Paul rejoiced in the jail cell; in his rejoicing there was an overflow of ministry to many!
Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
Paul’s selfless service to the kingdom brought him a life of joy! That life of joy had affect on everyone around him. Paul’s hardships turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. This did not happen by accident; Paul allowed the transformation of his soul, mind, emotions to get in line with the truth of the gospel. Joy from the jail cell changed the lives of those living in the palace guard system. The whole palace guard seen the evidence that Paul’s incarceration had brought a life giving flow. Paul continued to declare the words of life from the jail cell; what a difference that life giving flow made.
Philippians 1:14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
It was not just those surrounded by Paul that were affected by his selfless joyful service to God and the body of Christ. Those brethren outside the jail cell gained a confidence to speak the word with boldness. What Paul spoke brought life and encouraged others to speak the words of life.
Philippians 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
Oh what we can learn from the apostle Paul’s attitude of heart. The palace guard knew, the brethren knew and Paul’s imprisonment affected those who were not among his supporters. They preached Christ from envy and strife supposing they would add to afflictions of Paul’s chains.
Philippians 1:17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Instead of his enemies adding affliction Paul found a way to rejoice in spite of their bad attitudes. Paul said no matter what happens I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. There is truly the abiding joy of the Lord that abide in every believer; Paul had learned to walk in this abiding joy no matter how hard the circumstance grew. Paul keep his eyes on the goodness of God.
Philippians 1:19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
Even in the worst of circumstances Paul put his expectation in the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Paul had an earnest expectation and hope that in nothing would he be ashamed. He believed walking in the kingdom mindset! Paul walked with such a confidence in His God that he believed by life, or by his own death, Jesus would be magnified. Oh, that the body of Christ would gain such a confident expectation; no matter the circumstances Jesus will be magnified in our lives.
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell.
Paul seen himself on the winning side no matter what happened. If he died he knew he entered the presence of God. If he lived he would have fruitful labor to help further the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now that is sold out to Jesus and His goodness!
Philippians 1:23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
Paul desired the will of God be done that Jesus would be honored and glorified. No wonder he was able to declare the joy of the Lord from that damp, dark, filthy jail cell.
Philippians 1:25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Paul had such a heart for the church and for the people of God. He was moved with a passion for the progress and joy of faith to be fulfilled in the body of Christ.
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.
I like the KJV version of this verse, let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ. If you have been qualified by the Father, if He has taken you out of darkness, if by the blood of His Son your sins are washed away, rise up and walk in who you are in Christ. Stand fast in the faith striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel. Never forget you have fellowship with the gospel; you have been made to partake in the divine influence of God. Walking in the joy of the Lord brings immunity to the affects and actions of your enemies
Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
While suffering brings no comfort for the soul, God will use it to form Christ in us. Jesus walked through the baptism of suffering and told his disciples they too would be tried by the fire. Jesus told us we would have trouble in this life but to cheer up, He has overcome the world and has gifted us with his eternal peace! The psalmist told us many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers us out of them all! God intend for us to walk in abundant life even from the valley of our lives.
Philippians 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Has God brought you consolation in a rough time? Has God ever wrapped you in the comfort of His sure love? Have you had fellowship with the Spirit of God? How about being touched by His affections toward you and His great mercy? If you can say yes to even one of these questions this word of grace instruction is for you. Be like minded having the same love, being of one accord and one mind. The love received from Christ is the strength to love others.
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
As Jesus Christ, and the apostle Paul lived a selfless life we have been called. The Sunday school lesson from my childhood is still good. JOY:
Jesus
Others
Yourself
Our wrong attitudes can rob us of the joy of the Lord; our right attitudes can bring fulfillment to the joy of the Lord in our lives. God calls us to walk in a lowliness of mind
considering others. Paul demonstrated this with his life and was able to write this book about the joy of the Lord ruling in his own life. Next lesson we will pick up with the heart of Jesus Christ and His selflessness.
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