DONT WEEP FOR ME
December 19, 1999 PM
Sermon Outline
Phil 1:12-14
INTRO: What would you think if you heard that one of your dearest friends was in prison? Aside from your concern about what had caused the imprisonment, there would be some concern for that persons well-being in those harsh and foreign surroundings. Is he bing badly treated? Is he safe in the midst of hardened criminals? Does he get enough to eat? Well the good people of the church in Philippi had that great concern for Paul who was a prisoner of Rome, and they sent one of their own to inquire about him. But Paul writes them, in effect, to say, Dont weep for me. Everything is just working out wonderfully!
I. GOALS CAN BE REACHED IN OFTENTIMES STRANGE UNEXPECTED WAYS
A. Paul had a goal to go to Rome to preach
1. Acts 19:21 a purpose I must also see Rome
2. Rom 1:9-11,15 he had prayed that he could go to Rome
3. little did he know hed get there as a prisoner
B. Well, seemingly defeating things happened to him
1. Acts 21:30-33 from this point on Paul is a prisoner
2. it would have seemed his goal was now impossible from our human viewpoint, at least maybe even Paul wondered
3. Acts 23:11 but we must never reckon without God! Paul was on the way to Rome! his prayer was being answered
C. So, now he writes to reassure his friends (1:12)
1. in effect, he says we can - with Gods help - turn defeat into victory (a wonderful lesson for the Christian life)
2. the gospel is being advanced not retarded!
3. all of these apparently negative things of which the friends had heard had served Gods purpose and had helped Paul reach one of his works goals
D. Chains, bars do not a prison make!
1. people can be prisoners and not be in jail
2. but the real thing here to see is that prison is often a state of mind thus, one may be free while chained
3. such was Pauls case ... turned his imprisonment into a whole new ministry (remember Joseph in Egypt?)
E. Paul did not find his joy in ideal circumstances, rather:
1. in winning souls to Chrsit
2. in his assurances in Christ
3. so, Phil 2:17
II. NOW, WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN ROME? WHAT ADVANCES?
A. Famed praetorian guard was hearing of Christ (1:13a)
1. Acts 28:16,20 actually chained to his guard
2. imagine how much these guards must have heard of the Lord as people came and went then, imagine, too, the time Paul would spend speaking to that guard
3. Phil 4:22 some must have obeyed the gospel
4. point: Paul used adversity as an opportunity Point: he shared the gospel with those in daily contact with him
B. The city of Rome was hearing much of Christ (1:13b)
1. was no ordinary prisoner, no ordinary circumstance
2. he was there with people coming and going freely to learn, to study -- Acts 28:30,31
3.though he is in chains, the word of God was not to be bound (2 Tim 2:9)
4. those chains gave him contact with the lost!
C. Brethren were more boldly speaking the word (1:14)
1. they saw that Paul was optimistic, keeping on, no quitter
2. his courage in chains gave them courage
3. people are indeed more willing to follow and risk when leaders are unafraid of the experience of leading
4. speak one author notes this is a word for ordinary conversation thus, just plain folks are using daily opportunities to talk about Christ ... people whom theyd meet in the ordinary course of daily affairs great things were happening in Rome
CLOSE: Can tragedy be a blessing? Indeed, it can be. We often have little control over things which happen to us. But how we use those things is within our control. Paul was using an adverse, unpleasant circumstance to mightily reach Christ!
Cecil A. Hutson
19 December 1999