Sunday, December 5, 1999   

Because of his own experience, Paul knew that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. In Romans 1:16, he writes: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Paul understood that the person who accepts the Gospel by faith is saved, delivered, reconciled, redeemed, justified, given a home in heaven, and so much more. He wanted everyone to hear the Gospel. A lot of folks talk about the Gospel; Paul preached the Gospel.

I. Verse 12-14, THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GOSPEL

     A. Verse 12, Paul wanted the saints at Philippi to know that the things that had happened to him had not happened by accident. There are not accidents with God (Romans 8:28).

          1. Folks at Philippi were asking: “What is going to happen to Paul, poor Paul, in prison for the Gospel’s sake?”

          2. Paul assured the Philippians that everything was all right. Paul’s concern was not his own well being, but the advancement of the Gospel. Paul reports to the church at Philippi that the things that had happened to him had turned out in such a way that the Gospel was made more widely known.

               a. Paul was bound, but the Word of God could not be bound (II Timothy 2:9–10).

               b. Hendriksen says: “When the apostle went to Rome as a prisoner, it was in reality the gospel that went to Rome” (68) Ephesians 3:1 “Prisoner of Jesus Christ” Colossians 4:3, 15 “Prisoner for Christ’s sake”.

          3. Paul’s’ Christian life, as the life of every believer, was often marked by difficulty.

               a. It was at Philippi that Paul had been jailed along with Barnabas. It was at this jail that the Philippian jailer asked: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The jailer believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved (Acts 16:25-31)

               b. On several occasions Paul had the opportunity to preach the Gospel to the governor, the council, and the soldiers because of being arrested.

               c. On the way to Italy, the ship he was on hit a violent storm. This storm gave opportunity for Paul to witness to the ship’s captain and all the people on board (Acts 27:22-26)

               d. Paul went through a lot, but he knew that God was in control (Romans 8:28); and he endured as a good soldier (II Timothy 2:3) for the sake of God’s elect.

For II Timothy 2:10 says: “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain salvation which is in Christ Jesus…”

                    1) Not everyone who Paul witnessed to was saved.

                    2) After Paul witnessed to Agrippa, Agrippa said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” There is no record that Agrippa was ever saved. Yet, the Gospel was preached.

          4. Paul’s great desire was to preach the Gospel, to advance the Gospel message. Paul told the church at Corinth: "I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

     B. Verse 13, The advancement of the Gospel was taking place, for the praetorian guard, as well as many others were hearing the Gospel from Paul. This was the imperial guard instituted by Augustus; 10,000 handpicked troops.

          1. The guards rotated shifts. Because of this, many of them heard the Gospel from Paul.

               a. When friends visited, the soldiers heard him speak to them about the work of God.

               b. When Paul prayed, they could not help but listen.

               c. When he was brought to the judges, they heard the remarkable story of Damascus road experience.

               d. When he dictated letters, they heard him give the Gospel story once again.

          2. In an effort to silence the Gospel message, the authorities had incarcerated the preacher, but as we see their plan did not work.

               a. The good news spread from guard to guard, then to the guard’s families, and to Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:22) where some were saved.

               b. Folks heard and folks were saved because the Gospel message was spread from a chained preacher. We are not chained; what are we doing?

     C. Verse 14, Paul’s imprisonment not only had an effect upon the guards, Caesar’s household and Rome in generally, it had an effect on the brothers in Christ.

          1. Paul’s incarceration encouraged the reluctant brothers to speak up.

               a. The “brethren” are the believers of Rome. Years ago a congregation had been established here and to this church the book of Romans was addressed. Most of this congregation were Gentiles.

               b. When Paul arrived in Rome as a prisoner, he immediately preached the Gospel to the Jews. Some believed; others did not (Acts 28:24).

               c. Paul’s consistency was an encouragement also. For two years, he was under arrest; and for two years, he preached and taught the Gospel message (Acts 28:30-31).

          2. When folks saw Paul standing firm for the Gospel, then they saw what God was doing in the face of opposition, they became courageous and witnessed for Christ.

II. Verses 15-18 SOME OF ENVY, SOME OF GOOD WILL

     A. Verse 15,in verses 15-18, Paul speaks of two groups of Gospel preachers:

          1. Both groups are preaching the true Gospel. These are no false preachers. Their Gospel is not another Gospel.

          2. The difference in the two groups is motive.

     B. Verse 16, one group had selfish ambition as their motive. They wanted everyone to point to them.

          1. The purposely stirred up trouble for Paul while he was in chains.

          2. There are many today who believe the truth, but love to stir up trouble, to knit pick, to find every fault with the messenger. These men were doctrinally sound but promoted self.

     C. Verse 17, those who preached in good will did so in love.

          1. They knew Paul was in chains for his defense of the Gospel. They did not doubt his motives or sincerity.

          2. These men recognized Paul as an appointed apostle, one appointed for the defense of the Gospel.

     D. Verse 18, the thing that made Paul rejoice was that Christ was being preached.

          1. Since both groups were preaching the Gospel, the content of their message was the same. So he could rejoice.

          2. Paul did not rejoice in the friction that existed between the two groups, but the preaching of the Gospel brought joy to his soul.

CONCLUSION: The main thing is still the main thing. And that is the Gospel (I Corinthians 15:3-4).