Introduction
In 1955, five men went into hostile territory to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the Auca people of Ecuador. They understood that they were risking their lives, but taking the gospel to those who had never heard it was more important to them than life. All five men were killed beside the river shortly after meeting their first Aucas. Perhaps it seems wasteful – five young lives sacrificed. One of the men, Jim Elliot, had written earlier that, “he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” The subsequent story proves Jim right. Jim’s wife and the sister of another of the men lived with the Aucas shortly after this and saw many of them come to know the Lord Jesus. The son of one of the men went and worked among the Aucas for a time. Because five men were willing to give their lives to open doors for the gospel, a whole people group heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. But the story doesn’t stop there. People around the world heard that moving story of five young men killed on a beach – risking everything to tell people about their Savior. That story inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of people to offer themselves to take the gospel to every people – whatever the cost. Before eternity, there is no way to figure how many souls have been saved as a result of the martyrdom of those five men who loved the gospel and the Savior. Just as people were stirred to follow the courageous example of these men who were willing to give everything to preach the gospel, so when Paul was in prison for preaching the gospel it stirred up other Christians to boldly proclaim it without fear. As you study Philippians 1:12-18, learn more about this gospel that Paul and those five men loved so much and why they rejoiced when it was spread no matter what it cost them.
Observation
Pray
Pray and ask the Lord to speak to you through His Word today - to challenge, convict, and comfort. Commit to listen and do all He instructs no matter what it costs you.
Read Focus Verses
Read Philippians 1:12-18 - pay attention to what is happening and the result.
Context
Paul continues his thought in Philippians 1:19-30.
Paul
From these verses, what is Paul's situation at the moment?
First Result
What is the first result of Paul's imprisonment according to verse 13?
Second Result
What is the second result of Paul's imprisonment according to verse 14?
Third Result
What is the third result of Paul's imprisonment because of how it has impacted others according to verse 18?
How?
These newly emboldened Christians are speaking the gospel without what?
Two Types
What are the two motivations for those who are speaking of Christ more boldly now that Paul is in prison?
Envy and Strife
Why are the insincere people preaching Christ according to verse 16?
Love
Why are the sincere Christians preaching Christ according to verse 17?
Purposed
What did these sincere Christians know about Paul according to verse 17?
Rejoicing
What was Paul's response to all of this? Retell verse 18 in your own words in light of the passage.
Keyword - Preach
This passage talks a lot about preaching and speaking the gospel.
Speak the Word
Mark all of the words in Philippians 1:12-18 that talk about preaching or speaking the gospel.
Keyword - Gospel
One of the keywords in today's passage as well as in the whole of chapter 1 is the word gospel.
Gospel
The Gospel
Mark the word gospel in verses 12 and 17.
Interpretation
The Background
We learn more about the background of the circumstances of today's passage in the book of Acts. The Jewish leaders, who hated Paul's mighty gospel preaching, were beating him to death one day while he was in Jerusalem. To save him from the mob, the Roman governor arrested Paul. Paul was moved to Caesarea and held for over two years without a judgment. So, as a Roman citizen, he appealed to by tried to Caesar. After a shipwreck, Paul finally arrived on the Italian peninsula and went up to Rome. You can read about the situation of his imprisonment for the first two years in Rome in Acts 28:16.
Guarding Paul
Paul was guarded, it seems from today's passage, by Roman soldiers from the palace. Based on verse 14 in today's passage, how did Paul use this "opportunity" of being held prisoner by Caesar's guards?
Reaching across Boundaries
Some people will say that a person cannot reach wealthy or powerful people with the gospel unless they are also wealthy. Based on today's passage and the Scripture's teaching that Paul was a tent-maker and poor, how would you answer that suggestion?
The Gospel
This whole passage revolves around the gospel - it is the reason Paul was in prison, it was what people were speaking since his imprisonment, it was what he rejoiced in the spread of. The next few verses are God's summary of the gospel. Start with Revelation 4:11.
Sin
Sin is disobeying God's law and breaking His commands - like "do not lie." See what Romans 3:23 says.
Wages and a Gift
Sins wages are explained very clearly in Romans 6:23 as well as God's gift.
By Grace through Faith
Ephesians 2:8-9 further explains this gift.
Jesus Christ
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 summarizes Jesus Christ's work.
Why Die?
1 Peter 2:22-24 explains why Jesus Christ died.
Receive It
Romans 10:9-13 tells how to receive God's gift.
Forgiveness
1 John 1:8-10 further explains how to receive God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
All Becomes New
2 Corinthians 5:17 explains the result of receiving this gift.
The Christian Life
The whole New Testament talks about how a Christian lives. Colossians 3:12-17 gives us a short summary.
