Lift Up the Gospel - Philippians 1:12-26

Christ arose from the dead and literally hundreds of people attested to this truth.

Many of you who are studying this lesson were not yet born when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. All you know about WWII is what you have read and heard from others who were eye witnesses. However, I dare say that not one person doubts that the war was fought and America and her allies won the war. You have only read about it in books and papers and heard friends and press reporters discuss it; but you have no doubts in your mind that the incident really happened. It is depressing to me to know that some people do not believe in the virgin birth, death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

After the resurrection, a large gathering saw him miraculously enter the room where they were gathered and herd Him explain the last forty days of his ministry. Others met him on the roads as he traveled again preaching and teaching. Doubting Thomas put his had on his side and felt the scar where the sword pierced his body and saw the scars in his hands, where nails were driven through by the Roman Guardsmen. Many dined at the table with him; a large crowd was with him when he made his departing comments and saw him lifted up and disappear into the heavens. Spiritually inspired writers recorded these truths in the Holly Word and all men who will ever be saved must believe these truths. The last command that he gave his people, just prior to his resurrection, was “Go into the entire world and preach the gospel.” The title of our lesson today is another way of saying the same thing—LIFT UP THE GOSPEL—all over the world.

The Apostle Paul was an eye witness of many of the happenings during the life of Christ. He was a Jew by birth, Jewish blood ran in his veins; but fortunately for him, because of where he was born, he was also a Roman citizen. As a Sanhedrin Jew, he hated Christians and he was employed by the Roman government to track down and arrest any Christian that was actively participating in the new Christian church movement—because they were believed to be a threat to the Roman government. Paul held the coat for one of the attackers who stoned Stephen to death. Yes, he was an eyewitness and wrote about what he knew personally; it was not hearsay with him.

Paul became a converted Jew while on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians. On this road he met Christ and underwent the most miraculous conversion of any other man. He was spiritually blind, but physically saw and heard Christ as he spoke to him personally—“Paul, why are you persecuting Me?” He became physically blind and did not regain his sight until he was willing to see Christ as the spiritual being that He was. You have heard the story—you know the story. Well, this is the Godly inspired author that wrote the scripture we study today. Believe him. Believe what he tells us. God is true. His inspired word is true. Remember again—you believe the news reporters and history writers of today; so why do you doubt Paul? Don’t do it if you want to live a joyful life here and a long life in Heaven.

Before anyone can “Lift up the Gospel” they must know it and believe it. As a Christian believer, you have no excuse for not practicing its teaching and proclaiming it to others daily in your daily walk with Christ. Why do so many fail so miserably much of the time? It is because of the sin-nature in which we are born. The very young child can make-up some of the most outrageous excuses for breaking the rules, or for not following instructions. By the time we reach the age of accountability, we are experts at making excuses. It is too hot. It is too cold. I cannot preach or teach. I can’t. I don’t know enough. I have to work. I have other more pressing obligations. I feel embarrassed. People would make fun of me. My friends don’t. My friends would look down on me. My work is hard and requires long hours, I need time for rest and recreation—and the list goes on. The truth is that for many it is simply not a top priority. We are disobeying the last command that Jesus Christ made just prior to his ascension.

Let us look back in the study of this lesson and see Paul in prison! Why did he not use his imprisonment as an excuse not to serve? Most of the time in America, when a person [regardless of profession] is committed to prison he has been found guilty of a crime against society. He is not in a position where he can expect the general public to have any confidence in him. Any Godly ministry has very little chance of success unless there is a believable confession of sin and a complete change in the life of the prisoner. In verse twelve Paul tells us that the horrible times that have overtaken him have actually resulted in the advance of the gospel. From his prison cell he is able to preach to the royal guard and members of the Roman prison employees that no other evangelist could reach.

Before Paul was converted he was a Roman bounty hunter, searching for practicing Christians and putting them in jail for breaking Roman law. He is now a Christian practicing his faith, and has been arrested and placed in jail because he is a Christian. His people know this and believe in him. Because of his steadfastness, the Roman soldiers that deal with him are persuaded that He is really a man of God, and they listen to him. His position in prison has become an asset to him. This situation would be possible today only if a prisoner had been falsely accused and convicted of a crime that he was not guilty of committing.

The life of a prisoner is difficult and demanding; and when the end result has the possibility of a death penalty the strain must be almost unbearable. Paul found himself in this position. Even though in prison, Paul said that he should never be ashamed but that he should honor Christ with the utmost boldness by the way he lived. He said that it did not matter whether he was to face death or go on living in this world. He said that if I live I have Christ—with me and for me, protecting me and guiding me; and it may be that Christ has a reason and I may be able to do some good by staying here. Then he proclaimed something beautiful…he said if I die… I just have more of Christ…All of Christ…I will be there with him always. Paul was so sincere that he was torn between these two possibilities. He could not make up his mind which he would prefer. It seemed best for his friends if he lives longer; but it seemed best for him if he could die now and be immediately with his Lord.

Then Paul said something that should mean a great deal to you and me as we study this lesson and make our commitment to Christ.

He then told the Philippians that they should not be distracted by what happened to him. He said, “What ever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins. We must live a life that is worthy of such a sacrifice. We must realize that we have the privilege of being in Christ Jesus, saved by his blood; but we must also realize that we have as great a privilege to suffer for the cause of Christ, and we must be willing to suffer if we are called on to do so. If things continue to go in America as they seem to be headed now, it could be that we will soon have to suffer as Paul did, even by imprisonment because of our belief. I pray this day will not come in America...but this could be one of my prayers that God chooses to ignore for a season. The prayers of God’s people were never needed more than they are today. How often do you pray that America will return to God and become worthy of being called a Godly nation once more