Testimony in Prison
Notes
Transcript
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
1|P age
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,1 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.2 While Paul could have talked
about the “dark threads of his recent years”
of “bodily pains, misrepresentations and
deceitfulness, unprovoked insults and
shame,3 the miscarriage of justice, the
shipwreck on the way to Rome or the
chains and prison that he was in;”4 he does
not “give the Philippians a detailed account of any of these
events.”5 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);” 6 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”7 but
was profoundly stating the truth that true life is found only in
Christ Jesus (1:21).8
While the Philippians wanted to know how Paul
was doing so that they might further provide aid
to help reduce his suffering,9 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)!10
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
1
H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Philippians, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk &
Wagnalls Company, 1909), 4.
6
2
7
Daniel M. Gurtner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: Acts–
Philemon, ed. Craig A. Evans and Craig A. Bubeck, First Edition. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C
Cook, 2004), 575.
Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to
Philemon., vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 351.
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 1993), Php 1:12–26.
8
3
J. A. Motyer, The Message of Philippians, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 1984), 64.
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
67.
4
J. A. Motyer, The Message of Philippians, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 1984), 65.
9
5
10
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
66.
2|P age
Frank Thielman, Philippians, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1995), 59.
F. F. Bruce, Philippians, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Peabody, MA: Baker
Books, 2011), 40.
the road to Damascus would continue through the fiery passion
of an apostle who refused to stop doing what mattered to him
most,11 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?
11
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
67.
12
Homer A. Kent Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through
Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1981), 110.
The Immediate Affects of Being a Genuine
Witness
When Paul spoke the words before Festus, “I appeal to
Caesar” his request was granted immediately (Acts 25:12).
During the first century such a request would result in
imprisonment and being entrusted to the care of the Praetorian
Guard.”12 This was the emperor’s elite bodyguards “consisting
of twelve cohorts, possible of 1,000 soldiers each.”13 They
received double pay, good pensions14 and as a group became so
powerful that emperors had to “court their favor”15 and upon
accession
had
to
“bestow on them a
liberal
donation.”16
Certainly, part of their
power came from the
fact that no army was
allowed in Italy except
them. Their task was
17
not only to protect the emperor but also his prisoners as well
by being shacked to them so that they could not escape while
14
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 48.
15
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933),
Php 1:13.
16
Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 3 (New York: Charles
Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 420.
13
Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to
Philemon., vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 352.
3|P age
17
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove,
IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Php 1:13.
waiting for their court appearances. This must have been an
extremely uncomfortable situation for Paul for he had not only
lost his freedom but likely would have had to get permission
from his guard every time he wanted to move about to eat, drink,
use the washroom and so on!18 Ironically, those chains provided
Paul with a “captive audience” whom he was more than willing
to tell and show them how “God was reconciling the world to
Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (2 Cor.
5:19).19
Everyone who came into touch with Apostle Paul20
soon realized that he was not the typical “political
activist, murderer, or lawbreaker”21 they often
were assigned too but a genuine Christian who
despite facing likely death was fully in love with
and devoted to the Lord, Jesus Christ!
How often would those guards have heard about Christ through
Paul’s prayers and the conversations he had with his visitors! 22
While his imprisonment would make most of us truly
miserable,23 Paul felt overwhelming joy because it was through
the witness of his chains that the very heart of Rome was being
evangelized!
Reflection
When we meet, especially after the church service, as a people
of God do we mostly talk about sports, the weather, our
careers, our children or do we spend most of our time together
passionately talking about how God is not only working in and
through our lives but also is making us lights unto the world?
When is the last time you bowed and prayed in public or boldly
told a non-Christian the reasons you have hope in the Lord,
Jesus Christ?
The Ripple Affects of Being a Genuine Witness
Like a stone hitting the still water of a lake Paul’s witness
had rippling affects from Rome all the way to the church in
Philippi! While Paul commended the believers for their
partnership with him in sharing the Gospel message (1:5),
considering the opposition from within the church and
persecution by those who loved worshipping the emperor and
18
J. A. Motyer, The Message of Philippians, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 1984), 66.
21
19
Frank Thielman, Philippians, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1995), 59.
22
20
23
F. F. Bruce, Philippians, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Peabody, MA: Baker
Books, 2011), 40.
