JOY AMID COMPETITION AND CRITICISM – Philippians 1:15-20

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INTRODUCTION:

It’s hard to believe that any Christian would oppose the apostle Paul, but there were believers in Rome doing just that. The churches in Rome seemed to be divided into two groups.

I. THE TWO GROUPS (verses 15-17)

The first group of Christians that Paul mentions, in verses 15 and 16, preached Christ insincerely out of envy and strife. Those two words go together, just as love and unity go together. They were jealous of Paul, and therefore they wanted to cause trouble for him. Verse 17 tells us that this group “preached Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives”. They envied Paul’s reputation and the following he had among Christians. Their goal was to make Paul miserable and upset. They wanted him to become afraid of losing his reputation and his followers. They thought that what would worry Paul the most would be for him to hear about the success of their ministry. The apostle James said it well in James 3:16, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.”

These Christians that Paul is talking about, in verses 15 and 17, had the aim of promoting themselves and winning a following of their own. Instead of asking, “Have you trusted in Christ”, they may have been asking, “Whose side are you on, ours or Paul’s?” Sadly, this kind of religious politics is sometimes practiced today. We are always going to be living around, or dealing with, ungrateful people. But we should not become offended or stop doing good because of a lack of gratitude.

There is also another group of Christians in this passage of Scripture. They are proclaiming Christ out of love for Him and for others, following the example of the apostle Paul. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul acknowledges this group of faithful believers in Rome in order that they might be an encouragement to his readers in Philippi.

II. PAUL’S RESPONSE (verses 18-20)

How does the apostle Paul respond to the divisive group in the church at Rome? Paul was encouraged by the fact that Jesus Christ was being proclaimed, whether the motivation was true of not. In verse 18 Paul says, “in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice”. Paul found something to rejoice in, even though the motives of many of the Christians in Rome were wrong.

ILLUSTRATION: It’s a historical fact that the two great British evangelists , John Wesley and George Whitefield, disagreed on some doctrinal matters. Both of them were very successful, preaching to thousands of people, and seeing multitudes come to Christ. It’s reported that someone asked Wesley if he expected to see Whitefield in heaven, and Wesley replied, “No, I do not”. “Then do you think that Whitefield is a converted man?” “Of course He’s a converted man”, Wesley said, “but I do not expect to see him in heaven because he will be so close to the throne of God and I will be so far away that I will not be able to see him”. Though he differed from his brother in Christ in some matters, Wesley did not have any envy in his heart, nor did he seek to oppose Whitefield’s ministry.

Criticism is usually hard to accept, isn’t it? How was the apostle Paul able to rejoice, even in the face of criticism? Paul was single-minded, and saw his critics as another opportunity for the furtherance of the Gospel. He rejoiced, not in the selfishness of his critics, but in the fact that Christ was being preached. His attitude toward such people was to look for the good in their actions. As Paul said in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”.

Verse 19 indicates that Paul expected his case to turn out victoriously because of the prayers of his friends and the provision of the Holy Spirit. From the Greek word for “provision” we get our English word “chorus”. Whenever a Greek city was going to have a special festival, someone had to pay for the singers and dancers. The donation had to be a very large one, so this word came to mean, “to provide generously and lavishly.” Paul was depending on the generous resources of God, given by the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s desire, his hope, and his goal in verse 20 was that Christ might be magnified in his body, whether it be by life or by death. Does Christ need to be magnified? How can a mere man magnify God? Well, the stars are much bigger than the telescope, and yet the telescope magnifies them and brings them closer. The Christian’s body is to be a telescope that brings Jesus Christ close to people. To the average person, Christ is a mysterious person in history who lived centuries ago. But as the unsaved watch a believer go through a crisis, they can see Jesus magnified and brought much closer. A microscope makes tiny things look big. To the unbeliever, Jesus is not very big. Other people and other things are far more important. But as the unbeliever watches the Christian go through a difficult and painful experience, he ought to be able to see how big Jesus really is. The Christian’s life is a “lens” that makes a “little Christ” look very big, and a “distant Christ” come very close.

