Philippians 1:12-18 by: Jay Brennan

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Philippians 112-18by Jay Brennan
Adversity Opens New Doors
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Top Ten Issue in Churches

• 10. Abortion
• 9. Homosexuality
• 8. Relevance
• 7. Marriage
• 6. Apathy
• 5. Doctrine
• 4. Evangelism/Missions
• 3. Leadership
• 2. Discipleship
• 1. Prayer

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So Far.

• Two weeks agoin our second sermon in the series
  we looked at prayer.and learned to pray for
• Abounding Love
• Growing Knowledge and Insight
• Increasing Discernment
• Three weeks ago in our first sermon in the series
  we described the process of discipleship.
  PBPWMGIF. Verse 6

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Four Truths in our Journey to Joy

1. Adversity Opens New Doors for the Gospel
2. The Sharing of the Gospel is Always Our Goal
3. Adversity Encourages Bold Witness
4. The Message of Christ is All That Matters

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1. Adversity Opens New Doors for the Gospel

• Paul doesnt focus on his problems
• The real news is the gospel is spreading
• Pauls difficulties that what has happened to
  me. Acts 21
• Pauls conclusionit has all happened to advance
  the Gospel
• God wants us to see everything in light of his
  purposes by looking at life through the glasses
  of the gospel.

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2. The Sharing of the Gospel is Always Our Goal

• Paul judged everything by Kingdom priorities
  and found his purpose at the other end of chains.
  V. 13
• Palace guard praetorian guard elite, highly
  trained soldiers
• I am in chains for Christ
• Paul wasnt chained to guards they were chained
  to him

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3. Adversity Encourages Bold Witness

• Courage is contagious and serves as
  encouragement v.14
• How did Paul encourage fellow believers?
• He faced his difficulty with joy.
• He used every opportunity to speak up for Jesus
• He demonstrated a complete lack of fear He
  trusted God
• He refused to complain or blame others.

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4. The Message of Christ is All That Matters

• These verses sound strange 2 groups of
  believers
• One group evidently is jealous of his leadership
  v.15-17
• Even in this final adversity Paul looks past
  the motives.
• Pauls summary v.18 But what does it matter?
  Pauls only concern Gospel of Jesus
• Main thing is to keep the main thing the main
  thing.

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Trusting in the (Hidden) Purpose of God

• Adversity comes to all of us
• What will our attitude be?
• Paul resolved to see the hand of God at work in
  every situation.
• Ex. Guilford of Maine weaving machines

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Summary A New Ethos for Dexter First Baptist

• Adversity opens new doors for the gospel (Gods
  purposes are accomplished through our problems)
• The sharing of the gospel should always be our
  goal
• Adversity encourages bold witness
• The message of Christ is all that matter.

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