(Philippians 1:3-6 NIV) “I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 1:12 NIV) Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

1. Keep preaching.

(2 Corinthians 11:24-27 NLT) – Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned.

Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.

26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas.

And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.[ 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food.

I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.”

BIG QUESTION: What is Your Prison?

Stop letting your conditions dictate your calling.

(Philippians 1:13 NIV) As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

(Philippians 1:15, 17 NIV) It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

2. Keep fighting.

(Ephesians 6:12 NLT) For we are not fighting against flesh- and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world,

against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Fight the right battles.

(1 Peter 5:8 NIV) Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

People are not your problem.

(Philippians 1:18 NIV) But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

(Philippians 1:18-19 NIV) Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that ... what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

3. Keep trusting.

(Acts 27:21-25 NIV) “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.

23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me

24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’

25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

(Philippians 1:21-22 NIV) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!

23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far...

4. Keep anticipating.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV – “For the joy set before Him He endured the cross …:

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV) “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Don’t focus on what you’re going through,

focus on what you’re going to.

Philippians 1:23 NIV – “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far...