When the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus it was said, “Behold I bring you tidings of great joy.” The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ. It encompasses the entirety of God’s Word. It is a joyous Gospel. There is no greater joy found than in knowing Jesus. Paul expresses this joy of the Gospel in Philippians 1:12-30. While in prison in Rome Paul discovers that the Gospel prevails and persists.
The Gospel Prevails. One thing is certain: the Gospel cannot be silenced. Though Satan tries to destroy it, though men try to hide it, though nations try to outlaw it, though those who hold it dear are threatened with imprisonment and death, the Gospel always prevails! It cannot and will not be silenced. It cannot and will not be denied. It stands the test of time. Though everything passes away, the Gospel will still remain. As we consider the prevailing nature of the Gospel, there are four basic areas in which it prevails.
Prevails in Suffering. Notice what Paul says in Philippians 1:12-14. “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”[1] Paul was joyful in the fact that though he was imprisoned, the Gospel still prevailed. Wiersbe writes, “More than anything else, Paul’s desire as a missionary was to preach the Gospel in Rome. The hub of the great Empire, Rome was the key city of its day. If Paul could conquer it for Christ, it would mean reaching millions with the message of salvation.”[2] It is said that Paul wanted to go to Rome a preacher, but instead he went a prisoner. Yet, if it were not for his chains, Paul may have not been as successful in bringing the Gospel to Rome. The things that happened to Paul turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel. The Gospel was made known to all those in the prison and to all the prison guards. Many came to know Christ as their Savior in that prison which served as the catalyst that would saturated the great city of Rome with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Prevails in Insincerity. Verses 15-18 says, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”[3] Paul encountered those who preached the Gospel for the wrong reason. Perhaps they craved the popularity of the Apostles. Perhaps they thought they could take advantage of the gifts the churches would give them. Perhaps they had personal agendas and a desire to build their own kingdom. Either way, Paul took joy in the fact that the Gospel was still preached. We can be confident that God’s Word will never return void. It will always accomplish what He desires for it to accomplish. The Gospel is the power of God. It has the ability to change lives. Whether it is preached with the right motive or not, it’s power goes beyond its messenger. It is not the preacher that changes lives, it is the Gospel that changes lives. Therefore, even when the preacher does not have the right heart or the right motive, the Gospel still prevails!
Prevails for our Good. In verse 19 Paul says, “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”[4] Paul was not concerned about his personal wellbeing. He took joy in the fact that everything works out for the good. He had confidence in the prayers of the saints and he believed that one way or the other he would be delivered from his chains. I love the comfort we find in Romans 8:28. “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.”[5] Time and time again I have seen God turn things around for the good. Even when I don’t see the good in something, God has a way of making it good. He always has our best in mind. Everything He does in our lives is ultimately for our good and for His glory. This should bring us great joy in knowing that God has everything under control and we do not have to worry about anything.
Prevails in our purpose. Verse 20-21 says, “According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”[6] Paul knew that the Gospel would prevail for our good because of our purpose. He had a hope that Christ would be magnified in his life. The word ‘hope’ in scripture means confident expectation. Paul had a confident expectation that Christ would be magnified and God would be glorified. This is our purpose in life. It is the doxological purpose of God. That in everything He alone is glorified. We were created for His glory. We were saved for His glory. We are called for His glory. We are to live for His glory. How do we bring Him glory? By living as He has instructed us to live and by bringing others to Him. Essentially, our purpose in life is for His glory and the furtherance of His Kingdom. Paul had a hope that his God-given purpose would be fulfilled. Whether in death or in life, God’s purpose continues. Paul declared that to die and go and be with the Lord is great gain, however, to live is for Christ. To live is for our purpose. To live is for the Gospel. The Gospel prevails in what we were created to be and do. The Gospel prevails in our purpose.
The Gospel Persists. Not only does the Gospel prevail, it also persists. In verses 22-30 we see four ways that the joy of the Gospel persists.
