Sunday, May 20, 2018 pm
STUDIES IN PHILIPPIANS (5)
In Every Way – Christ is Preached
Philippians 1:12-18
a.
But I want you to know,
brethren
– Paul wants these brethren to understand his situation.
He is writing clearly and explaining why his circumstance is not
hopeless. He is encouraging
them to not be discouraged at where he is at.
b.
These things actually
turned out for the furtherance of the gospel – even though Paul was facing difficult times, he did not let
that deter him from doing what he could.
NOR did he view it with a hopeless attitude.
He sees in his situation that the gospel had been
furthered (a word that
literally means, “to cut forward” and refers to clearing a path, as in a
pioneer cutting his way through brush [Vine’s], or a ship cutting
through the waves of the sea (cf. KITTEL).
There is something to be said of optimism here.
While we need to be real and not view what is happening with
blinders, there are many circumstances where our mindset will determine
how we view something. Typically,
we can CHOOSE how to approach difficulties and set-backs in life.
And it is often TYPICAL of the person.
Some seem to view a situation negatively, emphasizing a bad, or
even the worst possible outlook.
They see a lemon and think – “that is sour”!
OTHERS will see a situation positively, emphasizing the good, or the
best possible outlook. They
see a lemon and say, “Where’s the sugar and water?
Let’s make lemonade!”
WHICH ought to be the prevailing attitude of a Christian???
Be reminded that Christians ought
to be optimistic – we assume the best, etc.
i.
Philippians 4:13 – I can
do all things through Christ…;
ii.
1 Corinthians 13:7 –
love, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things.
iii.
Consider the 12 spies
who went through Canaan the first time.
10 returned with a negative report (Numbers 13:31-33).
Joshua and Caleb acknowledged the challenges, but said, “God is
with us! Let’s go!” (Numbers
13:30)
iv.
We read of words like
“assurance” (Hebrews 10:22) and confidence (2 Corinthians 5:6)
v.
Jesus in John 4:35 told
his disciples to life up their eyes and see the fields are ready NOW for
harvest.
vi.
Paul’s confidence in the
goodness of brethren found in his letters – Romans 15:14, Galatians 5:10
“I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other
mind…”, Philemon 21, etc.
vii.
We need to MAKE the best
of the situation and view it looking for a positive outcome.
Paul took this opportunity to ENCOURAGE these Philippian
brethren.
It has become evident to
the whole palace guard and to all the rest. The word in
Greek is the word for praetorium, which could be a place (cf. Matthew
27:27), or probably here it has reference to the elite, Roman guard who
would protect Caesar and his assets in Rome.
We have already established that Paul wrote this letter from prison,
very likely at Rome. We
find this imprisonment recorded in Acts 28:16, 30-31, where Paul had
some freedoms and was able to receive visitors, preaching the kingdom of
God.
It is interesting
that whomever Paul is speaking of here knew WHY he was there. They Paul
was not some ordinary criminal, but instead there for preaching Christ
(more in a moment).
Did some believe? Philippians 4:22 speaks of the saint in Caesar’s
household.
Consider this, as more than one has pointed out that Paul was in chains,
here meaning he was probably assigned a constant guard, a “captive
audience” if you will.
They would have heard him teaching and quite possibly engaged in
conversations with him (I think of how the guard charged with Paul’s
arrival to Rome treated him - Acts
27:43, 28:16).
c.
That my chains are in Christ – again, it was clear to all that Paul was no murderer or
thief, or even an insurrectionist (one leading a rebellion against
Rome). He was a prisoner for
Christ and it became clear.
We may be called upon to suffer for Christ – 2 Timothy 3:12, James 1:2,
etc. Nowhere is this more
pronounced than in 1 Peter where we are told how to behave WHEN we are
persecuted. 1 Peter 2:12,
2:19-20, 3:14-17 (live so their accusations will not stand), 4:12-16 -
let no one suffer as an evil doer…yet if anyone suffers as a
Christian...
WHAT price are we paying to serve Him?
Are we willing to endure hardships or give up the ways of the
world for Him? Will we
sacrifice our liberties to put Him first?
When we do suffer, can others see that it is because we are in
Him? Things to consider!
a.
When we endure suffering
patiently and in a godly way, it can be an encouragement to others.
In this instance Paul notes that “most of the brethren in the
Lord” became confident.
b.
Our godly example,
especially in facing difficulties, can be a source of encouragement and
build confidence in others.
This is true because:
i.
We know we are not alone – think of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:17 where he declares the Lord
is there.
ii.
By example, we know that if the Lord can sustain one who is enduring
afflictions
(possibly greater than yours), then he can sustain me too.
iii.
Sometimes, the
faithful example of another moves us to action because we see them
faithfully doing what is right, AND what we SHOULD be doing.
IN other words, it causes us to
examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 6:4).
iv.
Finally, consider how
others may see in us the power of the gospel – Romans 1:16-17,
Hebrews 4:12, etc.
c.
It can produce boldness
i.
Acts 28:31 notes that
Paul is in Rome proclaiming the kingdom of God with all boldness.
ii.
Think also of the
example of the apostles who were arrested for preaching Christ – they
were bold, Acts 4:13 – the counsel saw the boldness of Peter and John.
Acts 4:29-31 – when released they prayed for boldness and were
granted it.
1 Thessalonians 2:2 – Paul speaks of his boldness in Thessalonica
referring back to the suffering and mistreatment in Philippi.
Could it be this boldness was present in Philippi as well?
iii.
Boldness is a quality we
all need, and most can do more.
Even Paul made requests that brethren pray for him that he be bold –
Ephesians 6:19-20, Philippians 1:19-20 - through their prayers, Paul
knew he would be delivered and with all boldness Christ would be
magnified in him.
iv.
We need boldness:
1.
