Part 03

A Church with Vitality part 3:

Philippians 1:12-26

• Article entitled – “changing perspective in Life can lead to success”.
• Perspective will determine what you will or won’t do.
• So helpful title “changing perspective in life can lead to success”
  • We all have perspective on life / a way we look at life / approach life.
  • Have a reason for getting up in the morning – even when you don’t feel like it.
  • Driven by salary / relationship / results – sales, exam results, pleasing boss / retirement.
  • Want a certain lifestyle – therefore everything you do – maintaining that lifestyle.

So what is your perspective as you sit here this morning?

• If you’re a Christian and your perspective / driving force is end of month salary – small minded.
• Relationship / results / retirement / lifestyle – small minded.
• Driven by those things – many of them good things – small minded.
• Do you have a Christian perspective? / gospel perspective?
• For us to be a church w/ vitality – nb that it’s members / partners have a gospel perspective.
• Philippians passage 1vs12-26 – Paul shows us what gospel perspective looks like.

Paul’s perspective on what has happened

• 1st thing Paul does – gives perspective on what has happened. Vs 12-14
• Writing from prison / not sure what awaits / possibly death
• Now, I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. (13) As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. (14) Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
• He could be living a comfortable life / highly educated / a rising star in Jewish leadership.
• BUT – an experience on the Road to Damascus / encounter with Jesus / turned his life around.
• From persecutor of Christians / hater of Christians to Christian himself.

But yet here he sits in prison for the gospel.

• He could easily have thought “after all I’ve given up, this is what I get?”
• You don’t hear him saying: “If Only I hadn’t listened to Jesus” / “hadn’t spent my life / time / energy for the sake of Christ / for the sake of the gospel”
• You hear him saying: (vs1) Now I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

How would you respond if you were Paul?

• We’d all like to think that we would respond well. / with grace / with a gospel mindset.
• Imagine someone close to you – your child / spouse / close friend / parent.
• Wanted to be a missionary in some far off place / dangerous place / could get killed.
• North Korea / Afghanistan (not cricket) / Somalia / 3 most dangerous places for Christians according to Open Doors.
• Apart from ensuring that they’re doing the right thing / motives / not just a rash impulsive decision – imagine those things were ok.
• Would you be excited for the gospel? / a million reasons for them not to be the ones to go.

Darren Carlson – Training leaders International – their aim to equip pastors all over the world. – a type of missions org.

• Article - “The greatest hurdle Missionaries face”
• Gist of the article – Parents are the greatest hurdle.
• One of the comments he makes: many parents want whatever the Lord has for their children, as long as it is on their own terms.
• Appeal to fathers on Fathers day (all parents) - & Uncles, aunts, grandparents, godparents etc.
• Have a gospel mindset when it comes to your kids.

As you think of your child’s future?

• Nb that we educate / help with careers etc.
• Would love my kids to make money – not sure what my pension will pay.
• Nb – they’re able to function as adults.
• But when all of you think of those children in your life – what is your prayer for them?
• Marriage – godly spouse
• Career – enable them to serve God / may mean money.
• Grow closer to God / serve Him
• Missionaries to people who need to hear.

Paul is rejoicing because what has happened has happened to advance the gospel.

• He is in prison – Paul glad – it’s advanced the gospel.
• If you read in Acts – publicly humiliated – he’s glad – advanced the gospel.
• Unfairly treated – glad – advanced the gospel.
• How does he know this? Vs 13-14.
• As a result it has become clear throughout the palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
• (14) Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God courageously and fearlessly.

it was clear to the whole palace guard & everyone else – Paul is in chains for Christ.

• Used every opportunity to tell people about Jesus. / reason for chains / reason for him being willing to suffer.
• We see his gospel perspective in action.
• Hadn’t given up now that he is in prison.
• Wasn’t going to keep quiet / not keep a low profile.
• He had gospel perspective / eternal perspective / God loves us / he’s done something about the thing that separates us from him.
• He saw this imprisonment – as opportunity for the Gospel.

And then also note how his chains have encouraged others to share the gospel more fearlessly & courageously (vs 14)

• When I hear about people suffering for their faith – I realize how easy I have it / realize complacency / motivated to share more boldly.
• When you see others serious about the gospel – to the extent of suffering – should inspire you.
• Others had seen Paul and his imprisonment / his relentless gospel sharing & had been encouraged / motivated by that to share the gospel courageously & fearlessly.