Speak the Gospel
Matthew 28:18-20 explains how the gospel continues to be the main thing for a Christian.
The Gospel - Summarized
Based on these few verses, how would you summarize this gospel (which means good news) that is the center of today's passage?
Important
When we understand the gospel, how does it explain why Paul was willing to suffer for the gospel and rejoiced when it was spoken even when people were trying to hurt him by sharing it?
Working for Good
Paul's reaction in today's passage to his suffering is a clear evidence that he really believed Romans 8:28.
Rejoicing
James 1:2-4 sounds a lot like it is describing Paul's response.
Nothing
Romans 8:37-39 explains why a Christian can rejoice in suffering.
God's Word Isn't Bound
In 2 Timothy 2:8-10 Paul further explains why he can rejoice even though he suffers for his faith.
All Who Live Godly
A few verses later, in 2 Timothy 3:12, Paul explains that living a godly life will lead to persecution.
Reasons
Based on all of these verses together with today's passage, what are some of the reasons Paul could rejoice even as he faced death for preaching the gospel?
Growing Bolder
Verse 14 in today's passage speaks of the facts that Paul's suffering made others bolder to speak the gospel. The Bible uses the analogy of soldiers, athletes, and ambassadors for Christians. Thinking of what the suffering of a soldier, athlete, or ambassador does to the morale of others who take up the cause, what are some of the reasons you can think of that a Christian's suffering makes others bolder in speaking the gospel?
Cannot Do More
In Luke 12:5 Jesus tells His disciples why they don't have to fear what people will do to them when they speak the gospel.
Fear
What are some things that you or others fear when speaking the gospel?
Fear Not
All through Scripture, God tells people fear not and gives them sweet promises to give them boldness. What are some Scripture promises which give boldness in the face of those specific fears you just mentioned?
Insincere
In the study of Philippians 1:9-11, we look at the word sincerity and what a sincere Christian looks like. In today's passage, we see that some people are preaching the gospel but not sincerely.
Insincere
Matthew 23:5 explains one of the reasons people speak the gospel insincerely.
Financial Gain or Comfort
Romans 16:17-18 gives another reason people teach insincerely.
Without Love
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 explains what God thinks of that kind of religion.
Why?
Why do some people preach the gospel to cause contention or because of envy?
Defense of the Gospel
Others loved Paul and knew he was giving his life to defend the gospel. He mentioned it just a few verses earlier in verse 7.
Magnifying Christ
Just a few verses later, in Philippians 1:20, Paul explains the purpose of his life which in turn explains his willingness to proclaim the gospel even if it meant suffering.
Purpose
What was the purpose of Paul's Life?
God's Power to Salvation
In Romans 1:16-17 Paul explains why he loves the gospel so much.
Relation
What is the relationship between Paul's life purpose of magnifying Christ, his love of the gospel, and his willingness to suffer to be able to proclaim the gospel?
Focus
How did Paul's focus on Christ's glory allow him to rejoice when Christ was preached whether the messenger loved or hated Paul?
Partaker
2 John 1:10-11 shows us that there is a difference between rejoicing in Christ being preached and encouraging those who do so wrongly.
Compatible
Explain how a Christian can both rejoice in Christ being preached and yet not support those who are preaching wrongly.
Rejoice
If we look at Philippians 4:4, we see that Paul is following God's instruction, which he taught when he chose to rejoice in verse 18 of today's passage.
Encouraged
How does Paul's example of choosing to rejoice when he was in prison and people were trying to make his suffering worse encourage Christians to choose to rejoice whatever is happening?
Rejoice!
What are some reasons a Christian always has to rejoice?
Application
The Gospel
Have you accepted the gospel by turning away from your sin and trusting in Christ's death and resurrection in your place? If not, why? If so, does your life look like it?
Bold Witness
Are you a bold witness for Jesus Christ, or are there fears that are holding you back? Which fears are standing in your way, and how can you combat them with Scripture?
Rejoice
How has this study - Paul's example and the many Scriptures you looked at - challenged you to rejoice whatever your circumstances?
When Christ is Preached
Is there a way the Lord is showing you that you need to rejoice that Christ is preached - even if it is not in sincerity?
Wrapup
Closing
We hope this study has helped you understand why Paul loved the gospel so much he rejoiced when it was spread no matter what it cost him.
Feedback
Please take a brief moment to provide us some feedback on this lesson. We're always striving to improve, and, with your help, we will.
Click To Visit WebsiteSupport our Ministry
Please join us in our quest to help the world discover the beauty of the Bible. Consider making a generous donation today.
Click To Visit Website
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.