1 The Gospel is Always Free Philippians 1

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The Gospel is Always Free! Philippians 1: 12 -18 2

12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 3

14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 4

16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 5

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 6

The Gospel is Always Free! Philippians 1: 12 -18 7

The Literary Structure of vv 12 -18 8

Paul’s Desire for the Philippians as to the Gospel of Christ, 12 a The Gospel’s Progress, 12 b-14 —in general, in Paul’s Circumstances, 12 b —specifically, in Paul’s Circumstances, 13 -14 —many professed unbelievers have heard the Gospel, 13 —many professing believers are proclaiming the Gospel, 14 The Gospel’s Proclamation: the underlying motives, 15 -17 —impure motives, 15 a, 17 —pure motives, 15 b-16 Paul’s Desire for himself as to the Gospel of Christ, 18 9

Four Occasions when every Christian should Rejoice 10

We Should Rejoice. . . in Adverse Circumstances 11

We Should Rejoice. . . in Adverse Circumstances in Adversarial Conflicts 12

We Should Rejoice. . . in Adverse Circumstances in Adversarial Conflicts in Advancing Christians 13

We Should Rejoice. . . in Adverse Circumstances in Adversarial Conflicts in Advancing Christians Always! 14

We Should Rejoice in Adverse Circumstances Philippians 1: 12 -13 15

12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 16

We Should Rejoice. . . in Adverse Circumstances 17

We Should Rejoice in Adversarial Conflicts Philippians 1: 15 a, 17 18

15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, . . . 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 19

We Should Rejoice. . . in Adverse Circumstances in Adversarial Conflicts 20

We Should Rejoice in Advancing Christians Philippians 1: 14, 15 b, 16 21

14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15. . . from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Gospel; 22

We Should Rejoice. . . in Adverse Circumstances in Adversarial Conflicts in Advancing Christians 23

We Should Rejoice Always! Philippians 1: 18 24

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 25

We Should Rejoice. . . in Adverse Circumstances in Adversarial Conflicts in Advancing Christians Always! 26

The Gospel is Always Free! Philippians 1: 12 -18 27

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O Church, Arise Words and Music: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend 2005, Thankyou Music CCLI# 4611992 29

O Church Arise and put your armor on Hear the call of Christ our Captain; For now the weak can say that they are strong In the strength that God has given. With shield of faith and belt of truth We’ll stand against the devil’s lies; An army bold whose battle-cry is “Love!” Reaching out to those in darkness. 30

Our call to war, to love the captive soul, But to rage against the captor; And with the sword that makes the wounded whole We will fight with faith and valor. When faced with trials on every side, We know the outcome is secure, And Christ will have the prize for which He died An inheritance of nations. 31

Come, see the cross where love and mercy meet, As the Son of God is stricken; Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet, For the Conqueror has risen! And as the stone is rolled away, And Christ emerges from the grave, This vict’ry march continues till the day Every eye and heart shall see Him. 32

So Spirit, come, put strength in every stride, Give grace for every hurdle, That we may run with faith to win the prize Of a servant good and faithful. As saints of old still line the way, Retelling triumphs of His grace, We hear their calls and hunger for the day When, with Christ, we stand in glory. 33

God Bless and God Speed. Have a very blessed week. 34