Crestwood Church Blog

In Philippians 1 Paul is determined to lift and encourage the believers at Philippi. A church he had grown to love, because of their faithfulness, fellowship and support, both financially and more importantly, in the work of the gospel.
He gives us three situation where loosing is not an option.

1- Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message
about Christ is being preached either way v18

Paul was in chains he was under house arrest in Rome, but either way the gospel would be preached, by himself if he was released, or by the many who had risen to the challenge of furthering the gospel while Paul was in prison.
It was true that some of the motives were not altogether pure, but either way, the gospel was being spread across the Roman Empire and even into the courts of Rome.

2- For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. V21

Paul was not sure what was best, to live and live for God, or die and be with God, either way it was a real privilege and a joy.

3- Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about
you, I will know that you are standing side by side v27

Paul was confident that the work of the gospel was going to continue. He was unsure about his release, he was unsure if he would ever see his colleagues in the gospel again. But because of their growth, the work of the gospel would continue without one of its leaders. Such is the power of the gospel, it is not a work of man that will fail when the next generation comes along. But something that will not just continue but multiply.

Are we citizens of heaven who are willing to take the gospel to our generation and the one to come.

Labels: Encourage, Generation, Gospel, Priveledge