Proclaiming Christ

                                                                   Sunday School Lesson

                                 

Lesson: Philippians 1:15-26                                                                                       
Golden Text: “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (Philippians 1:18).

 INTRODUCTION.  One’s motive in service to God must be genuine and out of a pure heart.  Nothing the believer does should be done through strife or vainglory.  In particular a person’s motives should not hinder the furtherance of the gospel in any way.  In this week’s lesson, we will see how the Apostle Paul felt about the Gospel of Christ.  He was not moved by the motives behind a person preaching the gospel.  The only thing that was important to him was that the gospel was being preached regardless of the motives of those who preached it.

II. EXTERNAL CONFLICT (Philippians 1:15-18).  As Paul began this letter, he greeted his readers and acknowledged that he was praying for their continued growth in Christ.  Then he told them what his imprisonment really meant.  He said that his experiences had not been for naught, but had resulted in the “furtherance of the gospel” (see Philippians 1:12).  Paul’s imprisonment led to the gospel being preached in unexplored territory---Rome.  The gospel had reached people in the palace as well as in other places as many new Christians witnessed the boldness of this prisoner and also shared their faith in Jesus Christ (see Philippians 1:13-14).

A. Mixed preaching (Philippians 1:15).  

1. (vs. 15).  Regrettably, not all the Christian eagerness to preach the gospel in Rome was worthy of praise.  There was a mixture of motives for preaching the gospel by believers in Rome.  Paul said in this verse “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will.”  In other words, some of those who were preaching Christ did so with attitudes of “envy and strife.”  The term “envy” refers to jealousy and “strife” refers to rivalry.  This group was preaching the gospel only because they were jealous of Paul’s popularity and who saw themselves as Paul’s rivals, not brothers in Christ.  Their main goal was not to preach Christ, but to hurt Paul.  On the other hand there were those who shared their faith in Christ out “of good will” meaning they were delighted to do it.  Speaking for Christ in “good will” meant that this group of believers found real satisfaction in being able to speak for their Lord. 

B.  Mixed motives (Philippians 1:16-17).

1. (vs. 16).  As he continued to address the motives behind the preaching of some believers, Paul here said “The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds.”  Again, those believers who wanted to hurt Paul also preached Christ out “of contention, not sincerely.”  Their whole motivation was selfish and their ministry was not based on sincerity or purity of heart.  They were more concerned according to Paul, about adding “affliction to my bonds.”  In other words, they saw his imprisonment as an opportunity to upstage and discredit Paul.  Through preaching they would take away his following.  Note:  Sadly today there are those who preach with selfish motives.  Teachers, preachers, churches, denominations, and organizations often try to outdo each other to gain a following and to glorify themselves.  There are pastors who are dictatorial and judgmental toward their people when they should be loving and encouraging.  Some ministers even instill fear into their people either out of insecurity or a desire to be exalted.  It seems that their motive often is to build a personal following.  

2.  (vs. 17).  In this verse Paul said “But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”  Just as there were those preaching the gospel with the wrong motives, there were others who preached out of “love.”  These people appreciated Paul because they understood that he was “set for the defence of the gospel.”   The Greek word rendered “set” means appointed.  God had appointed Paul to the special task of defending the gospel in Rome at that time, and many believers wanted to join him.  Paul saw his ministry as a “defence.”  As one transformed by the power of the gospel (see Philippians 3:4-14), he could argue persuasively for its power to change others.  We too will best defend our faith not by irrefutable logic, but by behavior consistent with our message.

C.  Positive Results (Philippians 1:18).  This verse gives us Paul’s response to the mixed motives of his Christian brethren.  He said “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”  By asking the question “What then?” Paul was actually saying “why does the motive for preaching Christ matter?”  All that really mattered was that in “every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached.”  In Paul’s mind, as long as the gospel was being preached it didn’t matter if it was “in pretence” or false motives or if it was done “in truth” or sincerity.  If Paul had been concerned about the honor of his own name, he would have wallowed in self-pity because others were trying to discredit him. He also might have retaliated by waging a war of words with his detractors.  But instead, the apostle said “I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”   To him Christ was more important than hurt feelings or a tarnished reputation.  Whether Christ was proclaimed in pretense of in sincerity, He was becoming known by many and this brought Paul great joy.  Paul emphasized the results of the preaching not the reasons and he rejoiced.  God was overcoming evil to accomplish good; so why should Paul oppose God’s purposes by fighting his brethren?Note: It’s evident that the people who were preaching for the wrong motives were not false teachers because Paul said that he rejoiced and would continue to rejoice that they were preaching the gospel.He never would have done that if a false gospel was being preached.This remarkable man’s example puts us to shame.How often do we let our differences with other Christians degenerate into bitter attitudes and arguments?In such conflicts everyone loses, including Jesus Christ.

III. INTERNAL CONFLICT (Philippians 1:19-26)

A.  Earnest expectation (Philippians 1:19-20).

1. (vs. 19).  Paul foresaw another result of God’s intervention.  He wrote “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”  He was confident that his present situation would “turn to my salvation” meaning he would be delivered from imprisonment.  Paul had been arrested on false charges (see Acts 24:5-6; 25:7), but he appeared to be quite sure that he would be found innocent of those charges; he therefore anticipated his release.  Paul told his readers that his deliverance would be accomplished by two means: “through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”  His sufferings had caused prayers to be rendered for him among the Philippians saints and the Lord would surely honor them.  Paul was also confident that the Holy Spirit would assist him in whatever happened in the coming days.  The combination of prayer and the work of “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” gave the apostle assurance of deliverance.

