Harpeth Community Church

TheTrue Christ Follower

Philippians1:12-30

Dr.Bob Harrington

To truly trust andfollow Jesus . . . is to embrace a mysticalfaith-decision - again,again, and again.

The Philippianswere facing great adversity, had lost their sense of Christian joy, and weretempted to abandon their struggle. Moises Silva, Philippians, p. 21-22.

1. The Chains of aPrison . . .  just bring it out (1:12-14)

2. Your Enemies .. . just bring it out. (1:15-18)

Paul’s Friends                                                   Paul’s Enemies

-preachChrist                                                      -preach Christ

-out ofgoodwill                                                   -out of envy and rivalry

-inlove                                                                  -from selfishness, not sincerely

-knowing                                                               -supposing

-that Paul is putthere for thedefense                    that they can stir up trouble for Paul while

of the gospel                                                        while he is in chains

-intruth                                                                 -in falsehood

3. Even Death . .. just brings in out. (1:18-20)

The passagedemonstrates an important principle . . . , one often missed by modernChristians, particularly in the affluent West . God works not merely in spiteof but through adverse circumstances.  Frank Thielman, Philippians: The NIVApplication Commentary, p. 65

4. Authentic ChristianLife  . . . just brings in out. (1:21-24)

This passage,finally, teaches the modern church something about the nature of joy.  Itis not the self-satisfied delight that everything is going our way, but thesettled peace that arises from making the gospel the focus of life and fromunderstanding that God is able to advance the gospel under the most difficultcircumstances. Frank Thielman,Philippians: The NIV Application Commentary, p. 72.

5. Our Goal forOthers . . . just brings it out. (1:25-30)

Small GroupQuestions

1. What was oneof the best things that happened to you since we last met?

2.  Readand review Philippians 1:12-30.  Which verse stands out, upon initialreading, as the one you most want to understand and apply to your life? Explain why?

3.  ReviewPhilippians 1:20-22.  How well do you consciously live out this passage?

4.  Which isharder for you – to be Christ-like when things go well or to be Christ-likewhen things are difficult? Explain why?

5.  What is theone situation, right now, where you would most like to live out Philippians1:20-22?

6.   Howcan we pray for each other this coming week, especially in light of thisteaching from Philippians 1:20-22?