'I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus' (Philippians 1:3-6, NIV).
When I look back over my ministry, I am so grateful for every opportunity God has provided for me to share the Gospel. I often think over the last 30 years of ministry in Ukraine: so many have had the opportunity to give their lives to Christ; I preached in every major town and city, and the services were often broadcast on local TV. I thank God the Gospel has been preached in that nation.
When we look at verse 6 of Philippians 1, it is obvious that Paul is referring to the Power of the Holy Spirit in the believer. It is this infilling of the Holy Spirit which empowers us for ministry and Christian living. Jesus Himself had to be baptised in the Spirit before He entered into Ministry, and for us, it is this same Holy Spirit which was in Christ, that will infill us and make us perfect and complete at the return of Christ.
In verse 12 Paul writes, 'Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the Gospel.' The things which have happen to Paul - the good and the bad - have been used by God to further the Gospel message. Paul could never have imagined that writing these epistles whilst in prison, would actually be his most productive ministry, and that 2000 years later, we are still reading these letters! I've not had an easy life - I've had cancer twice, imprisoned for Bible smuggling - yet God used all these trials for good! Each one has been a stepping stone in the ministry He's called me to fulfill. And God will take what has happened to you to advance the Kingdom. All things will work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8).
for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. (Philippians 1:19, NIV)
As a preacher myself, I find verse 15 particularly interesting. So many Christians are quick to condemn various ministries, preachers and denominations for preaching, what, in their view is false doctrine. However, the Apostle Paul had a fascinating attitude when faced with this same situation. ‘It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.’
Some people preach Christ out of love with good motive, others with selfish ambition and bad motive. But at least Christ is preached! Personally, I cannot accept some teachings, and I do not agree with the doctrines and practices of all denominations, but Christ is still preached, and in that I rejoice. If Christ is preached, and His Name is glorified, then I am glad. I fear that at times the Church can get out of balance in its involvement in politics and social work - that is not to say the Church should remain silent - but the very centre of the Church must be the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are Christians because we are the followers of Christ; we are to be Christlike.
I want to emphasise: Christ must be preached. He is the resurrected Son of God. He died on the cross to pay the price of our sin, but He didn’t stay dead, He arose from the grave!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NIV)