Suffering, Sovereignty and Faith
Philippians 1:12-14
Do you struggle with fear in evangelism? God's cure will surprise you.
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#fear
#evangelism
#suffering
Published November 29th, 2015; Updated November 29th, 2015
Devotional thought
Main point summary
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notes
Devotional thought
Seeing the sovereign hand of God at work through his children's suffering emboldens believers to put their own necks out as it increases their trust in God. Case in point: The book of Acts. When we read Acts, are we emboldened to share the gospel or driven to fear? Emboldened. Why? Because the gospel is spreading in power. How? God brings about gospel advance through of the suffering of his people—namely through imprisonments, threats, murder, fleeing as refugees, conspiracy to assassinate, beatings, stonings, false accusations, shipwreck, etc. God never does things the way we would expect. His ways are wiser. His ways are better.
notes 1448779433345 Devotional thought Seeing the sovereign hand of God at work through his children's suffering emboldens believers to put their own necks out as it increases their trust in God. Case in point: The book of Acts. When we read Acts, are we emboldened to share the gospel or driven to fear? Emboldened. Why? Because the gospel is spreading in power. How? God brings about gospel advance through of the suffering of his people—namely through imprisonments, threats, murder, fleeing as refugees, conspiracy to assassinate, beatings, stonings, false accusations, shipwreck, etc. God never does things the way we would expect. His ways are wiser. His ways are better.
Main point summary
Be encouraged to know, brothers, that my imprisonment is advancing the gospel.
notes 1448779707511 Main point summary Be encouraged to know, brothers, that my imprisonment is advancing the gospel.
The bracket
editing
NT
Philippians 1:12-14
esv
mine
I want you to know, brothers,
I want you to know, brothers, (for the sake of your encouragement and joy)
that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
that my imprisonment has contributed to the advance the gospel (which we both love and which you are supporting the advancement of through me)
so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
[To what extent has it advanced the gospel?] Well my imprisonment has resulted in the whole prison staff and beyond understanding that I am in jail because of [my loving, enjoying, worshiping, and preaching] Messiah.
And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment,
and as a result of everyone understanding this, most of the brothers [here] are trusting more in Jesus
are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
and as a result of their trust, they are much enboldened to spread the gospel without fear.
actionresult
ideaexplanation
Be encouraged to know, brothers, that my imprisonment is advancing the gospel.
discourse
1730 The bracket 1448778251 1448779409 editing NT 50 1 12 1 14 Philippians 1:12-14 esv mine i1859 i1843 I want you to know, brothers, I want you to know, brothers, (for the sake of your encouragement and joy) i1860 i1844 that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, that my imprisonment has contributed to the advance the gospel (which we both love and which you are supporting the advancement of through me) i1861 i1845 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. [To what extent has it advanced the gospel?] Well my imprisonment has resulted in the whole prison staff and beyond understanding that I am in jail because of [my loving, enjoying, worshiping, and preaching] Messiah. i1862 i1846 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, and as a result of everyone understanding this, most of the brothers [here] are trusting more in Jesus i1847 are much more bold to speak the word without fear. and as a result of their trust, they are much enboldened to spread the gospel without fear. actionresult 2 actionresult 2 ideaexplanation 1 ideaexplanation 1 Be encouraged to know, brothers, that my imprisonment is advancing the gospel. 1 1 1 1 b 250 esv 203 mine 203 discourse 11448778251453
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