Recent Sermons
"A Life Worth Living" Sermon Series
Rev Philip Rowe
2. NEW PURPOSE
| Philippians 1:12-30 | Spread the Gospel (v12) |
Unemployment is painfully partly because a person feels worthless, not being able to make a contribution. One reason that the Christian life is joyful and positive is that we have a great job to do: to spread the gospel. (v18) Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed.
1. Spreading the gospel elicits a reaction
For Paul it was suffering.
'My imprisonment is for Christ' (v13)
'He has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but also suffering for him as well' (v29)
St Paul suffered hardship from those outside the Church and those outside the Church.
Those outside of the Church have imprisoned him, presumably because the gospel is a threat.
The gospel is always a threat the peoples lifestyles. Perhaps increasingly so is a more post Christian liberal society.
He also received opposition from inside the Church out of envy and rivalry. When we are criticised by other Christians we should listen carefully and weigh their opinion. But they are not necessarily right. Sometimes, for whatever reason, spreading the gospel will draw opposition from Church members.
St Paul saw his suffering as a privilege, and rejoiced that it helped to spread the gospel (v12). The way he bore his suffering was a powerful witness and it gave him opportunity to speak to a captive audience - his guards.
The gospel is a powerful force: it provokes a reaction, sometimes negative.
It is also a powerful force for good.
2. Spreading the gospel populates heaven
'For to me living is Christ, dying is gain' (v21)
Dying is gain - St Paul is not negative about this earthly life. 'He is hard pressed between the two' (life and death (v23). He uses joy 16 times for this life.
No matter how good this life is, death is the gateway to something better. Why?
'My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better' (v23)
For the Christian, death ushers us into the immediate presence of the Lord 'today you will be with me in paradise'.
(For Paul, who was to die a martyr for the faith, death would be his crowning service for Jesus).
Can we do anything more for a person than to lead them to Christ? Not just for the blessings of this world, but also for the age to come.
But how can we spread the gospel?
3. Spreading the gospel by living worthily and speaking
We need to keep the balance between living worthily of Jesus Christ and speaking for him
'Live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ (v27)
This is necessary to prove the authenticity of our claim that we have new life in Jesus Christ. If we have a new heart (last week) there should be evidence in lives changed for the better. There should be the beauty of holy living. It is by this that Paul will know that hey are 'standing firm in one spirit' and 'striving for the faith of the gospel'.
This is a witness to their opponents; it is, 'evidence of their destruction, of your salvation'.
But this will never be enough it itself. Some may wish to find what we have found, but how can they do that without being told about Christ. How are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? (Romans 10:14)
'Speak the word with greater boldness and without fear' (v14)
The word is to 'proclaim Christ'. (v15,16,17,18).
We are to tell people about Jesus Christ, particularly his death and resurrection.
Back to list of sermons