Motives

PHIL-02  Motives - Phil 1:7-18

 

I’d like to start today with 2 powerful scriptures about our MOTIVES . . .

 

Prov 16.2 (NASB)

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives.

 

1Cor 4:5 (NASB)

5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

 

 

Today – we want to talk about MOTIVES of the heart – Partially the motives
of your own heart – But Primarily – the Motives of that other person’s heart

 

We ended our last study in Phil – w/ that famous Vs.6

 

Phil 1:6

 

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

& in the light of our subject today – of Motives – I’d like to say . . .

 

If we truly believed this about one another –

It would be more difficult for us to question each others motives

 

Instead – we would just be confident that God is at work –

& He is more than able to finish the work He has started

 

But so often – When we are convinced WE are on the RIGHT track –

& THEY are on the WRONG track . . .

we end up judging & criticizing one another’s motives

 

When instead – the truth is – God has them “in process” (just like us)

& God says here – He will complete the good work He’s begun

 

So really - we can actually just relax - & let God keep doing

the good work He’s started in them - & in US !

 

In Phil 1:7 - Paul is continuing the thought – from Vs.6 . . .

 

But we also see in V.7 – a huge secret –

that frees us from judging one another’s motives

 

Phil 1:7

7 just as it is right for me to think this [V.6] of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, . . . [stop there for a minute]

 

Paul says “it’s right” for him

to have this confidence in the Philippians

 

Because they are in his heart - &

they are with him in his chains - &

in the defense and the confirmation of the gospel - - -

 

Now that makes sense to us – the Philippians are on Paul’s side –

they care about him – they are in essence “there with him”

 

& so his heart is connected to them - & we understand why he’d say

he is confident in God’s work being accomplished in them

 

but then – at the end of V.7 is a phrase that equally fits

those who are NOT for us . . .

those whom we’d have the tendency to question (judge) their motives

 

7(B) . . . you all are partakers with me of grace.

 

It’s not that Paul is “sharing” his grace with them - - (??)

It’s that they are partakers of the same grace of God . . .

 

We are ALL - Equal Partakers of the grace of God -

& if we will hear it, that puts us all on an equal playing field

 

We are all equally sinners - & we are all equally recipients of God grace

 

& by the end of our text today – we’ll see Paul take this approach

to those who were not exactly “pullin for him” – or – “on his side”

 

But for now – we move to V.8 – Paul ends this thought of confidence

for the saints at Philippi

 

Phil 1:8

8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

 

That is the fellowship of the ministry - & it is a wonderful thing

 

Now - back in V.4 – Paul had said –

4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

& now - from V.9 to V.11 he’s going to tell them some of

what he prays for them for

 

Phil 1:9

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

 

The very 1^st thing Paul prays for the Philippian church –

is the same thing I believe he would pray for this church today . . .

 

that your love may abound still more and more 

 

In 1Pet 4:8 – Peter writes to the church

8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

 

& that “cover” isn’t like “cover-up” –

it means more “wash-away” a multitude of sins

 

It’s love that washes away the offenses, judgments, & criticisms in the church

& how the church needs some more of that – don’t we ?

 

Again – in V.9 – Paul prays that the Philippians love may abound . . .

still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

 

knowledge here = “epignosis” = Spiritual / Divine Knowledge

 

discernment here is referring to being led by that Divine Knowledge

in HOW your love may abound more & more

 

So Paul prays our love would abound more & more –

in the Divine Knowledge & the Divine Direction of God

 

& that’s gotta be one of the best prayers I could think of – for the church body

 

Cont. his prayer – Paul says in V.10

Phil 1:10

10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

 

The word “approve” = LIT. “to know by testing”

 

It’s the same word used in Rom 12:2 – [no video] . . . be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that . . . perfect will of God.

 

So FIRST - that your love would abound more & more

in Divine Knowledge & Divine Direction . . .

 

& that you would “know by testing” (approve)

the things that are excellent . . .

 

& then there is a wonderful word-picture –

Paul prays – that you may be sincere . . .

 

This word “sincere” means LIT – oven-tested

 

but here’s how it came about . . .

 

in ancient times the biggest industry In the world was the pottery industry

& pottery came from the very cheap to the very expensive

 

The expensive pottery was very thin - & was very fragile –

& in had a tendency to “crack” during the firing process

 

but the dishonest dealers figured out they could take a mixture

of wax & crushed pottery & fill in the cracks before painting the pot

(they did the same with sculpture)

 

& no one could tell if the pot had a crack until it was “oven tested”

because - of course - the wax would melt exposing the crack

 

& so the dealers began using two Latin words for their best pottery

they were SINE CERA – from which we get our word sincere . . .

& those two words mean – WITHOUT WAX

 

So Paul prays that we would be “without wax” –

& that we would be oven-tested in our love

abounding more & more for one another . . .

 

 

& then he finished his prayer - by praying that out of this love –

would come “Right Actions” . . .

 

Phil 1:11

11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

 

we shouldn’t mistake the fruits of righteousness

with the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22

 

The fruit of the Spirit is primarily “INTERNAL” fruit –

& the emphasis here is on what is seen externally

 

The reference here is our actions toward one another

that come from our righteousness in Christ . . .

 

The “Fruits of Righteousness” is that “ever abounding love” – put into action

 

& 1^st – notice HOW we are called to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness”

it is BY Jesus Christ . . .

 

You can have no fruits of righteousness

apart from Jesus Christ living IN you - & THRU you

 

Jn 15:4

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

 

When someone sees that “fruit of righteousness” in you – That’s Jesus !

& if they don’t see ANY fruits of righteousness” – That’s YOU !

 

& 2^nd – notice WHY – Paul prays we would be filled with

the fruits of righteousness - - -

it’s - to the glory and praise of God

 

When the miracle of Jesus Christ is seen in you –

it is always to give the glory & praise to God

 

Paul says in 2Cor 4:7

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

 

When you act like YOU – That’s Your SIN NATURE

When you act like Jesus Christ – That’s the Power of God in you !

 

 

Now – in V.12 – we’re going to get back to our focus on MOTIVES –

& we see Paul’s true motives in how he regards his circumstances

 

Don’t circumstances so often show the real stuff a person is made of ??

 

Phil 1:12

12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

 

We have got to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes - & when we do

the only logical thing we can say is - Paul . . . are you kidding ??

 

Paul was in chains – he was awaiting trial that may’ve ended in his execution

he had barely escaped a lynch mob - gone thru 2 yrs of prison in Cesarea -
& survived a shipwreck just to get to prison in Rome

 

But because of his single-minded focus on Jesus Christ – he says . . .

you know it’s really worked out for the furtherance of the gospel . . .

So IT’S ALL GOOD !!!

 

Now that’s what I call pure motives –

with NO 2^nd guessing – judging - or criticizing

 

& so immediately – Paul turns the focus OFF himself –

& onto the great gospel of Jesus Christ . . .

 

 

Phil 1:13

13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

 

The good news is – the Palace Guards are coming to Christ – PTL !

 

The palace guards were the elite – hand-picked guards of the emperor –

& Paul had one “captive” with him 24 hrs a day . . .

 

& trust me – Paul was not whining to the guard about
“woe is me – do you know all the horrible things people have done to me”
or “let me tell you how bad I’ve had it . . .”

 

No chance – Paul told the guards about Christ – & it became evident

to them all (& all the rest) that his Chains were in Christ

 

& so his trials had turned out for the furtherance of the gospel –

So he says . . . Praise the Lord . . . (man – is that foreign thinking to us)

 

When the world sees a Christian in a Trial –

they watch to see how that Christian is going to respond . . .

 

& if we respond just like the world does – w/ whining, complaining, criticizing

 

WHY would the world ever what to receive Jesus Christ

if we act just like them when the chips get down . . . ?

 

 

Now - in V.14 – Paul says – not only are the Palace Guards
coming to know Christ

 

but the Christians in Rome are becoming more & more confident -

because of the way Paul is handling his suffering

 

Phil 1:14

14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

 

Now - to say the least – things weren’t going Paul’s way . . .

 

but instead of acting just like an unbeliever –

Paul becomes a witness to the guards - & a witness to the brethren

 

& by his witness the lives of both unbelievers - & believers –

are radically changed . . .

 

by Jesus Christ living in him – in the midst of his circumstances

 

 

& so we think – WOW, this is incredible – the brethren are becoming

more confident to speak the word – because of Paul’s chains

 

& it IS incredible – & if we stopped at V.14 –

we’d think everything was working out just peachy now . . .

but we need to keep reading

 

 

Phil 1:15

15 Some [meaning some mentioned in the previous vs] indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:

 

Whoa – wait a minute Paul – isn’t this more bad news . . . ?

 

Some of those who have become more confident because of your chains
are preaching Christ with impure MOTIVES ??

 

Yep – that’s right - AND some are preaching from goodwill (pure motives)

Now – this would have to be some kind of a “Gut-Shot” to Paul –

 

& I wonder what Paul means when he says the ones

preaching Christ with impure motives

are getting more confident because of Paul’s chains

 

I wonder if they’re getting more confident that Paul’s

not going to get out & come hunt them down . . . ?

 

In any case Paul recognizes – that some of those who are preaching

are preaching with impure motives

 

But I want you to notice – that Paul doesn’t name anybody in particular –

& I think there’s a chance he’s making a general statement . . .

 

that he knows that there are those out there preaching with wrong motives –

but he may not specifically know who they are . . .

 

 

In any case – he continues to describe them in V.16

 

1Phil 1:16

16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

 

Some of those – who were gaining confidence to Preach Christ

because of Paul’s example . . .

 

Were doing it;

Out of Selfish Ambition

NOT sincerely (Not without wax)

& supposing to ADD affliction to Paul’s chains

 

Now these are the Christian leaders we love to sink our teeth into –

 

Because these are the ones that we can attack their MOTIVES . . .
where there is no evidence to prove or disprove our allegations

 

Christians get real good – at judging (& attacking) one another

in the area of MOTIVE – because it’s such a “Clean Kill”

 

When I was young – I served in leadership under a pastor –

with whom I came to disagree with

on some ministry approach & ministry direction issues

 

but since there was no outward sin that I could attack –

instead I went for the jungular vein of MOTIVE

 

YEAH – that’s it – His motives were all wrong - & I could tell –

 

God had decided that it was my job to judge the secret things

of that pastors heart - & I was glad to make those judgments for God . . .

 

& I’m sure God He appreciated my help – not only in the judgment –

but also in suggesting what God should do about it

 

But then – something happened – I became a Sr. Pastor –

& soon there-after I had people judging my MOTIVES . . .

 

& helping God judge me - & making suggestions to God

about what He should do to ME – based on their judgments !

 

& the more people made incorrect judgments about MY heart –

the less I wanted to make any judgments about anyone else’s heart . . .

 

& so – not long ago – I decided that judging the deepest places

of a person’s heart - was a job best left up to God

 

& I figured out He could handle that job all by Himself –

& that He didn’t even need my help

 

& I believe that is at least some of what we’re seeing

in these Vs’s Paul has written

 

Did you think that Judging & Attacking motives

was NEW to the Christian church . . . there is nothing new under the sun

 

Guys – Paul experienced attack after attack on the MOTIVES of his heart

& I believe – that is why this section ends the way it does

 

 

But 1^st – he addresses “The other half” –

those who are preaching Christ with pure motives . . .

 

Tho again – there is no evidence indicating Paul knew

which ones were operating in WRONG motive - &

which ones were operating in RIGHT motives . . .