We might ask ourselves these questions. Are the things we are living for worth dying for? As people get to know us, are they also getting to know Christ better?

When William Carey, the great missionary to India, was dying, many of his close friends and acquaintances visited him. Among them was Alexander Duff, who deeply admired the great missionary statesman. Because of his appreciation for him, he talked at length with Carey about his active life of service to the Lord. Finally the dying man said “pray”. He did so; then he bid farewell to that valiant soldier of the cross, not knowing if he’d ever see him again in this life. He no sooner closed the door than he heard someone call his name. It was Carey, wanting one last word with him. “Duff”, he said, “when I am gone, say nothing about me – speak only about my Savior “. These words remind us of the desire of Paul’s heart expressed in this passage of Scripture. May the aspirations of the apostle Paul and William Carey become the pattern for our lives. May the motivation to exalt our living Savior so dominate our lives and our service that we would seek no praise for ourselves, but only desire that Christ would be magnified. As the hymn writer put it:

O to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer; This is my constant longing and prayer. Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures, Jesus Thy perfect likeness to wear.

PAUL’S CHAINS – Philippians 1:12-14

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INTRODUCTION:

The apostle Paul wanted to go to Rome as a preacher, but instead, he went as a prisoner! In verse 12 of Philippians, chapter 1, he sums it up as “my circumstances”. He could have written a long letter about that experience alone. The things that happened to him are written in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, chapters 21-28. It began when Paul was arrested in the temple in Jerusalem. The Jews thought that he had desecrated the temple by bringing Gentiles into it, and the Romans thought that Paul was an Egyptian renegade who was on their “most wanted list”. Paul remained in prison in Caesarea for two years. When he finally appealed to Caesar, as a Roman citizen, he was sent to Rome. On the way, the ship was wrecked in a storm. Paul’s courage and faith during that storm makes it one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible (Acts 27).

HIS CHAINS (verse 12)

To many, all of these circumstances may have looked like a failure, but not for this man with a “single mind” to share Christ and the Gospel message. In verse 12, Paul says, “My circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel”. The words, “greater progress” mean “pioneer advance”. It is a Greek military term referring to the army engineers who went ahead of the soldiers to remove obstacles and open the way into new territory. Paul discovered that his circumstances really opened up new areas of ministry. If you’ve ever done any sailing, you may have heard this saying: “We cannot control the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” Many of us have heard of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the famous British preacher, but few know the story about his wife, Suzannah. Early in their married life, Mrs. Spurgeon became an invalid. It looked as though her only ministry would be that of encouraging her husband and praying for his work. But God gave her a burden to share her husband’s books with pastors who couldn’t afford to purchase them. This burden soon led to the founding of the “Book Fund”. As a work of faith, the “Book Fund” provided thousands of pastors with tools for their ministry. All of this was supervised by Mrs. Spurgeon from her home.

THEIR EFFECT ON PAUL (verse 13)

In verse 13, Paul tells us that the chains attached to his wrists gave him contact with non-Christians. He was chained to a Roman soldier 24 hours a day! The shifts changed every six hours, which meant that Paul could witness to at least four soldiers each day. Paul was proclaiming the Gospel to the praetorian guard; something he could not have done as a free man. Historians tell us that there were about 9000 men who were part of the praetorian guard. These elite soldiers were the bodyguards for Caesar and his palace. It’s very possible that these guards looked forward to the opportunity to guard the apostle Paul. Being chained to a prisoner for six hours at a time must have been a very boring task, but it wouldn’t be if they were chained to the apostle Paul, because he was filled with joy, and he had something interesting to listen to and discuss. Eventually, one by one, many of these guards probably became Christians.