Persists for our benefit. Verses 22-24 says, “But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”[7] Though Paul had an overwhelming desire to go home to be with the Lord, he knew it was best that he stayed on this earth so that his ministry would continue. Matthew Henry wrote, “His inclination was for death. See the power of faith and of divine grace; it can reconcile the mind to death, and make us willing to die, though death is the destruction of our present nature and the greatest natural evil. We have naturally an aversion to death, but he had an inclination to it (v. 23); Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ. It is being with Christ which makes a departure desirable to a good man. It is not simply dying, or putting off the body, it is not of itself and for its own sake a desirable thing; but it may be necessarily connected with something else which may make it truly so. If I cannot be with Christ without departing, I shall reckon it desirable on that account to depart. As soon as ever the soul departs, it is immediately with Christ. This day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Absent from the body and present with the Lord.”[8] Though Paul longed to be with Jesus, the church needed Paul as an encourager and equipper. Paul recognized this need. The Gospel of which Paul was a minister persists for the benefit of the church. We are benefactors of the Gospel. We benefit from those whom God has placed in our lives to help us grow in the Gospel.
Persists for our joy. The Gospel not only persists for our benefit, but also for our joy. Verse 25-26 says, “And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”[9] There was joy in the church at Philippi that Paul would continue to minister to them. Paul took joy in the prospect of returning to Philippi and encouraging the church even more. As we grow in the Gospel, our joy in the Lord increases. Through all the trials and difficulties of life, the Gospel persists for our joy.
Persists in our conduct. Verse 27 reads, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”[10] Paul had a desire for the church to not just know the Gospel but to live the Gospel. The Gospel has transforming power. It determines our destiny and changes our behavior. When the Gospel gets a hold of your life your ‘want to’ is going to change. No longer will you want to live like the world. Your desire will change to a heavenly desire. You will want to live right. You will want to be pure. You will want to be holy. The Gospel changes our conduct in such a way that leaves no doubt to the world around us that we children of God. It is not just our lifestyle that changes, but also our conduct in relationship to one another. If we are growing in the Gospel we will become more united and less divided. We will become less fragmented and more together. We will evolve from individualism to one organism. When the Gospel has its way in our lives it persists in our conduct.
Persists in our afflictions. Verses 28-30 says, “And not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.”[11] The New American Commentary says, “The church was to have an unflinchable steadfastness, even in the midst of persecution. Whoever the opponents were at this point, they were not to intimidate the Philippians.”[12] Believer’s in Christ are called to suffer for His sake. The world is opposed to the Gospel. Their sin nature prohibits them from pursuing the Gospel. It is only when the Holy Spirit breaks through the barrier of their hardened heart that they become receptive to the life changing power of the Gospel. It is the mission of the church to lovingly engage the world with the Gospel which naturally some are in opposition. However, even in the midst of persecution and afflictions, the Gospel prevails. The Gospel cannot be stopped. Whatever the world attempts to do to silence the Gospel, it only ignites a flame that cannot be put it out. When the Gospel is challenged it begins to spread like a wildfire. Therefore, we must take joy in afflictions, for it is in those times that the Gospel prevails.
The gospel brings us joy and peace,
A love that never fades or cease.
It fills our hearts with hope and light,
And guides us through the darkest night.
It tells us of a Savior’s love,
Who came to earth from heaven above.
He died for us upon the cross,
To save us from eternal loss.
His grace and mercy never end,
And to our souls, He is a friend.
He gives us strength to face each day,
And helps us find the narrow way.
So let us sing with joyful voice,
And in His love, let us rejoice.
For in the gospel, we have found,
A love that makes our hearts resound.
[1] The New King James Version (Php 1:12–14). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 67). Victor Books.
[3] The New King James Version (Php 1:15–18). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[4] The New King James Version (Php 1:19). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[5] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (Ro 8:28). (2009). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] The New King James Version (Php 1:20–21). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[7] The New King James Version (Php 1:22–24). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[8] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2323). Hendrickson.
[9] The New King James Version (Php 1:25–26). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[10] The New King James Version (Php 1:27). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[11] The New King James Version (Php 1:28–30). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[12] Melick, R. R. (1991). Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (Vol. 32, p. 90). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Pastor Chris Noland 