Philippians 1:12-27
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted 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 go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
Philippians 1:12-27 WHATEVER HAPPENS
Springford Baptist Church: October 24, 2021
You know how when we are reading a book or watching a movie there is a certain way that we want things to turn out. As we pay attention to the unfolding details, we keep hoping that what we want to happen, will happen. Sometimes it does and sometimes it does not.
In a similar way, we have our preferences for how our lives unfold. We want things to happen that will be pleasant and enjoyable and uncomplicated. Of course, sometimes things do happen the way that we would prefer and sometimes they do not.
As Paul demonstrates here in Philippians, by the way he chooses to live his life of faith, whatever happens, he has chosen to live for Christ. Paul is absolutely determined in His decision to follow Jesus and nothing is going to dissuade him.
Paul writes this letter to encourage the faith of Christians in Philippi. Paul has real credibility for saying, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27) Why do I say that? I say that because for Paul the “whatever happens” had not been easy at all. His “whatever happens” had been to be imprisoned under house arrest in Rome.
As he reveals in the opening part of today’s Scripture, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” (Philippians 1:12,13)
Paul did not resist whatever had happened to him because he was clearly aware that his circumstances had advanced the gospel. Instead of limiting his opportunity to share the truth of his faith in Jesus, his imprisonment had actually expanded the opportunities. The whole palace guard (a large number of soldiers) who would have been assigned to guard Paul during his arrest were able to hear and to know why he was being held. Those who otherwise would have been unlikely to hear the good news of Jesus were able to because of what happened to Paul.
And as Paul reveals in verse 14 other Christians were inspired by His persistence in trusting God, “And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” Notice that these brothers and sisters in the Christian faith, “have become more confident in the Lord.”
What a hopeful thing if whatever happens to us results in others becoming more confident in the Lord. I want us to recognize here that the way we face very difficult things in our lives can give others courage to depend on God for whatever they face, for whatever happens for them. We might think that others seeing our adversity would respond with, “Well I sure hope that never happens to me.” Rather, it challenges fear when people see us holding on to Jesus, whatever happens.
Think about how we witness someone battling a serious illness and continuing to turn to God for strength. What gets highlighted is God’s availability and sustaining of faith. Isn’t it remarkable that faith does not necessarily waver and diminish when we face unspeakably hard things? Faith in God can grow deeper whatever happens to us.
Paul recognizes that there are mixed motives for people promoting and preaching the good news of Jesus, It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (verses 16,17)It is significant that he does not become distracted by why other people choose to do what they do. He is just thankful that the gospel is being preached/ proclaimed. Paul relies on God to do what He chooses to do as a result. What about us? Do we find ourselves trying to control what others do and why they do it or do we pay attention to our own motives and become all the more determined to live our lives for Jesus?
If our commitment is to live for Jesus only if it is convenient and the way is smooth then our faith in God will be both shallow and transient. Paul challenges us to discover more of the fullness of God by remaining firm in our loyalty to Him, “whatever happens.”
For Paul, he honestly faces the reality that he could die for proclaiming his faith in Jesus. This does not dissuade him. Certainly his determined faith in Jesus for “whatever happens” is evidence of the authenticity of his faith. This is a powerful witness to anyone observing. Paul is so convinced of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done that nothing, not even death, will cause him to change his mind. This becomes a powerful expression of the depth of his commitment to Jesus. We read these memorable words, “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (vs. 21) Would we echo those same words and mean them?
Speaking from his own personal experience Paul writes, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (vs. 27)
Paul has not permitted a whole range of difficult happenings in his life to become an excuse for what He doesn’t do.
Instead, he continues to look to make the most of every opportunity (even being imprisoned) to see the gospel, the cause of Christ advanced. Here I want to say that you and I can also choose whatever happens to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then the living of our faith will not depend on the unreliable measure of circumstances and then the good news of Jesus Christ will advance through us!