Sermon Tone Analysis

TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 1.12-18

REMEMBER: Paul’s original readers didn’t divide his letters into chapters and verses.

They would’ve read his entire letter to understand and respond to the overall message.

It’s helpful for us - to slow down and take it in bite-sized pieces for our meditation and submission.

From the Philippians’ perspective—a human perspective—all hope seems lost for the advancement of the gospel because of Paul’s imprisonment.

His ministry appears derailed.

This is the perspective that Paul is actively working to change.

1. GOSPEL-REVEALING VIEW

This has not been about me/us as much as it has been about the Gospel.

Instead of going into great detail about His suffering and unjust incarceration (which he understandably could have done…Epaphroditus may have even shared that with the Philippian church when he delivered the letter), Paul takes a Gospel route - focusing on a Jesus-exalting approach to his report.

Paul starts with a broad statement about how God was at work.

When Paul says, “what has happened,” he could be referring to:

everything that’s taken place from Jerusalem to Rome.

This would include a riot,

a two-year imprisonment in Caesarea,

an appeal to Caesar,

the threat on his life,

a shipwreck on the way to Rome,

his house arrest with restricted freedom,

and his impending trial (Melick, Philippians, 70).

This text reminded me of Josephs’ dilemma but final thought on how is life and trials unfolded.

Paul is fulfilling general prophecy/promise of Jesus for all believers…You will have tribulation.

Paul is fulfilling a specific prophecy to the apostles

Paul is living out exactly what was promised to Him in his conversion experience with Jesus in Acts 9. (God and Ananias)

Paul knew the “what has happened” had served to “advance” the gospel.

“pro-ko-pe” = the Greek term for “advance” was used of blazing a trail before an army, progressing in wisdom, and the progress of a young minister (Melick, Philippians, 70).

I pray that “what has happened to you”:

Your tragedies

Your sickness

Your victories

Your promotion

Your singleness

Your challenging family dynamic right now

…serves to BLAZE A TRAIL FOR THE GOSPEL.

It won’t automatically…It can either be a pit that costs you your testimony or a pulpit for you to proclaim Jesus from.

2. GOSPEL-ADVANCING MISSION

From the Philippians’ perspective—a human perspective—all hope seems lost for the advancement of the gospel because of Paul’s imprisonment.

His ministry appears derailed.

This is the perspective that Paul is actively working to change.

The Gospel is Being Heard/Received

Pretorian/Imperial Guard

Imperial Guards

9,000 Soldiers

Hand-picked / Italian-descent

Special pay / privileges (doublepay)

Ranked as Centurians

Highly influential

All the rest

The Gospel is Being Spoken (by more than me)

brothers who are increasing in boldness (Faith is rising)

brothers who are decreasing in fear (Fear is Falling)

NOTE: The only way to increase your faith and decrease your fear is to put it into practice!

PAUL IS LITERALLY PROCLAIMING CHRIST TO THE RULERS OF THE ROMAN WORLD.

KEY WORLD-INFLUENCERS are hearing the good news of Jesus Christ as a result of his suffering and condition.

He’s been moved into this more restrictive prison from House Arrest (BAD) to Caesar’s household (GOOD)

Lots of Christians suffer…but not all are as fruitful as Paul’s here, nor even fruitful in any sense at all.

What is distinct about Paul?

1.

In his suffering he was self-effacing.

He did not use the occasion of suffering either to turn his thoughts in upon himself or to make himself the object of other people’s attention and interest.

2  While suffering, he was still witnessing to the glory of Christ alone!

The verbal testimony was rooted in Paul’s inner attitude towards his suffering.

He saw himself—chain and all!—as a man under orders.

He writes, ‘I am put here for the defence of the gospel’ (verse 16; av, verse 17).

Transitions us beautifully to the next wonderful aspect of Paul’s update to the Philippian church.

3. GOSPEL-FOCUSED PERSPECTIVE

The Good-willed are preaching/proclaiming Christ

The Ill-willed are preaching/proclaiming Christ

NOTE: Results don’t always validate the messenger

NOTE: God has used evil people to bring about His will…he’s spoken through a donkey to get the word out

NOTE: God has allowed faithful men and women to do everything well…yet suffer and have little fruit to show here on earth.

BE ON GUARD AGAINST JEALOUSY

If Satan can’t corrupt your heart with a love of money or with sexual sin, he may try this tactic: envy and rivalry.

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

4. JESUS CHRIST IS THE CENTER OF OUR JOY/FOCUS

This is not about a getting a positive spin on your circumstances…it’s about fixing your eyes on Jesus.

not your circumstances

not people

not media

Christ alone is the hope of glory...

D. A.

Carson writes,

What ties us together?

What do we talk about when we meet, even after a church service?

Mere civilities?

The weather?

Sports?

Our careers and our children?

Our aches and pains?

None of these topics should be excluded from the conversation of Christians, of course.

In sharing all of life, these things will inevitably come up.

But what must tie us together as Christians is this passion for the gospel, this fellowship of the gospel.

On the face of it, nothing else is strong enough to hold together the extraordinary diversity of people who constitute many churches.