02 | Christ Is Preached; And In This I Rejoice
Christ Is Preached; And In This I Rejoice
Philippians 1:12-26
As taught Sunday 18 January 2015, Emmanuel Church, Auckland, New Zealand
Introduction
Word of Paul’s arrest came to the Church at Philippi
Upon hearing of it they grew concerned for Paul’s wellbeing
So Paul writes a letter that becomes known as The Epistle of Paul To The Philippians
He gives it to Epaphroditus (2:25), who in turn delivers it to the Church
In this letter he assures them his wellbeing is independent of the outcome of his arrest…
Also, the Philippians feared for the future of the Church
News of Paul’s arrest caused some to ask…
Paul reminds them that Christ is on His throne and He governs His world with providential hands…
Application: We are prone to the same worries that once gripped the Philippian Church
I became a part of Tumbling Shoals Baptist Church in December 2000
At the time the Church was flourishing under the ministry of Pastor Barry King
Sunday morning service boasted of 120 in attendance out of which 80 returned Sunday evening and Wednesday
Unusual circumstances swelled the membership in excess of 300
The windfall of members prompted a second church plant in addition to the one already underway
The church was actively training indigenous pastors and church planters in several countries
Many grew under Pastor Barry’s ministry as he expounded books of the Bible verse by verse every meeting
We were shocked when he announced his move to England in 2001
It took the wind from our sails; no one thought the Church could continue without him
You are in a similar position and liable to the same fear
In 1974 under the leadership of Pastor David Yan, Emmanuel Church was formed
By God’s grace she has continued and flourished under his capable ministry up to the present time
But there is coming a day when Pastor will no longer be able to shoulder the load as he has done in the past
I wager there are some who have asked in their heart of hearts…
Tumbling Shoals Baptist Church has remained now 14 years since our pastor moved to England
If the LORD is able to raise up pastors and sustain TSBC 14 years beyond Pastor Barry’s move to England,
Then the LORD is able to raise up pastors to sustain Emmanuel Church
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Transition: Now Paul said to the Corinthians,
Three things mattered to Paul, so they should matter to us…
Paul was concerned that Christ was proclaimed, Vs 12-18
We find Paul in the midst of unsavoury conditions
He is under arrest in Rome, which he describes as “chains”
Paul said nothing to the Philippians about his wellbeing, as this was not his chief concern
Rather, he assured the Church that all these things…
He gives two examples: First, the whole “palace guard” observed Paul and it became…
Second, most of the brethren in Rome who knew of Paul’s arrest…
Were made “confident” by his chains…
Application—In life you don’t always get what you want
Jobs are hard to find and you are forced to take one beneath your qualifications
Health is lost due to illness or the recklessness of others
Loved ones die—no one chooses these things, but they happen none the less
You will find people watch you closer when your life is hard
At such a time, remember the LORD’s words to Paul…
When you look to Christ for strength in difficult times, the lost will see the power of Christ in you,
Your brethren will be strengthened to stay the course when their life is hard,
And so “the things which happen” to you will turn “out for the furtherance of the gospel”
As if arrest wasn’t bad enough, insult was added to injury
Paul’s arrest drew preachers out of the woodwork who had questionable motive—they preached Christ…
These preachers were throwing stones at a man 10 times their consequence
Paul could have used his apostolic authority to put those little men in their place!
But he did not, he demonstrated restraining grace…
We don’t know who they were, but Paul counted them as “brethren”, 1:14
We don’t know what they said, but Paul considered them to preach Christ, 1:18
Application—Guard yourself against the spirit of Separatism
I have spent time with Baptist brethren in several countries
They are generous folk who love the Lord, His word and the lost
I was raised in a Baptist home and learned the Gospel from Baptist ministers—and I thank God for them
However, we Baptist have a tendency towards separatism—what do I mean?
