sees ministry. The months after the tornado, our church was one of many disaster relief areas. We gave out truckloads of supplies, food, and water to countless people. God used this difficult circumstance to advance the Gospel through our church, as well as many other churches throughout the state.
Apostle Paul knew difficult circumstances.
He knew what it was to suffer for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul talks about this. He was imprisoned, in constant danger, received thirty-nine lashes on five occasions, been beaten by rods on three occasions, was stoned, and was shipwrecked three times. He faced dangerous rivers, robbers, and was constantly on the move. Both the Jews and Gentiles wanted to harm him and even kill him. He faced dangers in cities, in the desert, and on the sea. He suffered through hard labor, sleepless nights, through extreme hunger and thirst, and through extreme cold and heat. He faced extreme pressure overseeing multiple churches in many locations.
As a follower of Christ, we will suffer for Christ
We will find ourselves in difficult circumstances. We may struggle to pay the electric bill. You may have just loss your job or are struggling to find work. Maybe you are going through a bad breakup. Maybe you’ve just loss of a son or parent or friend. We might have just received a bad report from the doctor or are dealing with a serious health issue. Maybe you are dealing with the possibility of going to jail or are dealing with fines and restrictions from drug court because the mistakes you made in the past.
Application
At times, we may wonder why God is allowing us to go through this difficult circumstance. We may wonder where God is. At times, we may get frustrated because we keep praying but God isn’t answering, we may wonder why, after all the positive changes we’ve made, why God is allowing this horrible thing to come about.
We may question our faith, question if the church or pastor really cares about us or question if God really cares. At times, we may be tempted to give up, weary of the constant stress of the situation.
We all find ourselves in trying situations and difficult circumstances. Everyone does.
Despite our difficult circumstances, God calls all followers of Christ to advance the gospel
How many of you are in a difficult circumstance right now?
Jesus knows what you are going through and will “Never leave you or forsake you.” Let’s look at Verses 12 & 13. Paul recognizes, “What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” He goes on to say that, because of his imprisonment, it has built the confidence of “brothers and sisters” to advance the Gospel.
Like Paul, like Doug and Toby, like our church, and like you me…God will use your situation to advance the gospel!
Next, we will see how God uses intercessory prayer to advance the gospel.
II. God advances the gospel through intercessory prayer.
Definition of Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory prayer is a prayer whereby someone pleads with God on the behalf of another or others who need God’s intervention. Paul emphasizes intercessory prayer throughout the Philippian letter.
In Vs. 4, Paul tells the Philippian Christians that God reminds him to continually pray for them. Like Paul, the Holy Spirit prompts us so we can pray for our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Has anyone here been woke up at night to pray? That is the Holy Spirit using you through intercessory prayer. Never second-guess this…always pray in faith!
In Vs. 5 Paul says he prays with joy, as he is reminded of the partnership in the gospel he has with the Christians in Philippi.
Like Paul, we can pray with joy knowing we are partners in the gospel of Christ.
In Vs. 7 Paul says I hold you in my heart because the Christians in Philippi are partakers in the grace of God, in his imprisonment, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
As partners, we too partake in God’s grace, in suffering for Christ, in defense of the gospel, and in confirmation of the gospel.
In Vs 9, Paul’s intercessory prayer is for the Philippian Christians’ love for God and the things of God.
We too can pray for our brothers and sisters would develop a love for God and the things of God.
In Vs. 19, Paul acknowledges the importance of the Philippian Christians’ intercessory prayers for him. He writes through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. Paul understands the power of intercessory prayer. He knows that prayer moves the heart of God.
Like Paul, you can move the heart of God through interceding in prayer for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
For Paul, prayer was vital in praising God, in bringing joy, in gaining grace, in being delivered from suffering, to build our love for others, to give us knowledge of God, to help us discern, and in defending the Gospel. Like Paul, we should pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in these same ways.
Paul’s prayer.
Back to when Paul was first imprisoned in a Roman prison in Philippi… He and Silas experienced the power of God through faithful prayer in their first visit to Philippi. The night they were in the innermost prison at midnight, in chains, after being severely beaten, they decided the best course of action was to pray and sing praises to God. I wonder what they prayed? I don’t think it was a pity party like a lot of us have. A pity party prayer is sort of prayer like, “Ohhhh God, help me, help me, help me. Where are you God?” I don’t think it was a prayer out of fear for their life like, “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…I don’t wanta die!” No, I think their prayer was, “Thank you Lord for saving my soul, thank you Lord for making me whole, thank you Lord for giving to me, thy great salvation so rich and so free!” Or maybe their prayer was, “Look what the Lord has done, look what the Lord has done. He healed my body, he touched my mind. He saved me and it was just in time. I’m gonna praise his name, cause each day is just the same. Come on a praise him, look what the Lord has done!” Or maybe it was, “Praise him, Praise him, Praise him in the morning, praise him at midnight. Praise him, Praise him, Praise him when the sun comes up!”
I also believe the new church at Philippi were praying for them too…intercessory prayer.
Whatever the prayer, God heard and answered. The earth quaked, the prison gates swung open, the stocks and chains fell to the ground, and then what happened? Did they run from the prison? Nope. Paul and Silas stayed. They stopped the jailer from killing himself and led the jailer to Christ in that innermost part of the prison, at midnight, after already being severely beaten. They also led his family to Christ.
Our Prayers in Action
As followers of Christ, you can pray for the unsaved
(1) So that God will prepare the sinner’s heart to hear the gospel.
(2) So that God will build our courage to “go” and tell our story (Mat 28:19).
(3) Because God’s desire is for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
(4) Because Jesus tells us to pray for God to send workers to work the harvest (Luke 10:2)
Through prayer, God opens the heart of the unsaved.
