Win Christ

As the gospel swept through Asia and Europe no man was more influential in the preaching and forwarding of the message than Paul. Now incarcerated, Paul has not stopped his activity for he has not ceased reliance upon God. To a friend Hudson Taylor wrote, “Remember, the devil can wall you round, but he cannot roof you in.”The Spirit’s blessing is evident still, despite bonds.

We find that his estimation of the gospel’s progress is summarized in a few statements of activity. Firstly, there was the gospel which was being preached in his bonds (vs.12-13). Secondly, his bonds were inciting courage in the Lord in personal witness amongst the Christians in Rome, to boldly speak for Christ outside of prison (vs.14-18). Lastly, there was the defense of the gospel which was being made to the highest court in the world (vs.18). How could a hardened envoy of the gospel not rejoice at such advances despite personal risk?

Guerrilla Evangelism

“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;” (Philippians 1:12-13)

The gospel is a tremendously unstoppable message- and many have tried to stay its course but failed. The gospel is like a wall-flower that often takes root and prospers in the craggiest, most unlikely places- but bears a testimony to God’s grace in vivid clarity and contrast.

American Politics, Christian Conservatism, and the Onus of the Almighty

I have a lot of American friends involved in this years presidential campaign. And honestly, I hate to think of the resources which Satan has cleverly diverted from the gospel in the name of the American elections and political agenda. While many Christians are campaigning for conservatism between now and November, it is projected that 2,000,000 Americans will die. Every Christian political campaigner who knocks on 30 doors, will encounter 1 individual who will enter eternity before the next election. This means that if an average of 150 homes are visited, 5 of these people will meet God in judgment this year. It’s just 5! But before 2012 that will be 20. And for every commitment obtained, its’ just that- one commitment, one vote.

No souls.
No eternal rejoicing.
No salvation from the leaping flames of hell.

Four years from now, you will have to convince the same people to be conservative again. They will vote conservative now, even though they may still be living liberally in sin. Every soul reached for Christ will still be saved in 2012! Consider your obligation on account of 5 or 20 souls. On pain of sounding sacrilegious- and believe me I say this in the utmost fear of God- if Jesus Christ were to be here today might he not amend his question of ultimate purpose to ‘what shall a man be profited, if he win the election, but lose souls?’ What if we win a few votes for conservatism, only to lose the voters in the liberal judgment of God for eternity? Will God hold us blameless? Christians in America, let’s get on with the real agenda!

As we read Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians it is very easy to forget that the apostle was incarcerated in a Roman prison. From the warmth of the text we would expect more accommodating and comfortable surroundings. But Paul was in prison for his defense of the gospel, and the prison was dank and cold, though Paul’s heart seems warm and inviting. The imprisoned apostle seems to have been particularly encouraged by the Philippian believers in ministering to him (4:10,4:14, 4:18). This present help stimulated undoubtedly pleasant memories of the Philippians’ past care of him. This remembrance and present evidence of their continuing ministry led Paul to write in his letter of thanks “being confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (1:6). Paul recognizes in the Philippian believers that they had begun in the Spirit and were continuing in the same work of the Spirit. Such a thing could not be said of the Christians in Galatia (Galatians 3:3).

It seems that Paul’s delight and longing was made to over-flow by the acts of affection which Paul had received. Longing to be a blessing to these believers, but constrained by the walls of his prison cell, Paul did what all great men of faith do – he prayed. His prayer is underscored by his earnest desire and longing for these believers.

In the last section we introduced this outline for examining Paul’s mention of prayer in Philippians:

Paul’s optimism and rejoicing despite his circumstance certainly did not catch anyone off-guard in Philippi. I would venture, no one second-guessed his mood. You will recall that it was Paul and Silas who were found at midnight, praying, and singing praises (Acts 16:25) in Philippi. Now about 9 years later Paul finds himself in another jail and again his heart is rejoicing. His present imprisonment was critically different this time, for he was alone. There is no Silas to be his companion in the bleakness of a jail-cell at midnight. Timothy is his faithful companion, visiting Paul in his incarceration. Still, Paul’s mood seemed indomitable. He is found rejoicing, giving thanks, being filled with Christ, thinking of other believers, and being a blessing in the capacity he was able. We might ask, ‘what gave Paul such joy in his predicament?’ To which I submit that it was the control of the Spirit in his life. Galatians 5:22-23 will short-list joy as a mark of the Spirit led life. The Epistle to the Philippians bears testimony to the Spirit’s leading in Paul’s life. In his letter, Paul indicates that all nine of the Holy Spirit’s fruits are evident in his life. In this section, as throughout the epistle, we will notice his joy and rejoicing- this time as he is thankful to God for other Christians.

Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”