(Suffering advances the message of the gospel.)
Philippians 1:12-24
Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ.
21If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more. 22I don’t know what to choose. I could keep on living and doing something useful. 23It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be with Christ, because that would be much better. 24-25But I know that all of you still need me. That’s why I am sure I will stay on to help you grow and be happy in your faith.
There’s something about suffering that gives fresh confidence in the Lord. A boldness to proclaim Christ comes out of injustice or tragedy. Others notice Christ in us.
The struggle the Philippians endured was very real to Paul. Only Paul’s Roman citizenship kept him safe in Philippi. The Philippian saints might be discouraged, but God’s grace was greater. They were encouraged to let God’s grace into their lives by focusing on joy, the gospel of Christ and the Light.
1. In what way would suffering advance the gospel?
2. Have I ever felt put down because of my faith in the gospel?
3. Have I remained silent when I felt that others would disapprove of my message? In what way could I have used that message to tell the good news about Jesus?