There are many who claim to be part of the Church, but their teaching and practice disqualifies them from the Body
Let’s put these folk aside for now
There are many Christians who do not share our distinct convictions
Some believe the Law has little to say to the Church
Others are convinced the sign gifts—such as speaking in tongues—are for the church today
Still others draw the boundaries of the Church contrary to our map
But they believe and preach the fundamental saving truth of the Gospel
To these folk we Baptist are prone to say, “If they are not with us, they are against us!”
There are Baptist ministers who will not receive into church membership anyone unless they have been…
Baptised by immersion, upon profession of faith, by a Baptist minister who believes the doctrines of grace!
If the Baptist minister was not a Calvinist, the baptism he administered was not valid!
Only Calvinistic Baptists are treated as full members of the Church
I do not agree with this
I have a high view of biblical doctrine—what you believe is of great importance!
We should strive for excellence in our knowledge of the Bible and grow in all godliness
But we must never forget…
We must not refuse to call “brother” one for whom Christ died and purchased with His blood
Some may not agree with us on matters unrelated to salvation, but if they preach a saving Gospel, we must say with Paul,
Paul was concerned for the glory of Christ, Vs 19-21
Scholars point out that Paul began verse 19 quoting Job 13:16 from the LXX
Like Job, Paul’s suffering was not on account of sin
Like Job, Paul was confident that the LORD would deliver him
This does not mean that Paul was convinced he would survive his imprisonment
Vs 22, “I cannot tell” in Greek means “I have nothing to declare” or God had not revealed the outcome
Vs 25 in Greek does not share the certainty suggested by the English
Rather, their blessing was contingent upon Paul’s uncertain release
2:17 Paul considers the possibility that he is being poured out like a drink offering, suggesting death
This means he was confident that in the end he would be approved by God
Which was more important to Paul than release from prison and the approval of men
Paul would say with Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him,” Job 13:15 —Paul said it this way…
Why? Paul knew that God worked all things for His glory and Paul’s good
If Christ were to be magnified by Paul’s life, then Paul would increase the fruit of his labour and this is good
If Christ were to be magnified by Paul’s death, then Paul would be with the LORD and this is good
By life or by death Paul’s only concern was the glory of Christ, for he knew this brought his greatest good.
Application:
God willing none of us will be imprisoned for our faith nor will we face the real possibility of martyrdom
NT teaches us not to fear martyrdom and to pray that we might live at peace with all men, see 1 Timothy 2:1-3
Share with Paul the same attitude: Whatever your lot is in this life, do all things for the glory of Christ
Can you honestly change diapers to the glory of the LORD, or are children a burden you must bear?
Are you grateful for the work you have in this day of economic downturn, or do you dread and complain to others about your job?
Do you prepare a meal to the glory of Christ, or are others an inconvenience detracting from your leisure time?
Paul was concerned for the good of the Church, Vs 22-26
Two conflicts raged in Paul’s heart
The outcome of his imprisonment was unknown
He faced the real possibility of being released unto life and sentenced unto death
The LORD had not revealed the outcome to Paul, 1:22, “I cannot tell” means “I have nothing to declare”
The desire of his heart was divided
On the one hand he desired to die and be with the LORD which was better
On the other hand he desired to remain as it was “more needful for” the Philippians
At the end of the day Paul was willing to forgo
Rest from his struggle
To remain in this troubled world for the good of his brethren
Imitating Paul we, too, should develop a sacrificial concern for the good of the Church
Let’s think briefly how this principle works itself out in how we spend our life:
He had much to give because he spent much time with Christ—think about this…
What if when you were a child you heard Stuart Olyott and Dr MLJ work through Romans over the dinner table?
Do you think that would have provoked your thoughts and put fire in your belly for Christ?
When your family gathers together, what if your children or grandchildren heard the adults discussing weighty matters of the Scriptures instead of the Springboks vs All Blacks?
Do you desire your children and grandchildren to hunger and thirst for wisdom and righteousness?
We reap what we sow
If we sow to our leisure, we reap children with no appetite for God
If we sow and cultivate spiritual maturity in our hearts, we reap children who grow up longing for Christ
Are you concerned for the good of the Church?
Then give yourself to know the LORD that your presence becomes vital to others’ progress and joy of faith
AMEN