Philippians 1:12-26

In the book of Philippians, Paul talks a lot about the word joy. It is mentioned 19x in some form: joy, rejoicing, gladness. In order to determine how to obtain joy or become more joyful one must identify 2 things:

1.   What robs me of my joy?

2.   Where does joy come from?

What are some of your joy stealers?

Where does joy come from?

Read Philippians 1:12-26

         

Paul had a fervent desire to go to Rome to preach the Gospel.

After all, it was the place to be.

The center of the great Empire,

the seat of the government.

All politics, culture, art and education took place in Rome.

What an impact one could make as a missionary to Rome!

He could potentially reach millions with the message of salvation.

Acts 19:21 states his intent; “…Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. After I have been there, he said, I must visit Rome also.”

But his plan was to go as a preacher. God’s plan was that he go as a prisoner.

Let’s look at verse 12:

“Now what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

Any idea of what exactly Paul was referring to?

Let’s take a look at Acts 21:17-36.

Paul causes a stir no matter where he is!

He doesn’t seem to care who he is with and who he may offend. No political correctness here.

While in Jerusalem, under arrest he has an opportunity to share his testimony with crowds of people:

Soldiers, Jews, Gentiles, centurions, chief priests, all the Sanhedrin, and  Saduducees.

(See vs. 23:11)

Because there was a contract out on Paul’s life the commander decided to remove Paul to Caesarea for his safety. Take a look at Acts 23:23-24. Look where Paul ends up, vs. 35, Herod’s palace!

While in Caesarea Paul has the opportunity to share the gospel with:

 a lawyer named Tertullus, Governor Felix, his wife Drusilla (who was Jewish), and for 2 years in Caesarea Paul remained under guard in Herod’s palace where he could talk to whoever he wanted to about Jesus.

When a new governor takes over for Felix the Jews ask that Paul be transferred back to Jerusalem to try Paul although they secretly wanted to kill him. 

But Governor Festus says that he is going back to Caesarea and they should join him there.

So at this point, Paul has an opportunity to share with:

Governor Festus, King Agrippa and his wife Bernice and all their entourage.

And after being under arrest in Caesarea for 2 years take a look at what Governor Festus says in 26:32. “This man could have been set free, if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Acts chapter 27 begins the story of Paul’s sea voyage to Rome. Of course while on board he had a captive audience of the sailors, centurion named Julius and the other prisoners. There were a total of 276 people on board.  Because the winds were against them they lost a lot of time and they were sailing at the wrong time of year.

Follow with me in Acts 27:13-38.

They had landed on the island of Malta. 28:1-10.

They stayed on Malta for 3 months. We can only imagine the impact Paul had on that island!

And he finally reaches Rome!

Where he remains under arrest and continues his ministry in spite of his chains.

So that is what occurred during that one sentence, “what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

What an adventure!

The first point I want to make is that:

I.            Paul is single-minded.

Warren Wiersbe says when a Christian is single minded, he is concerned about:

1.   The fellowship of the gospel (1:1-11).

2.   The furtherance of the gospel (1:12-26).

3.   The faith of the Gospel (1:27-30).

Paul is able to have joy in spite of his circumstances because his focus is always on advancing the gospel.

II.         Paul recognizes  his primary purpose in life:

~To share Christ and his story with others.

He obviously has come to terms with the fact that God knows better how that can be accomplished and if it is through chains and suffering and shipwreck then so be it.

What are the results of Paul’s circumstances?

1.   The gospel is advanced.

2.   Other Christians are bolder in their witness.

His life message truly is exemplified in verse 21:

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Why can he say that? Because he recognizes that if God keeps him alive, it is to share the gospel with others to bring them to Christ. If that is the case, then he is content. But if he dies then he is with Christ and that is better still.

III.       Paul is not living to enjoy his circumstances, he is living to serve Jesus.

IV.        Paul recognizes that God is the author of his circumstances.

Ephesians 3:1 says this: “for this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles~”

“He did not look at Christ through his circumstances; rather he looked at his circumstances through Christ.” And this changed everything.

How can/should Paul’s example, his single mindedness impact me?

At the beginning of this talk I asked you to identify some joy stealers.

I also asked you to share where joy comes from? True joy, not happiness. The joy of the Bible.

Joy comes from 3 places:

1.   Joy comes from a right relationship with God.

In order to have joy in the midst of whatever is going on, you must have already placed and be placing your trust in the God that loves you and died for you.

2.   Joy comes from a single minded remembrance that God is in control of your circumstances.

Place whatever is going on before Him and ask Him how He wants to work through you and those circumstances to advance His work. Whatever it may be. The more time you spend in prayer and His word the more you will have His mindset about what is happening in your life.

3.   Joy is a gift and a fruit of the Spirit.

Pray for more joy. If you feel like this is an area that you lack, ask God for more faith and that faith will produce more joy.