Christ is Preached

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Christ is Preached

Date: Nov. 2, 2022

Passage

Philippians 1:12-18 (ESV)

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice,

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

For information on how the ESV can be quoted, please visit our permission site.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 1:18

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice,

Apostle Paul was passionate about being out and sharing the gospel to the world. When people stoned him and left him for dead, he got back up and continued preaching the gospel (Acts 14). Now that he was in chains, he could not do much, but his passion for spreading the gospel was not chained. He trusted and accepted God's sovereign will over the gospel ministry. He believed that, even in chains, he was advancing the gospel through his courageous example.

Paul acknowledged that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others do so out of good will. This is not an easy thing to look past, but even on the sidelines, he was happy to see and cheer on others who were stepping up and doing the work, regardless of motivation. God's ways are mysterious, and the power of the gospel reaches the hearts of those who are open to receive it. Even when we become less, Christ can shine all the brighter.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, may I not focus on the strength or weakness of the messenger, but on the message of the gospel itself to give salvation and life to all who accept it.

One Word: One Word: Christ be known

Fallen Babylon

Revelation 18:1-24

Key Verse: 18:4

Today's Question

What does the third commandment require?

See answer and references