PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER 1:12-17
CHRIST CONTROLS CIRCUMSTANCES
Philippians 1:12-14 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advanceG4297 the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
SUSAN: What HAD happened to Paul?
SUSIE: Read Acts chapters 21-28. Paul had been cast out of the temple, falsely accused of taking a Gentile into a Jews only section, arrested by the Romans, moved in the night to escape a plot to kill him, tried before Festus, and defended himself to King Agrippa. Since the Jews wanted to take him back to Jerusalem to be tried there (and lay in wait to kill him along the way!), Paul appealed to Caesar. Agrippa even said he would have released him had he not appealed. But the Holy Spirit had revealed to Paul that he was destined to go to Rome.
SUSAN: Therefore, Paul is writing this letter to the church at Philippi from his prison cell while awaiting a trial that could very well have ended with his execution but ultimately, did not. “Advance” in verse 12 is a military term.
G4297 prokopḗ (from 4253 /pró, “in front of” and 2875 /kóptō, “cut, chop down”) – properly, advance (progress) – literally, “advancement by chopping down whatever impedes progress”; furtherance.
Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong
https://biblehub.com/greek/4297.htm
SUSIE: Paul had taken his army’s campaign into the very camp of the enemies. He was not retreating nor simply holding ground. He was advancing the spread of the gospel.
SUSAN: Here Paul is, in the heart of Rome, chained to soldiers who became his captive audience. It became clear to these soldiers Paul was not the usual criminal they dealt with. Whoever he came in contact with knew whose he was and that his mission was to proclaim Jesus Christ whatever the cost. This reminds me of being able to share with nurses, doctors, and care techs while in ICU after my legs were amputated even when unable to speak. Susie knew me well enough by then that I could point to her, and she would share with them. The gospel was not impeded by the attack of necrotic ulcers on my legs. Rather, God used this trial for the advancement of His Good News.
SUSIE: It was their job to come into the room and take care of Susan, so we had a somewhat captive audience as well. They may have viewed Susan as held captive by the ventilator, but we knew we were there to share the gospel with yet another group of health care providers!
SUSAN: It seems backwards to me that Paul’s imprisonment developed boldness instead of fright among his fellow believers.
SUSIE: They saw that the Lord empowered Paul to continue to advance the gospel rather than to retreat to the safety of silence even while already imprisoned. The were inspired by the steadfast faithfulness of their mentor.
SUSAN: Because of Paul’s example, Christians were strengthened to continue declaring salvation through Jesus Christ alone even under the threat of persecution.
Q – Paul continued to advance the gospel by sharing with the guards and anyone else who would listen even while in prison. He also wrote letters to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and his friend Philemon. How diligently do we share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ alone? How much more should we be telling our friends, family, and even acquaintances about the Lord while we still have the freedom to do so? Do we retreat or just hold our position, or are we ever going forward spreading the Gospel? Particularly, during this time of being somewhat confined by “shelter at home” orders, are we finding ways to share encouragement with believers and the Good News with those who do not yet know Jesus?
Philippians 1:15-18 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 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.
SUSIE: Some of Paul’s “competition” in ministry thought they could use his time of imprisonment to elevate their own ministries to the forefront as if preaching the gospel were some type of race to be won. They had a “my following is bigger than your following” attitude. Other people continued to preach out of respect and love for not only Paul but mostly for the Lord. They had an attitude of “we’re all in this together.”
SUSAN: Paul’s joy was not tied to his circumstances or how he was portrayed by others. It emanated from his intimacy with Christ and his desire to see others have that same relationship regardless who introduced them to Jesus. It mattered not to him, who received the “credit” for bringing others to into the “familyship” of God, only that the Good News of salvation through Jesus, the Christ (Anointed One), was continuing to be shared.
My job was to plant the seed, and Apollos was called to water it. Any growth comes from God, so the ones who water and plant have nothing to brag about. God, who causes the growth, is the only One who matters.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (VOICE)
Q – Converts to Christianity are not notches on a belt to be counted. They are baby Christians who need to be loved and discipled. Are we so concerned with the number of people at a church event that we fail to make sure each one is receiving the Gospel message or instruction in growing in their walk with the Lord? Are we jealous of the bigger church across town that can afford to bring in prominent guests while failing to realize that God has placed us exactly where He intends for us to serve? Do we have the ability to see what the world would call a “setback” as an opportunity to advance the message of Jesus? Every “circumstance” is a tool in the Master’s hand to mold us into the image of His Son and make us more effective for the advancement of His Kingdom. How have you seen Christians use the COVID-19 pandemic as a means for lovingly spreading the Gospel? What are ways we can turn this seemingly horrible crisis into a positive tool to bring others to Jesus and encourage one another to remain steadfast?
APPLY THIS TO YOUR LIFE
• As we learned in our study in Esther, God providentially places us where He desires to use us. Be sure to “plug in” to your local church, using the gifts and talents the Holy Spirit has given you to advance the Kingdom of God.
• Pray for the leadership of your church to be wise in how best to utilize the facilities and people the Lord has placed in their care.
• Do not focus only on the number of people in attendance. Rather, focus on building mentoring relationships with members of your congregation. If you are a new believer, link yourself to someone who has walked with the Lord and learn from them. If you have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Jesus, find the time to teach another believer what the Lord has taught you:
Whatever you heard me teach before an audience of witnesses, I want you to pass along to trustworthy people who have the ability to teach others too.
2 Timothy 2:2 (VOICE)