Gospel

Paul Van Stralen

Philippians • Sermon • Submitted 7 years ago

Philippians 1:12–18

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A mature Christian is someone who makes disciples by sharing the gospel--what Christ has done--with others.

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Last week, we began our new series on Philippians. We started by watching an introductory video produced by the Bible Project. Paul wrote to the Philippians thanking them for their participation, support, and prayers for his ministry, especially their concern for him in his imprisonment. Paul saw the church and her leaders as full partners in the gospel ministry. He wrote to encourage them to continue growing in Christian maturity.

Allaying Fears

In this section of Paul’s letter, he addresses their concern for him, for his safety and well being, as well as their concern for the advancement of the gospel. Clearly, they thought his imprisonment would have derailed all his plans effectively shutting down his mission In Rome before it could start.

His answer is that, he isn’t so worried about himself. He was more concerned about the gospel. At first, he also thought being in prison would reduce his effectiveness at spreading the gospel in Rome. But nothing can stop God’s plan. Just as many have tried to stop God’s ways from happening, God uses even the most difficult circumstances to his advantage. Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned all as part of God’s plan to place him as second in command to Pharaoh in order to save his family from starvation. God placed Esther in the palace so that she could save her people from annihilation. God placed Daniel in certain circumstances in order that God could rescue people through him? God blesses people through God’s faithful servants, regardless of their circumstances. Of the ones recorded in the Bible, how many more were there? Let’s not limit God’s working in and through his people as though it only happens in the ones we read about. Rather, let’s see the people we read about as examples, examples of many, examples for us to follow. God is at work in and through you. He has you in the very place he wants you to be, to do the work he wants you to do. He began it in you, he will be faithful to complete it. Let him!

Gospel Advance

Therefore, Paul’s imprisonment didn’t limit his gospel effectiveness at all. Instead, it opened opportunities that he wouldn’t otherwise have had. Paul was so focused on Christ, that it showed up in his character, his attitude, his conversations. He used his time in prison to bless and encourage others, he sang, he talked to his guards, he shared the gospel with anyone who would listen. Because the men assigned to guard him were on a rotation, he got to meet many more than usual. Inevitably, they began to listen to him. They discovered that he was a great guy, who was passionate about Jesus, who clearly was innocent of his crimes. They in turn shared the gospel with others, and even members of Caesar’s household became believers!

Believers Emboldened

The believers in Rome, those who were afraid to speak and preach the gospel were emboldened to do so. At first, when Paul was arrested for preaching the gospel, brothers and sisters in Christ stopped preaching and teaching out of fear that they’d be thrown into prison as well.

But something unexpected happened. It’s not that persecution didn’t happen, rather, after seeing how Paul responded to his imprisonment, they stopped worrying about what might happen, they just talked about Jesus. They trusted Jesus, like Paul was trusting Jesus, which we’ll explore more closely next time. So, not only were pastors encouraged, all members of the church were encouraged and emboldened to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember, Paul’s understanding and belief, in line with Christ’s, is that all believers are responsible for sharing the gospel. In fact, we can’t help but share it!

Gospel Preached!

Paul’s greatest concern is that the Gospel get’s preached. He knows that the gospel, which is good news, is the powerful story that changes lives. It’s an announcement.

But sometimes, in order understand good news, we need to know what the bad news is. When the good news that World War II was over, no one needed to be told the bad news, they’d been living it for years.

One of Pastor Ray’s methods is demonstrated in the 180 movie, where he interviews random people on the street. He asks them questions, like “Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stole anything? Have you ever taken the Lord’s name in vain?” To which most people honestly answer, “Well, yes.” So, he says, “Your a lying, thieving blasphemer.” Well, it’s one thing to admit to telling a lie, it’s harder to admit being a liar. Eventually, they follow his arguements and come to see the truth.