 

He just knew there were some on both sides . . .

& so he addresses the “other side” in Vs.17

 

Phil 1:17

17 but the latter [those preaching out of goodwill] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

 

So – Some preaching out of Love - & Goodwill –

& Some preaching out of Selfish Ambition & Insincerity

 

 

& so – what would the greatest apostle do – in such a situation . . . ?

& what should we do – if we are ever faced with a similar situation . . . ?

 

The answer – is in the next Vs. . . .

 

Phil 1:18

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

 

Now Paul – what about

judging ‘em - & bringin em down - & makin ‘em pay?

 

Oh – there’s none of that ? . . .

Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

 

What a radical concept –

& what a freeing commitment for each of us . . .

 

We let God be God – We don’t have to take His place –

& we let Him judge the things that ONLY HE can really judge anyway

 

& if Christ is being preached – we just rejoice - & continue to rejoice

 

What you say we make a commitment right now – to doing just that ???

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PHIL-02  Motives - Phil 1:7-18 I’d like to start today with 2 powerful scriptures about our MOTIVES . . . Prov 16.2 (NASB)2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. 1Cor 4:5 (NASB)5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.  Today – we want to talk about MOTIVES of the heart – Partially the motives
of your own heart – But Primarily – the Motives of that other person’s heart We ended our last study in Phil – w/ that famous Vs.6 Phil 1:6 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
& in the light of our subject today – of Motives – I’d like to say . . . If we truly believed this about one another – It would be more difficult for us to question each others motives Instead – we would just be confident that God is at work – & He is more than able to finish the work He has started But so often – When we are convinced WE are on the RIGHT track – & THEY are on the WRONG track . . .we end up judging & criticizing one another’s motives  When instead – the truth is – God has them “in process” (just like us)& God says here – He will complete the good work He’s begun  So really - we can actually just relax - & let God keep doing the good work He’s started in them - & in US ! In Phil 1:7 - Paul is continuing the thought – from Vs.6 . . . But we also see in V.7 – a huge secret – that frees us from judging one another’s motives Phil 1:77 just as it is right for me to think this [V.6] of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, . . . [stop there for a minute] Paul says “it’s right” for him to have this confidence in the Philippians Because they are in his heart - & they are with him in his chains - & in the defense and the confirmation of the gospel - - - Now that makes sense to us – the Philippians are on Paul’s side – they care about him – they are in essence “there with him” & so his heart is connected to them - & we understand why he’d say he is confident in God’s work being accomplished in them but then – at the end of V.7 is a phrase that equally fits those who are NOT for us . . .those whom we’d have the tendency to question (judge) their motives 7(B) . . . you all are partakers with me of grace. It’s not that Paul is “sharing” his grace with them - - (??)It’s that they are partakers of the same grace of God . . . We are ALL - Equal Partakers of the grace of God -& if we will hear it, that puts us all on an equal playing field We are all equally sinners - & we are all equally recipients of God grace & by the end of our text today – we’ll see Paul take this approach to those who were not exactly “pullin for him” – or – “on his side” But for now – we move to V.8 – Paul ends this thought of confidence for the saints at Philippi Phil 1:88 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. That is the fellowship of the ministry - & it is a wonderful thing
 Now - back in V.4 – Paul had said – 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
& now - from V.9 to V.11 he’s going to tell them some of what he prays for them for Phil 1:99 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, The very 1st thing Paul prays for the Philippian church – is the same thing I believe he would pray for this church today . . . that your love may abound still more and more  In 1Pet 4:8 – Peter writes to the church 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” & that “cover” isn’t like “cover-up” – it means more “wash-away” a multitude of sins It’s love that washes away the offenses, judgments, & criticisms in the church& how the church needs some more of that – don’t we ? Again – in V.9 – Paul prays that the Philippians love may abound . . .still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, knowledge here = “epignosis” = Spiritual / Divine Knowledge  discernment here is referring to being led by that Divine Knowledge in HOW your love may abound more & more So Paul prays our love would abound more & more – in the Divine Knowledge & the Divine Direction of God & that’s gotta be one of the best prayers I could think of – for the church body Cont. his prayer – Paul says in V.10
Phil 1:1010 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, The word “approve” = LIT. “to know by testing” It’s the same word used in Rom 12:2 – [no video] . . . be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that . . . perfect will of God. So FIRST - that your love would abound more & morein Divine Knowledge & Divine Direction . . . & that you would “know by testing” (approve) the things that are excellent . . . & then there is a wonderful word-picture – Paul prays – that you may be sincere . . . This word “sincere” means LIT – oven-tested but here’s how it came about . . . in ancient times the biggest industry In the world was the pottery industry& pottery came from the very cheap to the very expensive The expensive pottery was very thin - & was very fragile – & in had a tendency to “crack” during the firing process but the dishonest dealers figured out they could take a mixture of wax & crushed pottery & fill in the cracks before painting the pot (they did the same with sculpture) & no one could tell if the pot had a crack until it was “oven tested” because - of course - the wax would melt exposing the crack & so the dealers began using two Latin words for their best pottery they were SINE CERA – from which we get our word sincere . . .& those two words mean – WITHOUT WAX So Paul prays that we would be “without wax” – & that we would be oven-tested in our love abounding more & more for one another . . .  & then he finished his prayer - by praying that out of this love –would come “Right Actions” . . . Phil 1:1111 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. we shouldn’t mistake the fruits of righteousness with the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is primarily “INTERNAL” fruit – & the emphasis here is on what is seen externally The reference here is our actions toward one another that come from our righteousness in Christ . . .  The “Fruits of Righteousness” is that “ever abounding love” – put into action & 1st – notice HOW we are called to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness”it is BY Jesus Christ . . . You can have no fruits of righteousness apart from Jesus Christ living IN you - & THRU you Jn 15:44 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. When someone sees that “fruit of righteousness” in you – That’s Jesus !& if they don’t see ANY fruits of righteousness” – That’s YOU ! & 2nd – notice WHY – Paul prays we would be filled withthe fruits of righteousness - - - it’s - to the glory and praise of God When the miracle of Jesus Christ is seen in you – it is always to give the glory & praise to God Paul says in 2Cor 4:77 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. When you act like YOU – That’s Your SIN NATUREWhen you act like Jesus Christ – That’s the Power of God in you !  Now – in V.12 – we’re going to get back to our focus on MOTIVES – & we see Paul’s true motives in how he regards his circumstances Don’t circumstances so often show the real stuff a person is made of ?? Phil 1:1212 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, We have got to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes - & when we do the only logical thing we can say is - Paul . . . are you kidding ?? Paul was in chains – he was awaiting trial that may’ve ended in his executionhe had barely escaped a lynch mob - gone thru 2 yrs of prison in Cesarea -
& survived a shipwreck just to get to prison in Rome  But because of his single-minded focus on Jesus Christ – he says . . .you know it’s really worked out for the furtherance of the gospel . . .So IT’S ALL GOOD !!! Now that’s what I call pure motives – with NO 2nd guessing – judging - or criticizing & so immediately – Paul turns the focus OFF himself – & onto the great gospel of Jesus Christ . . .  Phil 1:1313 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; The good news is – the Palace Guards are coming to Christ – PTL ! The palace guards were the elite – hand-picked guards of the emperor –& Paul had one “captive” with him 24 hrs a day . . . & trust me – Paul was not whining to the guard about
“woe is me – do you know all the horrible things people have done to me”
or “let me tell you how bad I’ve had it . . .” No chance – Paul told the guards about Christ – & it became evident to them all (& all the rest) that his Chains were in Christ & so his trials had turned out for the furtherance of the gospel –So he says . . . Praise the Lord . . . (man – is that foreign thinking to us) When the world sees a Christian in a Trial – they watch to see how that Christian is going to respond . . . & if we respond just like the world does – w/ whining, complaining, criticizing WHY would the world ever what to receive Jesus Christif we act just like them when the chips get down . . . ?  Now - in V.14 – Paul says – not only are the Palace Guards
coming to know Christ  but the Christians in Rome are becoming more & more confident -because of the way Paul is handling his suffering  Phil 1:1414 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Now - to say the least – things weren’t going Paul’s way . . . but instead of acting just like an unbeliever – Paul becomes a witness to the guards - & a witness to the brethren  & by his witness the lives of both unbelievers - & believers – are radically changed . . .  by Jesus Christ living in him – in the midst of his circumstances  & so we think – WOW, this is incredible – the brethren are becoming more confident to speak the word – because of Paul’s chains & it IS incredible – & if we stopped at V.14 – we’d think everything was working out just peachy now . . . but we need to keep reading  Phil 1:1515 Some [meaning some mentioned in the previous vs] indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: Whoa – wait a minute Paul – isn’t this more bad news . . . ? Some of those who have become more confident because of your chains
are preaching Christ with impure MOTIVES ?? Yep – that’s right - AND some are preaching from goodwill (pure motives)Now – this would have to be some kind of a “Gut-Shot” to Paul –  & I wonder what Paul means when he says the ones preaching Christ with impure motives are getting more confident because of Paul’s chains  I wonder if they’re getting more confident that Paul’s not going to get out & come hunt them down . . . ? In any case Paul recognizes – that some of those who are preaching are preaching with impure motives  But I want you to notice – that Paul doesn’t name anybody in particular –& I think there’s a chance he’s making a general statement . . . that he knows that there are those out there preaching with wrong motives –but he may not specifically know who they are . . .  In any case – he continues to describe them in V.16 1Phil 1:1616 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; Some of those – who were gaining confidence to Preach Christ because of Paul’s example . . . Were doing it;Out of Selfish AmbitionNOT sincerely (Not without wax)& supposing to ADD affliction to Paul’s chains Now these are the Christian leaders we love to sink our teeth into –  Because these are the ones that we can attack their MOTIVES . . .
where there is no evidence to prove or disprove our allegations Christians get real good – at judging (& attacking) one another in the area of MOTIVE – because it’s such a “Clean Kill” When I was young – I served in leadership under a pastor – with whom I came to disagree with on some ministry approach & ministry direction issues but since there was no outward sin that I could attack –instead I went for the jungular vein of MOTIVE YEAH – that’s it – His motives were all wrong - & I could tell – God had decided that it was my job to judge the secret things of that pastors heart - & I was glad to make those judgments for God . . .  & I’m sure God He appreciated my help – not only in the judgment – but also in suggesting what God should do about it But then – something happened – I became a Sr. Pastor – & soon there-after I had people judging my MOTIVES . . .  & helping God judge me - & making suggestions to God about what He should do to ME – based on their judgments ! & the more people made incorrect judgments about MY heart –the less I wanted to make any judgments about anyone else’s heart . . . & so – not long ago – I decided that judging the deepest places of a person’s heart - was a job best left up to God & I figured out He could handle that job all by Himself –& that He didn’t even need my help & I believe that is at least some of what we’re seeing in these Vs’s Paul has written  Did you think that Judging & Attacking motives was NEW to the Christian church . . . there is nothing new under the sun Guys – Paul experienced attack after attack on the MOTIVES of his heart& I believe – that is why this section ends the way it does   But 1st – he addresses “The other half” – those who are preaching Christ with pure motives . . . Tho again – there is no evidence indicating Paul knew which ones were operating in WRONG motive - & which ones were operating in RIGHT motives . . . He just knew there were some on both sides . . .& so he addresses the “other side” in Vs.17 Phil 1:1717 but the latter [those preaching out of goodwill] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. So – Some preaching out of Love - & Goodwill –& Some preaching out of Selfish Ambition & Insincerity   & so – what would the greatest apostle do – in such a situation . . . ?& what should we do – if we are ever faced with a similar situation . . . ? The answer – is in the next Vs. . . . Phil 1:1818 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Now Paul – what about judging ‘em - & bringin em down - & makin ‘em pay? Oh – there’s none of that ? . . .Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. What a radical concept – & what a freeing commitment for each of us . . . We let God be God – We don’t have to take His place –& we let Him judge the things that ONLY HE can really judge anyway & if Christ is being preached – we just rejoice - & continue to rejoice What you say we make a commitment right now – to doing just that ???

