Philippians 1:12-19 Be Joyful Always凡事喜樂
Thursday, 8th February 2024
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
V12-14 Everything is for the Sake of the Gospel一切都是為了福音興旺
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
「弟兄們，我願意你們知道，我所遭遇的事更是叫福音興旺， 以致我受的捆鎖在御營全軍和其餘的人中，已經顯明是為基督的緣故； 並且那在主裡的弟兄，多半因我受的捆鎖就篤信不疑，越發放膽傳神的道，無所懼怕。」
How could Paul continue to give thanks and to be joyful even though the environment around him was full of challenges and difficulties? At the beginning of 2024, we must stand firm in the truth. Paul knew that everything he’s been through was for the sake of the Gospel. The world tries to make us upset, to lose faith, to be discouraged, and to be upset. When we face troubles, we often first think about ourselves, how do we solve our problems, and how do we get out of the problems. But Paul sees the Kingdom of God, and how he could share the Gospel through everything he experienced.
Everything starts from our heart, what is inside our heart? Are we full of depression and anxiety? Or are we full of joy, knowing no matter what happens, our ultimate goal is to share the Gospel? True joy will be from the heart, and people will draw near to God because they see God in our lives. That’s what Paul did, he brought out the peace of the Gospel, that even though he was in chains, the people around him were able to see God.
V15-18 Be Joyful When the Gospel is Spread福音廣傳就歡喜了
“Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defence of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”
「有的傳基督是出於嫉妒紛爭，也有的是出於好意。 這一等是出於愛心，知道我是為辯明福音設立的； 那一等傳基督是出於結黨，並不誠實，意思要加增我捆鎖的苦楚。 這有何妨呢？或是假意，或是真心，無論怎樣，基督究竟被傳開了。為此我就歡喜，並且還要歡喜。 」
If our joy is based on the sharing of the Gospel, instead of our environment, then it will be so easy for us to stay joyful. We will no longer be blind by the worldly troubles, and we will no longer stay in depression and anxiety. Because everything happens to us can become the seed of the Gospel. When we have a mindset to share the Good News in and out of season, when we can see blessing in every trouble comes to us, then God will bring us strength and we will never be defeated by the environment.
In all things, we must see God’s hands with us, Paul was not afraid, he was full of joy, he was in an environment of impossibilities. Paul wasn’t able to do much because he was in chains, but his praise and worship, his life influenced many people around him, and his letters become the Bible that feeds our spiritual life everyday!
V19
“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
「因為我知道，這事藉著你們的祈禱和耶穌基督之靈的幫助，終必叫我得救。」
We must be in the house of God, so we can intercede and be covered in prayers. We are not changing the lives of people by the things we do, the strategies we have, or by the ministries we carry out, but by our prayers. Only through prayers, God can work His great miracles in us and in the people around us.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
Leave a comment