Hello Friends!
During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”
The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 1: Verses 15-21)
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain – Philippians 1:15-21
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The ardent “Apostle Paul” had rightly “rejoiced” within his magnificent “ministry” endeavors in spite of the turbulent TRIALS and testing TROUBLES tempered in his chided “chains” as the courageous captivated “cause of Christ” was faithfully “furthered” in full. And now HERE in these powerful passages, “Paul” faces fellow “followers” that seem to have FALSELY acutely accused him of some kind of ILL intent. However, even this caustic “contention” could in NO way woefully STEAL his jovial “joy” justified. Therefore, “Paul” has overtly “obtained” this uniquely unspeakable unified “joy” held deep within in his “heart” of hearts DESPITE what “some” would say about him, as long as “Jesus Christ” was alone – Purposefully PROCLAIMED!
Defense of the Gospel!
To begin with, “Paul” denotes that among “those” of whom personally “preach Christ ” within the “Philippian” province where of TWO completely different dictates:
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will– Philippians 1:15
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: There were “some” that “indeed” purposely “preached” out of their “envy and strife” the TREMENDOUS tidings pertaining to “Christ” Himself on behalf of the presiding “Paul” pronged And CONVERSELY there were also “some” that did so with “good will” intended. Thus, there were the determined denoted – Detractors & Defenders!
Dastardly Detractors!
ONE: There were the Dastardly Detractors…
The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds – Philippians 1:16
This “one” group would “preach Christ” with conniving “contention” coveted, but NOT at all “sincerely” with an honest helping hand of honor. And while they were pragmatically “preaching” the great “gospel” narrative, their avid AGENDA was sordidly set within their “heart” to deeply discredit and directly dishonor the effectual EFFORTS of the persistent “Paul” proclaimed. Thus, their ENTIRE perspective of “ministry” mindset was to avidly ATTACK the particular person of the apt “Apostle Paul” and his reputation directly “supposing to add affliction” to his bemoaning “bonds” beheld . Interestingly enough, the FALSE fickle audacious accusations accosted here did NOT appear to be associated with doctrinal differences discerned. These Dastardly Detractors were NOT attacking his theology itself. Rather, it was “Paul’s” powerful personage and gifted effectiveness that utterly BOTHERED them egregiously – ENVIOUS Envoy!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: These belligerent “brethren” were actually NOT heralding “another gospel” such as “some” garnered in Galatia…
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ – Galatians 1:6-7
And they were NOT proclaiming “another Jesus” such as were the fallacious “false apostles” and deranged “deceitful workers” directed in carnal Corinth…
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him… For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ – 2 Corinthians 11:4 & 13
This was the SAME greatly granted “gospel” message and the SAME Sovereign Savior “Jesus Christ” being powerfully “preached” abroad. There was NO difference in the content considered OR in their preaching proclaimed. The dire DIFFERENCE was dictated by an enlarged ego and pragmatic pride propelling their manifesting MOTIVE mandate – Jealous with ENVY!
Dependable Defenders!
TWO: There were the Dependable Defenders…
But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel – Philippians 1:17
The “other” group lavished a Biblical “love” upon “Paul” in keenly “knowing” full well that HE was surely “set” as a submitted soldier for this Sovereign service in his devoted “defense of the gospel” declared. These folks were CONTENT with all that “Christ” was doing in and through the “Apostle Paul’s” life and in their OWN without “adding” sordid strife to the message. Conversely, these beloved “brethren” were indeed – Enormously ENCOURAGING!
Christ is PREACHED!
Next “Paul” proclaims that REGARDLESS of the certain circumstances considered, in “every way” he will resolutely “rejoice” rightly in “Christ” alone:
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice – Philippians 1:18
"What then?“ In other words, “Paul” says “So what!” and he points out that “whether” held in pious “pretense” or told in “truth” as long as “Christ is preached” that is ALL that matters! He is NOT concerned for his own fame or reputation nor for the menacing modalities fostered by “some” of his pious proponents. And “therein” no matter WHAT may caustically come his way, he “will” indeed – Rightly REJOICE!
Supply of the SPIRIT!
Now “Paul” rightly refers to the sweet “salvation” of his PHYSICAL body and to “know” his constant CONFIDENCE in the “prayers” of our great “God’s” particular people and the Providential PRECEPTS provided by “Jesus Christ” in kind:
For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ – Philippians 1:19
And HOW does “Paul” actually “know” these tremendous TRUTHS for certain? Because of the unequivocal Sovereign “supply” of sound SECURITY that the “Spirit” brought to his “life” as a surely satisfied CONVICTION even in the midst of his prevailing present CIRCUMSTANCES considered…
Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed – Romans 15:30-32
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak – Ephesians 6:18-20
Indeed nothing could DETRACT this keen “knowledge” of the ardent “Apostle’s” soul. Not the trouble, the chains, the detractors, the imprisonment, the difficulties nor the adversities eagerly ENDURED throughout his – Magnificent Ministry!
Christ is MAGNIFIED!
Finally, his “earnest expectation” of fulfilled “hope” and mindful MOTIVATION is that “Christ” is magnificently “magnified” in his mortal “body” either in “life” lived OR in dire “death” decanted:
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain – Philippians 1:20-21
HISTORICAL HINTS: What “Paul” is saying here is that “in spite of physical death and as long as the Lord Himself is glorified, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice!” Therefore, his “joy” was definitely NOT at all related to his circumstances considered...
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities – 2 Corinthians 11:23-30
It did NOT matter if he was in trouble or if his reputation was attacked. In fact, it didn't even matter if he was KILLED in the process. ALL that mattered to “Paul” was that the grand “gospel” adamantly advances and that “Jesus Christ” is purposely “preached” powerfully UNASHAMED…
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels – Mark 8:38
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek – Romans 1:16
That's what he lovingly LIVED for and in absolutely “nothing” would he be “ashamed” before the KING in bright “boldness” as his fiery focus was fostered UPON the coming – Kingdom of God!
In closing:
The “Apostle Paul” definitely did NOT care who had “received” the credit or what had happened to him. WHY? Because he LIVED his life fully for the granted “gospel” alone…
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire – 1 Corinthians 3:1-15
Beloved, may we also INSTILL this kind of righteous resolve resolute into OUR generation today! May this manifested “mind” be boldly SET into the “heart” of the “pastors” and “teachers” and “elders” and “deacons” along with ALL individual submitted “Christians” walking within the “church” body of “Jesus Christ” itself. And may the CLEAR cause of our loving “Lord” and sweet “Savior” be fully furthered with the Mighty Name of “Jesus Christ” being evermore – PURELY Proclaimed!
REAL REFLECTIONS: When “we” each get to know our ETERNAL Lord and God “Jesus Christ” in ever INCREASING measure…
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:6-7
The magnificent “message” penned to the Philippians makes so much “sanctifying” satisfied sense – Praise our LOVING Lord!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
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Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
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