"Preach Christ"
Philippians 1:15-20

Paul's imprisonment inspired preaching in two ways:

1. There were those who loved him (vs 15-16), and when they saw him lying in prison, they doubled their efforts to spread the gospel, so that it would lose nothing because of Paul's imprisonment. They knew that the best way to delight his heart was to see that the work did not suffer because of his absence.

2. There were others who preached for their own selfish ambition (vs 17). "Eritheia" originally meant working for pay, the word came to describe a careerist, someone out to magnify himself; and so it came to be connected with politics and to mean canvassing for office. It describes someone, who is out to advance himself or herself, and he or she does not care how they do it. So there were those who preached harder now that Paul was in prison, to advance their own influence and prestige.

There is a lesson for us here. Paul didn't worry about jealousy or personal resentment.

As long as Jesus Christ was preached, he did not care who received the credit and the prestige.

All that mattered was that Christ was preached.

(Mark 9:38-42)

All too often we resent it when someone else gains a prominence or a credit that we do not.

All too often we regard a man as an enemy because he has expressed some criticism of us or of our methods.

All too often we think a man can do “no good” because he does not do things “our way”!

Paul lifted the matter beyond all personalities;

all that mattered was that Christ was preached (vs18).

It is Paul's conviction that the situation in which he finds himself will result in his salvation (vs19). Even his imprisonment and the preaching of his personal enemies will in the end turn out to his salvation.

What does he mean by his salvation?

The word is "soteria" and here there are three possible meanings:

1. It may mean safety

In which Paul is quite sure that all this will end in his release. But that can hardly be the meaning, since Paul goes on to say that he cannot be sure whether he will live or die.

2. It may mean his salvation in heaven.

In that case Paul would be saying that his conduct will be his witness in the Day of Judgment. There is a great truth here. In any situation or challenge, a man is acting not only for time, but also for eternity.

3. The word "soteria" can also mean health, general well being.

Paul may be saying that all that is happening to him is the best thing for him both in time and in eternity. "God put me in this situation, and God means it, with all its problems and its difficulties, to make for my happiness and usefulness in time, and for my joy and peace in eternity."

Paul knows that he has two great supports.

1. The support of the prayers of his friends (vs19).

One of the great things in Paul's letters is the way in which he asks again and again for his friends' prayers. (Romans 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:10-11; 1Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

Paul was never too big a man to remember that he needed the prayers of his friends. He never talked to people as if he could do everything and they could do nothing; he always remembered that neither he, nor they, could do anything without the help of God.

When people are in sorrow, one of their greatest comforts is the awareness that others are bringing them to God’s throne of grace. When they have to face some backbreaking effort or some heart-breaking decision, there is new strength in remembering that others are remembering them before God. We cannot call a man our friend unless we pray for him.

2. Paul has the support of the Holy Spirit (vs19).

The presence of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus (John 14:16-18).

In all this Paul has one expectation and one hope

(vs 20).  The word he uses for expectation is very vivid and unusual. It is "apokaradokia" it means the eager, intense look, which turns away from everything else to fix on the one object of desire.  Paul's hope is that he will never be shamed into silence. Paul is certain that in Christ he will find courage never to be ashamed of the gospel and that through Christ his labors will be made effective for all men to see.  (2 Timothy 1:7-8 & 12).

"To speak the truth with boldness is not only the privilege of the servant of Christ; it is also his duty.”

So, if Paul courageously seizes this opportunity, Christ will be glorified in him.

It does not matter how things go with him. If he dies, his will be the martyr's crown; if he lives, his will be the privilege still to preach and to witness for Christ.

Here is the terrible responsibility of the Christian. Once we have chosen Christ, by our life and conduct we bring either glory or shame to Jesus. A leader is judged by his followers; and Jesus is judged by us.