INTRODUCTION:
Christians must advance the Gospel. The word “furtherance” means: “to strike forward, advance.” John the baptizer furthered the Gospel and made way for the Lord.
1. The Gospel should be furthered because:
A. Men are lost in sin and the Gospel is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16);
B. Men in a world of fear and frustration need the peace of God, and the Gospel brings peace (Rom. 10:15);
C. Men in a world of death, doubt, and despair need hope, and the Gospel is a message of hope (Col. 1:23).
2. There are four ways for furthering the Gospel as set forth in Philippians.
I. THE Gospel IS FURTHERED BY FELLOWSHIP – 1:5:
A. “Fellowship” means “joint-participation”
1. The word “fellowship” in the original means “a joint-participation in a common interest and activity.”
2. This fellowship in propagating the Gospel had begun in Philippi when Lydia opened her heart and home to the preaching and preachers of the Gospel (Acts 16:15).
B. How did the Philippian saints have fellowship in the Gospel? Phil. 4:15-16.
1. One who encourages a false teacher becomes a partaker of the evil deed of propagating error (2 John 9-11).
2. One who supports the preaching of the truth has fellowship in the proclamation of the truth (Phil. 1:5; 4:15-16).
C. Can some “go” while staying?
1. The Lord said “go” (Mark 16:15). Those who support those who “go” also partake of the Gospel (Phil. 1:5; 4:15-16). If some don’t “stay” and enable others to “go,” how will the Great Commission be carried out?
II. THE Gospel IS FURTHERED BY OPPOSITION – 1:12-14:
A. Paul wrote this and other letters from a Roman prison.
1. Prison did not silence the tongue nor the pen of Paul!
2. Paul’s imprisonment, which was a demonstration of his love for the Lord, caused some to redouble their efforts to preach and spread the Gospel (1:14).
B. The godly should expect persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).
C. The church in the first century had much opposition, but the church grew.
1. Apostles were threatened (Acts 4; 5:40; 6:1).
2. The church grew in Philippi, Thessalonica, in spite of opposition (Acts 16-17; 15:36-41).
III. THE Gospel IS FURTHERED BY A DEMONSTRATION – 1:27:
A. The conversation (KJV; manner of life) should be “as becometh the Gospel.”
1. The word “becometh” means “having the weight of another thing.”
2. In other words, the “manner of life” will give weight to the proclamation.
C. Paul said that one’s conduct should “adorn” (beautify) the doctrine (teaching) (Titus 2:10).
IV. THE Gospel IS FURTHERED BY A PROCLAMATION – Phil. 1:18:
A. Not everyone preached Christ from pure motive (1:15);
B. Christ is to be preached (proclaimed);
1. Paul preached Christ at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:21; 2:1, 2);
2. When Paul preached Christ he proclaimed the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-3; 2:1-2).
C. The Lord wants the Gospel preached to every creature (Mark 16:15).
D. There is no God-approved substitute for the preaching of the Gospel (1 Cor. 1:21-22).
1. Entertainment is no substitute for Gospel preaching (Rom. 1:16).
CONCLUSION:
1. Men need the Gospel because they are lost in a world of sin, fear, frustration, and despair.
2. God’s people have the Gospel in trust (1 Thess. 2:4).
3. Stewards of the Gospel must be faithful (1 Cor. 4:2).
The Gospel is advanced or furthered by fellowship, opposition, demonstration, and proclamation.
the late Wayne Holland
from a sermon preached:
Hiawassee, GA (10/23/1983)
Roxboro, NC (5/20/1990)