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PHIL-02  Motives - Phil 1:7-18 I’d like to start today with 2 powerful scriptures about our MOTIVES . . . Prov 16.2 (NASB)2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. 1Cor 4:5 (NASB)5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.  Today – we want to talk about MOTIVES of the heart – Partially the motives
of your own heart – But Primarily – the Motives of that other person’s heart We ended our last study in Phil – w/ that famous Vs.6 Phil 1:6 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
& in the light of our subject today – of Motives – I’d like to say . . . If we truly believed this about one another – It would be more difficult for us to question each others motives Instead – we would just be confident that God is at work – & He is more than able to finish the work He has started But so often – When we are convinced WE are on the RIGHT track – & THEY are on the WRONG track . . .we end up judging & criticizing one another’s motives  When instead – the truth is – God has them “in process” (just like us)& God says here – He will complete the good work He’s begun  So really - we can actually just relax - & let God keep doing the good work He’s started in them - & in US ! In Phil 1:7 - Paul is continuing the thought – from Vs.6 . . . But we also see in V.7 – a huge secret – that frees us from judging one another’s motives Phil 1:77 just as it is right for me to think this [V.6] of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, . . . [stop there for a minute] Paul says “it’s right” for him to have this confidence in the Philippians Because they are in his heart - & they are with him in his chains - & in the defense and the confirmation of the gospel - - - Now that makes sense to us – the Philippians are on Paul’s side – they care about him – they are in essence “there with him” & so his heart is connected to them - & we understand why he’d say he is confident in God’s work being accomplished in them but then – at the end of V.7 is a phrase that equally fits those who are NOT for us . . .those whom we’d have the tendency to question (judge) their motives 7(B) . . . you all are partakers with me of grace. It’s not that Paul is “sharing” his grace with them - - (??)It’s that they are partakers of the same grace of God . . . We are ALL - Equal Partakers of the grace of God -& if we will hear it, that puts us all on an equal playing field We are all equally sinners - & we are all equally recipients of God grace & by the end of our text today – we’ll see Paul take this approach to those who were not exactly “pullin for him” – or – “on his side” But for now – we move to V.8 – Paul ends this thought of confidence for the saints at Philippi Phil 1:88 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. That is the fellowship of the ministry - & it is a wonderful thing
 Now - back in V.4 – Paul had said – 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
& now - from V.9 to V.11 he’s going to tell them some of what he prays for them for Phil 1:99 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, The very 1st thing Paul prays for the Philippian church – is the same thing I believe he would pray for this church today . . . that your love may abound still more and more  In 1Pet 4:8 – Peter writes to the church 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” & that “cover” isn’t like “cover-up” – it means more “wash-away” a multitude of sins It’s love that washes away the offenses, judgments, & criticisms in the church& how the church needs some more of that – don’t we ? Again – in V.9 – Paul prays that the Philippians love may abound . . .still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, knowledge here = “epignosis” = Spiritual / Divine Knowledge  discernment here is referring to being led by that Divine Knowledge in HOW your love may abound more & more So Paul prays our love would abound more & more – in the Divine Knowledge & the Divine Direction of God & that’s gotta be one of the best prayers I could think of – for the church body Cont. his prayer – Paul says in V.10
Phil 1:1010 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, The word “approve” = LIT. “to know by testing” It’s the same word used in Rom 12:2 – [no video] . . . be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that . . . perfect will of God. So FIRST - that your love would abound more & morein Divine Knowledge & Divine Direction . . . & that you would “know by testing” (approve) the things that are excellent . . . & then there is a wonderful word-picture – Paul prays – that you may be sincere . . . This word “sincere” means LIT – oven-tested but here’s how it came about . . . in ancient times the biggest industry In the world was the pottery industry& pottery came from the very cheap to the very expensive The expensive pottery was very thin - & was very fragile – & in had a tendency to “crack” during the firing process but the dishonest dealers figured out they could take a mixture of wax & crushed pottery & fill in the cracks before painting the pot (they did the same with sculpture) & no one could tell if the pot had a crack until it was “oven tested” because - of course - the wax would melt exposing the crack & so the dealers began using two Latin words for their best pottery they were SINE CERA – from which we get our word sincere . . .& those two words mean – WITHOUT WAX So Paul prays that we would be “without wax” – & that we would be oven-tested in our love abounding more & more for one another . . .  & then he finished his prayer - by praying that out of this love –would come “Right Actions” . . . Phil 1:1111 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. we shouldn’t mistake the fruits of righteousness with the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is primarily “INTERNAL” fruit – & the emphasis here is on what is seen externally The reference here is our actions toward one another that come from our righteousness in Christ . . .  The “Fruits of Righteousness” is that “ever abounding love” – put into action & 1st – notice HOW we are called to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness”it is BY Jesus Christ . . . You can have no fruits of righteousness apart from Jesus Christ living IN you - & THRU you Jn 15:44 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. When someone sees that “fruit of righteousness” in you – That’s Jesus !& if they don’t see ANY fruits of righteousness” – That’s YOU ! & 2nd – notice WHY – Paul prays we would be filled withthe fruits of righteousness - - - it’s - to the glory and praise of God When the miracle of Jesus Christ is seen in you – it is always to give the glory & praise to God Paul says in 2Cor 4:77 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. When you act like YOU – That’s Your SIN NATUREWhen you act like Jesus Christ – That’s the Power of God in you !  Now – in V.12 – we’re going to get back to our focus on MOTIVES – & we see Paul’s true motives in how he regards his circumstances Don’t circumstances so often show the real stuff a person is made of ?? Phil 1:1212 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, We have got to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes - & when we do the only logical thing we can say is - Paul . . . are you kidding ?? Paul was in chains – he was awaiting trial that may’ve ended in his executionhe had barely escaped a lynch mob - gone thru 2 yrs of prison in Cesarea -
& survived a shipwreck just to get to prison in Rome  But because of his single-minded focus on Jesus Christ – he says . . .you know it’s really worked out for the furtherance of the gospel . . .So IT’S ALL GOOD !!! Now that’s what I call pure motives – with NO 2nd guessing – judging - or criticizing & so immediately – Paul turns the focus OFF himself – & onto the great gospel of Jesus Christ . . .  Phil 1:1313 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; The good news is – the Palace Guards are coming to Christ – PTL ! The palace guards were the elite – hand-picked guards of the emperor –& Paul had one “captive” with him 24 hrs a day . . . & trust me – Paul was not whining to the guard about
“woe is me – do you know all the horrible things people have done to me”
or “let me tell you how bad I’ve had it . . .” No chance – Paul told the guards about Christ – & it became evident to them all (& all the rest) that his Chains were in Christ & so his trials had turned out for the furtherance of the gospel –So he says . . . Praise the Lord . . . (man – is that foreign thinking to us) When the world sees a Christian in a Trial – they watch to see how that Christian is going to respond . . . & if we respond just like the world does – w/ whining, complaining, criticizing WHY would the world ever what to receive Jesus Christif we act just like them when the chips get down . . . ?  Now - in V.14 – Paul says – not only are the Palace Guards
coming to know Christ  but the Christians in Rome are becoming more & more confident -because of the way Paul is handling his suffering  Phil 1:1414 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Now - to say the least – things weren’t going Paul’s way . . . but instead of acting just like an unbeliever – Paul becomes a witness to the guards - & a witness to the brethren  & by his witness the lives of both unbelievers - & believers – are radically changed . . .  by Jesus Christ living in him – in the midst of his circumstances  & so we think – WOW, this is incredible – the brethren are becoming more confident to speak the word – because of Paul’s chains & it IS incredible – & if we stopped at V.14 – we’d think everything was working out just peachy now . . . but we need to keep reading  Phil 1:1515 Some [meaning some mentioned in the previous vs] indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: Whoa – wait a minute Paul – isn’t this more bad news . . . ? Some of those who have become more confident because of your chains
are preaching Christ with impure MOTIVES ?? Yep – that’s right - AND some are preaching from goodwill (pure motives)Now – this would have to be some kind of a “Gut-Shot” to Paul –  & I wonder what Paul means when he says the ones preaching Christ with impure motives are getting more confident because of Paul’s chains  I wonder if they’re getting more confident that Paul’s not going to get out & come hunt them down . . . ? In any case Paul recognizes – that some of those who are preaching are preaching with impure motives  But I want you to notice – that Paul doesn’t name anybody in particular –& I think there’s a chance he’s making a general statement . . . that he knows that there are those out there preaching with wrong motives –but he may not specifically know who they are . . .  In any case – he continues to describe them in V.16 1Phil 1:1616 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; Some of those – who were gaining confidence to Preach Christ because of Paul’s example . . . Were doing it;Out of Selfish AmbitionNOT sincerely (Not without wax)& supposing to ADD affliction to Paul’s chains Now these are the Christian leaders we love to sink our teeth into –  Because these are the ones that we can attack their MOTIVES . . .
where there is no evidence to prove or disprove our allegations Christians get real good – at judging (& attacking) one another in the area of MOTIVE – because it’s such a “Clean Kill” When I was young – I served in leadership under a pastor – with whom I came to disagree with on some ministry approach & ministry direction issues but since there was no outward sin that I could attack –instead I went for the jungular vein of MOTIVE YEAH – that’s it – His motives were all wrong - & I could tell – God had decided that it was my job to judge the secret things of that pastors heart - & I was glad to make those judgments for God . . .  & I’m sure God He appreciated my help – not only in the judgment – but also in suggesting what God should do about it But then – something happened – I became a Sr. Pastor – & soon there-after I had people judging my MOTIVES . . .  & helping God judge me - & making suggestions to God about what He should do to ME – based on their judgments ! & the more people made incorrect judgments about MY heart –the less I wanted to make any judgments about anyone else’s heart . . . & so – not long ago – I decided that judging the deepest places of a person’s heart - was a job best left up to God & I figured out He could handle that job all by Himself –& that He didn’t even need my help & I believe that is at least some of what we’re seeing in these Vs’s Paul has written  Did you think that Judging & Attacking motives was NEW to the Christian church . . . there is nothing new under the sun Guys – Paul experienced attack after attack on the MOTIVES of his heart& I believe – that is why this section ends the way it does   But 1st – he addresses “The other half” – those who are preaching Christ with pure motives . . . Tho again – there is no evidence indicating Paul knew which ones were operating in WRONG motive - & which ones were operating in RIGHT motives . . . He just knew there were some on both sides . . .& so he addresses the “other side” in Vs.17 Phil 1:1717 but the latter [those preaching out of goodwill] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. So – Some preaching out of Love - & Goodwill –& Some preaching out of Selfish Ambition & Insincerity   & so – what would the greatest apostle do – in such a situation . . . ?& what should we do – if we are ever faced with a similar situation . . . ? The answer – is in the next Vs. . . . Phil 1:1818 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Now Paul – what about judging ‘em - & bringin em down - & makin ‘em pay? Oh – there’s none of that ? . . .Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. What a radical concept – & what a freeing commitment for each of us . . . We let God be God – We don’t have to take His place –& we let Him judge the things that ONLY HE can really judge anyway & if Christ is being preached – we just rejoice - & continue to rejoice What you say we make a commitment right now – to doing just that ???