4|P age
Paul Barnett, Philippians & Philemon: Joy in the Lord, ed. Paul Barnett, Reading the Bible
Today Series (Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press, 2016), 29.
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 48.
Frank Thielman, Philippians, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1995), 59.
many Roman gods, the Philippians apparently had become timid
and hesitant in speaking24 the “Christ-centered word”25 that
there is but one God whom all will one day bow their knees
(2:10)!
When
the
Philippians heard Paul had
not become depressed in
prison26 but overwhelmed
with joy, due to his chains
advancing
the
Gospel
witness, they chose not to
“go underground” as some
might think to avoid possible rejection and persecution27 but
instead were “inspired to greater faithfulness”28 and courage to
set their fears aside and shine like stars by firmly holding onto
and proclaiming the word of life (2:15-16). This clearly
illustrates to us the power of Paul’s leadership29 for his courage,
boldness and unwavering witness of the Gospel message was
truly contagious and inspiring!
Sadly, persecution tends to be “just what the
doctor ordered for fearful Christians” 30 for often
it is the “chained” that inspire the “unchained” 31
to reach beyond what is humanly possible to
plant seeds of righteousness that have eternal
consequences.
“Nothing could have given Paul greater delight”32 than to see
his witness in chains and more importantly the Lord’s coming
along side of his partner in sharing the Gospel message had
24
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
70.
28
25
29
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
70–71.
26
Homer A. Kent Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through
Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1981), 111.
27
Homer A. Kent Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through
Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1981), 110.
5|P age
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 54.
Paul Barnett, Philippians & Philemon: Joy in the Lord, ed. Paul Barnett, Reading the Bible
Today Series (Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press, 2016), 29.
30
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 49.
31
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
69.
32
F. F. Bruce, Philippians, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Peabody, MA: Baker
Books, 2011), 42.
resulted in not the minority but majority33 of them fearlessly
proclaiming the source of their citizenship in heaven, Christ!
them about every spiritual blessing, we have in Christ Jesus our
Lord?
Reflection
Let met tell you a story. Imagine waiting at a crosswalk for the
light to change. It is a cold winter day, the wind is blowing, and
the snow is falling so quickly that it is very hard to see any more
than a few feet. You are standing in a crowd of people all
freezing and patiently waiting for the walk sign to light up
indicating it is safe to enter the cross walk. Out of the corner of
your eye you notice a small boy has jolted out into the
oncoming traffic who are unlikely able to either see or stop in
time to keep from hitting him. In a split second you must decide
to either jump out in front of traffic and risk your life to
hopefully save the boy or stay safely at the side of the road!
What would you do in this situation, especially if the boy was
your son? Since most of us would not hesitate to save our
children from physical harm then why do we hesitate or
outright avoid telling the lost the Gospel message when we
know beyond a doubt, they are facing eternal, spiritual death in
the flames of hell? Is not one convert worth our time and does
not declaring the Gospel give us a sense of joy when we tell
33
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
69.
34
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 49.
Checking Your Motivation for Witnessing
It is at this point in
the letter that Paul
mentions there were
two
groups
of
preachers proclaiming
the Gospel message
that
had
radically
different
motives.34
While Paul does not
specifically mention the first group by name35 most
commentators believe he was referring to the “Jerusalembased Jewish Christians who insisted absolutely that Gentiles
who turned to Christ must adopt Jewish religious practices, in
effect, to become Jewish proselytes.”36 Paul had “immense,
unique apostolic endowments” and his witness could be heard
all over Asia minor and now into Europe!37 This group was filled
35
Paul Barnett, Philippians & Philemon: Joy in the Lord, ed. Paul Barnett, Reading the Bible
Today Series (Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press, 2016), 31.
36
Paul Barnett, Philippians & Philemon: Joy in the Lord, ed. Paul Barnett, Reading the Bible
Today Series (Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press, 2016), 30.
37
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 50.
