Philippians 1:12-18

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — 2 Corinthians 2:14
• Hymn — How Firm a Foundation
• Prayer of Invocation
• Confession of Faith — Belgic Confession, Article 13
• Scripture Reading — Acts 14:19-28
• Hymn — Though Troubles Assail Us
• Pastoral Prayer
• Offering
• Prayer of Thanksgiving
• Hymn — How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
• Sermon
• Hymn — 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
• Benediction — 2 Corinthians 13:14

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Sermon Title: Christ Proclaimed in Chains

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18

I. Christ Is Proclaimed

A. The advance of the gospel is the heart of Paul's concern in this passage

1. The whole imperial guard has come to know that Paul's imprisonment is for Christ (Philippians 1:13)
2. Brothers have become bold to speak the word without fear (Philippians 1:14)

B. Paul distinguishes two groups of preachers — those motivated by envy and rivalry, and those motivated by goodwill and love (Philippians 1:15-17)

1. Paul is not addressing false teaching here — the message being preached is Christ
2. Regardless of the preacher's motivation, Christ is proclaimed, and in this Paul rejoices (Philippians 1:18)

C. A false gospel — the gospel of the self — is widely proclaimed today, especially in relation to identity and sexuality

1. Some even invoke the name of Christ in service of this message, picking and choosing selectively
2. The young especially must be prepared to recognize, love those caught in, and flee from this false gospel
3. Paul holds out Christ like an IMAX screen — is Christ sufficient for your joy and satisfaction?

II. Christ Is Proclaimed by the Providence of God

A. Paul's chains are not a random misfortune — what has happened to him has really served to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12)

B. The Belgic Confession (Article 13) and the Westminster Shorter Catechism both affirm God's holy, wise, and powerful governance of all creatures and all their actions

1. Not a hair of your head falls apart from the will of your Father
2. God works all things together for good for those who love him (Romans 8:28)

C. Joseph's words to his brothers illustrate this doctrine — Genesis 50:20: You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good

1. Men freely put Paul in prison; God sovereignly purposed it to advance the gospel
2. Paul moves to the background; Christ is brought to center stage
3. The Lord has never left himself without witnesses — the gospel will go forth

III. Christ Is Proclaimed by the Providence of God for the Confidence of Believers

A. The Philippians are distressed that Paul is in prison, fearing God's purposes may have stalled (Philippians 1:12)

1. Paul writes not to draw attention to his own situation but to fix their eyes on the Lord and the gospel
2. Their confidence rests not in Paul's freedom but in God's sovereign, providential work

B. Christ himself acknowledges that trials are part of the Christian life, but commands confidence in him — In this world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)

C. Like Denethor in The Lord of the Rings, who gazed fixedly on the enemy's plans until driven to despair, we too can become consumed by the problems before us rather than looking to Christ

1. Real concerns — illness, financial pressure, prolonged waiting — are not made light of
2. But Paul calls believers to peel their eyes away from distractions and fix them on Christ

D. Practical application: examine your heart

1. Where are your eyes fixed? On a person, a political party, an upcoming event, a sports season?
2. Paul calls us to train our hearts to find joy in Christ — prophet, priest, king, and head of the church
3. Christ is proclaimed by the providence of God for your confidence, believer — that is enough