Sunday, October 4, 2020

In Chains for Christ - Finding Joy in Philippians – October 4 Readings: Philippians 1:12-20

 

Finding Joy in Philippians  

Background: For the next three weeks, we will be studying the Book of Philippians, another of Paul's letters from his Roman prison. In Philippi, men were using Paul's imprisonment as proof he was not genuine and seeking to undermine his authority. Many in the church were shaken at the fact that the Apostle was imprisoned. He wrote the letter to explain his imprisonment and to encourage his readers to walk in joy despite all the evil in the world. 

Philippians is not nearly as easily outlined at Ephesians was - it is much more personal and exhortational compared to the theological intent of Ephesians. Philippians was the church that was founded when Paul received the vision of the Macedonian man saying, "Come and help us."  

As often as time allows, the reader is encouraged to read the entire book - it will not take more than a few minutes. Each day we will work our way through the book passage by passage. 


Today's Reading:  Philippians 1-4  Focus Passage -  Philippians 1:12-20


Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly. 15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.


Through the Bible Readings: Jeremiah 11-12, Galatians 5, Psalm 111, Proverbs 24:13–16

 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional:  In Chains for Christ 


Paul was one weird guy. Think about what was going on in his life. He went to Jerusalem to proclaim Christ and was arrested on false charges by men plotting to take away his life. The Roman leaders kept him under lock and key both to protect him from the scheming Jewish leaders and to keep the peace. After 2 years in Caesarea, he finally appealed to Caesar and began his tumultuous trip there, including shipwrecks and snakebites and all sorts of trials. He spent 2 years under arrest in Rome. He had committed no crimes. He only proclaimed Christ's name and suffered for his Savior. 

How would you respond if, after doing nothing wrong, you were arrested, flogged, shipwrecked, shackled, and imprisoned for 4 years? What kind of attitude and outlook would you maintain? I don't want to think about how I would act. Complaining. Discouragement. Outrage. 

Paul didn't respond in a normal way. He believed in things Jesus taught and he responded on the basis of his commitment to Christ and to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Look at the things Paul says in this passage. 

First, he asserts that his chains, his imprisonment, has actually served to advance the gospel. I remember something a seminary professor told us years ago. Paul was chained to a Roman guard around the clock and the guard was changed every 12 hours or so. The fact is that if Paul was chained to a Roman guard, the Roman guard was chained to Paul - he was a captive audience. Daily, as these guards were changed, they heard about Jesus the Crucified and Risen Lord of all. History tells us that the Roman Army was one of the vehicles through which the gospel spread, as soldiers Paul led to Christ took the story with them as they went. 

He points out that the brothers have been encouraged to preach more boldly because they have seen the name of Christ advance. Paul was far more concerned with the Kingdom of God than his own comfort or freedom. 

His most amazing statement is about those who preach Christ out of envy and rivalry. I'd be so angry. Paul is in prison for the name of Christ and people are trying to make him look bad, trying to bring him down. But he says he doesn't care as long as they are preaching Christ. 

Whether he lives or dies, that is not the issue to him. He cares only about serving Christ faithfully and fully with his every remaining breath. 

Father, make me more like Paul, caring less about me and my comfort and more about you and your kingdom. 

Think and Pray:

Are you more concerned with yourself, your comfort, how people \treat you, or with the kingdom of God and your work for the gospel? 




No comments:

Post a Comment