SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). Confident, even though a victim (vs 12-14)
(2). Joyful, in spite of others (vs 15-18)
(3). Hopeful, regardless of uncertainties (vs 19-20)
(4). Contented, because Christ was central (vs 21)
SERMON BODY
Ill:
• He was born in Italy of humble parents and is said to have trained as a carpenter,
• He started to play the violin as a hobby.
• And that created an interest in the violins themselves,
• He discovered that he had a natural talent for business
• So, he began to acquire and resell some of the many fine instruments;
• That were lying unused in the towns and villages of northern Italy.
• In 1828 he made his greatest coup,
• He acquired a number of violins from Count Cozio of Salabue,
• Including a 1716 Stradivari in unused condition.
• This violin was his treasure, and it came to be known as the 'Messiah'.
• One morning Luigi Tarisio was found dead,
• In his home, they discovered 246 superb violins,
• Which he had been collecting all his life.
• He had violins crammed into an attic,
• The best of his collection packed in the bottom drawer of an old rickety bureau.
• His 1716 Stradivari in unused condition.
• Sadly, in his very devotion to the violin,
• He had robbed the world of all that music,
• That those superior instruments could have produced!
• TRANSITION: How many Christian's are like Luigi Tarisio?
• In our love for the things of God, we fail to share this good news with others.
• Good News needs not just to be cherished, but needs to be told?
• People need to hear it.
• The apostle Paul was determined to share this good news (gospel);
• With as many people as he could.
• That was his priority, that was his desire and that is what comes out of these verses.
(1). Confident, even though a Victim (vs 12-14)
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] 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[c] 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.,”
Question: What do you think of when you here the name the apostle Paul?
Answer:
• I think missionary, preacher, Church planter, evangelist,
• I think of a great example, a man of God,
• I think of a man with a brilliant mind,
• I think of a man with a commanding knowledge of philosophy and religion,
• I think of a man who could debate with the most educated scholars of his day
• One word that does not spring to mind is victim.
• But that was what he was on numerous occasions.
• He wanted to go to Rome as a preacher;
• But instead he ends up going as a prisoner.
• He could have written a whole letter on his illegal arrest in the Temple in Jerusalem,
• His trials, how he was beaten up many times, how he was often in danger of death.
• Five times he was given the thirty-nine lashes.
• Three times he was beaten with rods,
• Once I was stoned and three times he was shipwrecked,
• He lived with danger;
• Experiencing many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst,
• And often without food, in cold and exposure.
• If you want the full list just read 2 Corinthians chapter 11 verses 23-28.
• He summarises those experiences in a few words, a single line (vs 12);
• “What has happened to me”
The apostle Paul refuses to play the victim:
• He is not angry about his imprisonment.
• He is not wallowing in self-pity over his circumstances.
• It is not the end of the world.
• It is not the worst thing that has ever happened in his life.
• The apostle Paul is able to see the positive in the circumstances,
• The Church might thing he has regressed but Paul sees progress.
• Yes, he cannot go anywhere he likes to preach the gospel,
• His circumstances have radically changed.
• Yet, the gospel is now being spread in a different way.
• He tells these Christians that God has turned his imprisonment for good,
• His suffering has been the way God has been able to advance the gospel.
• Ill:
• In the Greek text he uses a very strong word picture.
• He uses the Greek word ‘prokope’ – translated into English as advance or progress.
• It is a term that depicts a group of woodcutters clearing their way through a forest;
• So that an army can then advance through to victory.
• TRANSITION: The apostle felt his imprisonment was clearing the way,
• So the gospel could go to areas that were previously impossible to reach.
THE APOSTLE PAUL THEN DESCRIBES TWO WAYS THAT THE GOSPEL HAS ADVANCED.
• FIRST: the gospel has advanced among unbelievers.
• The gospel advanced among Rome’s imperial regiment of soldiers,
• Known as the Praetorian Guard.
