Discipleship Week 5: Gospel-Centered Goals and Aspirations

Philippians 1:12-18a

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” (1:12-14)

Paul writes to the Philippians from prison in Rome, and he is in prison because he had gone to Jerusalem where he was not popular, got arrested, and ultimately appealed to Caesar (Acts 21-26). It would appear that his actions led some Christians to question him and whether getting arrested and appealing to Caesar was the best thing for the advance of the gospel. But Paul is clear that his imprisonment is furthering the gospel. The guards watching him have heard the gospel, news of the gospel has spread throughout the entire imperial guard (thousands of men), and because of Paul’s imprisonment others are preaching the gospel more boldly. Even those with mixed motives are preaching the gospel (i.e. “Look at me. I’m not like Paul who got himself arrested. What a waste! I’m still out here so I can preach the gospel.).

What is fascinating about Paul here are his goals and aspirations… His primary goal is not to get out of prison, nor to have everyone like him, or even to try and justify himself and his actions in appealing to Caesar. His primary goal is to see the gospel advanced. Because of this he rejoices in the various ways the gospel is being preached. Therefore the advance of the gospel must be at the center of our goals, aspirations, and dreams as well. D.A. Carson puts it this way:

“What are your aspirations? To make money? To get married? To travel? To see your grandchildren grow up? To find a new job? To retire early? None of these is inadmissible; none is to be despised. The question is whether these aspirations become so devouring that the Christian’s central aspiration is squeezed to the periphery or choked out of existence entirely.” –D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians

There are so many good and worthy things that we can aspire to in our lives. But we cannot aspire to those things at the cost of the advance of the gospel. So we may need to rearrange some aspirations so that the advance of the gospel is at the center. And we may need to sacrifice and give up other aspirations so that the advance of the gospel can be at the center. So what are you willing to sacrifice so that the gospel can advance, both where you live and to the ends of the earth?

1. What are your goals, aspirations, and dreams for your life? Finish this sentence: “In twenty years, I want to _____________________________.”

2. Do these goals, aspirations, and dreams have anything to do with the advance of the gospel? If not, why not?

3. Of these goals and aspirations, which ones need to be rearranged so that the advance of the gospel is central? Which ones need to be sacrificed?

4. What are you willing to sacrifice for the advance of the gospel? And how can you participate in the advance of the gospel?