1. A Special Relationship
Regardless of Circumstances (Philippians 1:12-26)

3. Advanced, regardless of his past…
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel… (Philippians 1:12)

4. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the power structure got disturbed and immediately sought to convict them from being ‘disturbers of the peace’ and ‘outside agitators’. But they went on with the conviction that they were a ‘colony of heaven,’ and had to obey God rather than man. (Martin Luther King Jnr.)

5. Advanced, regardless of his past…
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has Really served to advance the gospel… (Philippians 1:12)

6. Advanced in the Present…
Paul’s Friends
Paul’s Rivals
Preach Christ
out of goodwill
out of envy and rivalry
in love
from selfishness, not sincerely
knowing
supposing
that I am put here
that they can stir up
for the defense of
trouble for me while I
the gospel
am in chains
in truth
in falsehood

7. Advanced in the future…
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… (Philippians 1:20-21)

8. Advanced in the future…
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body… (Philippians 1:23-24)

9. Conclusion

10. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain… (Philippians 1:21)