Sometimes God has put “chains”, so to speak, on His people, in order to enable them to accomplish something that could never happen any other way. Suzannah Wesley was the mother of 19 children, and this was before the days of labor-saving devices such a washing machines and disposable diapers. How could she find the time to share the Gospel? Well, from her large family came John and Charles Wesley, whose combined ministries shook Great Britain.

Fanny Crosby was blinded at six weeks of age, but even as a youngster she determined not to be confined by the chains of darkness. In time she became a mighty force for God through her hymns and gospel songs. She wrote over 8000 hymns during her lifetime!

The secret is this: when you have a single mind, you look at circumstances as God-given opportunities for the furtherance of the Gospel, and you rejoice at what God is going to do, instead of complaining about what God did not do.

III. THEIR EFFECT ON OTHERS (vs. 14)

Paul’s chains not only gave him contact with the lost, but they also gave courage to the saved. Many of the Christians in Rome received new courage when they saw Paul’s faith and determination. Discouragement has a way of spreading, but so does encouragement. Because of Paul’s joyful attitude, many Christians began to witness boldly for Christ.

Something within a person responds to bravery in others. When I was in Air Force boot camp in San Antonio, Texas, I visited the Alamo. My first response was, “It sure is small!” It was in that little mission church that a small group of men, 180 to be exact, faced a big decision when a large army of Mexican soldiers set up camp nearby. Colonel Travis drew a line in the dust with his sword, challenging the men to step across if they were willing to fight to the death. Every man but one responded to the challenge. Even Colonel Jim Bowie, who lay dying on a cot, shouted to his comrades, “carry me across the line!”

Every man was killed, including Jim Bowie, who fought off the enemy the best he could from his deathbed. The only survivors were two women and two children. Was this a waste of lives? Not at all! This heroic action stirred up all the Texans to fight. “Remember the Alamo” was the Texans’ battle cry, and six weeks later Texas won its independence.

Most Americans “remember the Alamo”. But do we Christians remember the Christians who suffered and even died because of their faith in Jesus Christ, and their willingness to proclaim it? Our commitment to our Savior and Lord needs to be strong enough to be contagious. Enthusiasm for Christ is contagious. Has anyone caught it from you? We’ll never find peace and real joy unless we learn to live above our circumstances.

What are your “chains”? If you are confined by illness, or limited in any way by circumstances beyond your control, start looking for, and asking God for, a ministry. God may have put you just where you are at in order that you might say with the Apostle Paul, “My circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the Gospel”.

We need to get above our circumstances. That’s where God is waiting to help and strengthen us, so that He can use us, in His way, by His power, and for His glory. Read on in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, and share in Paul’s unwavering joy!

TRUE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP – Philippians 1:1-11

INTRODUCTION: How many Christians can you name with whom you feel you have a “deep relationship”? If you can name them on one hand, you’re probably about normal. If your list is too long, you may not know what deep relationships are. In Philippians 1:1-11, the apostle Paul demonstrates true Christian fellowship.

I. THE GREETING (vs. 1-2)

Notice that Paul begins his letter by saying: “Paul and Timothy”. Is Timothy in prison at Rome along with Paul? No, but Timothy was with Paul when Paul first came to Philippi, and he helped Paul start the church there. Timothy may have also been Paul’s “stenographer”, listening to Paul as he dictated his letter, and writing down every word.

We also know from Acts 19 and 20 that Timothy visited the church in Philippi at least twice before Paul wrote this letter. Paul refers to himself and Timothy as “bondservants of Jesus Christ”. Exodus 21:5,6 beautifully illustrates this relationship of a servant’s total and loving submission to his master. This is what it says: “But if the slave plainly says, “I love my master, my wife and children; I will not go out as a free man”, then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.”

