July Devotional: In order to Advance the Gospel....

 

Philippians 1:12

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

Is our focus today to advance the Gospel?

In this passage, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Philippi to let them know that his being in jail has served to advance the gospel. 

He goes on to share:

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Talk about a Perspective change.

Paul ultimately saw everything he did as a way to spread the good news about Jesus and see people reconciled to God.  Even in the unfair and terrible things that happened to Him like being run out of town, beaten, and imprisoned, Paul counted it as an honor to suffer for Christ and glorify God.

In Everything advance the Gospel

In the book of Acts, Paul and Silas are beaten, put in stocks, and imprisoned after Paul cut off the money source for a demon-possessed girl in the village they were visiting.

While imprisoned, Paul and Silas were singing hymns to God when suddenly there was an earthquake

Acts 16:29-34
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

Paul wasn't just giving the church at Philippi empty platitudes about imprisonment helping to advance the gospel. He had lived this principle out! 

Practical Application: Do Everything for the Glory of God

As we prayed about this scripture, I thought: "Do I have a perspective that focuses on advancing the gospel?" 

As a Christian in America?  
Not really.  

How can I go about shifting my perspective toward one like Paul where I can say this is to help advance the gospel.

A starting step would be to adopt this scripture as a beginning motive?

1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

How can you bring glory to God in what you do daily?

Action Step

Show them something different

Perhaps God has us with certain circumstances so that we can show something different.  We always like to say that people should do things God's way so why not show them why God's way is ultimately better.

I believe one of the reasons a large number of young people walked away from the faith in the past 20 years is because we communicated to them that the world's Way is better and that they will miss out if they decide to do things God's way.

It's time for us to show them something different in the marketplace, the workplace, relationships, families, and even in the church.  

My goal is to show them something different...in order to Advance the Gospel.

Prayer

Lord, we thank you for your word and examples like Paul who shows us that You can receive the glory in all things,  God we pray that we give you the glory in whatever that we are doing.  Lord, we pray that you use us to advance the gospel in our workplaces, neighborhoods, communities, and wherever we go.  We pray to show them something different and that you will be glorified. In Jesus' name, Amen.