Old Llantrisant Hill
- Reading Acts 21:10-13
- There is a threat of execution but Paul writes in joy
- He gives them every reason to rejoice
- Looking at v12-18 today
- He is encouraging the Church from prison
- Scripture is not just teaching and living
- Scripture covers feeling and experience
- 3 legs of Christianity: doctrine, practice, experience
- Paul had lost everything
- His name and reputation
- He had gained in Christ
- "To live is Christ and to die is gain"
- On earth he has an aim – to "know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" Phil 3:10
- "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice" Phil 4:4
- Chapter 1
- 10 years since the Church was planted with one visit
- They are on Paul’s heart (v7)
- He greatly longs for them (v8)
- Do we long for the people of God?
- He remembers them joyfully in prayer
- His big prayer for them is their spiritual maturity
- A love that grows in knowledge
- Coming to v12-18
- He is concerned for their feelings
- He will share some wonderful truths/encouragements
- Example of Dami
- We should bare the burdens of others
- Paul is concerned that they are weighed down and burdened
- But he wants them to know it is for the furtherance of the gospel
- Paul believes he will be delivered (v19, 25)
- Not an absolute assurance (2:23-24)
- Paul believes in God’s soverignity
- Moved from house arrest to the palace prison
- Paul was also aware of their concern about Epaphroditus (who was severely ill) (2:25-27)
- Paul reassures the Philippians he is okay
- Paul’s main point is that the gospel is advancing
- Philippi was a principle city – he had opportunity to preach to the soldiers
- All the guards knew
- They recognised he was a prisoner of Christ (v12-13)
- Whatever it took for the preaching of the Gospel
- The brothers have seen Paul in prison and been emboldened in the preaching of the gospel (v14)
- Example of John Rogers and Nic Ridley
- However Christ is preached (v15-18)
- Paul rejoiced that the truth was preached
- The power of the Gospel is not in the speaker but in the Word
- Though Paul was greatly anointed
- Some people just want a big following / reputation
- Paul rejoices that Christ is preached
- Do we rejoice that Christ is preached – examples
- (Not of course to rejoice in false doctrinine)
- Rejoice in the many good preachers
- Paul is encouraging the Philippians
- Jesus is the source of salvation
- Paul preached Jesus Christ
- Do you know Jesus?
- Do you love Christ?
- Paul was persuaded to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:24)