• The apostle Paul was under house arrest,
• He lived in his own rented quarters (Acts chapter 28 verse 230).
• But he was constantly chained to the wrist of a soldier 24 hours a day.
• (Philippians chapter 1 verse 12-13)
• These Roman soldiers changed shift every six hours.
• So that’s four soldiers a day attached to this talkative preacher!
• They heard him praying, watched him studying, listened to him witnessing,
• Observed him interviewing and talking to Christians that came to visit him,
• So, you will not be surprised to know that some of these Roman soldiers got saved,
• They became followers of Jesus!
• They were not just soldiers,
• They were the imperial guards who served under the direct command of the emperor,
• These men would never have heard the gospel,
• If the apostle Paul had been consumed by his suffering and hardships.
• But allowed God to use those suffering and hardships for the advancement of the gospel
• SECOND: the gospel has given courage to the Christians.
• Paul declares in verse 14;
• That believers are becoming confident to proclaim the gospel,
• Because of his imprisonment.
• The Greek word translated as ‘proclaim’ in verse 14;
• Does not mean preach but rather everyday conversation,
• We would say they gossiped the gospel to those they came into contact with.
• Instead of putting people off sharing their faith,
• The apostle Paul’s suffering has inspired others to evangelise as well.
• They would say, “If he can share the gospel in his situation, then what’s stopping us?”
Quote:
“So the same God who used Moses’ rod, Gideon’s jar and David’s sling,
vas able to also use the chains attached to the apostle Paul’s wrists to spread the gospel.”
(2). Joyful, in spite of Others (vs 15-18)
“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 defence 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,”
Quote:
“You can please some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.”
• Abraham Lincoln said that,
• “I’ll let you be in my dream if I can be in yours, I said that”
• (Okay Bob Dylan said that after he quoted the above statement in one of his early period songs)
• It is a good reminder that no matter who you are, even if you are the apostle Paul;
• You can’t please everyone!
• We all acquire opposition and sometimes even enemies.
Ill:
• A reporter was interviewing an old man on his 100th birthday.
• He asked him; "What are you most proud of?"
• "Well, " said the man, "I don't have an enemy in the world."
• "What a beautiful thought! How inspirational!" said the reporter.
• "Yep," added the centenarian, "I’ve outlived every last one of them."
• TRANSITION: Paul’s opponents, his enemies were alive and well.
• And the apostle Paul describes this situation in verses 15-18.
• He gives us three examples of that happening:
• Example #1: Some are preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry (vs 15).
• Example #2: Some are preaching from selfish ambition (vs 17).
• Example #3:
• Some are even preaching thinking that what they are doing is going to afflict Paul (vs 17)
• Sadly, these people are trying to hurt the apostle Paul by what they are doing.
• But the apostle Paul will not be discouraged or put off by these individuals,
• Amazingly he turns their negative words and actions into a positive:
• The apostle Paul rejoices because Christ is proclaimed.
• It takes a big man to respond like Paul did!
Note:
• We should note that the apostle Paul is not speaking of those who teach a false gospel.
• He condemned and warned against false teachers.
• e.g. Galatians chapter 1 verses 6-9. “Let them be (anathema) accursed”
But these enemies or opponents that he refers to in this letter are fellow Christians;
• Believing in the same saviour.
• Sharing the same message/gospel,
• But sadly they do so with impure motives and out of selfish ambition.
Ill:
• It happened in Paul’s day and it happens today,
• I could give you examples of individuals or Churches who behave this way,
• But I am not sure that would be productive or helpful.
• In the end I think like the apostle Paul,
• You have to just get on with it and do what God has called you to do,
• And be glad that at least the ‘others’ actions are good;
• Even if their motives are not!
• And at least be glad that the gospel is being proclaimed;
• And the message of Jesus is being spread.
• The message mattered most to the apostle Paul,
• And not the messenger.
