Contagious Christianity

Judy called Renewing Your Mind.

The gospel has always been slow down where there is prosperity because with prosperity we become lax.

We become self-reliant. We become morally wet with adversity. We are now weaned off of the world were on her knees in prayer and were thinking of eternal issues use many of us become aware of the reality of her joy he goes for the Friday edition of Renewing Your Mind as we ramp up Dr. Steven Morrison series on Philippians. When Paul wrote this letter. He was trained in a room in prison to be sure he felt the oppressive grip of persecution. Get the book of Philippians is known as Paul's epistle of joy despite the circumstances. His words leap off the page with confidence and peace of God. During this time when the stress level so many of us to speak.

We need that same confidence and peace want to invite you to take your Bible and turn with me to the book of Philippians. After one and in this session we want to look at verses 12 through 14 want to begin by reading these verses setting them back before your eyes and your heart if possible. All rights now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well-known throughout the whole praetorian guard and everyone else 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 we see in these verses how the apostle Paul interpreted his circumstances always through this lens. How does this advance the gospel and how does this set of circumstances. Provide an open door in a new way for the gospel as Paul finds himself imprisoned. The believers in Philippi are very worried for Paul. They've gotten word he is imprisoned, he is our spiritual father and so they have sent a path for diets with a love offering to Paul. Paul had to actually pay for his own imprisonment and to pay for his own house arrest, and so the church at Philippi is taken up this love offering and have Senate 800 miles to him to help him pay the rent and Paul is concerned for the Philippians concern for him and so he wants to put them at ease that I know you're worried about my imprisonment, but you need to know this, that my imprisonment has been used to further the gospel. So if you know I'm okay and I'm actually rejoicing because the gospel is going in the places it would have never gone unless I had been arrested, imprisoned, and put here in this house arrest, so Paul viewed this trial through the paradigm of how does this progress the gospel this how you and I need to interpret our circumstances. For example, a trip to the hospital. What opportunity does this provide me to witness for Christ. A death in the family. How does this provide an open door for me to share my faith in Christ with other family members or the loss of a job and now I'm having to interview other places. How does this provide for me greater opportunity to be a witness for Christ with people with whom I would've never had this this opportunity. So that's how we need, we must see our circumstances.

That's how Paul saw his circumstances and that is also how he could rejoice.

While he was in prison because he had a captive audience. They couldn't get away from it. They were chained to him and as their rotating the praetorian guard through being chained to Paul.

He's taking them off one at a time with the gospel. They take it away from me there. Going back into Caesar's household right were Caesar lives in their spreading the gospel with other servants and with other people who work there. Paul could have never gotten the gospel inside their except he was imprisoned so he wants to know he wants the Philippians to know.

I know your word for me. Don't worry, God is using this in a far greater way solicited these verses.

I think these are to be a great encouragement to us, especially in this hour, in which we live, in which there so much uncertainty in the world and we see so much moral decline and if it upsets us rightly so. But let's also remember there are new opportunities to share the gospel through all of this and our comfort is not the end is not the goal is the spread of the gospel is what we want so having said that, on June of first Paul's confidence in verse 12. Paul's confidence Paul begins. Now I want you to know brethren is very emphatic about this and it's almost like he's he understands he can have to really get through to them. You have to really understand this what I'm about to tell you and your and had to trust me for this. I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances and he's referring to is imprisonment, a two year imprisonment by the way have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel. That's a very spiritual perspective that is taking an eternal perspective the word progress here means to advance forward to proceed forward. He was used of a pioneer advancing into uncharted territory and Paul understands that's exactly what's happening that the gospel is going forward.

Just like a pioneer scout into uncharted territory to bring the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ and the places where he would've never gone otherwise is not just the progress.

Please note the greater progress you see that in your Bible of the word greater means, very, much greater progress so it wasn't just a little progress. He it was opening up a whole vast frontier for the gospel.

He was opening up a whole new realm into which the gospel now can advance so from a human perspective. These were the worst of times, from the divine perspective. These were the best of times and it all depends what perspective do you have and so this gospel perspective must be our gospel perspective and want to say it again if you become ill and have to go to the hospital I meant in one sense that's not good news but another says it is good news because now there is going to be nurses and doctors and hospital administrators and all kinds of people with whom you will come in contact that you can be a witness for Christ to them what so you get a flat tire. After this session and you have to call roadside assistance. There is an opportunity for you to tell someone about Jesus Christ. That flat tire is actually good news for you because now you have a new congregation to whom you may preach the gospel. Celeste Paul's confidence that must be your confidence, and that must be my confidence when I miss an airplane flight. I fly a lot and I used to get all stressed out about it but now I just think Lord that he ought me to witness to is going to sit next to me. I would who is on this other flight you just reshuffle the deck by your sovereign will.

