Phllipians 1: The Unconquerable Gospel

Yesterday we saw that Paul's prayer was that the Philippians be filled with love. To what end? Well we repeatedly see Paul's concern for the witness of the gospel.

Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ

Now we go back to Paul’s attitude in the midst of his trial. First of all ,we see that he actually is concerned about the spread of the gospel. The key to this whole section is v 18 where Paul says the important thing is that Christ is preached.

Suffering can promote the cause of Christ
One great thing about Paul is that every event in his life is measured by whether or not it advances the gospel. He wants to encourage the Philippians to think the same way. How often do we measure our trials by whether or not they help spread the gospel? We tend to think about ourselves in our trials. But in Paul’s example we see trials measured by the Great Commission.

Here again, Paul was in the midst of horrific circumstances. He was chained to the Praetorian guard in some dungeon. But Paul's attitude was not so much " I am chained to him". It was "He is chained to me" I have a captive audience for the gospel. And in fact Paul started winning over the palace guard to Christ. Paul doesn't ever complain about his situation, but is always looking for the cause fo the gospel in any situation.

So let me ask this question.
How are the trials or difficulties you are going through helping to advance the gospel? Have you asked this question? Can you rejoice in that purpose?

Paul says it has become clear to everyone that he is in chains for Christ. In other words, his imprisonment was due to the fact that he was a Christian and in the service of the gospel.

. v 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Paul says that because of his chains, many of the brothers have been encouraged to preach the word of God with even more boldness. Isn’t it true that zeal is contagious?

When we are zealous, others are inspired to be zealous. But when we are lax, no one is inspired. Here Paul’s zeal for the gospel got him incarcerated and was an inspiration to others.

Is your zeal contagious? Are you an inspiration to others or one that discourages others from the faith?

Preaching with False Motives
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense 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.

It is so interesting that Paul was not necessarily concerned with those who were preaching with a false motive. He was only interested that Christ was being preached.

Nowadays, we are sometimes so concerned about the motives of why people do things. We also are concerned with what man thinks about our ministry. Here, it seems that Paul is not as concerned with these things. His focus is really on the gospel . He has a gospel-centered life. This is the thing that makes him rejoice: the gospel going out.

Sometimes we are so intent on getting our motives right with regard to the gospel that we get paralyzed from sharing.

Does the gospel going out make you rejoice? Are you more concerned that the gospel is communicated than that the motives are perfect ?