Philippians 1:12-30 Sermon Outline

Philippians 1:12-30


The Advance of the Gospel

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.



Where do we find JOY: Part II



I. Joy found in the the Furtherance of the Gospel (1:12–26)



Notice how Paul describes all the suffering he had been through; he calls these trying events “the things that have happened unto me” (1:12). Most of us would have gone into great detail about shipwreck and chains, but not Paul. His desire was to honor Christ and promote the Gospel.

Give a picture of the Apostle Paul:

Events: 3-shipwrecks, stoning victim, beaten multiple times, running for his life, attacked by a mob, etc...

What would he look like by now: old, feeble, hunch-back, scares, multiple broken bones

and now-in prison in bad circumstances



How does he still find Joy in the the Furtherance of the Gospel after all of this:



A. He put Christ first (vv. 12–21).



Were there chains on his wrists? These were his “bonds in Christ.”

Were his enemies causing trouble by their selfish preaching? “So what? They are preaching Christ!”

Were his friends worried about him and praying for him? “Fine! This will exalt Christ!”

Was there a possibility that he might die? “Then Christ will be magnified by life or by death!” This is the single mind—putting Christ and the Gospel ahead of everything else.



When we take Christ into every circumstance, we will have joy.

Paul was not the prisoner of Rome; he was the “prisoner of Jesus Christ” (Eph. 3:1; 4:1).

The soldiers chained to his wrist were not guards; they were souls for whom Christ died.

Paul had a “captive audience,” and from 1:13 and 4:22, we conclude that he won some of them to Christ.

The single-minded Christian does not allow circumstances to overcome him; he or she turns those circumstances into opportunities to magnify Christ and win souls.



B. He put others second (vv. 22–26).



Selfishness always breeds unhappiness.

Paul had joy because he loved others.

He prayed for others, encouraged others, and sought to bring joy to others.

Paul’s “heaven on earth” was helping others!

While he longed to be with Christ, he eagerly yearned to remain and help these believers grow in Christ.



C. He put himself last.



His body was not his own; his future was not his own; his reputation was not his own.

In contrast, when we put ourselves first, it always brings misery.Whenever difficulties affect our lives, we should always be sure that we have the single mind that says, “Lord, whatever comes, I want Christ to be glorified.”

This is the secret of Christian joy.



II. Joy found in the Faith of the Gospel (1:27–30)



There are battles to fight in the Christian life, and Paul warns here about the enemies that would attack us.

New Christians go through these three stages:

(1) they become sons or daughters in the family (the fellowship of the Gospel);

(2) they become servants (the furtherance of the Gospel); and then

(3) they become soldiers (the faith of the Gospel).

Satan is out to defeat the church, and Christians need to have the single mind to face him and “fight the good fight of faith.”

Paul gives several encouragements here to help the Christian defend the faith of the Gospel.



A. “You are not standing alone” (v. 27).



How wonderful it is to know that others are standing right with us as we fight the battles of life.

There is no substitute for the unity and harmony of the Christian church.

Satan is the great divider and destroyer; Christ is the uniter and builder.



B. “You are on the winning side” (v. 28).



“Don’tlet the enemy frighten you!”

Paul counsels. “He knows he’s losing and you’re winning!”

The unity and faith of the believers is an “evident token” (clear omen or sign) to the enemy that he is going to lose.



C. “It is a privilege to suffer for Christ” (vv. 29–30).



It is wonderful to believe in Christ and receive the free gift of salvation, but there is another gift that brings joy: the gift of suffering for Jesus’ sake.

Philippians 3:10 points out that our suffering is in fellowship with Him; see also Acts 5:41.

What a privilege to follow in the train of such saints as Paul as we suffer for Jesus’ sake!



But, whatever happens, a Christian should always act like a Christian. “Let your behavior be such that it can be identified with the Gospel,” Paul warns in 1:27.

Someone once asked Gandhi, “What is the greatest hindrance to Christian missions in India?” Gandhi replied, “Christians.” Such criticism may also apply to Christians in other lands besides India. Even in the midst of battle, we must behave like Christians.

In the midst of trouble, Paul showed quiet confidence.

He was confident that the Philippians would continue in their Christian walk (v. 6);

he was rejoicing that his trials had given the believers in Rome new confidence (v. 14);

he was confident that he would come through these trials and be restored to his friends again (v. 25).

This is the blessing of the single mind—that joyful confidence in God, knowing that He is in control of circumstances.