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PHIL-02  Motives - Phil 1:7-18

 

I’d like to start today with 2 powerful scriptures about our MOTIVES . . .

 

Prov 16.2 (NASB)

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives.

 

1Cor 4:5 (NASB)

5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

 

 

Today – we want to talk about MOTIVES of the heart – Partially the motives
of your own heart – But Primarily – the Motives of that other person’s heart

 

We ended our last study in Phil – w/ that famous Vs.6

 

Phil 1:6

 

6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

& in the light of our subject today – of Motives – I’d like to say . . .

 

If we truly believed this about one another –

It would be more difficult for us to question each others motives

 

Instead – we would just be confident that God is at work –

& He is more than able to finish the work He has started

 

But so often – When we are convinced WE are on the RIGHT track –

& THEY are on the WRONG track . . .

we end up judging & criticizing one another’s motives

 

When instead – the truth is – God has them “in process” (just like us)

& God says here – He will complete the good work He’s begun

 

So really - we can actually just relax - & let God keep doing

the good work He’s started in them - & in US !

 

In Phil 1:7 - Paul is continuing the thought – from Vs.6 . . .

 

But we also see in V.7 – a huge secret –

that frees us from judging one another’s motives

 

Phil 1:7

7 just as it is right for me to think this [V.6] of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, . . . [stop there for a minute]

 

Paul says “it’s right” for him

to have this confidence in the Philippians

 

Because they are in his heart - &

they are with him in his chains - &

in the defense and the confirmation of the gospel - - -

 

Now that makes sense to us – the Philippians are on Paul’s side –

they care about him – they are in essence “there with him”

 

& so his heart is connected to them - & we understand why he’d say

he is confident in God’s work being accomplished in them

 

but then – at the end of V.7 is a phrase that equally fits

those who are NOT for us . . .

those whom we’d have the tendency to question (judge) their motives

 

7(B) . . . you all are partakers with me of grace.

 

It’s not that Paul is “sharing” his grace with them - - (??)

It’s that they are partakers of the same grace of God . . .

 

We are ALL - Equal Partakers of the grace of God -

& if we will hear it, that puts us all on an equal playing field

 

We are all equally sinners - & we are all equally recipients of God grace

 

& by the end of our text today – we’ll see Paul take this approach

to those who were not exactly “pullin for him” – or – “on his side”

 

But for now – we move to V.8 – Paul ends this thought of confidence

for the saints at Philippi

 

Phil 1:8

8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

 

That is the fellowship of the ministry - & it is a wonderful thing

 

Now - back in V.4 – Paul had said –

4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

& now - from V.9 to V.11 he’s going to tell them some of

what he prays for them for

 

Phil 1:9

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

 

The very 1^st thing Paul prays for the Philippian church –

is the same thing I believe he would pray for this church today . . .

 

that your love may abound still more and more 

 

In 1Pet 4:8 – Peter writes to the church

8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

 

& that “cover” isn’t like “cover-up” –

it means more “wash-away” a multitude of sins

 

It’s love that washes away the offenses, judgments, & criticisms in the church

& how the church needs some more of that – don’t we ?

 

Again – in V.9 – Paul prays that the Philippians love may abound . . .

still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

 

knowledge here = “epignosis” = Spiritual / Divine Knowledge

 

discernment here is referring to being led by that Divine Knowledge

in HOW your love may abound more & more

 

So Paul prays our love would abound more & more –

in the Divine Knowledge & the Divine Direction of God

 

& that’s gotta be one of the best prayers I could think of – for the church body

 

Cont. his prayer – Paul says in V.10

Phil 1:10

10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

 

The word “approve” = LIT. “to know by testing”

 

It’s the same word used in Rom 12:2 – [no video] . . . be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that . . . perfect will of God.

 

So FIRST - that your love would abound more & more

in Divine Knowledge & Divine Direction . . .

 

& that you would “know by testing” (approve)

the things that are excellent . . .

 

& then there is a wonderful word-picture –

Paul prays – that you may be sincere . . .

 

This word “sincere” means LIT – oven-tested

 

but here’s how it came about . . .

 

in ancient times the biggest industry In the world was the pottery industry

& pottery came from the very cheap to the very expensive

 

The expensive pottery was very thin - & was very fragile –

& in had a tendency to “crack” during the firing process

 

but the dishonest dealers figured out they could take a mixture

of wax & crushed pottery & fill in the cracks before painting the pot

(they did the same with sculpture)

 

& no one could tell if the pot had a crack until it was “oven tested”

because - of course - the wax would melt exposing the crack

 

& so the dealers began using two Latin words for their best pottery

they were SINE CERA – from which we get our word sincere . . .

& those two words mean – WITHOUT WAX

 

So Paul prays that we would be “without wax” –

& that we would be oven-tested in our love

abounding more & more for one another . . .

 

 

& then he finished his prayer - by praying that out of this love –

would come “Right Actions” . . .

 

Phil 1:11

11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

 

we shouldn’t mistake the fruits of righteousness

with the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22

 

The fruit of the Spirit is primarily “INTERNAL” fruit –

& the emphasis here is on what is seen externally

 

The reference here is our actions toward one another

that come from our righteousness in Christ . . .

 

The “Fruits of Righteousness” is that “ever abounding love” – put into action

 

& 1^st – notice HOW we are called to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness”

it is BY Jesus Christ . . .

 

You can have no fruits of righteousness

apart from Jesus Christ living IN you - & THRU you

 

Jn 15:4

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

 

When someone sees that “fruit of righteousness” in you – That’s Jesus !

& if they don’t see ANY fruits of righteousness” – That’s YOU !

 

& 2^nd – notice WHY – Paul prays we would be filled with

the fruits of righteousness - - -

it’s - to the glory and praise of God

 

When the miracle of Jesus Christ is seen in you –

it is always to give the glory & praise to God

 

Paul says in 2Cor 4:7

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

 

When you act like YOU – That’s Your SIN NATURE

When you act like Jesus Christ – That’s the Power of God in you !

 

 

Now – in V.12 – we’re going to get back to our focus on MOTIVES –

& we see Paul’s true motives in how he regards his circumstances

 

Don’t circumstances so often show the real stuff a person is made of ??

 

Phil 1:12

12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,

 

We have got to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes - & when we do

the only logical thing we can say is - Paul . . . are you kidding ??

 

Paul was in chains – he was awaiting trial that may’ve ended in his execution

he had barely escaped a lynch mob - gone thru 2 yrs of prison in Cesarea -
& survived a shipwreck just to get to prison in Rome

 

But because of his single-minded focus on Jesus Christ – he says . . .

you know it’s really worked out for the furtherance of the gospel . . .

So IT’S ALL GOOD !!!

 

Now that’s what I call pure motives –

with NO 2^nd guessing – judging - or criticizing

 

& so immediately – Paul turns the focus OFF himself –

& onto the great gospel of Jesus Christ . . .

 

 

Phil 1:13

13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;

 

The good news is – the Palace Guards are coming to Christ – PTL !

 

The palace guards were the elite – hand-picked guards of the emperor –

& Paul had one “captive” with him 24 hrs a day . . .

 

& trust me – Paul was not whining to the guard about
“woe is me – do you know all the horrible things people have done to me”
or “let me tell you how bad I’ve had it . . .”

 

No chance – Paul told the guards about Christ – & it became evident

to them all (& all the rest) that his Chains were in Christ

 

& so his trials had turned out for the furtherance of the gospel –

So he says . . . Praise the Lord . . . (man – is that foreign thinking to us)

 

When the world sees a Christian in a Trial –

they watch to see how that Christian is going to respond . . .

 

& if we respond just like the world does – w/ whining, complaining, criticizing

 

WHY would the world ever what to receive Jesus Christ

if we act just like them when the chips get down . . . ?

 

 

Now - in V.14 – Paul says – not only are the Palace Guards
coming to know Christ

 

but the Christians in Rome are becoming more & more confident -

because of the way Paul is handling his suffering

 

Phil 1:14

14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

 

Now - to say the least – things weren’t going Paul’s way . . .

 

but instead of acting just like an unbeliever –

Paul becomes a witness to the guards - & a witness to the brethren

 

& by his witness the lives of both unbelievers - & believers –

are radically changed . . .

 

by Jesus Christ living in him – in the midst of his circumstances

 

 

& so we think – WOW, this is incredible – the brethren are becoming

more confident to speak the word – because of Paul’s chains

 

& it IS incredible – & if we stopped at V.14 –

we’d think everything was working out just peachy now . . .

but we need to keep reading

 

 

Phil 1:15

15 Some [meaning some mentioned in the previous vs] indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:

 

Whoa – wait a minute Paul – isn’t this more bad news . . . ?

 

Some of those who have become more confident because of your chains
are preaching Christ with impure MOTIVES ??

 

Yep – that’s right - AND some are preaching from goodwill (pure motives)

Now – this would have to be some kind of a “Gut-Shot” to Paul –

 

& I wonder what Paul means when he says the ones

preaching Christ with impure motives

are getting more confident because of Paul’s chains

 

I wonder if they’re getting more confident that Paul’s

not going to get out & come hunt them down . . . ?

 

In any case Paul recognizes – that some of those who are preaching

are preaching with impure motives

 

But I want you to notice – that Paul doesn’t name anybody in particular –

& I think there’s a chance he’s making a general statement . . .

 

that he knows that there are those out there preaching with wrong motives –

but he may not specifically know who they are . . .

 

 

In any case – he continues to describe them in V.16

 

1Phil 1:16

16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;

 

Some of those – who were gaining confidence to Preach Christ

because of Paul’s example . . .

 

Were doing it;

Out of Selfish Ambition

NOT sincerely (Not without wax)

& supposing to ADD affliction to Paul’s chains

 

Now these are the Christian leaders we love to sink our teeth into –

 

Because these are the ones that we can attack their MOTIVES . . .
where there is no evidence to prove or disprove our allegations

 

Christians get real good – at judging (& attacking) one another

in the area of MOTIVE – because it’s such a “Clean Kill”

 

When I was young – I served in leadership under a pastor –

with whom I came to disagree with

on some ministry approach & ministry direction issues

 

but since there was no outward sin that I could attack –

instead I went for the jungular vein of MOTIVE

 

YEAH – that’s it – His motives were all wrong - & I could tell –

 

God had decided that it was my job to judge the secret things

of that pastors heart - & I was glad to make those judgments for God . . .

 

& I’m sure God He appreciated my help – not only in the judgment –

but also in suggesting what God should do about it

 

But then – something happened – I became a Sr. Pastor –

& soon there-after I had people judging my MOTIVES . . .

 

& helping God judge me - & making suggestions to God

about what He should do to ME – based on their judgments !

 

& the more people made incorrect judgments about MY heart –

the less I wanted to make any judgments about anyone else’s heart . . .

 

& so – not long ago – I decided that judging the deepest places

of a person’s heart - was a job best left up to God

 

& I figured out He could handle that job all by Himself –

& that He didn’t even need my help

 

& I believe that is at least some of what we’re seeing

in these Vs’s Paul has written

 

Did you think that Judging & Attacking motives

was NEW to the Christian church . . . there is nothing new under the sun

 

Guys – Paul experienced attack after attack on the MOTIVES of his heart

& I believe – that is why this section ends the way it does

 

 

But 1^st – he addresses “The other half” –

those who are preaching Christ with pure motives . . .

