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Rejoicing in the Preaching of Christ

In Philippians 1:15-18, Paul discusses different motives behind preaching Christ. Some preach out of envy and rivalry, while others preach out of goodwill. Despite the motives, Paul rejoices as long as Christ is preached. This text explores the different motivations of preachers and emphasizes the importance of preaching out of love.

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Rejoicing in the Preaching of Christ

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  1. Philippians 1:15-18 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in 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.

  2. Is Christ Preached?

  3. Why would anyone envy Paul? • You can please some of the people all the time. • You can please all the people some of the time. • But you can’t please all the people all the time.

  4. What Do You Think About Paul? • In Phil. 1:15-18 Paul discusses the response of the brethren to his arrest and incarceration. • How did people deal with his situation? • The answer is found in their preaching. • Why did they preach the way they preached?

  5. A Question of Motive • Some preach out of envy – ill will toward Paul • Some preach out of strife – quarreling against Paul • Is this so strange? • Professionals often have envy • Preachers also suffer from human frailties

  6. What About Apostles? • Mark 9:33-37 – The apostles argued about who was the greatest. Jesus taught them: • "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

  7. Some Preach Out Of Good Will • They understand Paul’s position • They are deeply indebted to him for his preaching • They believe in him

  8. A Question Of Heart • Good will preachers preach from love • The others preach from a heart ruled by contention, factiously • There is no question which attitude God approves

  9. Ephesians 4:15 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” • Love is the only pure motive for preaching the Gospel.

  10. 1 Peter 1:22-23 “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” • Indeed – true understanding brings love.

  11. A Surprising Response • How does Paul respond? He REJOICES • Paul does not rejoice only with those who preach from good will. • He rejoices because the GOSPEL is preached!

  12. Galatians 1:8-9 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! “ • Their preaching was valid or Paul would not have rejoiced.

  13. Should We Rejoice Today? • Mark 9:38-40 -- "Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."  "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” • Doesn’t mean every preacher is for Christ.

  14. What Motivates Us? • 1 Corinthians 9:16 – Paul couldn’t help but preach the Gospel. • If the Gospel is truly in us, we will not be able to keep silent either.

  15. The Gospel is Power • Romans 1:16 -- I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. • It is God’s power to save

  16. Pure Christians Rejoice Together • Galatians 5:14-15-- The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

  17. What’s Our Motivation? • We err if we only focus on our differences • We err if we preach out of contention • We are right if we preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified • We are right if we do everything strictly out of love

  18. Rejoice? • Let’s lay aside strife and envy • Let’s rejoice because Christ is preached. • Yes – let’s rejoice!

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