Testimony From Prison Series

Paul’s Testimony from Prison

Philippians 1:12-18a

Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

“Life is a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). The more sicknesses we endure and funerals we attend the more we tend to think about the legacy we will leave behind when we die. This is a daunting task for whom amongst us truly remembers any more than one or two generations of our ancestors who roomed the earth (Ecclesiastes 1:9-11)? This does not mean leaving a legacy is impossible but merely that it will not be found by gazing at a world that is not our home (Hebrews 13:14-16). For our legacy to be eternal it can only be found in being a witness to the way, truth, and life as future citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20)! While we as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), purchased at the price of His very life (1 Corinthians 6:20), know that our legacy can only be found in planting seeds of righteousness in the lives of the lost; rarely does this ignite enough passion in our hearts to spread the Good News! While our silence concerning heavenly matters is sometimes due to a lack of empathy for the lost it is often fear that keeps us from telling the world the reasons why we revere Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). It is not that we in North America fear being physically harmed for speaking the truth, albeit that sometimes does happen, but the fear that tends to grip our hearts and silence our witnessing tongues often comes from the likelihood of being ostracized by a world who hates being told there is but one way, truth, and life (John 14:6)! In writing to the Philippians who had become timid during persecution Apostle Paul boldly stated that his passion for himself and them his Gospel partner was to preach the Good News without fear but with the assurance that their witness would have both immediate, ripple, and eternal consequences that would far outweigh the inevitable persecution they would have to endure.

As you read this sermon, please ask yourself are you living to honor and glorify yourself or the Lord, and if it is the later then always be ready to give the reasons why you have hope in your Savior, and King!

The “Silver” Lining of Being Persecuted for Jesus

After opening his letter to Philippi with thanksgiving and prayer, like other ancient writers of his time Paul stated the common phrase “I want you to know” indicating that he was about to give the church an update on his personal situation. While Paul could have talked about the “dark threads of his recent years” of “bodily pains, misrepresentations and deceitfulness, unprovoked insults and shame, the miscarriage of justice, the shipwreck on the way to Rome or the chains and prison that he was in;” he does not “give the Philippians a detailed account of any of these events.” By turning away from his pain and to practice his own words, “whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy think about such things (4:8);” and with great resolute and joy springing up from the fountain of living waters within his heart, Paul boldly stated that his suffering and persecution actually served to advance the Gospel message! Paul was not embracing the Greek philosophical belief of his day that “neither prison nor death mattered” but was profoundly stating the truth that true life is found only in Christ Jesus (1:21). While the Philippians wanted to know how Paul was doing so that they might further provide aid to help reduce his suffering, Paul wanted his “partner” (1:5) to know that while he was in chains, the word of God certainly was not being restricted (2 Timothy 2:9)! Though Christ was fulfilling His promise to Paul of suffering for His name’s sake (Acts 9:16), the good work that was started on the road to Damascus would continue through the fiery passion of an apostle who refused to stop doing what mattered to him most, proclaiming that belief, not in the emperor, but in the atoning sacrifice of God’s one and only Son was the only way to be born again and become a citizen of heaven! From prison Paul rejoiced for Christ had chosen him to bring this Good News to very heart of the Roman empire!

Reflection

We have all heard the saying “it is not what happens to you but how you respond to life’s experiences that defines your character.” Like Apostle Paul when trials, tribulations, suffering, and persecution enters your life are you able to “step back” and see how faithfully relying on God during such trying times can advance the Gospel message? Are not the words of truth lived more important than just the ones spoken?