There is a purpose for everything and God's purpose is to spread the gospel so that's Paul's confidence. It must be ours, which you note. Second, numbers 13 Paul's confinement. He says that 13 verse 13 so that my imprisonment in the word imprisonment literally means bonds or chains of the King James version translates it chains and Paul's imprisonment was more than just he was imprisoned in a house or room, but that he literally had chains in which he was fastened to Roman soldiers 24 hours a day seven days a week. He he adds my imprisonment in the cause of Christ that Paul is suffering for righteousness sake, Paul is suffering for the gospel for the for the cause of Christ.

Sometimes we suffer because it's our own fault. It's our own mistake or it's our own sin.

In this case now is because of Christ, and that is suffering for righteousness and we should wear that is abandoned a badge of honor to look at verse 13 again so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard was to stop her from the praetorian guard. These were the most elite group of Roman soldiers in the Empire. These were the personal bodyguards of Caesar.

They served in Caesar's palace and they did more than just protect Caesar. At times there were even counselors of Caesar to let him know what's going on out there. They were assigned to guard Paul because he was so important as a prisoner. Think about this, they could just sent you know the rank and file Roman soldiers to keep an eye on Paul.

But the gospel is always so controversial. The gospel always shakes things up and so they assign that the praetorian guard, which would be like the Navy seal or something to to be chained to Paul because we cannot afford to have this man lose preaching the gospel in the streets of of Rome.

It also speaks to how powerful the gospel is and so they assign these guards to Paul and Paul writes well it's it's well known throughout the praetorian guard that I'm here for the cause of Christ.

How would it be made known. Because Paul's given him an ear full. That's why Paul has told them time and time again who he is and what he believes and why he's here and what they must do and they know that they know the gospel because they're hearing it from Paul and Paul has become the talk of the palace as they go back and spread it among the others and Paul was so effective in his witness, you may want to just turn back to chapter 4 verse 22. This is a very interesting little footnote at the end of the book of Philippians. Don't let this escape your attention. Philippians 4 verse 22. The text reads all the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household hello… These praetorian guard are now followers of Jesus Christ.

They now have surrendered their lives to the King of Kings and Lord of lords as they serve in Caesar's household their allegiances now to the Caesar. Caesar Jesus Christ our Lord. And so Paul just as this at the end of the book of Philippians with probably little smile on his face just to encourage the Philippians hate God got this all under control.

God is using my imprisonment to invade Caesar's household with the gospel lesson God never has to have the circumstances just right in order for him to spread the gospel.

In fact, the gospel, his always spread the greatest when there has been adversity in the gospel has always been slow down where there is prosperity because with prosperity we become lax. We become lackadaisical, we become self-reliant. We become worldly we become distracted, but with adversity. We are now weaned off of the world where on her knees in prayer and were thinking of eternal issues and that's exactly what's going on here through the University of Paul, the gospel is spreading an extraordinary measure. We also learn from this. How how just one person being saved can affect so many people call is affecting now a vast multitude of people and we might say well that's just because that was Paul. Listen, Paul's and chains and Paul's very confined and restricted, but because of his courage and boldness with the gospel. It's it's spreading like wildfire and I think we learn from this that the gospel is contagious. The gospel cannot be contained and the gospel. When one person is bold in their faith has a multiplying effect that reaches so many other people. In fact, I've been a pastor for almost 40 years and I have seen in my pastorate that when one person is saved, it inevitably means three more people are going to be saved because of their circle of friends because people who know them and and and and have thought why thought you were a Christian know I just now and born again that affects them and it just shakes up so many people it's happened almost every time when one person gets saved.

There's got to be three or four more people who are going to be saved. I member once after church service. I had a lady come to me and said I have to talk to you and her husband was with her and we went into a back room there in the church set down. She poured her heart out assured the gospel again with her and she prayed and committed her life to Christ. I mean that little room was like a maternity ward as she was just burst into the kingdom and we she said amen. We raised our heads get Ray to walk out her husband was standing right there in he said to me was, she needs to be saved than I know I need to be saved. I couldn't believe it. So I say will here you sit in the chair were she's been sick… Only go back over this with you one more time and he prayed and committed his life to Christ right there to it once we come walking out of that room. I run into another man. It's the second verse the third verse, same as the first. Whenever one person is saved, it inevitably leads to others who are say it's a chain reaction and this was taking place here and in Rome as Paul is leading these praetorian guard to faith in Christ. It's it's it's just spreading now want you to see verse 14.

Paul's challenge Paul's challenge.