 

Tho again – there is no evidence indicating Paul knew

which ones were operating in WRONG motive - &

which ones were operating in RIGHT motives . . .

 

He just knew there were some on both sides . . .

& so he addresses the “other side” in Vs.17

 

Phil 1:17

17 but the latter [those preaching out of goodwill] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

 

So – Some preaching out of Love - & Goodwill –

& Some preaching out of Selfish Ambition & Insincerity

 

 

& so – what would the greatest apostle do – in such a situation . . . ?

& what should we do – if we are ever faced with a similar situation . . . ?

 

The answer – is in the next Vs. . . .

 

Phil 1:18

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

 

Now Paul – what about

judging ‘em - & bringin em down - & makin ‘em pay?

 

Oh – there’s none of that ? . . .

Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

 

What a radical concept –

& what a freeing commitment for each of us . . .

 

We let God be God – We don’t have to take His place –

& we let Him judge the things that ONLY HE can really judge anyway

 

& if Christ is being preached – we just rejoice - & continue to rejoice

 

What you say we make a commitment right now – to doing just that ???

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PHIL-02  Motives - Phil 1:7-18 I’d like to start today with 2 powerful scriptures about our MOTIVES . . . Prov 16.2 (NASB)2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. 1Cor 4:5 (NASB)5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.  Today – we want to talk about MOTIVES of the heart – Partially the motives
of your own heart – But Primarily – the Motives of that other person’s heart We ended our last study in Phil – w/ that famous Vs.6 Phil 1:6 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
& in the light of our subject today – of Motives – I’d like to say . . . If we truly believed this about one another – It would be more difficult for us to question each others motives Instead – we would just be confident that God is at work – & He is more than able to finish the work He has started But so often – When we are convinced WE are on the RIGHT track – & THEY are on the WRONG track . . .we end up judging & criticizing one another’s motives  When instead – the truth is – God has them “in process” (just like us)& God says here – He will complete the good work He’s begun  So really - we can actually just relax - & let God keep doing the good work He’s started in them - & in US ! In Phil 1:7 - Paul is continuing the thought – from Vs.6 . . . But we also see in V.7 – a huge secret – that frees us from judging one another’s motives Phil 1:77 just as it is right for me to think this [V.6] of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, . . . [stop there for a minute] Paul says “it’s right” for him to have this confidence in the Philippians Because they are in his heart - & they are with him in his chains - & in the defense and the confirmation of the gospel - - - Now that makes sense to us – the Philippians are on Paul’s side – they care about him – they are in essence “there with him” & so his heart is connected to them - & we understand why he’d say he is confident in God’s work being accomplished in them but then – at the end of V.7 is a phrase that equally fits those who are NOT for us . . .those whom we’d have the tendency to question (judge) their motives 7(B) . . . you all are partakers with me of grace. It’s not that Paul is “sharing” his grace with them - - (??)It’s that they are partakers of the same grace of God . . . We are ALL - Equal Partakers of the grace of God -& if we will hear it, that puts us all on an equal playing field We are all equally sinners - & we are all equally recipients of God grace & by the end of our text today – we’ll see Paul take this approach to those who were not exactly “pullin for him” – or – “on his side” But for now – we move to V.8 – Paul ends this thought of confidence for the saints at Philippi Phil 1:88 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. That is the fellowship of the ministry - & it is a wonderful thing
 Now - back in V.4 – Paul had said – 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
& now - from V.9 to V.11 he’s going to tell them some of what he prays for them for Phil 1:99 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, The very 1st thing Paul prays for the Philippian church – is the same thing I believe he would pray for this church today . . . that your love may abound still more and more  In 1Pet 4:8 – Peter writes to the church 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” & that “cover” isn’t like “cover-up” – it means more “wash-away” a multitude of sins It’s love that washes away the offenses, judgments, & criticisms in the church& how the church needs some more of that – don’t we ? Again – in V.9 – Paul prays that the Philippians love may abound . . .still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, knowledge here = “epignosis” = Spiritual / Divine Knowledge  discernment here is referring to being led by that Divine Knowledge in HOW your love may abound more & more So Paul prays our love would abound more & more – in the Divine Knowledge & the Divine Direction of God & that’s gotta be one of the best prayers I could think of – for the church body Cont. his prayer – Paul says in V.10
Phil 1:1010 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, The word “approve” = LIT. “to know by testing” It’s the same word used in Rom 12:2 – [no video] . . . be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that . . . perfect will of God. So FIRST - that your love would abound more & morein Divine Knowledge & Divine Direction . . . & that you would “know by testing” (approve) the things that are excellent . . . & then there is a wonderful word-picture – Paul prays – that you may be sincere . . . This word “sincere” means LIT – oven-tested but here’s how it came about . . . in ancient times the biggest industry In the world was the pottery industry& pottery came from the very cheap to the very expensive The expensive pottery was very thin - & was very fragile – & in had a tendency to “crack” during the firing process but the dishonest dealers figured out they could take a mixture of wax & crushed pottery & fill in the cracks before painting the pot (they did the same with sculpture) & no one could tell if the pot had a crack until it was “oven tested” because - of course - the wax would melt exposing the crack & so the dealers began using two Latin words for their best pottery they were SINE CERA – from which we get our word sincere . . .& those two words mean – WITHOUT WAX So Paul prays that we would be “without wax” – & that we would be oven-tested in our love abounding more & more for one another . . .  & then he finished his prayer - by praying that out of this love –would come “Right Actions” . . . Phil 1:1111 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. we shouldn’t mistake the fruits of righteousness with the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is primarily “INTERNAL” fruit – & the emphasis here is on what is seen externally The reference here is our actions toward one another that come from our righteousness in Christ . . .  The “Fruits of Righteousness” is that “ever abounding love” – put into action & 1st – notice HOW we are called to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness”it is BY Jesus Christ . . . You can have no fruits of righteousness apart from Jesus Christ living IN you - & THRU you Jn 15:44 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. When someone sees that “fruit of righteousness” in you – That’s Jesus !& if they don’t see ANY fruits of righteousness” – That’s YOU ! & 2nd – notice WHY – Paul prays we would be filled withthe fruits of righteousness - - - it’s - to the glory and praise of God When the miracle of Jesus Christ is seen in you – it is always to give the glory & praise to God Paul says in 2Cor 4:77 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. When you act like YOU – That’s Your SIN NATUREWhen you act like Jesus Christ – That’s the Power of God in you !  Now – in V.12 – we’re going to get back to our focus on MOTIVES – & we see Paul’s true motives in how he regards his circumstances Don’t circumstances so often show the real stuff a person is made of ?? Phil 1:1212 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, We have got to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes - & when we do the only logical thing we can say is - Paul . . . are you kidding ?? Paul was in chains – he was awaiting trial that may’ve ended in his executionhe had barely escaped a lynch mob - gone thru 2 yrs of prison in Cesarea -
& survived a shipwreck just to get to prison in Rome  But because of his single-minded focus on Jesus Christ – he says . . .you know it’s really worked out for the furtherance of the gospel . . .So IT’S ALL GOOD !!! Now that’s what I call pure motives – with NO 2nd guessing – judging - or criticizing & so immediately – Paul turns the focus OFF himself – & onto the great gospel of Jesus Christ . . .  Phil 1:1313 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; The good news is – the Palace Guards are coming to Christ – PTL ! The palace guards were the elite – hand-picked guards of the emperor –& Paul had one “captive” with him 24 hrs a day . . . & trust me – Paul was not whining to the guard about
“woe is me – do you know all the horrible things people have done to me”
or “let me tell you how bad I’ve had it . . .” No chance – Paul told the guards about Christ – & it became evident to them all (& all the rest) that his Chains were in Christ & so his trials had turned out for the furtherance of the gospel –So he says . . . Praise the Lord . . . (man – is that foreign thinking to us) When the world sees a Christian in a Trial – they watch to see how that Christian is going to respond . . . & if we respond just like the world does – w/ whining, complaining, criticizing WHY would the world ever what to receive Jesus Christif we act just like them when the chips get down . . . ?  Now - in V.14 – Paul says – not only are the Palace Guards
coming to know Christ  but the Christians in Rome are becoming more & more confident -because of the way Paul is handling his suffering  Phil 1:1414 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Now - to say the least – things weren’t going Paul’s way . . . but instead of acting just like an unbeliever – Paul becomes a witness to the guards - & a witness to the brethren  & by his witness the lives of both unbelievers - & believers – are radically changed . . .  by Jesus Christ living in him – in the midst of his circumstances  & so we think – WOW, this is incredible – the brethren are becoming more confident to speak the word – because of Paul’s chains & it IS incredible – & if we stopped at V.14 – we’d think everything was working out just peachy now . . . but we need to keep reading  Phil 1:1515 Some [meaning some mentioned in the previous vs] indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: Whoa – wait a minute Paul – isn’t this more bad news . . . ? Some of those who have become more confident because of your chains
are preaching Christ with impure MOTIVES ?? Yep – that’s right - AND some are preaching from goodwill (pure motives)Now – this would have to be some kind of a “Gut-Shot” to Paul –  & I wonder what Paul means when he says the ones preaching Christ with impure motives are getting more confident because of Paul’s chains  I wonder if they’re getting more confident that Paul’s not going to get out & come hunt them down . . . ? In any case Paul recognizes – that some of those who are preaching are preaching with impure motives  But I want you to notice – that Paul doesn’t name anybody in particular –& I think there’s a chance he’s making a general statement . . . that he knows that there are those out there preaching with wrong motives –but he may not specifically know who they are . . .  In any case – he continues to describe them in V.16 1Phil 1:1616 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; Some of those – who were gaining confidence to Preach Christ because of Paul’s example . . . Were doing it;Out of Selfish AmbitionNOT sincerely (Not without wax)& supposing to ADD affliction to Paul’s chains Now these are the Christian leaders we love to sink our teeth into –  Because these are the ones that we can attack their MOTIVES . . .
where there is no evidence to prove or disprove our allegations Christians get real good – at judging (& attacking) one another in the area of MOTIVE – because it’s such a “Clean Kill” When I was young – I served in leadership under a pastor – with whom I came to disagree with on some ministry approach & ministry direction issues but since there was no outward sin that I could attack –instead I went for the jungular vein of MOTIVE YEAH – that’s it – His motives were all wrong - & I could tell – God had decided that it was my job to judge the secret things of that pastors heart - & I was glad to make those judgments for God . . .  & I’m sure God He appreciated my help – not only in the judgment – but also in suggesting what God should do about it But then – something happened – I became a Sr. Pastor – & soon there-after I had people judging my MOTIVES . . .  & helping God judge me - & making suggestions to God about what He should do to ME – based on their judgments ! & the more people made incorrect judgments about MY heart –the less I wanted to make any judgments about anyone else’s heart . . . & so – not long ago – I decided that judging the deepest places of a person’s heart - was a job best left up to God & I figured out He could handle that job all by Himself –& that He didn’t even need my help & I believe that is at least some of what we’re seeing in these Vs’s Paul has written  Did you think that Judging & Attacking motives was NEW to the Christian church . . . there is nothing new under the sun Guys – Paul experienced attack after attack on the MOTIVES of his heart& I believe – that is why this section ends the way it does   But 1st – he addresses “The other half” – those who are preaching Christ with pure motives . . . Tho again – there is no evidence indicating Paul knew which ones were operating in WRONG motive - & which ones were operating in RIGHT motives . . . He just knew there were some on both sides . . .& so he addresses the “other side” in Vs.17 Phil 1:1717 but the latter [those preaching out of goodwill] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. So – Some preaching out of Love - & Goodwill –& Some preaching out of Selfish Ambition & Insincerity   & so – what would the greatest apostle do – in such a situation . . . ?& what should we do – if we are ever faced with a similar situation . . . ? The answer – is in the next Vs. . . . Phil 1:1818 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Now Paul – what about judging ‘em - & bringin em down - & makin ‘em pay? Oh – there’s none of that ? . . .Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. What a radical concept – & what a freeing commitment for each of us . . . We let God be God – We don’t have to take His place –& we let Him judge the things that ONLY HE can really judge anyway & if Christ is being preached – we just rejoice - & continue to rejoice What you say we make a commitment right now – to doing just that ???

