
Feeling Trapped
Message Notes
How Do You React When You Feel Trapped?
Philippians 1:12-18
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.”
1) Focus On Jesus
Paul | “Mr. All go, no quit”
- Traveler, multiple mission trips
- Church planter in many cities, countries and regions
- Driven which resulted in conflict
- Big plans, still wanted to go to western part of Empire (Spain) to share the gospel
Now Paul is in prison
Non-citizen generally got the crowded dungeon-like experience
- all needs had to be covered by the family. Food, clothes, health care etc, and hope that things were not unintentionally “shared” with other prisoners.
Citizen Paul got the “upscale”
- “rented quarters” which he had to cover himself
- by himself with guard (likely chained to the guard)
- 2 YEARS (Acts 28:30)
- No speedy trial, and no way to expedite the process
When you are not just feeling trapped, you are trapped…
it’s not easy to see the good that’s happening.
Paul is not speaking from a sunshine and rainbows thinking
- He talks about learning to be content
- He is recognizing reality in the midst of his circumstances.
- He is looking where Christ is winning
It’s not about me or you
though it might feel like it when life is hard
Paul focuses on Jesus in the midst of the hard.
2) Talk About Jesus (The Gospel)
Philippians 1:12-14
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”
He’s under house arrest, how does Paul talk about Jesus?
The people we know that he met with:
- Epaphroditus
- Tychicus
- Epaphros
- Timothy
- Onesimus
- Mark & Aristarchus
- Demas & Luke
- Invited Jewish leaders
- Those Jewish leaders and many others came back
- Saints in Caesar’s household
The Final Known Associate
The Captive Audience
- the praetorian guard chained to Paul, around the clock “protection”
- likely guards changed throughout the day, every day,
- multiple men over the TWO YEARS
- Paul is dictating these letters either to one of those folks or to an amanuensis
Philippians 1:13
“my imprisonment for the cause of Christ has become known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard and everyone else.”
3) Rejoice in the Good
Philippians 1:18
“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
Look for where Christ is winning
Philippians 1:15-18
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
The Gospel is spreading
- Some are sharing Christ to gain influence while Paul is trapped
- Some are following Paul’s example
- Results are the same - Go Jesus
How to apply this message
1) Don’t engage in intramural arguments
- Evangelical v Catholic v dispensational v Calvin v Billy Graham v whatever
- it distracts from the main point
Jesus saving life, death, burial, resurrection, and pending return is the bigger point
2) Influence who you can for Jesus
Family
- 2 of 3 kids in conservative Christian homes follow Christ in adulthood
Neighbors/Coworkers
- “Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.” “…to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” - Matthew 25:34-40
Buckeye Revival
- Buckeye & Notre Dame national championship game
- “We’re the two main teams to just publicly display our faith the most,” Leonard told reporters on Wednesday, January 15. “I truly believe that Jesus was looking over both our shoulders throughout the season and put these two teams on a pedestal for a reason.”
Notre Dame QB - Riley Leonard
3) Questioning Yourself? Welcome to the club.
Buckeye Athlete, Gee Scott
“What started to creep into my heart was a little bit of discouragement,” Scott said. “Am I not witnessing good enough to my teammates? Am I not evangelizing good enough? We do a Bible study once a week, am I not able to share the truth good enough?”
What he came to realize: “God don’t move on our time. God’s gonna move on His time.”*
So, what do you do when you feel Trapped?
- Focus on Jesus
- Talk about Jesus
- Rejoice in the Good