(3). Hopeful, regardless of Uncertainties (vs 19-20)
“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.] 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Ill:
• In one of in Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts:
• A conversation takes place between the children Lucy and Linus.
• Lucy and Linus are sitting in front of the television set;
• When Lucy said to Linus, “Go get me a glass of water.”
• Linus looked surprised,
• “Why should I do anything for you? You never do anything for me.”
• Lucy promised, “On your 75th birthday, I’ll bake you a cake.”
• Linus got up, headed to the kitchen and said,
• “Life is more hopeful when you have something to look forward to.”
• TRANSITION: The apostle Paul had something to look forward to.
• He says in verse 19 that he is able to rejoice in suffering,
• Because he knows that this will turn out for his deliverance.
Note:
• The apostle Paul expected his court case to end in victory;
• He took that attitude because of the prayers of God’s people,
• And found comfort as he depended on the Holy Spirit of God.
Ill:
• Tomorrow I will be attending the funeral of Edwin James Thomson Caie,
• A friend, a supporter and a prayer warrior for the Curley’s
• Not sure if anyone here knew Edwin but he was a quiet but influential man.
• In the year 2,000 we had a holiday in Scotland,
• And Penny and myself went to spend a few days with Edwin and his wife Jean.
• We hadn’t got much money, but it turned out we didn’t need much,
• Because wherever we went Edwin had already paid!
• They very kindly insisted on paying for everything, from entrance fees to cups of tea,
• And when we tried to pay etc.
• They would not take ‘no’ for an answer. They insisted!
• TRANSITION:
• I tell you that story because what Edwin & Jean did for us that holiday;
• The apostle Paul says the Holy Spirit does for him.
• The apostle Paul could not depend on his own dwindling resources;
• He says in verse 19:
• He was depending on the generous recourse of God, ministered by the Holy Spirit.
• And although the apostle Paul does not know;
• What the outcome will be of this imprisonment and trial.
• In verse 20 all that he knows is that Christ will be honoured in his body,
• Whether he lives or whether he dies.
• Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Ill:
• The apostle Paul may well be quoting from the Old Testament here,
• (Job chapter 13 verse 15-16).
“ Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
I will surely[a] defend my ways to his face.
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
for no godless person would dare come before him!
• When Job says these words, he is speaking about his spiritual salvation, not physical:
• This makes the thrust of what Paul is saying far more powerful.
• Paul’s faith will be vindicated no matter how his trial turns out.
• He knows that through the prayers of these Christians;
• And through the strength that comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
• He is prepared for either his physical freedom or even to face death.
• The apostle Paul has complete faith and courage that whatever the outcome,
• Christ will be honoured whether by him being granted freedom,
• Or by him experiencing death through execution.
(4). Contented, because Christ was central (vs 21)
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Living Bible:
“For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying – well, that’s better still”
Phillips translates it:
“For living to me means simply ‘Christ,’ and if I die I should merely gain more of him”
God News Bible:
“For what is life? To me, it is Christ. Death, then will bring more.”
That verse perfectly illustrates what was the apostle Paul’s attitude to life!
• He was contented because Christ was central,
• As Christians we need that same focus, to prioritise, to have that same attitude.
Quote: Charles Swindoll.
“The longer I live, the more I realise the impact of attitude on life.
It is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than whatever anyone might say or do.
It is more important than appearances, giftedness or skill.
The remarkable thing is that we have the choice to create the attitude we have for that day.
We cannot change our past. We cannot change the way people act. We cannot change the inevitable.
The one thing we can change is the only thing we have control over, and that is our attitude.
I am convinced that life is 10% what actually happens to us and 90% how we react to it.”
• Wise words from Chuck Swindoll.
• “…we have the choice to create the attitude we have for that day.”
• Let me illustrate it another way.
Ill:
• In an old recipe book are instructions on how to make a rabbit stew.
• The very first instruction is this one: "First catch the rabbit."
• TRANSITION: That writer knew how to put first things first.
