Philippians 1:12-14
"What Most People Never Pray For"

Gospelcom Bible Gateway

After opening with something like "I trust this letter finds you well," letters between friends most often begin by catching the friend up on the writer's present situation. The same was true of friendship letters in the Greco-Roman world, which appeared often with the very words Paul uses here. This material was usually brief and sometimes made up the whole of a (very brief) letter.

In the present case, however, this section is quite long (vv. 12-26) and (as is typical for Paul) is thoroughly transformed by the gospel. What begins as a word to relieve the Philippians of anxiety (v. 12) evolves into a word about the current spread of the gospel (vv. 13-18), followed in turn by a reflection on Paul's desires and expectations regarding his forthcoming tribunal (vv. 18-26). One can scarcely miss the focus of Paul's concern, here and always: Christ and the gospel. His present imprisonment has ultimately been to the advantage of the gospel, which is cause for joy (vv. 12-18); his singular longing regarding his trial is that Christ will be magnified, whether through life or death (vv. 19-20); if it were to result in death (execution), that means he finally reaches the goal of his life--Christ himself--and if choice were his, he would go this route (vv. 20-23); but most likely the outcome will be life (freedom), which will cause the Philippians' own boasting to abound in Christ Jesus (vv. 24-26).

There is nothing else quite like this passage in Paul's extant letters. Very likely, since his and their present suffering stems from the same source--the Roman Empire--he intends much of this to serve as paradigm. Here is how they too should respond in the context of their present difficulties.

^"12But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, ¹³so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; ¹⁴and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. "

INTRODUCTION:

A. Do you remember "e-ore" and Pooh Bear from Winnie the Pooh?

B. If life were a winnie of pooh episode which character would you be? Owl, Rabbit, Piglet, Pooh?

C. Some people think it is difficulty to be a Christian and laugh. I think it is the other way around. God writes a lot of comedy. It is just that we have bad actors." - Christianity Today

D. How can I be a happy person? How do I achieve it? Most would say, "If something good happens to me I'll be happy if something bad happens I will be miserable"

E. It certainly wouldn't be from a prison in Rome with great joy as Pal does. (4, 18, 2:17)

F. How can Paul be this way? He is either lying or is really on to something. This morning we will look at Paul "In Jail & Happy as a Clam!"

G. Paul had no outward reason to be filled with joy. He is very content tat he is in the center of the will of God. We need to discover why.

H. Spiritual maturity can be measured by what it takes to steal you joy.

I. Passion

A. Paul was very determined, passionate and led by the Spirit.

B. Everyone has a master passion what you want more than anything else in the world. What was Paul's? What was yours?

C. Paul's passion was the gospel. 72 times in Paul's writing he writes about the gospel (v1:5, 7, 12, 15-18 )

D. This can be summed up in Romans 1:15 & Romans 15:20

E. Why was Paul so passionate about the Gospel?

F. How did this enemy of Christ become the one who stands up for Christ? The Damascus Road Conversion

G. What is your passion? Is the Gospel your passion?

H. If you say yes, when was the last time that you shared the gospel? Are you passionate to share the gospel?

II. Predicament

A. "The things which happened" represents the predicament. What were they?

B. Have you committed your life to God for Him to direct your life and then hold on to what your design of what you think ought to happen?

C. Remember that God has editing right

D. Romans 8:28

III. Perspective

A. "But I want you to know" Paul wants not misunderstanding in Philippi that paul's imprisonment is not the worst thing that could happen but rather that it is the best that cold of happened.

B. "Furtherance" to make an advancement in spite of obstacles. Used of soldiers who advanced steadily by cutting down trees step by step.

C. Paul's imprisonment meant that it cleared the way for the work of God

D. Three ways that the work of God was spread

1. It was furthered in God's plan for the Roman soldiers

a. It is evident to the whole Praetorian Roman guard who protected the Caesar

b. They came to salvation

2. It was furthered in God's plan for the Roman citizens

a. He was under house arrest (Acts 28)

b. Rome paid for Paul to come to Rome and paid for him to have Bible Studies!

APPLICATION:

1. Do you feel chained currently?

2. Pray that God will bring someone into your path that you could lead to Him.

3. Invite someone to church next week.

MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK:

Philippians 1:12-14

^"12But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, ¹³so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; ¹⁴and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. "