Advancing the Gospel
Philippians 1:12-18
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the 19th century London preacher, once declared, “God is too good to be unkind, too wise to be mistaken, and when you cannot trace His hand, you can always trust His heart.” Wherever God puts us in life, He has a purpose and a plan for us being in that place. Though we may not be able to understand what good could come from our circumstances or our station in life, we can trust in the Lord and know He is in control (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi was written from prison. Why would God confine this great missionary to a prison cell? Why would God interrupt Paul’s preaching and church planting by putting him in prison? Wouldn’t that be like having your best player on the bench?
God places his servants in strategic places for the advancement of the message of Christ. In Philippians 1:12, Paul informed the church in Philippi that his imprisonment had not hindered the gospel at all. In fact, it had furthered the gospel. In verse 12 Paul wrote of “the things which happened to me.” He was referring to his journey to Rome, arrest, and imprisonment. These things resulted in the furtherance of the gospel.
How can this be true? Paul’s imprisonment allowed him to penetrate the palace guard (1:13) and Caesar’s household (4:22) with the message of Christ. Paul seized his circumstances to share the good news with the Roman soldiers who guarded him. Each new soldier who was assigned to guard him heard, probably for the first time, about Jesus.
Are you seizing your circumstances to further the message of Christ? God has strategically placed you in His kingdom at this pivotal time. Any place where souls are in the balance is a strategic place. Have you furthered the gospel in the place where you work? God has placed you in your neighborhood for a reason. Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
God places his servants in strategic places to encourage others in kingdom service. In verse 14, Paul shared another positive result of his imprisonment. The courage Paul had shown in his imprisonment had emboldened other believers. As a result, they more boldly proclaimed Christ, regardless of the threat of arrest. Everyone influences someone.
Are you influencing others to greater faithfulness and godliness? Is your example a catalyst to others for kingdom service? Paul acknowledged that some preached Christ from “selfish ambition, not sincerely” (1:16). However, he rejoiced that “Christ is preached” (1:18). Paul’s heart was all about proclaiming Christ.
Melton– Lessons by Frankie Melton, pastor of Heath Springs Baptist Church, Heath Springs. He has a B.A. degree from Charleston Southern University, and a Ph.D. and M.Div. from Southern Seminary.