6|P age
with so much envy and rivalry that they were not satisfied with
just “orchestrating public unrest” which led to Paul’s appeal to
Caesar and subsequent stay in prison,38 they likely told the
believers that his “imprisonment was shameful and an
embarrassment to the Gospel.”39 While this group were not
heretics or apostates, for Paul does not say to them “let them
be under God’s curse” like he did the Galatians (1:8-9),40 Paul
criticized their motives which were obviously a deep seated
desire to “greedily grasp for public office” by tearing down
Paul’s theology concerning “the free grace of God for salvation
for Jews and Gentiles”41 through their “insistence on observing
the ceremonial law!” 42 This brings us to the second group, his
partner in Philippi (1:5) who preach the Gospel message out of
“goodwill” and “love” (1:15-16). Unlike the first group they
understood Paul was in prison by the sovereign will of God to
bring the Gospel message to the heart of Rome.43 They
overcame the temptation to tear down Paul to make
themselves look good by “caring more for Jesus’ glory than that
of their own!”44 Their only motivation to preach the Gospel was
out of “love for Paul and for Christ’s sake”45 which Paul was
confident they would continue to do until the day of His return
(1:6). To this group Paul joyfully says he longs for them “with
the affection of Christ Jesus (1:8).
38
43
Paul Barnett, Philippians & Philemon: Joy in the Lord, ed. Paul Barnett, Reading the Bible
Today Series (Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press, 2016), 31.
39
Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Romans to
Philemon., vol. 3 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 352.
40
R. Kent Hughes, Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL:
Crossway Books, 2007), 50.
Reflection
“Consider a story from the fourth century on the sin of envy.
Some inexperienced demons were finding it difficult to afflict a
godly hermit. They lured him with various temptations, but the
man kept denying their allurements. The demons reported
their problem to Satan. The evil one told them that they had
been far too hard on the man. He suggested a more effective
strategy: “Send him a message that his brother has just been
made bishop of Antioch. Bring him good news.” The demons
used the Devil’s scheme, reporting “the wonderful news” to the
pious hermit. On hearing this message, the godly hermit fell
into deep, wicked jealousy (Kent and Barbara Hughes,
Liberating Ministry, 100).”46
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 56.
44
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 57.
45
41
Paul Barnett, Philippians & Philemon: Joy in the Lord, ed. Paul Barnett, Reading the Bible
Today Series (Sydney, South NSW: Aquila Press, 2016), 30–31.
H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Philippians, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk &
Wagnalls Company, 1909), 4.
46
42
H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Philippians, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk &
Wagnalls Company, 1909), 5.
7|P age
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 57.
Are you telling the world the reasons why you have hope in the Lord?
If you are serving in a church body, are you doing so to glorify Christ
or are you trying to build your reputation through your good deeds?
If God anointed someone in the church to do miracles would you be
jealous of them or would you be rejoicing in the Lord?
The Goal of Witnessing
Paul finished this section of his letter by stating that what
truly matters is not the motives of those spreading the Good
News but the fact that
Christ is preached!47
The message for Paul
was
far
more
important than the
motives
of
the
messengers.48
Though some were
preaching with the
47
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933),
Php 1:18.
48
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 59.
49
Daniel M. Gurtner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: Acts–
Philemon, ed. Craig A. Evans and Craig A. Bubeck, First Edition. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C
Cook, 2004), 576.
50
Tony Merida and Francis Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin,
and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference,
2016), 59.
8|P age
motive of tearing down Paul to advance their own reputations
this in no way stopped Paul from rejoicing for the word of God
can overcome all hinderances49 including the speakers impure
motives. If this were not true, then our best of preachers and
evangelists would be ineffective and disqualified from spreading
the Gospel message! As it is God uses the “weakness of human
instruments”50 to “shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27). Paul
is not saying that it is ok to proclaim the Gospel with impure
intentions, for this kind of sin must be confessed to be forgiven
lest it taint one’s witness, but merely that the supremacy of
sharing the word must be foremost in our hearts!51 Like Paul
when others are jealous of the blessings God sends our way52 we
are to pray but not try to force a spiritual change in their hearts
that only the Holy Spirit can make happen. Imagine how unified
the church would be if all its members stopped being concerned
about their “apparent” positions of power53 but instead kept their
eyes fixed on the pioneer and perfector of their faith (Hebrews
12:2)!
51
Homer A. Kent Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ephesians through
Philemon, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1981), 112.
52
I-Jin Loh and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, UBS
Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1995), 27.
53
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009),
76.
So, may we join Apostle Paul and have a singled minded vision
in our lives to proclaim the Good News not just in our actions
but in our words and deeds as well and may we rejoice as we see
both the immediate and ripple effects of planting seeds of
righteousness into the lives of those God sends our way! Ave
all, may we rejoice that Christ is preached!
9|P age