2. (vs. 20).  Here Paul continued his thoughts about his situation as he said “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”  It was Paul’s “earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed.”  In other words, he earnestly hoped and expected that regardless of what happened to him, he would not react in any way that would cause him to be ashamed.  Whatever might happen in his imprisonment and trial, his desire was to remain bold and give a good account of himself to God and men.  As a result he said “Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.”  If he remained bold through his situation, Paul knew that Christ would be magnified in his body whether he lived or died.

B. Fruitful labor (Philippians 1:21-22).

1. (vs. 21).  Paul went on to say “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”  The apostle’s view of life and death is summed up in this statement.  The words “to me” indicate that no matter what life may have meant to others, to Paul it meant Christ.  Nothing was more important to him than living for Christ and promoting Him.  Paul knew that if he lived he would continue to preach Christ, and “to die is gain.”  Paul was not afraid of death; for he knew that it would unite Him with the One he loved most (see II Corinthians 5:6-8).  Indeed, to be with Christ would be “gain.”Note: Anyone who has this philosophy of life and death is really invincible.Absolutely nothing can harm us if we are absorbed in Jesus Christ.Our problems begin when we allow something of lesser value like friends, family, money, education and self to take Jesus’ place.Life then becomes worrisome, and death becomes a fearful prospect (see Luke 12:16-21, 31-34).

2. (vs. 22).  In this verse Paul said “But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.”  Paul’s view of life and death made him invincible, but it also placed him in a dilemma.  He realized that continuing to live “in the flesh” or body had its advantages.  He referred to this as “the fruit of my labour.”  The apostle had seen hundreds of spiritual children and dozens of churches maturing in Christ as a result of his fruitful ministry.  Although continuing to live meant a fruitful earthly ministry, and dying meant he would be with Jesus, Paul had to say “yet what I shall choose I wot not.”  This was his dilemma.  The words “I wot not” mean that he didn’t know which to choose.  Note: Paul’s inner conflict would have to be settled by God.Whatever His will, Paul would be content with it.That is a very good way to live our Christian lives.Let God have control; He already has it anyway.

C. Opposing desires (Philippians 1:23-24)). 

1. (vs. 23).  Still dealing with his inner conflict and dilemma, Paul said “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.”  The phrase “in a strait betwixt two” means that Paul was torn between two desires.  It was as if he was between two magnets, one on either side of him.  One was drawing him to desire life and the other was drawing him to desire death.  To be loosed form the responsibilities and heartaches of the present life and to be with Christ, Paul said would be “far better.”  Yet he didn’t actively seek or pray for death.  He was willing to leave that in God’s hands.

2. (vs. 24).  Putting aside his personal desire to be with Christ, Paul said “Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”  Yes, it would be more wonderful to depart and be with Christ, but there was more work for him to do here on earth.  Paul realized that to “abide in the flesh” or remaining on earth to continue his ministry would be “needful” or beneficial to the Philippian believers. The words “for you” refer specifically to the Philippian Christians, but other churches would also benefit from the continuation of Paul’s ministry.  Proclaiming his earthly life to be “needful” to his readers was not the result of arrogance or pride.  It was a simple fact that God had placed on Paul the heavy responsibility of caring for the churches.  There was much he could still teach them to help them grow.  Paul’s selfless attitude is shown here as he placed the needs of his friends above his own.  That is real love!

D. Abundant rejoicing (Philippians 1:25-26).

1. (vs. 25).  Now Paul writes “And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.”  He was confident that he was needed so he was able to say “I know that I shall abide and continue with you all.”  The word “abide” indicates that Paul expected to remain alive.  The word “continue” indicates that he expected to remain alongside the Philippians in their times of need.  He was confident that he would both survive his situation and further his ministry.  Paul also told his fellow believers that the purpose of his continuing with them was to be “for your furtherance and joy of faith.”  The phrase “for your furtherance” means that Paul’s presence among the Philippians would result in their spiritual growth which would in turn lead to their “joy of faith.”  Progress in their faith could not help but bring joy to the Philippian Christians.

2. (vs. 26).  In our final verse, Paul continued to refer to the Philippians’ joy as he said “That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.”  Paul told his readers that his release and continued ministry was so “That your rejoicing may be more abundant.”  The term “abundant” means “to abound” or “to exceed.”  In saying their rejoicing would be “in Jesus” Paul meant that they would be boasting of Christ as the reason for their joy.  The Apostle Paul was able to predict the joyous reaction of the Philippian believers not out of personal conceit but out of confidence that Christ would bless them through his coming to them again.  Note: Paul’s confidence in his eventual deliverance was well-founded.  The letters to Timothy and Titus were written after this time, and although Paul was in prison again when he wrote II Timothy, he was free when he wrote I Timothy and Titus.He apparently also visited Philippi again for he mentioned having gone into Macedonia when he wrote to Timothy (see I Timothy 1:3).                    

IV. Conclusion.Let us follow Paul’s example and not hold our lives or ease and comfort more dearly than our service for the Lord and His people.We may not be facing the risk of getting ourselves killed for spreading the gospel.But we can give our lives daily for the Lord’s use and furtherance of His message.Even when there is no one looking our lives should proclaim Christ.