Young People's Group

The Furtherance of the Gospel

by Mitchell Tan
July 19, 2018

SEEING THINGS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF FAITH

It is always good to face the challenges of life from the standpoint of faith. It will help us to be positive, to persevere and to prevail over them. This was something that the apostle Paul did when he was going through a most difficult time in prison. His focus was not on himself but on having faith in the gospel of the Lord Jesus. He wanted the Philippians to know that his imprisonment had turned out for the furtherance of the Lord’s good news.

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel …”
Philippians 1:12

On one hand, Paul was imprisoned because he was preaching the gospel of Christ. And yet because of it, the gospel continued to be further advanced. What happened to Paul had a continuing effect on the gospel. This was something that Paul was most thankful for. Obviously, it was the Lord’s hand and grace that brought about this progress. Men can try to stop the spread of the gospel. But His word cannot be “chained”. The Lord can turn things around for the furtherance of the gospel.

PAUL’S EXAMPLE OF FOCUSING ON THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

Paul sought to focus very much on the gospel of the Lord Jesus and not his predicament.

1. SEIZING EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

“… So that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ …”
Philippians 1:13

The palace guard is a reference to the Praetorian Guards. They started out as an elite and prestigious bodyguard unit that was loyal to the Roman generals and leaders. But it later morphed into an influential political power of its own. They were the ones who effected changes in Rome. Paul had the opportunity to reach out to them. The phrase “has become evident” in Greek has the idea of something coming to light in a definite way. It was made very apparent to the guards that Paul was a witness for the Lord Jesus. He made sure to them and others that his suffering was for the gospel of Christ. Even though Paul was in prison, he still took every opportunity to share the gospel with others. Let’s also learn to bear witness for the Lord Jesus no matter what we may be going through. Let’s grab every opportunity to speak for the Lord.

2. BEING A GREAT INSPIRATION TO OTHERS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL

“… And most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Philippians 1:14

A. GREATER CONFIDENCE THROUGH SEEING PAUL’S EXAMPLE

Because Paul was imprisoned for his faith and for speaking of the Lord, his example became a great inspiration to others. Those who were brethren in the Lord became stronger in faith because of his example in chains. Their faith in the Lord was strengthened because of what Paul had to go through.

B. GREATER COURAGE TO SPEAK FOR THE LORD

There was now greater courage to bear witness of the gospel of Christ. They were now not afraid to preach about the gospel. The Lord used the example of Paul and his suffering to inspire others to be brave and fearless in the work of the Lord. Young people, let’s learn to be inspired by the example of Paul in how he was fearless when it came to sharing the gospel. Let’s also learn to have the courage and the boldness to bear witness for Him wherever we are.

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