In our personal faith –
2 Peter 1:5 – virtue
2.
In our prayers – Hebrews
4:16
3.
In our teaching and
defense of the truth – again Ephesians 6:19-20; as we expose and resist
error – cf. Acts 13:46 – when resisted by Jews, they grew bold and went
to the Gentiles. Etc.
4.
1 John 2:28, ultimately,
when he returns, we with boldness (confidence) will not be ashamed.
v.
When we see others
standing up boldly, it may that spark that gives us confidence to say
what needs to be said and do what needs to be done, even in challenging
circumstances.
A great example of this is building up courage to invite and teach the
lost, which is really what this is about.
a.
Some preach out of envy
and strife
i.
Paul here describes two
different groups of teachers.
One to be commended and the other to be condemned.
ii.
Who were these men? It is unlikely they were
false teachers, in that they were teaching error.
If you think of the Judaizing teachers (those who demanded that
Gentiles be circumcised and keep portions of the law), Paul had nothing
good to say about them.
Their teaching was damaging, and Paul greatly resisted it.
Note Galatians 1:6-9
It is more likely these were men who taught the truth, but in some way
were jealous of Paul being in Rome.
MAYBE they felt threatened by Paul being there (some preachers
are doing so for material reasons) and feared losing their prominence,
OR perhaps they feared what Rome would do if Paul (and Christianity) was
convicted, OR maybe they were ashamed of the stigma of Paul in prison
(cf. 2 Timothy 1:8). THUS,
perhaps they sought to distance themselves from him.
Whatever their reason, their motives were ungodly and identified
by Paul.
iii.
Out of selfish ambition – they have a personal agenda.
Maybe it was about them fearing the loss of some prestige.
I think of the disciples of John who were concerned about Jesus
drawing away disciples. John tried to correct them.
Consider also Diotrephes in 3 John 9-10 – who loved preeminence.
When we do things for selfish reasons, we stand in danger before God
– Galatians 5:20 – such is a work of the flesh.
James 3:14-16 describes it as the wisdom of this world contrasted
with the wisdom from above.
Paul will note in Philippians 2:3
that NOTHING is to be done with selfish ambitions.
iv.
Not sincerely – they were not preaching Christ with genuine motives.
Maybe there was something material to be gained – prestige, maybe
financial gain (Note: Paul went out of his way to prove he was “not in
it for the money”. Could it
be some were?), etc.
Obviously, everything we do must be with sincerity – Paul in
Philippians 1:10 spoke of them being sincere and without offense.
1 Timothy 1:5 – our faith is to be sincere.
1 Peter 1:22 – we need sincere love of the brethren.
v.
Supposing to add affliction to my chains
– did they have influence to keep Paul in prison?
Did they seek to distance themselves from Paul and perhaps denied
him (like Peter and the others denied and forsook Jesus) before others?
Did they criticize him and question his motives (like some of the
Corinthians had done)? We
don’t know
Or is this something mental?
Paul wanting to get out and encourage brethren, but he is
powerless to do so as a prisoner.
Yet these men keep that from happening (maybe kept some from
coming to him, etc.)?
IN this, we learn that motives ARE just as important as actions.
vi.
Thought: How do we
respond when someone, especially a brother in Christ, mistreats us?
May we learn from Paul’s example here.
b.
Some preach from
goodwill
i.
Goodwill
means in a pleasant and good way.
Paul notes that MOST of these brethren stood faithfully both in
truth and spirit.
ii.
Out of love
– Christian love. They loved
God, Jesus, Paul, their brethren, and others.
All of which are addressed extensively in the NT.
iii.
Knowing Paul was appointed to defend the gospel
– obviously, these are
brethren who loved Paul and knew his motives were genuine and were not
ashamed of him and his chains. We
see this as the letter progresses as well.
c.
What then?
i.
Only in every way, whether in pretense or truth
– Paul now looks at the end result!
ii.
Christ is preached – isn’t that what it is about?
Paul sought to only preach, “Christ
and Him crucified” – 1 Corinthians 2:2, Galatians 6:14, etc.
iii.
In this I rejoice and will rejoice – whenever one is saved, there is cause for rejoicing.
This just demonstrates the purity of Paul’s motives – he didn’t
care about himself (more in our next lesson).
He cared about the gospel of Christ and how it was received!
d.
Can good come from
ungodly motives?
i.
Yes!
If the truth is preached, the motives of the teacher are
inconsequential. God is
going to judge each of us based upon how we respond to the truth – 2
Corinthians 5:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, etc.
My salvation is dependent on me –
not the one who taught me!
ii.
However, we must understand to ungodly motives CAN be a hindrance in many
ways. They
often turn people off and usually in time they are exposed.
iii.
Also, do not think that impure motives are unimportant
– 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 1 Timothy 1:5-6, Matthew 5:3-10, 22:37, etc.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 says that God tests our hearts.
We need to be what God wants us to be, both in teaching and in motive!
iv.
Furthermore, realize that God can use imperfect men to accomplish His will.
Another lesson. While this
text is NOT dealing with false teachers (in doctrine), He may even use
someone who teaches some error to lead one to the truth.
How many are converted via a process? They hear a truth from one
who does teach error in other areas (e.g. some denominational churches
teach the truth on many subjects, studies in existence of God and
defending the resurrection may be 100% accurate, but in other areas they
fail to complete God’s plan).
This leads them to study God’s word where they find the truth or
are taught the whole truth by another.
REJOICE when truth is taught, or when one genuinely obeys the
gospel, regardless of who started the process.
NOTE: This in NO way justifies a false teacher!.
It merely recognizes what he teaches in ONE area.
And thus, we see Paul’s attitude.
He rejoiced that Christ is preached.
And so should we! How
do we handle situations that are less than ideal?
Think about it!