Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev20080928.htm

THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION
Philippians: Living God's Great Calling Of Godly Servanthood
Part II: Paul's Example Of Godly Servanthood By Faith In God
(Philippians 1:12-30)
  1. Introduction
    1. Though attaining to the calling of godly servanthood is a lofty goal in the Christian walk, it comes at a high price in human terms, but one that can be handled by a life of trust in a Good, Sovereign Lord.
    2. This truth is revealed in Paul's example of godly servanthood in Philippians 1:12-30 (as follows):
  2. Paul's Example Of Godly Servanthood By Faith In God, Philippians 1:12-30.
    1. From the Philippians 1:12-30 context, we know Paul's Christian readers were concerned that he might be discouraged over his imprisonment and its apparent curtailing of his outreach similar to how they themselves were having difficulty handling the persecutions they faced, cf. Philippians 1:12 with 1:28.
    2. Indeed, from the human viewpoint alone, Paul had significant reasons to be discouraged, Phil. 1:13-20:
      1. He faced opposition from formidable persecutors: Paul wrote his letter from the praetorium, the prison in Rome that was guarded by the emperor's soldiers, Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, 1978, ftn. to Phil. 1:13.
      2. He faced carnal opposition from within the Church, Phil. 1:15-16: some believers saw Paul's chains as an opportunity to evangelize out of envious rivalry to win followers away from him at his expense.
      3. Paul's imprisonment in the Roman praetorium also meant he faced the threat of execution, Phil. 1:20.
    3. Yet, in each case, Paul exhibited selfless servanthood for the Lord by his faith in a Good, Sovereign God:
      1. Regarding his opposition from unbelievers, Paul trusted the Lord to keep on ministering, Phil. 1:13-14:
        1. Praetorium prisoners were chained to their guards, so this provided Paul the opportunity of a captive audience for the Gospel he had to share with the guard assigned to him, Ibid., ftn. to Phil. 1:13.
        2. Then, since Paul's guards were constantly being replaced in their shift changes, several guards heard his message until the Gospel had spread to the entire praetorium of 9,000 men, be they in charge of the praetorium prison, or whether they assigned elsewhere, Philippians 1:13; Ibid.!
        3. Observing this, believers outside of the prison were emboldened to witness for Christ, Phil. 1:14!
      2. Regarding his opposition from carnal rivals within the Church, Paul rejoiced that, whether by good or bad motives, the Gospel of Christ was being spread in the sovereign will of a Good God, Phil. 1:15-21:
        1. Though Paul's professing Christian rivals in the ministry thought they were oppressing him by winning followers away from him to themselves by their preaching during his incarceration, Paul trusted in his Good and Sovereign God's control of events, realizing he was just the Lord's servant.
        2. Thus, Paul rejoiced that Christ would be glorified in him, whether by life or death, Phil. 1:15-20!
      3. Regarding the constant threat of his execution, Paul expressed faith in God's program, trusting that He was both Sovereign and Good to accomplish what was best for all of His people, Philippians 1:21-26:
        1. Having touched on the threat of his being executed, Paul noted that his trust in God and God's plan for his life made living for Christ the his life's goal, with death only bringing the reward of being united with Christ and rewarded for his service in far better heavenly bliss, Philippians 1:21, 23b.
        2. However, Paul knew that his remaining alive was more edifying for his spiritually weaker readers, so he was confident that God would have him released so he could minister to them, Phil. 1:22-26.
    4. Having explained his life of godly servanthood by faith in God regardless of his trials, Paul urged his Philippian readers to follow his own godly servanthood lifestyle by a life of faith, Philippians 1:27-30:
      1. Paul applied his example to his readers, urging that their conduct also be worthy of the Gospel, 1:27a.
      2. Specifically, Paul wanted his readers to minister the Gospel in unity versus selfish carnality just like he was not bothered by his carnal rivals who preached at his expense, Philippians 1:27b with 1:15-20.
      3. He also wanted them not to fear their persecutors, but to see that a Good, Sovereign God had assigned them the same opportunity Paul had to trust in Christ and suffer for Him, Phil. 1:29-30; Matt. 5:10-12.
Lesson: Paul exampled and taught that though the vocation of lofty servanthood to God that meets the needs of others COSTS the loss of pride, the loss of relationships or even the loss of life itself, it is still an ATTAINABLE vocation if we trust a Good and Sovereign God's rule of all we face in that vocation.

Application: May we IMPLICITLY TRUST a GOOD, SOVEREIGN God to live as His godly servants.