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PHIL-02  Motives - Phil 1:7-18 I’d like to start today with 2 powerful scriptures about our MOTIVES . . . Prov 16.2 (NASB)2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. 1Cor 4:5 (NASB)5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.  Today – we want to talk about MOTIVES of the heart – Partially the motives
of your own heart – But Primarily – the Motives of that other person’s heart We ended our last study in Phil – w/ that famous Vs.6 Phil 1:6 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
& in the light of our subject today – of Motives – I’d like to say . . . If we truly believed this about one another – It would be more difficult for us to question each others motives Instead – we would just be confident that God is at work – & He is more than able to finish the work He has started But so often – When we are convinced WE are on the RIGHT track – & THEY are on the WRONG track . . .we end up judging & criticizing one another’s motives  When instead – the truth is – God has them “in process” (just like us)& God says here – He will complete the good work He’s begun  So really - we can actually just relax - & let God keep doing the good work He’s started in them - & in US ! In Phil 1:7 - Paul is continuing the thought – from Vs.6 . . . But we also see in V.7 – a huge secret – that frees us from judging one another’s motives Phil 1:77 just as it is right for me to think this [V.6] of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, . . . [stop there for a minute] Paul says “it’s right” for him to have this confidence in the Philippians Because they are in his heart - & they are with him in his chains - & in the defense and the confirmation of the gospel - - - Now that makes sense to us – the Philippians are on Paul’s side – they care about him – they are in essence “there with him” & so his heart is connected to them - & we understand why he’d say he is confident in God’s work being accomplished in them but then – at the end of V.7 is a phrase that equally fits those who are NOT for us . . .those whom we’d have the tendency to question (judge) their motives 7(B) . . . you all are partakers with me of grace. It’s not that Paul is “sharing” his grace with them - - (??)It’s that they are partakers of the same grace of God . . . We are ALL - Equal Partakers of the grace of God -& if we will hear it, that puts us all on an equal playing field We are all equally sinners - & we are all equally recipients of God grace & by the end of our text today – we’ll see Paul take this approach to those who were not exactly “pullin for him” – or – “on his side” But for now – we move to V.8 – Paul ends this thought of confidence for the saints at Philippi Phil 1:88 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. That is the fellowship of the ministry - & it is a wonderful thing
 Now - back in V.4 – Paul had said – 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
& now - from V.9 to V.11 he’s going to tell them some of what he prays for them for Phil 1:99 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, The very 1st thing Paul prays for the Philippian church – is the same thing I believe he would pray for this church today . . . that your love may abound still more and more  In 1Pet 4:8 – Peter writes to the church 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” & that “cover” isn’t like “cover-up” – it means more “wash-away” a multitude of sins It’s love that washes away the offenses, judgments, & criticisms in the church& how the church needs some more of that – don’t we ? Again – in V.9 – Paul prays that the Philippians love may abound . . .still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, knowledge here = “epignosis” = Spiritual / Divine Knowledge  discernment here is referring to being led by that Divine Knowledge in HOW your love may abound more & more So Paul prays our love would abound more & more – in the Divine Knowledge & the Divine Direction of God & that’s gotta be one of the best prayers I could think of – for the church body Cont. his prayer – Paul says in V.10
Phil 1:1010 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, The word “approve” = LIT. “to know by testing” It’s the same word used in Rom 12:2 – [no video] . . . be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that . . . perfect will of God. So FIRST - that your love would abound more & morein Divine Knowledge & Divine Direction . . . & that you would “know by testing” (approve) the things that are excellent . . . & then there is a wonderful word-picture – Paul prays – that you may be sincere . . . This word “sincere” means LIT – oven-tested but here’s how it came about . . . in ancient times the biggest industry In the world was the pottery industry& pottery came from the very cheap to the very expensive The expensive pottery was very thin - & was very fragile – & in had a tendency to “crack” during the firing process but the dishonest dealers figured out they could take a mixture of wax & crushed pottery & fill in the cracks before painting the pot (they did the same with sculpture) & no one could tell if the pot had a crack until it was “oven tested” because - of course - the wax would melt exposing the crack & so the dealers began using two Latin words for their best pottery they were SINE CERA – from which we get our word sincere . . .& those two words mean – WITHOUT WAX So Paul prays that we would be “without wax” – & that we would be oven-tested in our love abounding more & more for one another . . .  & then he finished his prayer - by praying that out of this love –would come “Right Actions” . . . Phil 1:1111 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. we shouldn’t mistake the fruits of righteousness with the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is primarily “INTERNAL” fruit – & the emphasis here is on what is seen externally The reference here is our actions toward one another that come from our righteousness in Christ . . .  The “Fruits of Righteousness” is that “ever abounding love” – put into action & 1st – notice HOW we are called to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness”it is BY Jesus Christ . . . You can have no fruits of righteousness apart from Jesus Christ living IN you - & THRU you Jn 15:44 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. When someone sees that “fruit of righteousness” in you – That’s Jesus !& if they don’t see ANY fruits of righteousness” – That’s YOU ! & 2nd – notice WHY – Paul prays we would be filled withthe fruits of righteousness - - - it’s - to the glory and praise of God When the miracle of Jesus Christ is seen in you – it is always to give the glory & praise to God Paul says in 2Cor 4:77 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. When you act like YOU – That’s Your SIN NATUREWhen you act like Jesus Christ – That’s the Power of God in you !  Now – in V.12 – we’re going to get back to our focus on MOTIVES – & we see Paul’s true motives in how he regards his circumstances Don’t circumstances so often show the real stuff a person is made of ?? Phil 1:1212 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, We have got to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes - & when we do the only logical thing we can say is - Paul . . . are you kidding ?? Paul was in chains – he was awaiting trial that may’ve ended in his executionhe had barely escaped a lynch mob - gone thru 2 yrs of prison in Cesarea -
& survived a shipwreck just to get to prison in Rome  But because of his single-minded focus on Jesus Christ – he says . . .you know it’s really worked out for the furtherance of the gospel . . .So IT’S ALL GOOD !!! Now that’s what I call pure motives – with NO 2nd guessing – judging - or criticizing & so immediately – Paul turns the focus OFF himself – & onto the great gospel of Jesus Christ . . .  Phil 1:1313 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; The good news is – the Palace Guards are coming to Christ – PTL ! The palace guards were the elite – hand-picked guards of the emperor –& Paul had one “captive” with him 24 hrs a day . . . & trust me – Paul was not whining to the guard about
“woe is me – do you know all the horrible things people have done to me”
or “let me tell you how bad I’ve had it . . .” No chance – Paul told the guards about Christ – & it became evident to them all (& all the rest) that his Chains were in Christ & so his trials had turned out for the furtherance of the gospel –So he says . . . Praise the Lord . . . (man – is that foreign thinking to us) When the world sees a Christian in a Trial – they watch to see how that Christian is going to respond . . . & if we respond just like the world does – w/ whining, complaining, criticizing WHY would the world ever what to receive Jesus Christif we act just like them when the chips get down . . . ?  Now - in V.14 – Paul says – not only are the Palace Guards
coming to know Christ  but the Christians in Rome are becoming more & more confident -because of the way Paul is handling his suffering  Phil 1:1414 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Now - to say the least – things weren’t going Paul’s way . . . but instead of acting just like an unbeliever – Paul becomes a witness to the guards - & a witness to the brethren  & by his witness the lives of both unbelievers - & believers – are radically changed . . .  by Jesus Christ living in him – in the midst of his circumstances  & so we think – WOW, this is incredible – the brethren are becoming more confident to speak the word – because of Paul’s chains & it IS incredible – & if we stopped at V.14 – we’d think everything was working out just peachy now . . . but we need to keep reading  Phil 1:1515 Some [meaning some mentioned in the previous vs] indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: Whoa – wait a minute Paul – isn’t this more bad news . . . ? Some of those who have become more confident because of your chains
are preaching Christ with impure MOTIVES ?? Yep – that’s right - AND some are preaching from goodwill (pure motives)Now – this would have to be some kind of a “Gut-Shot” to Paul –  & I wonder what Paul means when he says the ones preaching Christ with impure motives are getting more confident because of Paul’s chains  I wonder if they’re getting more confident that Paul’s not going to get out & come hunt them down . . . ? In any case Paul recognizes – that some of those who are preaching are preaching with impure motives  But I want you to notice – that Paul doesn’t name anybody in particular –& I think there’s a chance he’s making a general statement . . . that he knows that there are those out there preaching with wrong motives –but he may not specifically know who they are . . .  In any case – he continues to describe them in V.16 1Phil 1:1616 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; Some of those – who were gaining confidence to Preach Christ because of Paul’s example . . . Were doing it;Out of Selfish AmbitionNOT sincerely (Not without wax)& supposing to ADD affliction to Paul’s chains Now these are the Christian leaders we love to sink our teeth into –  Because these are the ones that we can attack their MOTIVES . . .
where there is no evidence to prove or disprove our allegations Christians get real good – at judging (& attacking) one another in the area of MOTIVE – because it’s such a “Clean Kill” When I was young – I served in leadership under a pastor – with whom I came to disagree with on some ministry approach & ministry direction issues but since there was no outward sin that I could attack –instead I went for the jungular vein of MOTIVE YEAH – that’s it – His motives were all wrong - & I could tell – God had decided that it was my job to judge the secret things of that pastors heart - & I was glad to make those judgments for God . . .  & I’m sure God He appreciated my help – not only in the judgment – but also in suggesting what God should do about it But then – something happened – I became a Sr. Pastor – & soon there-after I had people judging my MOTIVES . . .  & helping God judge me - & making suggestions to God about what He should do to ME – based on their judgments ! & the more people made incorrect judgments about MY heart –the less I wanted to make any judgments about anyone else’s heart . . . & so – not long ago – I decided that judging the deepest places of a person’s heart - was a job best left up to God & I figured out He could handle that job all by Himself –& that He didn’t even need my help & I believe that is at least some of what we’re seeing in these Vs’s Paul has written  Did you think that Judging & Attacking motives was NEW to the Christian church . . . there is nothing new under the sun Guys – Paul experienced attack after attack on the MOTIVES of his heart& I believe – that is why this section ends the way it does   But 1st – he addresses “The other half” – those who are preaching Christ with pure motives . . . Tho again – there is no evidence indicating Paul knew which ones were operating in WRONG motive - & which ones were operating in RIGHT motives . . . He just knew there were some on both sides . . .& so he addresses the “other side” in Vs.17 Phil 1:1717 but the latter [those preaching out of goodwill] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. So – Some preaching out of Love - & Goodwill –& Some preaching out of Selfish Ambition & Insincerity   & so – what would the greatest apostle do – in such a situation . . . ?& what should we do – if we are ever faced with a similar situation . . . ? The answer – is in the next Vs. . . . Phil 1:1818 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Now Paul – what about judging ‘em - & bringin em down - & makin ‘em pay? Oh – there’s none of that ? . . .Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. What a radical concept – & what a freeing commitment for each of us . . . We let God be God – We don’t have to take His place –& we let Him judge the things that ONLY HE can really judge anyway & if Christ is being preached – we just rejoice - & continue to rejoice What you say we make a commitment right now – to doing just that ???

) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>

PHIL-02  Motives - Phil 1:7-18 I’d like to start today with 2 powerful scriptures about our MOTIVES . . . Prov 16.2 (NASB)2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. 1Cor 4:5 (NASB)5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.  Today – we want to talk about MOTIVES of the heart – Partially the motives
of your own heart – But Primarily – the Motives of that other person’s heart We ended our last study in Phil – w/ that famous Vs.6 Phil 1:6 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
& in the light of our subject today – of Motives – I’d like to say . . . If we truly believed this about one another – It would be more difficult for us to question each others motives Instead – we would just be confident that God is at work – & He is more than able to finish the work He has started But so often – When we are convinced WE are on the RIGHT track – & THEY are on the WRONG track . . .we end up judging & criticizing one another’s motives  When instead – the truth is – God has them “in process” (just like us)& God says here – He will complete the good work He’s begun  So really - we can actually just relax - & let God keep doing the good work He’s started in them - & in US ! In Phil 1:7 - Paul is continuing the thought – from Vs.6 . . . But we also see in V.7 – a huge secret – that frees us from judging one another’s motives Phil 1:77 just as it is right for me to think this [V.6] of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, . . . [stop there for a minute] Paul says “it’s right” for him to have this confidence in the Philippians Because they are in his heart - & they are with him in his chains - & in the defense and the confirmation of the gospel - - - Now that makes sense to us – the Philippians are on Paul’s side – they care about him – they are in essence “there with him” & so his heart is connected to them - & we understand why he’d say he is confident in God’s work being accomplished in them but then – at the end of V.7 is a phrase that equally fits those who are NOT for us . . .those whom we’d have the tendency to question (judge) their motives 7(B) . . . you all are partakers with me of grace. It’s not that Paul is “sharing” his grace with them - - (??)It’s that they are partakers of the same grace of God . . . We are ALL - Equal Partakers of the grace of God -& if we will hear it, that puts us all on an equal playing field We are all equally sinners - & we are all equally recipients of God grace & by the end of our text today – we’ll see Paul take this approach to those who were not exactly “pullin for him” – or – “on his side” But for now – we move to V.8 – Paul ends this thought of confidence for the saints at Philippi Phil 1:88 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. That is the fellowship of the ministry - & it is a wonderful thing
 Now - back in V.4 – Paul had said – 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
& now - from V.9 to V.11 he’s going to tell them some of what he prays for them for Phil 1:99 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, The very 1st thing Paul prays for the Philippian church – is the same thing I believe he would pray for this church today . . . that your love may abound still more and more  In 1Pet 4:8 – Peter writes to the church 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” & that “cover” isn’t like “cover-up” – it means more “wash-away” a multitude of sins It’s love that washes away the offenses, judgments, & criticisms in the church& how the church needs some more of that – don’t we ? Again – in V.9 – Paul prays that the Philippians love may abound . . .still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, knowledge here = “epignosis” = Spiritual / Divine Knowledge  discernment here is referring to being led by that Divine Knowledge in HOW your love may abound more & more So Paul prays our love would abound more & more – in the Divine Knowledge & the Divine Direction of God & that’s gotta be one of the best prayers I could think of – for the church body Cont. his prayer – Paul says in V.10
Phil 1:1010 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, The word “approve” = LIT. “to know by testing” It’s the same word used in Rom 12:2 – [no video] . . . be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that . . . perfect will of God. So FIRST - that your love would abound more & morein Divine Knowledge & Divine Direction . . . & that you would “know by testing” (approve) the things that are excellent . . . & then there is a wonderful word-picture – Paul prays – that you may be sincere . . . This word “sincere” means LIT – oven-tested but here’s how it came about . . . in ancient times the biggest industry In the world was the pottery industry& pottery came from the very cheap to the very expensive The expensive pottery was very thin - & was very fragile – & in had a tendency to “crack” during the firing process but the dishonest dealers figured out they could take a mixture of wax & crushed pottery & fill in the cracks before painting the pot (they did the same with sculpture) & no one could tell if the pot had a crack until it was “oven tested” because - of course - the wax would melt exposing the crack & so the dealers began using two Latin words for their best pottery they were SINE CERA – from which we get our word sincere . . .& those two words mean – WITHOUT WAX So Paul prays that we would be “without wax” – & that we would be oven-tested in our love abounding more & more for one another . . .  & then he finished his prayer - by praying that out of this love –would come “Right Actions” . . . Phil 1:1111 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. we shouldn’t mistake the fruits of righteousness with the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is primarily “INTERNAL” fruit – & the emphasis here is on what is seen externally The reference here is our actions toward one another that come from our righteousness in Christ . . .  The “Fruits of Righteousness” is that “ever abounding love” – put into action & 1st – notice HOW we are called to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness”it is BY Jesus Christ . . . You can have no fruits of righteousness apart from Jesus Christ living IN you - & THRU you Jn 15:44 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. When someone sees that “fruit of righteousness” in you – That’s Jesus !& if they don’t see ANY fruits of righteousness” – That’s YOU ! & 2nd – notice WHY – Paul prays we would be filled withthe fruits of righteousness - - - it’s - to the glory and praise of God When the miracle of Jesus Christ is seen in you – it is always to give the glory & praise to God Paul says in 2Cor 4:77 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. When you act like YOU – That’s Your SIN NATUREWhen you act like Jesus Christ – That’s the Power of God in you !  Now – in V.12 – we’re going to get back to our focus on MOTIVES – & we see Paul’s true motives in how he regards his circumstances Don’t circumstances so often show the real stuff a person is made of ?? Phil 1:1212 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, We have got to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes - & when we do the only logical thing we can say is - Paul . . . are you kidding ?? Paul was in chains – he was awaiting trial that may’ve ended in his executionhe had barely escaped a lynch mob - gone thru 2 yrs of prison in Cesarea -
& survived a shipwreck just to get to prison in Rome  But because of his single-minded focus on Jesus Christ – he says . . .you know it’s really worked out for the furtherance of the gospel . . .So IT’S ALL GOOD !!! Now that’s what I call pure motives – with NO 2nd guessing – judging - or criticizing & so immediately – Paul turns the focus OFF himself – & onto the great gospel of Jesus Christ . . .  Phil 1:1313 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; The good news is – the Palace Guards are coming to Christ – PTL ! The palace guards were the elite – hand-picked guards of the emperor –& Paul had one “captive” with him 24 hrs a day . . . & trust me – Paul was not whining to the guard about
“woe is me – do you know all the horrible things people have done to me”
or “let me tell you how bad I’ve had it . . .” No chance – Paul told the guards about Christ – & it became evident to them all (& all the rest) that his Chains were in Christ & so his trials had turned out for the furtherance of the gospel –So he says . . . Praise the Lord . . . (man – is that foreign thinking to us) When the world sees a Christian in a Trial – they watch to see how that Christian is going to respond . . . & if we respond just like the world does – w/ whining, complaining, criticizing WHY would the world ever what to receive Jesus Christif we act just like them when the chips get down . . . ?  Now - in V.14 – Paul says – not only are the Palace Guards
coming to know Christ  but the Christians in Rome are becoming more & more confident -because of the way Paul is handling his suffering  Phil 1:1414 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Now - to say the least – things weren’t going Paul’s way . . . but instead of acting just like an unbeliever – Paul becomes a witness to the guards - & a witness to the brethren  & by his witness the lives of both unbelievers - & believers – are radically changed . . .  by Jesus Christ living in him – in the midst of his circumstances  & so we think – WOW, this is incredible – the brethren are becoming more confident to speak the word – because of Paul’s chains & it IS incredible – & if we stopped at V.14 – we’d think everything was working out just peachy now . . . but we need to keep reading  Phil 1:1515 Some [meaning some mentioned in the previous vs] indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: Whoa – wait a minute Paul – isn’t this more bad news . . . ? Some of those who have become more confident because of your chains
are preaching Christ with impure MOTIVES ?? Yep – that’s right - AND some are preaching from goodwill (pure motives)Now – this would have to be some kind of a “Gut-Shot” to Paul –  & I wonder what Paul means when he says the ones preaching Christ with impure motives are getting more confident because of Paul’s chains  I wonder if they’re getting more confident that Paul’s not going to get out & come hunt them down . . . ? In any case Paul recognizes – that some of those who are preaching are preaching with impure motives  But I want you to notice – that Paul doesn’t name anybody in particular –& I think there’s a chance he’s making a general statement . . . that he knows that there are those out there preaching with wrong motives –but he may not specifically know who they are . . .  In any case – he continues to describe them in V.16 1Phil 1:1616 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; Some of those – who were gaining confidence to Preach Christ because of Paul’s example . . . Were doing it;Out of Selfish AmbitionNOT sincerely (Not without wax)& supposing to ADD affliction to Paul’s chains Now these are the Christian leaders we love to sink our teeth into –  Because these are the ones that we can attack their MOTIVES . . .
where there is no evidence to prove or disprove our allegations Christians get real good – at judging (& attacking) one another in the area of MOTIVE – because it’s such a “Clean Kill” When I was young – I served in leadership under a pastor – with whom I came to disagree with on some ministry approach & ministry direction issues but since there was no outward sin that I could attack –instead I went for the jungular vein of MOTIVE YEAH – that’s it – His motives were all wrong - & I could tell – God had decided that it was my job to judge the secret things of that pastors heart - & I was glad to make those judgments for God . . .  & I’m sure God He appreciated my help – not only in the judgment – but also in suggesting what God should do about it But then – something happened – I became a Sr. Pastor – & soon there-after I had people judging my MOTIVES . . .  & helping God judge me - & making suggestions to God about what He should do to ME – based on their judgments ! & the more people made incorrect judgments about MY heart –the less I wanted to make any judgments about anyone else’s heart . . . & so – not long ago – I decided that judging the deepest places of a person’s heart - was a job best left up to God & I figured out He could handle that job all by Himself –& that He didn’t even need my help & I believe that is at least some of what we’re seeing in these Vs’s Paul has written  Did you think that Judging & Attacking motives was NEW to the Christian church . . . there is nothing new under the sun Guys – Paul experienced attack after attack on the MOTIVES of his heart& I believe – that is why this section ends the way it does   But 1st – he addresses “The other half” – those who are preaching Christ with pure motives . . . Tho again – there is no evidence indicating Paul knew which ones were operating in WRONG motive - & which ones were operating in RIGHT motives . . . He just knew there were some on both sides . . .& so he addresses the “other side” in Vs.17 Phil 1:1717 but the latter [those preaching out of goodwill] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. So – Some preaching out of Love - & Goodwill –& Some preaching out of Selfish Ambition & Insincerity   & so – what would the greatest apostle do – in such a situation . . . ?& what should we do – if we are ever faced with a similar situation . . . ? The answer – is in the next Vs. . . . Phil 1:1818 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Now Paul – what about judging ‘em - & bringin em down - & makin ‘em pay? Oh – there’s none of that ? . . .Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. What a radical concept – & what a freeing commitment for each of us . . . We let God be God – We don’t have to take His place –& we let Him judge the things that ONLY HE can really judge anyway & if Christ is being preached – we just rejoice - & continue to rejoice What you say we make a commitment right now – to doing just that ???

