Bible Study - Thrive (2) - Sharing with Joy - Philippians 1:12-21 - January 29, 2017

Bible Study – Thrive (2) – Sharing with Joy – January 29, 2017

This lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Thrive: Living in Real Joy.”

Our focus scripture is Philippians 1:12-21.

I can share CHRIST with joy no matter what!

The Apostle Paul was in prison. He was under house arrest yet he continued to preach the gospel. He did not know if his imprisonment would lead to life or death. Let’s explore!

We need to keep in mind that Paul was writing a letter to the Christians in the Church at Philippi. He may have received word that his Christian brothers and sisters in Philippi were lamenting the fact that he was imprisoned. Paul was writing to them to put their minds at ease and to give them further teachings as led by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Philippians 1:12-14:

Advance of the Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advancement of the gospel,

Paul did not consider his imprisonment as a deterrent to the spread of the gospel. Instead, it was an opportunity for him to reach groups of people in need of the Gospel and witness to them. Paul considered that GOD had placed him where he was for the purpose of presenting JESUS to those with whom he came in contact. Paul was restricted but even restricted GOD provided the opportunity for him to present the Good News of Salvation through faith in JESUS.

So who were some of these people with whom Paul came in contact ---- 

13 so that it (The Gospel) has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is for Christ.

Who were these special groups of people? It was none other than the imperial guard and the many others.

The imperial guard in Rome consisted of 9,000 soldiers or nine cohorts of 1,000 soldiers in each cohort. Then there were others besides the soldiers. Some of these others may have been those who associated with the imperial guard who had learned about Paul and were curious to hear the message of JESUS. Some may have been fellow Christians. Some may have been those who had sympathy or compassion for those imprisoned. 

[ One point I failed to mention: Paul had written a letter to the Christians in Rome from Corinth. Paul had not visited Rome when he wrote the letter to them. Paul went to Jerusalem and was arrested. He appealed to Caesar and ultimately ended up in Rome under house arrest. The setting for the letter to the Philippians. Paul had made contact with fellow Christians via his letter to the Christians in Rome. Thus, there were fellow Christians in Rome who had knowledge of Paul and his teachings regarding JESUS and likely the word spread, among fellow Christians, that Paul was under house arrest in Rome.]

The point being when an opportunity presented itself, Paul witnessed with zeal, boldness and joy that was evidence of CHRIST in HIM; his joy and the salvation of all who placed their faith in JESUS as their Savior. It is likely that Paul’s zeal and teachings in the power of the Holy Spirit spurred-on those who heard Paul who in turn told others about JESUS. This likely resulted in others wanting to meet Paul to hear what he had to say or ask him questions regarding JESUS.

14 Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly.

The Apostle Paul had the opportunity to see that his imprisonment had a positive effect upon fellow Christians. Paul shared the Good News with joy even during his imprisonment. Paul not letting his imprisonment prevent him from sharing the Good News spurred-on fellow Christians to share the Gospel in a potential hostile environment.

Paul witnessed fellow Christians sharing the Good News of JESUS with boldness and confidence without fear of the possible consequences.

Paul was their role model to some but a person to be challenged by others. 

Satan works through those who know the truth but get caught up in self-aggrandizement. Some look at those being in bad or poor circumstances as being out of favor with GOD. This attitude was a carryover from Jewish theology. In general, the Jews considered those who prospered were in favor with GOD and those who experience difficulty in life were out of favor with GOD.

Often, it is easy for notions from our religious upbringing before we encounter the truth of JESUS to carry over into our new life in CHRIST. Once we receive JESUS as our Savior, the process of sanctification goes to work in our lives to hone our new lives in CHRIST to perfect us into the image of JESUS. 

Each day we are taking off the old clothes of our past life and putting on the new clothes of our new life in JESUS. This is being done through the renewing of our minds because Christians are in partnership with GOD and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This partnership is the relationship that GOD desires in the lives of GOD’S children. 

Let’s read Philippians 1:15-19:

The Gospel was being preached while Paul was imprisoned by other Christians. These preachers fell into two categories as we read on ---

15 Some, to be sure, preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of good will.

One category of preachers preached CHRIST with wrong motives, envy, jealousy, strife, etc., whereas others, group two, preached for the right purpose to glorify GOD by preaching CHRIST. Both categories of preachers preached truth. It is the truth that produces salvation and not the vessel that presents the truth.