The problem today is that not everyone realises the reality of the situation we’re living in. There are people who are deluded into thinking that people are basically good, and that humanity, with the right education, political system and so on, can solve the problems of racism, sexism, discrimination, murder, violence, war, injustice, poverty and the like. But the root of the problem is too deep for any human solution. The root of the problem is sin, and the wages of sin is death.

So, God, the creator, provided a divine solution, by sending his Son to seek and to save the lost. But if people don’t know they’re lost, how will they know they need a saviour? As Paul writes in his letter to the church in Rome: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

And the truth is, every human being is a liar, a theif, a blasphemer, and so on. Not everyone wants to admit it.

We need to engage people in conversations, as John Van Meggelen taught us a few weeks ago. Find out where people are at. Ask them questions. You’ll be surprised how open people are. If you’ve been striving to live a good Christian life, chances are, they won’t be surprised to find out you’re Christian. It might not have the negative impact you might think it would.

Consider how Paul reacted to being in prison, it simply opened new doors for the gospel. Consider how the brothers and sisters in Christ were encouraged to share the gospel. God has placed you where you are to do the good work of sharing the gospel. A super simple way to get the conversation started is, “Are you a spiritual person?”

Two Groups: Selfish Ambitious and Good Will

Paul had heard that the gospel was being preached and that people were getting more bold. He knew that there were Christians in Rome long before he got there. But his arrival did cause problems for some. Many leaders embraced Paul, saw great encouragement from his arrival, and, having the same heart and mind, did everything they could to show love and to bless him.

But there were some, Paul says, who preached Christ out of envy and rivalry. When I was at the preaching seminar in Grand Rapids, I learned a lot about the opposite of gratitude, which is envy. We mustn’t confuse envy with jealousy. Jealousy wants what someone else has. Envy wants what someone else has, but also doesn’t want the other person to have it anymore. Pastor Scott Hoezee told this example:

Mary makes the best pie. Every year, at the church picnic pie competition, Mary wins. Martha was determined to win it this year. She baked like crazy, she found the best recipe, she submitted her pie. But Mary won again. Dorothy walked up to Martha and said, “Martha, your pie was excellent, but what can we say, Mary always wins.” Martha responded by saying, “Oh, I know, but I heard her marriage isn’t so great.”

An envious person, if they can’t have what others have, if they can’t get what they want, will try to rob it from someone else, or they’ll try to ruin their character, or damage them some other way. Watch for them.

Paul was dealing with pastors and leaders who were jealous of God’s blessing on Paul, on his boldness to preach, his gifts and abilities as a preacher and evangelist. If they couldn’t beat him at preaching, then they worked to stir up trouble about him, probably saying things like, “Do you know what Paul used to do? He persecuted Christians. He witnessed and made sure that many ended up dead. How do we know that he’s not a spy sent among us? Mark my words, there’s a reason he’s in prison, I bet he’s guiltier than Judas.

Paul’s response is awesome. I pray that I may respond as he does. Paul says, “Whatever their motive is, if they are preaching the true gospel, which they are, that’s what matters. We just need to get the message out!”

Paul didn’t worry about what people thought of him. He was concerned with what God thought of him. Paul did his task to the best of his ability, regardless of the circumstances he faced.

Bottom Line: Gospel Is Preached!

Paul had one focus: everyone preaches the gospel.

Remember, the gospel is good news! People naturally share good news. “Did you hear? So and so had a baby girl!” “Really? That’s wonderful news!” “Dude, the Blue Jays made the Wild Card playoff spot!” “Excellent!” “The Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1967!” We have no trouble sharing good news, even with strangers.

Let’s ask God to help us understand the incredible, amazing grace of the gospel for us.

Let’s ask God for boldness. As the Christians in Rome were encouraged and emboldened by Paul’s preaching in prison, let’s ask God to encourage and embolden us also!

Pray that the Lord will give us, all of us, opportunities to share the good news of what Jesus has done: He has forgiven us all our sins! He’s made us forever right with God! He’s saved a wretch like me! Amazing grace! Amen.

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