Then Paul gives his usual greeting in verse 2. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Sometimes we tend to forget the greatness of God’s grace and the reasons for His grace. ILLUSTRATION: After the communists took control of mainland China by force in 1949, tens of thousands of refugees flooded into Hong Kong, bringing with them poverty, misery, and despair. A Christian man who worked there recalls feeling great pity for the little children in rags that he saw playing in the streets. He came to know and love a few of them very dearly, however, and what a difference that made! One child he had known for several years showed him her shoes. Both of them had holes in their soles, exposing her bare feet. Without hesitation the man bought her a new pair of shoes and pretty new dress. “When I gave them to her”, he recalls, “she climbed on my knee and buried her head into my shoulder. Her heart was too full for words.” That man’s deed was grace in action. And it was grace motivated by love.

So too, it was God’s great love for you and I that moved Him to meet our deepest need by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. Now we have peace with God, and true joy, if the risen Christ lives in us.

II. TRUE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP DEMONSTRATED (verses 3-11)

In verses 3-6, Paul is saying to them, “I have you on my mind.” In verse 3 he says, “I thank God in all my remembrance of you.” Paul reminds himself of their “participation in the gospel” in verse 5. Not only have they been sharing their faith in Jesus Christ, and the church has been growing, but they were also giving financially to Paul’s support. Paul was confident that they would excel in the good works they were doing by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

ILLUSTRATION: A preacher asked an elderly man how long he had been a Christian. “Fifty years”, he replied. “Well”, said the minister, “after keeping the faith for so long, you must be pretty confident of holding out to the end.” “Brother”, the man said, “it’s not a question of my ‘holding out’; it’s whether the Lord is ‘holding on’ to me. And the Bible assures me that I can trust Him for that!”

In verses 7 and 8, Paul tells them that his concern for them is even deeper when he says, “I have you in my heart”. They have been ministering to Paul, and his love was overflowing because it was Christ’s love flowing through him. Paul’s words in verse 8 depict the closeness of his relationship with the Philippian church. He is saying, “I long to be with you again”, “I have an affection for you”. Are we channels of God’s love, allowing Jesus Christ to fill us with his love for others, and to use us to minister to others?

Thirdly, in verses 9 to 11, Paul demonstrated his fellowship with them by praying for them. It’s a real encouragement to know that we are being prayed for by our friends, isn’t it? It’s especially encouraging when they tell us specifically what they are praying for us. Paul prays that their love would grow and mature in several areas. First, “that their love might abound more and more in real knowledge”. This occurs as we spend more and more time beholding Christ in God’s Word. Secondly, Paul prays for growth in discernment: making good judgments and right decisions. Thirdly, Paul prays that they might be “sincere and blameless”. The world needs to see Christians who are genuine, and whose lives don’t cause others to stumble. A person who is true to God will never be false to others

Fourthly, Paul prays that they might mature in their Christian service, bearing fruit in their own lives and also in the lives of others. Bearing fruit is a work that Christ accomplishes through us when we rely on His strength and give all the praise and glory to Him. This is true Christian fellowship, the kind of fellowship that produces joy no matter what the circumstances may be. Let your circumstances bring you closer to God and to God’s people. ILLUSTRATION: A man named Jerry had to go to New York City for a special surgery, and he hated to go. “Why can’t we have it done at home?”, he asked his doctor. “I don’t know a soul in that big, unfriendly city!” But when he and his wife arrived at the hospital, there was a pastor to meet them and invite them to stay at his home until they got settled. The operation was serious, and the wait in the hospital was long and difficult, but the fellowship of the pastor and is wife brought a new joy to Jerry and his wife. They learned that circumstances need not deprive them of joy if they will permit these circumstances to strengthen their fellowship with God and with other Christians.

How would you evaluate your life today as compared with a year ago? Have you grown in your love for God and for others? If so, give God the glory, and let your heart be filled with joy. If not, speak to God in prayer today. Ask God to fill your heart with love for Him, and for the people that cross your path; and spend time daily enjoying God as you read, study, and respond to His Word. A greater joy awaits you!