In Every Way Christ is Proclaimed

Minister Joaquin

Philippians 1:12-18

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. 

1.     We do it for Christ v.13 

First, he says, the gospel has progressed through his circumstances because “it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else” that he is in chains for Christ.” The phrase “for Christ” is literally “in Christ” and probably not only carries the connotation of being in prison for Christ’s sake but also of Christ’s suffering was the advancement of God’s redemptive work. Paul believes that his own suffering, since its origin lies in his efforts to fulfill the “ministry of reconciliation” to which God has called him (2 Cor. 5:18) has the same quality (Phil 3:10; 2 Cor. 1:5; 4:7-15; Col. 1:24-29). Thus, his imprisonment is not simply a result of his Christian commitment but is the necessary means through which Paul fulfills his calling. It is not only “for Christ” but “in Christ” as well. 

2.     Rejoicing in all situations v.18

The reason for this remarkable attitude was that the advancement of the gospel was his primary goal in life. As a result, if his own adversity was the occasion through which the gospel could gain a wider hearing, then Paul could face the adversity with calmness. If, in our own circumstances, we lack this kind of joy, then perhaps we should search our souls to be sure that our happiness is not more firmly connected to our physical and emotional comfort than to the goals of the gospel.

3.     Our goal in life should be to preach Christ.

Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

Give to the needy - always have cash on you to give to people.

Matt 5:42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you 

When someone vents about someone, pray with them for that person before ending conversation. 

Pray for those who persecute you 5:44

Help people stay clean - donate new clothes, socks, hygiene items Matt 8:1

Contribute to causes that help people receive physical healing - donate Red Cross, St. Jude’s, Leukemia & Lymphoma society, walk-a-thons, 5k, career in medical field 

Develop people to grow and trust them with responsibility - Matt 10:10-15

Help people rest physically, mentally, spiritually - help people that are working hard, volunteer to take the load off people, help without being asked, babysit kids so parents can rest, clean up around the house to make it easy on parents. Matt 11:25-30

Take a sabbath to trust in God more - share stories of how rest made you stronger, share how God was always working in your life, ask people how you can help them with tasks so they can rest, (groceries, cooking for them, yard work)

Show people that fear doesn’t hold you back - share your fears and ask people to pray with you so God can give you the strength, then go do what you are afraid of. Next time pray with them about their fear and push them to lean on God.

Matt 14:22-33

Compliment people for who God made them

Peter the rock Matt 16:13-20

Canaanite woman 15:21-28

Centurion 8:10

Remind people their past sins are not held against them - share John 3:16 and the other two characters, remind them Jesus covers all sins, tell them that God keeps no record when they confess and repent and try to turn their lives around, connect someone who can help them overcome their sin.

Woman at the well John 4:5-30

Thief on the cross Luke 23:-39-43

Treat people like family - share resources that could go to your family, make time for people’s events like you would your own family, stay connected and check up on them like you would your own family, share truths like you would your family and let others share them with you without getting angry and ending relationships.

Matt 12:46-50 46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” 

Love your neighbor as yourself - don’t gossip about people, don’t insult people, give them something you would actually want, if you would be upset if no one would help don’t leave someone without help, if you want someone to be there when you are sad and alone then be there and sacrifice to be there for them, stay ahead of your work so you can always have time to be there for people, 

Pray for people - join prayer groups here, keep a prayer book of people here at church, take photos of people so you can add to prayer book and always pray for them.

John 15

We must share the good news just like Jesus did with everyone he met

Romans 10:8-15 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Questions

1.     Why is it hard to share the gospel with people?

2.     Why do we only see sharing the gospel as telling people about sin, why do we not see it as sharing love?

3.     What ways of sharing love from the list can you do more of? Which ones will you do over the week?