Through prayer, God sends someone to the unsaved.
Through prayer, God shows us who needs to hear the gospel.
Through prayer, God increases our faith and courage to share the gospel.
Through prayer, God advances the gospel.
We’ve established that #1 -- God advances the gospel through our difficult circumstances and #2 --God advances the gospel through our intercessory prayers. Now we are going to see a third way God advances the gospel
God advances the gospel through our good news testimony.
Definition of “Gospel”
What does “gospel” really mean? The “Gospel” in the Greek is evengelion, meaning “good message” or “good news.” It is the good news of God’s redemption of sinful humanity. How? Through the life, death, and resurrection of Gods son, Jesus Christ. A person receives forgiveness of sin, new birth in Christ, and eternal life with God by believing the good news, accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, and repenting of sin, thus becoming a follower of Jesus Christ.
Good News
Everyone enjoys receiving good news, right? When you find out you got the new job, received a raise, was approved to buy the house, your girlfriend accepts your proposal of marriage, you made an “A”, the medical test came back negative, or your team won, that is good news! The gospel is the good news message from God. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This good news, the gospel, is God’s greatest gift to you and to all who believe. It’s the greatest miracle!
Gospel in the Chapter 1 of Philippians
Paul emphasizes the “gospel” or “good news” throughout the letter. As Christians, we are partners in the gospel (Vs 5), in Vs 7 we defend the gospel and confirm the gospel, in Vs 12 we advance the gospel, in Vs 14 we boldly speak the gospel, in Vs 16 we preach the gospel, in Vs 19 we proclaim the gospel, and in Vs 27 we live a life worthy of the gospel and put our faith in the gospel.
D. All Followers Commanded to Advance the Gospel
Some may say, “Only certain gifted people can advance the gospel,” but Jesus says all followers are to “go and make disciples” Matthew 28:19. It has nothing to do with your ability or personality. If you are a Jesus follower, then you have a good news testimony. The great thing about your good news testimony is it cannot be discounted because it is your experience with God. You don’t just know about God, you know God and have a personal relationship with him.
Some may say, “I’m not good at talking to people.” God understands and will provide you a comforter, the Holy Spirit, to give you courage and anoint you so you can give your good news testimony.
Some may say, “I’m afraid they will not accept the good news.” It is true that some will and many won’t, but that is not your assignment. Your assignment is to share the good news of Christ, not to save. God is the one who is mighty to save. The Holy Spirit will have already prepared the way for you before you go, prepares the sinner before you get there, and prepares you. The Holy Spirit will be right there with you. You can tell others your good news testimony. The Holy Spirit will continue to be with you and the non-believer when you leave. It is His job to do the convicting and saving, not yours.
How Do We Share the Gospel?
But, Greg, how do I share my own testimony? All followers of Christ have a testimony and can share it.
Our testimony is simply our life story. If you have accepted Christ, then you have been saved, justified, and delivered from your old self. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. The testimonies you have for advancing the gospel are your conversion testimony and one or more recovery testimonies.
First, I recommend you write down your conversion story and a recovery story. Do NOT stretch the truth! Your testimony is just that…yours! Writing it down on one side of a piece of paper will help you organize your thoughts. You can search for “I Am Second” on YouTube and find a bunch of great examples of how others present their stories.
As you write down your conversion story, I recommend you complete the following three statements and answer the following three questions. A conversion story includes (1) “I have not always been a Christian…” What was your life like before you became a follower of Christ? (2) “I realized I needed Jesus when…” What were the circumstances that brought you to Christ? And, (3) “Since I accepted Christ as my savior, my life has never been quite the same…” How has Christ changed your life for the better?
As you write down your recovery story, I recommend you complete the following two statements and answer the following two questions. A recovery story includes (1) “My life seemed normal and everything seemed to be going well until…” What was the difficult situation that happened? And, (2) I am glad I have a personal relationship with Jesus because He…” What did Jesus do for you?
God has given each one of us unique conversion testimonies and recovery testimonies. You and I can share those testimonies to advance the gospel, as these are your experiences with God’s good news. DON’T FORGET to tell them how they can have what you have! Once you get this opportunity, you must share with your friend how they too can have the same gift…Christ’s story. A simple way is “The ABCs of salvation.”
1. Admit you’re a sinner in need of a savior.
2. Believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, died for our sins, and was resurrected.
3. Confess your sins, ask Jesus to forgive your sins, and repent of your sins.
Conclusion
First, God advances the gospel through our difficult circumstances. We’ve seen, through Paul’s suffering in prison and through tragedies like the May 19th tornados, how God uses difficult circumstances in our lives to advance the gospel.
Second, God advances the gospel through our intercessory prayers. Through prayer, God opens the heart of the unsaved, sends someone to the unsaved, shows us who needs to hear the gospel, and increases our faith and courage to share the gospel.
Third, God advances the gospel through our good news testimonies. All followers of Christ have a testimony, or story, and can share it. Our testimony is simply our life story. If you have accepted Christ, then you have been saved, justified, and delivered from your old self. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. The testimony you have for advancing the gospel is your conversion testimony.
So what can we do to allow God to advance the gospel through us?
First, we can change our perspective and recognize that God is using our difficult circumstances to advance the Gospel.
Second, we can pray for our brothers and sisters. We can pray for our family, friends, and co-workers that God would open the hearts of the unsaved, send someone to present the gospel to them, show us who needs to hear the gospel, and to build our courage to share the gospel.
Third, we can prepare and share our conversion testimony and recovery testimony. We can present the gospel.
The Call
If you realized that you aren’t a follower of Christ, you can change that today. Come down front and someone will pray with you.
If you realized that you need God’s help to share your good news testimony, I encourage you to also come and pray for God to give you faith, boldness, and courage to share your story and Christ’s story.
