Mount Isa Baptist Church

Paul's imprisonment furthers the gospel

“Why do I have to suffer?” Since I am an object of God's grace and mercy, and have found the forgiveness of sins in Christ, why can't I be exempt from difficult circumstances? Surely the Apostle Paul asked himself the same question as he found himself under arrest and a prisoner of the state of Rome. Humanly speaking, things had not worked out as Paul had planned them. He had perhaps laid out a plan and direction for his ministry to go, and it had not worked out like that. He wanted to be out preaching the gospel but instead he found himself a prisoner for two years in Rome, being on trial for his life. Yet, Paul knew something about the plans and purposes of a Sovereign God and was confident that God had a definite reason for this testing. He had the assurance that God works everything for good and he became an optimist during negative circumstances. The Apostle not only saw the bad but the good in every situation in life, and he learned to use what seemed to be bad situations and turn them for good in the cause of Christ. Paul's circumstances were enough to make any man unhappy, and yet we find him rejoicing despite his circumstances. How could Paul be filled with joy in these dismal circumstances?

For Paul, a prevailing experience of joy was the by-product of consistently keeping his eyes on something. He didn’t look merely on the circumstances of his trial, but rather, on what God is doing in that circumstance. When a person is overcome by circumstances, they will focus on those circumstances. Paul shows it to us by his response. Paul does not overlook his hard circumstances for he plainly states in this passage that he wants his Philippian brothers in the Lord to know the things related to him, his circumstances. But Paul is not overcome by these circumstances, and he does not dwell on them. Instead, he is overcoming them by focusing on what God was doing during everything he is going through, and in this case the gospel was being spread. Circumstances, whether bad or good, when joined with a godly perspective will result in rejoicing. What is Paul's reaction to his circumstances? Paul overcame them by focusing on what God was doing even during them. As he states in 2 Timothy 2:9, though he was imprisoned as a criminal would be, the word of God was not imprisoned. Paul's circumstances were proving to be a means for the greater progress of the gospel, and so there was cause to rejoice. That does not mean that Paul enjoyed being in chains, but it does mean he kept a godly perspective and so found joy. How did Paul's imprisonment become a means for the progress of the gospel? The second half of verse 13, gives us the answer. “Christ has become well known throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else.” Romans 1:9-15 tells us of Paul's desire to go to Rome to minister there and preach the gospel.

Though the circumstances where not what Paul would have liked, God was allowing him to do exactly that, and to have an effect on a group, the palace guard and through them Caesar's household, that he might not otherwise would have been able to reach. Paul's imprisonment was indeed turning out to be for the greater progress of the gospel. Another effect that Paul's imprisonment was having was the encouragement it gave to other Christians in their ministries. vs.14 states, “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.” As the next few verses show, there were different motives about why they were doing this, but the fact is that Paul being in prison became a reason they became bolder in preaching the gospel. It’s easy to expect others to be courageous, if we don't have to be. If we are not in the firing line, it is easy for us. Instead of singing “Onward Christian Soldiers,” some of us should change the words to something like this: “Backward Christian soldiers, fleeing from the fight; with the cross of Jesus, nearly out of sight. Christ our rightful master, stands against the foe; onward into battle, we seem afraid to go.” How do I know that we are afraid to go? Because some of us don’t even want to share what the Lord Jesus is doing in our lives in a church setting or a Bible study. When the believers in Rome heard how Paul viewed his problems as part of God's purpose and how he made the sharing of the gospel his goal, they became more courageous. If Paul could do it, why couldn't they? And if they could do it, why can’t we? It takes courage for them to keep moving forward. What should you do? Make your chains a channel for proclaiming Christ. How? First, say no to seeking your own way, your own happiness, your own will. Say no to a grumbling, complaining spirit. Second, say yes to the gospel as first in your life; by understanding and believing it; and, by proclaiming Jesus Christ in every situation by your cheerful attitude of trust in Him and, as He gives opportunity, by your words of witness. What do we need to focus on? The Lord Jesus Christ above every situation Christ!