Philippians 1:12-14; 4:22: Making Saints in
Caesar’s Household
Attention
1. As he concluded his letter to Philippi, Paul sent
greetings from the saints in Caesar’s household. Php. 4:22
2. The epistle of Philippians was written while Paul
was under house arrest in the city of Rome.
a. His personal circumstances
would have been frustrating to an ordinary man. His fate was still uncertain.
b. Nevertheless, Paul
maintained a joyful, faithful spirit and continued doing what he could to serve
Christ.
3. The greeting from these saints is remarkable; there were
even Christians in the imperial Roman government.
4. These disciples are evidence of the power of the gospel
to penetrate strongholds and win converts anywhere.
[Proposition] The gospel is to be preached to all;
therefore, we must take it to all men at all times.
I.
Never Let Circumstances Stop You from Doing What You Can
A.
Explanation
1.
How could there be saints in Caesar’s household?
Someone must have taught them.
a)
It appears that Paul was responsible for converting some Roman officials.
Php. 1:12-13
b)
This was not the first time Paul was thrown in jail and converted the
jailer. Ac. 16:27-34
2.
Paul had many excuses not to teach, but he made none.
a)
He was under house arrest in Rome, but he used his time for the Lord.
Ac. 28:30-31
b)
He had a thorn in the flesh that hindered him, but he persisted in spite
of it. 2Co. 12:10
c)
He suffered greatly for the cause of Christ, but he never let the danger
deter him. Ac. 21:13
B.
Application
1.
Paul couldn’t travel freely, but he didn’t make excuses; he did what he
could, however he could.
a)
Our aim should be to magnify Christ in our lives no matter our
circumstances. Php. 1:20-21
b)
We can glorify God in sickness or health, with riches or poverty, with
freedom or prison.
2.
How many times have we used excuses to explain why we aren’t talking to
people about Christ?
a)
Maybe no one can be converted; maybe we live in Noah’s time, but we can
still teach.
b)
Maybe I’m not a gifted teacher; maybe I can’t remember scripture, but I
can still invite.
c)
E.g. Mike Butler talks on the phone, his cable guy, and PT about Christ
and the church
3.
Paul never let circumstances excuse him from speaking of Christ.
Magnify Christ at all times.
II.
Never Assume That Someone Won’t Listen
A.
Explanation
1.
Who would have ever thought that Roman officials would listen to a
prisoner under their charge?
2.
Paul understood that introducing men to the gospel is never a wasted
effort. Mk. 16:15-16
a)
Oftentimes the least likely prospect becomes the most ardent convert.
(1)
Who would have talked to the Samaritan woman? Jn.
4:9, 16-18, 27
(2)
Who would have scheduled a home study with Saul of Tarsus? Ac. 9:10-16
b)
Oftentimes the most likely prospects are not interested in the truth or
in change.
(1)
The Pharisees were religious, but they were worldly and hostile to truth.
(2)
Converts are rarely moral, prosperous, and religious. 1Co. 1:26;
Ja. 2:5; Mt. 9:13
B.
Application
1.
Everyone should be given an opportunity to hear the gospel and accept or
reject it. Ac. 13:44-49
a)
Sometimes we are guilty of evangelistic prejudice – we assume someone
won’t listen!
b)
It is not our place to judge men’s hearts; we can only know a good heart
by its fruit.
2.
Perhaps our greatest failure in evangelism is the failure to ask; we
assume it won’t work.
a)
My job is not to convert others or to baptize; my job is to plant and
water seed. 1Co. 1:17
b)
Notice that the sower does not place
the seed; he broadcasts it anywhere and everywhere.
3.
It is usually easier to ask a person to study or visit earlier rather
than later.
a)
The better acquainted we become, the less inclined we are to jeopardize a
friendship.
b)
What is in jeopardy is not our relationship, it is our souls! They can’t
say ‘Yes’ until we ask.
4.
If I did not know the truth, would I want someone to share it with me?
Visualize Judgment Day.
III.
Never Underestimate the Influence of Faithfulness
A.
Explanation
1.
Paul may have been limited in what he could do, but his influence reached
far. Php. 1:12-14
a)
He was under arrest, but God used his example while confined for good.
b)
Paul’s imprisonment inspired other Christians to do God’s work without
fear.
2.
Paul’s contribution to God’s work was not limited solely to his actual
teaching.
a)
A person’s example when enduring adversity can speak as loud as or louder
than his words.
b)
We learn as much from Paul’s life and heart as we do from his explicit
commands. Php. 4:9
B.
Application
1.
You may not be a preacher, but you can preach lessons by the way you live
your life.
a)
Our example is a powerful tool to turn men toward God. Mt. 5:16; 1Pe.
2:11-12
b)
On the other hand, unfaithfulness and hypocrisy will quickly turn men
away from the Lord.
2.
You cannot know how far your faithfulness to God may one day reach.
a)
You may plant the seed with invitations, tracts, classes, or an example.
1Co. 3:5-9
b)
Someone else may water that seed; you may never see the fruit, but God
makes it grow.
3.
You may feel useless, but God can use your talents, great or few, for his
glory. Be Faith-FULL.
Action
1. Can any of us say that we are doing all that we can to
teach others about Jesus Christ?
a. While there will always be more that
we could do, there probably is still more that we should do.
b. Every soul is a potential
prospect who needs to learn about the Lord, a soul that will be judged by God.
c. Jesus did not say, “Put up a sign and
let them come and learn.” He said, “Go and teach.” Mt. 28:18-20
2. Thanks be to God that He is
gracious to us and longsuffering with our weaknesses.
a. But if you are not a
Christian, you have not yet received the benefits of His grace. (Acts 2:38;
22:16)
b. If you are a Christian but
have been unfaithful, repent and begin living like one of God’s own.