The Bible tells us that GOD’S Word will not return void. Paul’s attitude was, as long as the truth was preached, the motivation of the preacher was not as vital as presenting the truth of the Gospel of CHRIST. If those who preached the truth out of competition with Paul, so be it because Paul knew that the Holy Spirit would produce the desired result. The desired result would be that the heart of the preacher would be revealed and changed as they preached truth.

16 These (good will) do so out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

Those who know the truth and preach with the right motive (good will) do so out of their love of JESUS. They knew that Paul was in prison because he presented the Good News of JESUS with the right motive and from a pure heart so that others would know the truth. It is the truth that sets a person free from the shackles of sin, not the personality of the presenter.  However the heart of the presenter is important. Paul knew that he was called to defend the Gospel by the way he lived and taught. He knew the power of the Gospel would change the lives of all who heard it and those who preached it.

17 the others proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, seeking to cause [me] trouble in my imprisonment.

There was a group of preachers who presented the Gospel of CHRIST out of a heart of jealousy and envy. They were in competition with Paul and sought to discredit Paul because Paul was in prison.  

When bad things happen to good people many of us wonder why? We must keep in mind that this world is not our home. We are upon earth for a specified time and when we are willing to obediently serve our LORD, HE directs our paths.

18 What does it matter? Just that in every way, whether out of false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice

19 because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

What others think is not relevant in our lives. It is vital that the truth of the Gospel of CHRIST be presented to all with whom we come into contact as GOD gives us opportunity. It is the true Gospel that brings salvation and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit for Christians to obediently serve.

Paul knew that the prayers of fellow Christians would be his strength and deliverance. In fact, Paul was released from this imprisonment but arrested again in 2-3 years.

Let’s read Philippians 1:20-21:

20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Living Is Christ

21 For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.

The Apostle Paul was torn between continuing to live upon earth or going home to heaven as we read the rest of this chapter.

Let’s read Philippians 1:22-30:

22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don't know which one I should choose.

23 I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ-which is far better-

Keep in mind that it is believed that Paul died when he was stoned and went to heaven. He knew what awaited him once he exited his earth suit as we read [-]

[2 Corinthians 12:2-4: 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don't know; God knows.

3 I know that this man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-

4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.

2 Corinthians 5:1-9: 1 For we know that if our earthly house, a tent, (human body) is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 And, in fact, we groan in this one, longing to put on our house from heaven,

3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.

4 Indeed, we who are in this tent groan, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

5 And the One who prepared us for this very thing is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

6 Therefore, though we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord-

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight-

8 yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.

9 Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.]

Back to our focus scripture:

24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.

25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your advancement and joy in the faith,

26 so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

27 Just one thing: live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith of the gospel,

28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is evidence of their destruction, but of your deliverance - and this is from God.

29 For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,

30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear about me.

Living for JESUS is a struggle. Once a person becomes a Christian he or she becomes the enemy of Satan. The spirit world is ruled by Satan. Christians must keep in mind that GOD trumps Satan. Christians can come out of GOD’S protective canopy by sinning. Christians can dabble in the occult and seek power that is not of GOD and they will suffer the consequences. If a Christian comes out from under GOD’S protective canopy can they be reinstated? Absolutely! What does 1 John 1:9 tell Christians?

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As Christians begin their walk with JESUS by placing their faith in HIM, GOD never leaves them or forsakes them. Do not let Satan trick you into thinking because you have done something so bad that GOD does not love you. There is no sin that the shed blood of JESUS does not cover when we place our faith in HIM.

Once a person becomes a Christian, he or she becomes an enemy of Satan and he (Satan) does not want us to share the Good News of Salvation with others. 

Our life upon earth may become more difficult but greater is HE that is in us than he that is in the world – 1 John 4:4:

4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One (JESUS) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world.

If you have given your life to JESUS, you are the sanctuary for the Holy Spirit. 

You belong to GOD through your faith in JESUS. You have been bought with a price and are precious to GOD. GOD is your refuge and strength as you continue to live in enemy territory as GOD’S representative to others in need of salvation from the power of sin and eternal death.

This Good News is housed and contained in you, a vessel of clay. Ask JESUS to give you the power to share this Good News with those with whom you come into contact as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Blessings!!!