Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Philippians 1:12-18

In Prison

Paul’s friends are worried about him.

And rightfully so.

He is in prison and soon must face trial.

They know, He knows.

that death may be the outcome of Rome, and unlike today where it may or may not happen in years to come.

Death means death.

He had been a prisoner for some years now, two at Cæsarea and one or two in Rome.

Kennedy raises the question whether Paul may not have been by this time transferred from his hired lodging (Acts 28:30) to the castra perigrinorum where provincial prisoners were kept in military custody.

Paul talks about himself.

Not to brag or to boast.

Some people talk to much about themselves some not enough.

Paul is telling them his experience not because he wants to boast but because he wants to relieve the church of Philipi and tell them the Good news about the progress of the Gospel in Rome.

Not talking to much or to little, but to relieve them and tell them the good news about the progress of the Gospel in Rome.

It has become plain that he is a prisoner for no crime, but solely for Christ’s sake, so that Paul can properly call himself “the prisoner of Christ”1 (Eph.

3:1

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Anywhere

Paul was in prison, but he did not allow this to hinder his missionary work.

Inf Fact, his imprisonment had “turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel” and as he portrayed the results of his imprisonment he shows us that we can proclaim the Gospel Anywhere.

While in Prison Paul witnessed to the soldiers who guarded him.

Through them the word had spread to the whole praetorian guard that he was a in prison not because he was a criminal but because he was a Christian.

Verse 14 shows the impact upon those within the Christian community.

Because Paul remained faithful to Christ and continued to witness joyfully despite the awfulness of his circumstance, the other Christians in Rome were much more bold and speak the word without fear.

How many of us can say we speak without fear?

Can you?

How many of us can say we speak without fear?

Can you?

We need to remember this: the fruits of our proclaiming the gospel are not only in the winning of persons to Christ, but the encouragement we give others to be bold in their Christian living and witnessing.

We would do well to remember that the fruits of our proclaiming the gospel are not only in the winning of the person to Christ but the encouragement we give others to be bold in their Christian living and witnessing.

- Maxie Dunnam and Lloyd Ogilvie-

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Everywhere

We bring the Gospel anywhere, we also bring it Everywhere.

Paul’s presence in Rome, his imprisonment, and his proclamation of the gospel affected people.

The members of the church might have taken his imprisonment as a signal for them to stay quiet to do something that would attract the attention of the authorities.

And a few might have go this way but most of theme gained courage and confidence and began proclaiming the world with fresh vigor and life.

Even those who do it for selfish reasons proclaim Christ.

Paul realizes that not every one will proclaim Christ for the right reason.

He said they are doing so with impure motives.

He still takes joy in the fact that Christ is being shared.

Which seems out of place for us.

We want people to have the right motives for witnessing.

But Paul is interested in the overriding message.

The Gospel.

Thus the gospel can be served by those whose impulses are less than pure and by those who do not honor Paul.

It turns out to be ironic, however, that this second group, while motivated by antagonism toward Paul, actually furthers his interests and gives him a reason to rejoice.

And we should rejoice in the spreading of the word of Jesus.

Even though some want just money and we should point those out or those who want power.

but still we rejoice when the Gospel goes forward.

the people here

Those preaching Christ “in truth”

v. 15b: preach “of good will”

v. 17: preach “of love,” to v. identify with Paul’s determined defense of the gospel

Those preaching Christ “in pretense”

v. 15a: preach “of envy and strife”

v. 16: preach “of contention” and insincerely, to add affliction to Paul’s bonds

But all to proclaim the Gospel anywhere and everywhere.

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Next Steps

Let us take hold of this.

Life is more contagious than death.

Life can put death to flight.

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