He says in verse 14, and that most of the brethren have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. You see Paul's boldness and Paul's courage is had an effect on the other Christians not only has Paul's boldness led the praetorian guard evangelistic lead to faith in Christ. But Paul's boldness also has an effect upon those who are already saved. He it makes them all the more bold in their faith because I see it in Paul and it it pushes them in the right direction. It convicts them and challenges them and that's what Paul is saying here that most of the brethren referring to those who are in Rome and the word most here carries the idea of large numbers have far more courage in a word, far more is that same word that means beyond measure exceedingly more and more in a far greater degree have far more courage and that there there becoming daring in their witness for Christ. It it it it kind is shaming everyone else and urging them to up their game. They were going have to speak if Paul can speak out Wally's chain to Roman soldiers awaiting trial before Caesar. Then surely we can speak up in our neighborhood, then surely we can speak up when we go into the into the marketplace so it says that most of the brethren have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear in the word of God here refers to the gospel of God. The name of Christ. The way of salvation, the necessity of repentance, the commitment of faith. They have far more courage to speak the word of God with out fear without hesitation, without fear of consequences without being reluctant without being tongue-tied nieces trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment they are trusting in the Lord to protect them. They are trusting in the Lord to use them. And everyone who is affected in being a witness for Jesus Christ is someone who is trusting in the Lord to do it in them and through them and you may find it an encouragement that in the book of Ephesians chapter 6 and in verse in verse 20 Paul says pray for me that the Lord will give me boldness. The speak is ought to speak. So Paul was not Superman Paul was of flesh and blood like you and me and even the apostle Paul had asked the church in Ephesus. Listen while you're praying.

Pray for my boldness that I will have courage to speak up for Christ. And please note, Paul was not praying get me out of prison. Paul was praying give me boldness while I'm here in prison and as God answered that prayer it emboldened the other believers in Rome who are living under the shadow of Caesar's palace and household so when we draw from this for our Christian lives.

Will Alexander McLaren was a noted Scottish preacher in the 19th century and he said this one so all on flame as power to Kendall others." In other words, one man on fire for God. One woman on fire for God is ignited with a fire that spreads to others in their family and their close contacts and associations that that fire spreads like wildfire others. So this speaks to how you and I need to be first of all with people like this we we need to be with people who are on fire for God when you fellowship with people who were on fire with God who ever this room is most on fire for God. You need to spend time with them and just pray that you'll catch fire as you're with them and then you need to find people who are not on fire and let that fire spread to them were all either being ignited by someone else or were igniting someone else are both at the same time and so that's how we need to allow our life to be used, for the Lord. I remember reminded in 1555 Mary the first known his bloodied Mary sat on the throne of England and issued the order to burn the English reformers effect in front of my preaching Bible. Some of you may know this. I keep a picture of John Rogers. He was the first Marion Marter burned at the stake in Smithville, London, March 1, February 4 1555. Later the greatest preacher of the English Reformation Hugh Latimer and the greatest theologian of the English Reformation Nicholas Ridley were arrested and taken to Oxford where they stood trial heresy trial and it was there that they were strapped to the same stake. I was just there a year ago. There's an X that marks the spot in the middle of the road as they were strapped to the same stake back to back and the stake was ignited. As you know, this famous account, Latimer says to Ridley, be of good comfort master Ridley play the man we shell this day light such a candle by God's grace in England as I trust shall never be put out will make you be used by God to light such a flame of a witness for Christ that will spread to others that its effect will never be put out, and as you view your circumstances as the apostle Paul did even when others are trying to encourage you.

You have a great opportunity to say hey it's okay, God is using this trial to advance the gospel and places it would have never advanced. Otherwise, God has his sovereign purposes. In this and in this I rejoice because the gospel is moving forward.

May God give us this kind of faith and may God give us this eternal perspective that the worst of times. In reality can be the best of times as relates to the gospel of Jesus Christ who those are difficult words to put into practice birthday. We all since the tension growing around the world, both culturally and politically. And it's so easy to be fearful, but is Dr. Steven Lawson taught us today. The gospel message is all the brighter, in troubled times. Glad you joined us for Renewing Your Mind today and Dr. Lawson series rejoice in the Lord. Paul's letter to the Philippians in this letter, Paul exhorted fearful Christians in Philippi to share in his joy, but how did he have such peace of mind what he was imprisoned under the threat of execution. Dr. Lawson addresses that in other key themes in Philippians in 24 messages would like to send you this six DVD set, just give a donation of in the above to leader ministries were to call us at 800-435-4343 or when you go online to Renewing Your Mind.org or Felder, Dr. RC Sproul often reminded us that the Christians live coral Dayo before the face of God. Many people today are asking questions about their identity and purpose to Amalek. What is my life all about to bring clarity at a time of confusion. Dr. Spruill maintained that the big idea of the Christian life is to live our whole lives in the presence of God under the authority of God and to the glory of God and as we publish and produce teaching resources like you are today and as we send them around the world people are being reminded of just that. So thank you for your generous gift beginning Monday of next week we will bring you several lessons from Dr. Spruill's sweeping overview of classical apologetics, and he will address this question do science and logic have any place in her defense of the Christian faith. I hope you join is all next week for Renewing Your Mind