Dave Brandon shares the following powerful story:
“I’m not much for jewelry. A wedding ring was all I ever wanted —until now. Next to my wedding ring, on the little finger of my left hand, rests a simple silver band. It’s my daughter Melissa’s.
Soon after Mell died in a car accident in June 2002, just 6 weeks short of her 18th birthday, I was in her bedroom and I found the ring. I recalled having seen it on her hand. I slipped it on and was surprised that it fit. Now I wear it all the time. Here’s why, I can look at it or touch it and feel close to my daughter, knowing that it once rested on her finger. But there’s a more important reason I wear her ring. I want people to notice it and ask me about it. Then I tell them of Melissa and her life of love, faith, and fun. I hope it opens conversations that will allow me to introduce people to Melissa’s Savior, and mine.
The apostle Paul used his chains—his imprisonment—to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12). It wasn’t that he enjoyed being incarcerated, but he knew it could be used for the good. It’s like the ring. I wish it wasn’t mine; I wish Melissa was still enjoying it. But she’s not, and I want this tragic circumstance to bring glory to God. This Sunday as we open the book of Philippians we will see that growth often happens in the most challenging times!
When reading this passage we get a real sense that the Philippians were concerned about Paul’s situation as a prisoner, and that Paul is trying to ease these concerns.
Paul is under arrest and yet here he sounds quite “upbeat” for the sake of the Philippians.
- He wants the Philippians to know that rather than hindering the advance of the gospel, his imprisonment has actually facilitated its progress.
- Many times in the history of Christianity, obstacles, difficulties and persecution became opportunities for a greater broadcast of the Christian message.
- For instance, when the early church was being persecuted in Acts 8:1-4 immediately after the stoning of Stephen, Christians left Jerusalem and spread the gospel further.
Phil 1:12-18
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
In Acts 24–26 Paul returns to Jerusalem to fulfill a vow and was soon arrested by the Jewish faction of which he was once a part.
After a riot he was spirited from Jerusalem to Herod’s seaside palace in cesarea.
- During Paul’s first imprisonment, he awaited trial before Roman governors Felix and Festus
- He then was under house arrest in Rome for two years (28:30), awaiting an appearance before Nero.
- Scholars believe Paul was released sometime in AD 62 because the Jews who had accused him of being “a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension” (24:5) didn’t press their case before the emperor.
I. Mind Frame
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
What is your mind frame.
We tend to have a self focused mind frame in which we naturally look out for ourselves
We say things like:
- How will this effect me?
- How will this impact my family?
- How much will this cost me?
- This is fair for me!
Paul had a kingdom focused Mind Set
- His concern was how he could share the Gospel to a wider more diverse audience.
Despite imprisonment, Paul never stopped proclaiming the message of salvation.
- His prison guards heard the gospel, in Acts 28:16, 30-31his visitors heard the gospel ,
- And the churches he had ties with continued to be encouraged in the gospel through his letters and through certain people that Paul sent to them as ministers.
Paul tells the Philippians that the whole palace guard has heard his story.
- The palace guard, literally the praetorium,
- We can’t be sure this was in Rome as the word can refer to a governor’s palace as well
- Some of the soldiers would have been on a roster and assigned to guard Paul.
- These soldiers had heard Paul’s account of his unusual “crime”—the cause of Christ,
- and his story had circulated among the guards and to many others.
Paul was willing to do whatever it took to share the gospel on a scale he felt it deserved.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews.
21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
II. Let It Shine
13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
Paul was accomplish his purpose while being a captive.
I Believe there were two reasons for this:
1. Paul was an accomplished and discipled ambassador for the cause of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
A: Accomplished
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
B: Discipled
2. God Multiplies our best efforts
Colossians 1:29
That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.
III. Meekness Creates Boldness
And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Boldness without Meekness = Arrogance
Boldness with Humility = Power
Paul points out to the Philippians that his imprisonment has encouraged many Christian brothers and sisters to be more courageous and fearless in speaking the Word of God.
- These brothers and sisters had seen Paul’s ability to endure his situation and
- They had seen the grace that God had given him.
- Buoyed by Paul’s example, they were able to speak the message of Christianity more boldly.
Conclusion:
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Motivation for Ministry
Some of these people were speaking out of love. What is your motivation for ministry and service? In 2 Corinthians 5:11-14,
Paul reveals that his two main motivators in ministry are love and fear!
Paul had a unique calling, and he had unique abilities.
- It is evident that some ministers were jealous of Paul’s renown and success in ministry.
- With Paul locked away, these ministers took the opportunity to further their own “careers” and “status” as ministers.
- Sadly, rivalry and jealousy between Christian ministers is not a new or rare phenomenon.