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PHIL-02  Motives - Phil 1:7-18 I’d like to start today with 2 powerful scriptures about our MOTIVES . . . Prov 16.2 (NASB)2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. 1Cor 4:5 (NASB)5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.  Today – we want to talk about MOTIVES of the heart – Partially the motives
of your own heart – But Primarily – the Motives of that other person’s heart We ended our last study in Phil – w/ that famous Vs.6 Phil 1:6 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
& in the light of our subject today – of Motives – I’d like to say . . . If we truly believed this about one another – It would be more difficult for us to question each others motives Instead – we would just be confident that God is at work – & He is more than able to finish the work He has started But so often – When we are convinced WE are on the RIGHT track – & THEY are on the WRONG track . . .we end up judging & criticizing one another’s motives  When instead – the truth is – God has them “in process” (just like us)& God says here – He will complete the good work He’s begun  So really - we can actually just relax - & let God keep doing the good work He’s started in them - & in US ! In Phil 1:7 - Paul is continuing the thought – from Vs.6 . . . But we also see in V.7 – a huge secret – that frees us from judging one another’s motives Phil 1:77 just as it is right for me to think this [V.6] of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, . . . [stop there for a minute] Paul says “it’s right” for him to have this confidence in the Philippians Because they are in his heart - & they are with him in his chains - & in the defense and the confirmation of the gospel - - - Now that makes sense to us – the Philippians are on Paul’s side – they care about him – they are in essence “there with him” & so his heart is connected to them - & we understand why he’d say he is confident in God’s work being accomplished in them but then – at the end of V.7 is a phrase that equally fits those who are NOT for us . . .those whom we’d have the tendency to question (judge) their motives 7(B) . . . you all are partakers with me of grace. It’s not that Paul is “sharing” his grace with them - - (??)It’s that they are partakers of the same grace of God . . . We are ALL - Equal Partakers of the grace of God -& if we will hear it, that puts us all on an equal playing field We are all equally sinners - & we are all equally recipients of God grace & by the end of our text today – we’ll see Paul take this approach to those who were not exactly “pullin for him” – or – “on his side” But for now – we move to V.8 – Paul ends this thought of confidence for the saints at Philippi Phil 1:88 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. That is the fellowship of the ministry - & it is a wonderful thing
 Now - back in V.4 – Paul had said – 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
& now - from V.9 to V.11 he’s going to tell them some of what he prays for them for Phil 1:99 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, The very 1st thing Paul prays for the Philippian church – is the same thing I believe he would pray for this church today . . . that your love may abound still more and more  In 1Pet 4:8 – Peter writes to the church 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” & that “cover” isn’t like “cover-up” – it means more “wash-away” a multitude of sins It’s love that washes away the offenses, judgments, & criticisms in the church& how the church needs some more of that – don’t we ? Again – in V.9 – Paul prays that the Philippians love may abound . . .still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, knowledge here = “epignosis” = Spiritual / Divine Knowledge  discernment here is referring to being led by that Divine Knowledge in HOW your love may abound more & more So Paul prays our love would abound more & more – in the Divine Knowledge & the Divine Direction of God & that’s gotta be one of the best prayers I could think of – for the church body Cont. his prayer – Paul says in V.10
Phil 1:1010 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, The word “approve” = LIT. “to know by testing” It’s the same word used in Rom 12:2 – [no video] . . . be transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that . . . perfect will of God. So FIRST - that your love would abound more & morein Divine Knowledge & Divine Direction . . . & that you would “know by testing” (approve) the things that are excellent . . . & then there is a wonderful word-picture – Paul prays – that you may be sincere . . . This word “sincere” means LIT – oven-tested but here’s how it came about . . . in ancient times the biggest industry In the world was the pottery industry& pottery came from the very cheap to the very expensive The expensive pottery was very thin - & was very fragile – & in had a tendency to “crack” during the firing process but the dishonest dealers figured out they could take a mixture of wax & crushed pottery & fill in the cracks before painting the pot (they did the same with sculpture) & no one could tell if the pot had a crack until it was “oven tested” because - of course - the wax would melt exposing the crack & so the dealers began using two Latin words for their best pottery they were SINE CERA – from which we get our word sincere . . .& those two words mean – WITHOUT WAX So Paul prays that we would be “without wax” – & that we would be oven-tested in our love abounding more & more for one another . . .  & then he finished his prayer - by praying that out of this love –would come “Right Actions” . . . Phil 1:1111 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. we shouldn’t mistake the fruits of righteousness with the fruit of the Spirit in Gal 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is primarily “INTERNAL” fruit – & the emphasis here is on what is seen externally The reference here is our actions toward one another that come from our righteousness in Christ . . .  The “Fruits of Righteousness” is that “ever abounding love” – put into action & 1st – notice HOW we are called to be filled with the “fruits of righteousness”it is BY Jesus Christ . . . You can have no fruits of righteousness apart from Jesus Christ living IN you - & THRU you Jn 15:44 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. When someone sees that “fruit of righteousness” in you – That’s Jesus !& if they don’t see ANY fruits of righteousness” – That’s YOU ! & 2nd – notice WHY – Paul prays we would be filled withthe fruits of righteousness - - - it’s - to the glory and praise of God When the miracle of Jesus Christ is seen in you – it is always to give the glory & praise to God Paul says in 2Cor 4:77 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. When you act like YOU – That’s Your SIN NATUREWhen you act like Jesus Christ – That’s the Power of God in you !  Now – in V.12 – we’re going to get back to our focus on MOTIVES – & we see Paul’s true motives in how he regards his circumstances Don’t circumstances so often show the real stuff a person is made of ?? Phil 1:1212 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, We have got to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes - & when we do the only logical thing we can say is - Paul . . . are you kidding ?? Paul was in chains – he was awaiting trial that may’ve ended in his executionhe had barely escaped a lynch mob - gone thru 2 yrs of prison in Cesarea -
& survived a shipwreck just to get to prison in Rome  But because of his single-minded focus on Jesus Christ – he says . . .you know it’s really worked out for the furtherance of the gospel . . .So IT’S ALL GOOD !!! Now that’s what I call pure motives – with NO 2nd guessing – judging - or criticizing & so immediately – Paul turns the focus OFF himself – & onto the great gospel of Jesus Christ . . .  Phil 1:1313 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; The good news is – the Palace Guards are coming to Christ – PTL ! The palace guards were the elite – hand-picked guards of the emperor –& Paul had one “captive” with him 24 hrs a day . . . & trust me – Paul was not whining to the guard about
“woe is me – do you know all the horrible things people have done to me”
or “let me tell you how bad I’ve had it . . .” No chance – Paul told the guards about Christ – & it became evident to them all (& all the rest) that his Chains were in Christ & so his trials had turned out for the furtherance of the gospel –So he says . . . Praise the Lord . . . (man – is that foreign thinking to us) When the world sees a Christian in a Trial – they watch to see how that Christian is going to respond . . . & if we respond just like the world does – w/ whining, complaining, criticizing WHY would the world ever what to receive Jesus Christif we act just like them when the chips get down . . . ?  Now - in V.14 – Paul says – not only are the Palace Guards
coming to know Christ  but the Christians in Rome are becoming more & more confident -because of the way Paul is handling his suffering  Phil 1:1414 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Now - to say the least – things weren’t going Paul’s way . . . but instead of acting just like an unbeliever – Paul becomes a witness to the guards - & a witness to the brethren  & by his witness the lives of both unbelievers - & believers – are radically changed . . .  by Jesus Christ living in him – in the midst of his circumstances  & so we think – WOW, this is incredible – the brethren are becoming more confident to speak the word – because of Paul’s chains & it IS incredible – & if we stopped at V.14 – we’d think everything was working out just peachy now . . . but we need to keep reading  Phil 1:1515 Some [meaning some mentioned in the previous vs] indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: Whoa – wait a minute Paul – isn’t this more bad news . . . ? Some of those who have become more confident because of your chains
are preaching Christ with impure MOTIVES ?? Yep – that’s right - AND some are preaching from goodwill (pure motives)Now – this would have to be some kind of a “Gut-Shot” to Paul –  & I wonder what Paul means when he says the ones preaching Christ with impure motives are getting more confident because of Paul’s chains  I wonder if they’re getting more confident that Paul’s not going to get out & come hunt them down . . . ? In any case Paul recognizes – that some of those who are preaching are preaching with impure motives  But I want you to notice – that Paul doesn’t name anybody in particular –& I think there’s a chance he’s making a general statement . . . that he knows that there are those out there preaching with wrong motives –but he may not specifically know who they are . . .  In any case – he continues to describe them in V.16 1Phil 1:1616 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; Some of those – who were gaining confidence to Preach Christ because of Paul’s example . . . Were doing it;Out of Selfish AmbitionNOT sincerely (Not without wax)& supposing to ADD affliction to Paul’s chains Now these are the Christian leaders we love to sink our teeth into –  Because these are the ones that we can attack their MOTIVES . . .
where there is no evidence to prove or disprove our allegations Christians get real good – at judging (& attacking) one another in the area of MOTIVE – because it’s such a “Clean Kill” When I was young – I served in leadership under a pastor – with whom I came to disagree with on some ministry approach & ministry direction issues but since there was no outward sin that I could attack –instead I went for the jungular vein of MOTIVE YEAH – that’s it – His motives were all wrong - & I could tell – God had decided that it was my job to judge the secret things of that pastors heart - & I was glad to make those judgments for God . . .  & I’m sure God He appreciated my help – not only in the judgment – but also in suggesting what God should do about it But then – something happened – I became a Sr. Pastor – & soon there-after I had people judging my MOTIVES . . .  & helping God judge me - & making suggestions to God about what He should do to ME – based on their judgments ! & the more people made incorrect judgments about MY heart –the less I wanted to make any judgments about anyone else’s heart . . . & so – not long ago – I decided that judging the deepest places of a person’s heart - was a job best left up to God & I figured out He could handle that job all by Himself –& that He didn’t even need my help & I believe that is at least some of what we’re seeing in these Vs’s Paul has written  Did you think that Judging & Attacking motives was NEW to the Christian church . . . there is nothing new under the sun Guys – Paul experienced attack after attack on the MOTIVES of his heart& I believe – that is why this section ends the way it does   But 1st – he addresses “The other half” – those who are preaching Christ with pure motives . . . Tho again – there is no evidence indicating Paul knew which ones were operating in WRONG motive - & which ones were operating in RIGHT motives . . . He just knew there were some on both sides . . .& so he addresses the “other side” in Vs.17 Phil 1:1717 but the latter [those preaching out of goodwill] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. So – Some preaching out of Love - & Goodwill –& Some preaching out of Selfish Ambition & Insincerity   & so – what would the greatest apostle do – in such a situation . . . ?& what should we do – if we are ever faced with a similar situation . . . ? The answer – is in the next Vs. . . . Phil 1:1818 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Now Paul – what about judging ‘em - & bringin em down - & makin ‘em pay? Oh – there’s none of that ? . . .Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. What a radical concept – & what a freeing commitment for each of us . . . We let God be God – We don’t have to take His place –& we let Him judge the things that ONLY HE can really judge anyway & if Christ is being preached – we just rejoice - & continue to rejoice What you say we make a commitment right now – to doing just that ???

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