Philippians 1.12-14

For the last few days, we have looked at how the Philippians have partnered with Paul in the past, by being slaves who love each other self-sacrificially. This reminder of how they used to partner is a strategy hoping that they will continue on partnering with him by being the kind of kingdom citizens that he needs them to be. The next thing that Paul does is he tries to help the Philippians see things from the perspective of a kingdom citizen. He addresses four different situations that to the world seem to hold  back people trying to accomplish something. But Paul's point is that that is seeing things from the wrong perspective. According to God's kingdom, "All things work together for the good of those who love God and who are called according to his purpose", namely, to become like Christ.

These are the four situations that Paul says actually advances the kingdom of God:

1. Being imprisoned (1.12-14)
2. False Motive Preaching (1.15-17)
3. Life or Death (1.18-26)
4. Suffering (1.27-30)

Today, we are going to look at the first one, and we are going to try to see things from the perspective of a citizen of God's kingdom rather than a citizen of any worldly kingdom. 

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.¹⁴ Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

So what has happened to Paul that everyone is so up in arms about?

Paul, at this point, is in house arrest in Rome, awaiting to be tried before the Emperor Nero. And each and every day, Nero's personal body guards, kind of like the secret service today, guard Paul until he testifies before the emperor. 

Now to most people, being in prison serves as an obstacle to what they were trying to accomplish. 

Think about it. You get married start a family, and the next thing you know, your spouse is arrested and is put in prison for twenty years. Do you think that this advances their goals in life, or puts them on hold?

Yet for Paul, he says this imprisonment has served to ADVANCE the gospel. This word, "advance", carries with it the idea of a person going in front of the group, chopping and hacking away with a machete at all the obstacles and impediments to the journey. 

He is pioneering, clearing, advancing the purpose of the journey.

And Paul says this is what his imprisonment is doing.

That does not make sense from a worldly perspective, but from a kingdom perspective, this makes perfect sense. 

Verse 13, Paul says that it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard that he is in chains for Christ. The palace guard is the Emperor's personal army. A number of times throughout the history of Rome, these men decide who the next emperor is simply by choosing who they are going to protect. They have a lot of influence. And every single day, Paul is witnessing to them about christ. 

Coincidence? I think not. 

And not only has the message been spread throughout the palace guard, but all of the other brothers have been encouraged to speak more courageously and fearlessly. 

Sometimes as leaders we tend to try to do everything ourselves. We think everything would fall apart unless we take care of everything. 

Yet look at what always happens when we are removed from those areas of concern. God fills the spot. 

Yes, we are all needed to advance God's kingdom, but none of us are indispensable. There is always a better teacher, a better preacher, a better servant, a more equipped person out there to do the service you are doing. 

God will still carry out his mission, yet we are invited to take part in it. 

And that is what is happening with Paul. He is removed from teaching and preaching the word of God, and because of this, others have stepped up to fill the vacancy. 

No matter the circumstance, including imprisonment, God is going to advance his kingdom.