Sunday Worship CCBC - September 10th, 2023
Philippians
Call for Worship: Psalm 98:4–6
Sermon: Philippians 1:12–26; Isaiah 55:6–13
Who knew that Paul's imprisonment would be to the advantage of the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ? Yet it was, which is cause for joy. Now, Paul's immediate future is uncertain. Will he be released so that he can visit the Philippian Christians and minister to them and with them in the gospel? Or will he be executed? Each has its advantages. Life benefits the Philippians. Death benefits Paul because he'll be with Christ, and he's so Christ-focused that that's where his personal preference lies. No matter his immediate future, his concern is Christ and the gospel. Paul suspects he'll be released, but does he worry either way? No, he doesn't, because he knows his ultimate future is secure in Christ's hands. But probably life, and that means Christ's power working through him, and that means Christ receives all the glory. Which is cause for joy. Do you get the sense that joy is a prominent theme in this letter?