The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1:12-18 of rejoicing at the advance of the Gospel. Yet, much of this advancing comes at a personal cost for Paul. He is imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel, and through this affliction even the Emperor’s guards learn of the Gospel message and that Paul’s “imprisonment is for Christ.” (Phil. 1:13) Even some have been further emboldened through Paul’s faithful suffering to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

But Paul also notes that some are preaching Christ not out of a pure heart, but “from envy and rivalry.” (Phil. 1:15) Even in this, Paul will still rejoice that “Christ is proclaimed.” (Phil. 1:18) It’s truly wrong to preach out of selfish ambition–our preaching should be for the glory and honor of Christ. And yet the Gospel is going forward even though there are those who seek to diminish Paul’s influence by their own preaching. How can Paul rejoice in these circumstances? How can Paul rejoice, even from imprisonment?

He can rejoice because he knows it isn’t ultimately about him–it is all about Christ. Paul trusts the good purposes of God. As Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Do you believe that all things are working together for the good of God’s people? Do you believe that even your suffering works together for your good and to the glory and honor of Christ?

Paul gives great encouragement to us in these verses. Join us this Lord’s Day for worship at 9 AM at 9820 W Markham St (the sanctuary of Faith United Methodist Church). For more information, click here, or contact us. You can also watch our service on YouTube with a link posted to our Facebook page.

Last week, as we looked to the book of Philippians, we considered Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving for the Philippian Christians and all that God was doing in their lives. This week, we will consider Paul’s prayer of supplication for them in Philippians 1:9-11. Paul prays especially for their growth in grace to the end of the glory of God: “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, the glory and praise of God.”

Join us this week as we consider this passage together. We meet for worship at 9 AM at 9820 W Markham St. (the sanctuary of Faith United Methodist Church). For more information, click here, or contact us. You can also watch our service on YouTube with a link posted to our Facebook page.

This week at River City Reformed, we will continue in our exposition of the book of Philippians. As we’ve studied Paul’s greeting, this week we begin the body of his letter. One of the things that we see is that Paul is truly thankful to God for the Philippian Christians and not only for them, but also for the work that God is doing in them. And he writes in verse 6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Join us this week for worship at 9 AM as we study Philippians 1:3-8. We meet at 9820 W Markham St (the sanctuary of Faith United Methodist Church). For more information, click here or contact us. You can also watch our service on YouTube with a link posted to our Facebook page.