The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day seven)

“Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice” vs 18

The thing that was most important to Paul is that the Christ is being proclaimed. Paul doesn’t care that he is imprisoned. He doesn’t care that others are trying to compete with him. He doesn’t care about the things that could hold him back, because nothing is holding God back. Christ is being proclaimed. That is worth rejoicing.

What does this teach us?

1. Trust God. Even when the plans we made don’t work out, God has a plan. Lean into this plan and watch God work.
2. Proclaim Christ. When our plans don’t work out, lean into God’s plan by making the Gospel known.
3. Rejoice in the Lord. God’s plan is at work no matter what. Find joy in watching the Gospel progress.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day six)

What I appreciate most about Paul is that his theology is not theory. His theology is not pie in the sky, with all talk and no action. No, Paul practiced what he preached. When in prison he wrote, “Don’t worry about me, God is really using my imprisonment.” When jealous preachers tried to make things worse for him he wrote, “I still rejoice, because at least they are telling people about Jesus, even if they do have the wrong motives.”

So, when you go back and read things like Romans 8:28 (NLT),

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

you believe Paul, because it was his life. He lived what he wrote. Now, we might be tempted to marvel at Paul’s grit and endurance, but what shines brightest is not Paul’s character, but the object of his affection-Jesus.

Paul’s life and words only make sense because of Jesus.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day five)

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,”  Paul begins this section of his letter by declaring “gospel progress” is being made by his imprisonment. What does he mean by this term?

Gospel progress shifts attitudes and perspectives in the hearts and thoughts of believers from hopelessness and despair to joy and assurance (vs 18-19).
Gospel progress brings about courage and faithfulness in the actions and priorities of believers to boldly witness. (vs 14).

Gospel progress brings influence, awareness, and understanding of the message of Christ to non-believers (vs 13).

Are you experiencing gospel progress (joy, assurance)?  Are those believers close to you experiencing gospel progress (courage, faithfulness)?
Are non-believers who are around you and who interact with you experiencing gospel progress (hearing and seeing the message of Christ)?

May gospel progress come to and through the Body of Christ at FBCSA!!

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day four)

Paul would never fit into our present day ‘cancel culture’.  Rather than rejecting the ones who were preaching Christ with the wrong motives (i.e. – out of envy, selfish ambition, or impure motives), Paul trusted in the Holy Spirit to take the name of Christ and use it for the spread of the Gospel.  What seems to be obvious to our human reason or logic can completely change when the Holy Spirit enters the picture.  Joseph recognized this truth when his brothers sold him into slavery.  “What you meant for evil, God intended for good.”  Joseph recognized that God can use any circumstance for His Glory!

Today, we are often very hard on TV preachers, celebrities, politicians or social media influencers who may use the name of Christ but do not believe or live exactly as we do.  We need Paul’s perspective so we can rejoice that Christ is proclaimed…our prayers and Christ’s Spirit can use all circumstances for God’s Glory and His purpose.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day three)

“What then?”

Paul’s question is often your own when difficulties appear. You might not ask it in the same way. Perhaps you say, “What am I supposed to do now?” Or the question might arise in your mind as more of a statement: “Everything is falling apart.” It’s easy then to envision a range of very unpleasant outcomes. Not Paul. Faced with horrific suffering, he says, “Anything’s possible from here.” Paul was ordinary. He suffered, wept, worked, and felt the sting of injustice. But he had learned from Jesus that we don’t live in a deterministic universe. He had learned from Jesus how to expand his understanding of what is possible. That’s how joy took root in his life.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day two) 

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, vs. 18

In reading this text again I was reminded how often I allow circumstances to determine my value, my effectiveness, and my outlook. I would venture to say that I am not alone in this. I would like to believe that in whatever situation I can find a way to rise above the circumstances, but I am often deterred by current climate, poor resources, lack of motivation, or a myriad of other reasons why my particular task can’t be accomplished to the degree I had hoped. I need to hang out with Paul more. In that case I will likely find myself in more dire situations that I have ever imagined, but I will also come to understand that it is Jesus who had defined my worth, not my circumstance. This shift in focus in attitude is essential for each of us. Paul isn’t grousing, he’s witnessing. He’s not complaining about things not being fair, he’s looking for ways to share the gospel. Let’s be like Paul.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:1-11 (day seven)

“always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” vs 4-5

Joy was in every prayer that Paul prayed for this church. Why? Because they were faithful to the call of spreading the gospel. Paul recognized something that every minister knows so well: it is so rewarding to watch someone you have discipled begin to disciple others. This is the mission of the church and the call that Jesus has placed on every one us; to go and make disciples who go and make disciples. This participatory work brings joy and energy. This is not a one man show. It is not just the pastor’s job. Nor is it the work of only a few people. Everyone is called to make disciples. This is why Pastor Chris has called our church to Repent, Witness, and Disciple.

If you want to feel this same type of joy that Paul has been given by serving with the Phillipians, answer these questions Pastor Danny often asks in Logos: Who are you doing life with? Where are you serving?

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:1-11 (day six)

This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:1

Many translations translate douloi as servant, while its most literal translation is slave. I imagine slave rails against our most basic American sensitivities-our inalienable rights, independence, freedom. Servant just feels better; on the surface it even seems more noble, but it doesn’t really capture Paul’s intent.

It was Paul’s desire to convey their captivity. They were held captive by Christ, in much the same was the Earth is held captive by the Sun. The gravitational pull of the Sun forces the Earth into its orbit. The Sun is literally center to the earth’s existence; it could not pull away even if it had the desire. Furthermore, it is the Sun that provides the energy for life to thrive on Earth. So, it is not only held captive by the Sun, it absolutely needs the Sun.

Paul lives in relation to the Son in much the same way; He can’t help himself. He’s a slave to the gravitational pull of the Son, and it is there, and ONLY there, that He will thrive.

Are you a servant of Christ, or a slave?