The Advance of the Gospel
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The Advance of the Gospel

Philippians 1:12–18  (ID: 0144)

Often, the very challenges that appear to hold back the Gospel actually prove to be keys to its advance. Examining Paul’s life, Alistair Begg points out how God worked through the apostle, despite chains and imprisonment, to promote Christ’s work. After hearing of Paul’s commitment to clearly proclaim the good news of Jesus, other believers shared the message more courageously and fearlessly. Believers today can follow this example, boldly sharing the Gospel in every situation.


The Advance of the Gospel

12I want you to know, brothers,5 that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard6 and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word7 without fear.

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

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice,

Copyright © 2024, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.

Alistair Begg
Alistair Begg is Senior Pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Bible teacher on Truth For Life, which is heard on the radio and online around the world.