Paul’s perspective on what is happening

• Seen Paul’s perspective on what has happened – now what IS happening. Vs 15-18:
• It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. (16) the latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (17) The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (18) But what does is matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Paul is rejoicing at this moment that Christ is being preached.

• Even though there are some who are doing it with selfish motives.
• Some out of envy / rivalry
• Vs 17 &18 out of selfish ambition / not sincerely / wanting to stir up trouble for Paul.
• Apparently some Christians in Rome / using Paul’s imprisonment to suit their own purposes / further their agendas.
• To them Paul is a lunatic / gone overboard / now he’s in prison.
• So other Christians are misrepresenting him / his name is being a bit tarnished.
• His response? – rejoicing – the gospel is advancing / the msg about Jesus is spreading.

So Paul is saying it’s not about me, and what others are saying about me, it’s about the gospel spreading.

• A gospel perspective rejoices in the advance of the gospel.
• Even at the expense of my own reputation.
• People saying things about Paul – he still rejoices in the gospel spreading.
• People think that Paul is a bit of a lunatic – he still rejoices – the gospel is spreading / Christ is being preached.
• That’s Paul’s perspective / gospel perspective/ should be our perspective.
• (18) But what does is matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Paul’s perspective on what is going to happen

• So far – Paul’s perspective on what has happened / is happening / now – what is going to happen.
• Notice various things in this passage that Paul says are going to happen:
• Vs 18 (2^nd half) – he’ll continue to rejoice – why?
• Vs 19 – for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
• Some say Paul is referring to release from prison / death which is ultimate deliverance – maybe both.

In vs 20 he eagerly expects that he will in no way be ashamed, but that he will have sufficient courage why?

• So that now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death.
• If ever someone was under pressure to be ashamed of the gospel – would have been Paul.
• Imprisonment / trials / torture.
• Not knowing what he was facing – hoping that he would never be put in a position that would make him compromise his faith.
• Hoping and praying that he’ll have enough courage not to compromise his faith.

A great thing to pray for

• Courage / that you won’t be ashamed / as always Christ will be exalted.
• You don’t know what you’ll face tomorrow.
• A situation where you have to take a stand / lose a friend / lose a business deal / lose popularity / lose your life.
• Pray for courage / strength / you won’t be ashamed / Christ will be exalted.
• The right perspective will help you to do that / It’s not about me / my reputation / the gospel advancing / Christ being exalted.

Then this amazing verse vs 21: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

• This pretty much sums up gospel perspective / outlook of every Christian should be.
• To live is Christ, to die is gain.
• What does he mean – ‘to live is Christ’?
• What has Paul been talking about?
• The gospel advancing / Christ being preached / Jesus being made know.
• To ‘to live is Christ’ = to live is to glorify Jesus / make him known / preach the gospel
• We know that Paul’s life had done that so far – if he carried on living that would also be the case – to live is Christ.

In fact – he goes on to explain it in the next couple of verses:

• Vs 22 – If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me.
• To live is Christ – fruitful labour – good ministry – Christ being glorified.
• Most of us don’t want to die / go through pain of death / everything associated with it.
• As Christians agree in theory that what awaits is amazing.
• To be with Jesus will be great
• Therefore we can say, “to die is gain”.
• How many of us can say the first bit: “To live is Christ!”

Are you all about Jesus? / gospel perspective

• Is your life a Christ magnifying / Christ glorifying life?
• Do you see your purpose here on earth as glorifying Jesus?
• We spoke earlier about what drives you / your perspective.
• Are you driven by the gospel – the extent that you’re living a life that glorifies Jesus.

But look at what Paul says:

• Vs 22b yet what shall I choose? I do not know! (23) I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far (24) but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (25) Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, (26) so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
• To live is Christ – for Paul to live is all about Jesus. / glorifying him / others finding joy in him / overflowing with joy in Christ.

Paul was motivated by the gospel / driven by the gospel / would eat, sleep and drink the gospel. Why?

• He had an encounter with the living God.
• He had been forgiven of his sin, and welcomed into the arms of a loving God.
• As a persecutor of Christians / As a former enemy of the cross.
• As someone who had hated Jesus and what he stood for?
• God had loved him, and welcomed him.
• He knew the depth of the father’s love.

Home Group Questions

• Read Philippians 1:12-26

1. What is Paul rejoicing in?
2. What does it mean “To live is Christ?” (vs 21 also see vs 22)
3. What does it mean “To die is gain”?
4. What can you do to have more of a gospel perspective?