Paul’s focus in prison Part 2
The preaching of the Gospel--Philippians 1:12-21 Paul describes how his imprisonment has helped the furtherance of the Gospel, first as a witness to guards and others he would not have ordinarily come in contact with. “First of all my imprisonment means a personal witness for Christ before the palace guards, not to mention others who come and go.” Philippians 1:13 Then he expresses focus on the inspiration his preaching from prison had on his Brethren. “Then, it means that most of our brothers, somehow taking fresh heart in the Lord from the very fact that I am a prisoner for Christ’s sake, have shown far more courage in boldly proclaiming the Word of God, Philippians 1:14. (even those who preached out of jealousy)…”Christ is being preached, whether sincerely or not, and that fact makes me very happy.” Philippians 1:18 Let us focus on how to use our Challenge and Limitation-experience to shine the light of Truth we have been given! And how this sharing can be unique to this experience, and how we can inspire and encourage one another through these opportunities!
When the light shines out from our lives, it shines even more brightly in our hearts and minds. Paul was focused on the benefit of his prison house arrest on his own spiritual life and growth, with gratitude for the prayers of his Brethren and the overruling, strength and timing of the power of the holy Spirit through Christ. Philippians 1:19 “Yes, and I shall go on being very happy, for I know what is happening will be for the good of my own soul, thanks to your prayers and the resources of the spirit of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:19 May our focus be on how our present challenges and uncertainties are part of His perfect provision for our growth. May we be aware and grateful for the prayers of our Brethren, on behalf of one another. We are not in this Battle alone!
Paul’s attention was riveted on the desire to honor Christ, choosing to live courageously, regardless of the consequences. “It all accords with my own earnest wishes and hopes, which are that I should never be in any way ashamed, but that now, as always, I should honour Christ with the utmost boldness by the way I live, whether that means I am to face death or to go on living. For living to me means simply “Christ, and if I die I should merely gain more of him.” Philippians 1:20-21 (Philipps)
Just as Paul continued to live for Christ, ‘now as always to honor Christ by utmost boldness in how he lived,’ so with us. For me to live is Christ. When our circumstances change, and we are more limited, and more challenged by uncertainty and circumstance we have the choice of continuing to courageously go forward in his strength, finding the opportunities of living in courageously in a new circumstance for Christ. It’s an adventure to discover the new opportunities!
The preaching of the Gospel--Philippians 1:12-21 Paul describes how his imprisonment has helped the furtherance of the Gospel, first as a witness to guards and others he would not have ordinarily come in contact with. “First of all my imprisonment means a personal witness for Christ before the palace guards, not to mention others who come and go.” Philippians 1:13 Then he expresses focus on the inspiration his preaching from prison had on his Brethren. “Then, it means that most of our brothers, somehow taking fresh heart in the Lord from the very fact that I am a prisoner for Christ’s sake, have shown far more courage in boldly proclaiming the Word of God, Philippians 1:14. (even those who preached out of jealousy)…”Christ is being preached, whether sincerely or not, and that fact makes me very happy.” Philippians 1:18 Let us focus on how to use our Challenge and Limitation-experience to shine the light of Truth we have been given! And how this sharing can be unique to this experience, and how we can inspire and encourage one another through these opportunities!
When the light shines out from our lives, it shines even more brightly in our hearts and minds. Paul was focused on the benefit of his prison house arrest on his own spiritual life and growth, with gratitude for the prayers of his Brethren and the overruling, strength and timing of the power of the holy Spirit through Christ. Philippians 1:19 “Yes, and I shall go on being very happy, for I know what is happening will be for the good of my own soul, thanks to your prayers and the resources of the spirit of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:19 May our focus be on how our present challenges and uncertainties are part of His perfect provision for our growth. May we be aware and grateful for the prayers of our Brethren, on behalf of one another. We are not in this Battle alone!
Paul’s attention was riveted on the desire to honor Christ, choosing to live courageously, regardless of the consequences. “It all accords with my own earnest wishes and hopes, which are that I should never be in any way ashamed, but that now, as always, I should honour Christ with the utmost boldness by the way I live, whether that means I am to face death or to go on living. For living to me means simply “Christ, and if I die I should merely gain more of him.” Philippians 1:20-21 (Philipps)
Just as Paul continued to live for Christ, ‘now as always to honor Christ by utmost boldness in how he lived,’ so with us. For me to live is Christ. When our circumstances change, and we are more limited, and more challenged by uncertainty and circumstance we have the choice of continuing to courageously go forward in his strength, finding the opportunities of living in courageously in a new circumstance for Christ. It’s an adventure to discover the new opportunities!
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