• That's what we do when we establish priorities,
• We put the things that should be in first place in their proper order.
• The apostle Paul had one desire, one focus, one priority;
• That shaped his attitude to living.
• That desire, focus, priority attitude was that Christ must be honoured.
• No matter what happened to him,
• His focus, priority attitude was always the same, that Christ will be honoured.
• And notice he expresses that focus, priority attitude:
• He says if life goes on - If I continuing to live,
• Then I live for Christ!
• If that means dying,
• Then so be it, I will die so that Christ is honoured.
One subject that we don’t enjoy talking about is death.
• We want to talk about life and having it more abundantly.
• The apostle Paul had a different perspective on life and death.
• He said, “For me to live is Christ and to die that is even better.”
• The apostle Paul lived in the light of eternity.
• He made decisions based on the big picture - eternity.
Ill:
• Francis Chan DVD clip.
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/jF_x8dsvb_4
Most people focus on the second part of the verse only at funerals, “to die is gain,”
• This verse gets a lot of quotations at funerals,
• Because it naturally focuses our attention on the joys of heaven.
• We leave behind the struggles of life and are with Jesus – that’s gain!
• But please do not overlook what comes before that phrase.
• Don’t miss the important phrase “to live is Christ”
• This phrase cannot be overstated.
• Because this phrase should be central to every Christian’s life.
• And if it is not, then why not!
• That should describe the normal Christian life – we live for Christ!
Verse 21 becomes a valuable test for our lives
• “For me to live is ________________________________________?
• “And to die is ___________________________________________?
• For some for me to live is….
• Sport, money, hobbies, fame, work, relationships, self…and the list goes on.
• In their proper context of a Christian’s life,
• These things may be good and may bring pleasure and fulfilment into our lives,
• But we do not live for them!
• That would be getting the cart before the horse!
• The pursuit of happiness according to the apostle Paul,
• Is the pursuit of Christ!
The apostle Paul said;
• For me to “live is Christ”
• Which means we make Christ is our focus, our goal, and our priority.
• Christ needs to become the centre point of our mind, heart, body and soul.
Ill:
• A professor stood before his philosophy class with a very large empty jar;
• He then began to fill it with golf balls.
• He asked his students; "Is the jar full?" "
• They replied; Yes."
• He then poured a box of small pebbles into the jar, and they rolled into the cracks.
• He again asked; "Is the jar full?"
• Once again they replied "Yes."
• He poured a box of sand into the jar.
• And repeated the question: "Is the jar full?"
• Once again the students responded "Yes."
He then poured two cans of beer into the jar. And gave the students an explanation of his illustration.
• He said; “The jar represents your life.
• The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, friends, health;
• Things that if all else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
• The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, car.
• The sand is everything else - the small stuff.
• If you put the sand in first, there's no room for the pebbles or golf balls.
• The same goes for life.
• If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff,
• You'll never have room for the important things.
• Pay attention to the important things;
• There will always be time to clean the house, and do the garden.
• Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter.
• Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."
• A student raised his hand and asked:
• "What does the can of beer represent?"
• "I'm glad you asked” said the professor;
• “It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
• There's always room for a beer."
• TRANSITION:
• In his life the apostle Paul knew his priority, his goal, his purpose for living:
• It was for Christ!
• It was for his kingdom – not ours!
• His desires need to be paramount – not ours!
• If the needs of heaven are number one;
• All our earthly needs will automatically fall into proper perspective!
Quote: Jesus in Matthew chapter 6 verse 33:
"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
And all these things (that so often we live for) will be given to you as well".
• Jesus said; Put God first and if you need the other things then God will give you them.
• So, make kingdom first – not ours!
• So, make his ways dominant – not ours!
• If the needs of heaven are number one;
• All our earthly needs will automatically fall into proper perspective!
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=SeSQy0cnvV8zGnWTd8dcoBAGK3oaQAiJ
