Philippians 1:19-30
Philippians 1:19-30 — “Can You See Him?”
My second job ever was with a company called Pinkerton. They’ve been providing security since the days of the stagecoach. Back then, I lived in Eastern Kentucky, about two hours from Marshall University. They needed extra security for their championship game, and I was asked to be part of a five-man detail to protect a young superstar wide receiver named Randy Moss — arguably the best college player that year.
I got to walk this man out to the field and had to stay within eight feet of him during his interview and back into the locker room. The Thundering Herd won that game, earning a chance to compete in the Division 1 AA championship. Growing up, I loved football — still do — and I knew everything about it all the way up to Super Bowl 30. I watched every game I could. The NFL was larger than life, even called “the greatest show on turf” by some.
But nothing prepared me for being inches from the men who play it. You can feel the ground shake from the fans, the heat from the players, the sound of pads crashing together. It was already larger than life on TV, but experiencing it face to face gave me a new respect for the game.
Experiencing something up close, seeing it face to face, is so much different than reading about it in a book, watching it on TV, or even through a telescope.
That’s why I’ve titled today’s message: “Can You See Him?”
Philippians 1:19-20
“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”
When Paul talks about “deliverance,” it’s usually translated as salvation, but here it’s stronger. It means a daily empowering Paul was receiving while he was in prison. Where did this spiritual and physical strength come from?
Paul says it was “through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit.” His confidence was rooted in knowing the Philippians were praying for him. We saw that confidence in his opening prayer. Their prayers were connected to the Spirit’s work in him — a powerful partnership. This shows how serious prayer is. We’re called to pray for others, and that brings freedom and joy, no matter the circumstance.
The supply came from Jesus. Prayer partnered with Him, pouring out His Spirit on Paul.
(Philippians 4:19: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”)
Because of this spiritual partnership with the Philippians, and the fruit of the Spirit in Paul’s life, he knew he had no reason to be ashamed of the chains he wore.
Then Paul returns to why he’s writing these letters in the first place.
“Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”
Did you know our sun could hold 1.3 million Earths inside it? And the Antares star can hold 64 of our suns. The Hercules star can hold 100 million Antares stars. Each one is bigger than the last — but when we look at them in the night sky, they seem so small because they are so far away.
People are far from Jesus, too. What brings Him close enough for us to see His awesomeness? We see Jesus through the lens of our lives — especially when others see Him walking with us through the hard times.
To have Christ magnified means others draw close to Him and recognize He is worthy of rejoicing.
Philippians 1:21
“To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
At 17, I walked across the stage at my high school graduation. I was sad that those years were ending — friends and relationships would change — but graduation also meant freedom and stepping into adulthood. I was becoming a man, ready to work, get married, and have children. It was a graduation to better things, not a loss.
Paul loved ministry and life with others. But he did not fear death. He saw death as a spiritual graduation to something better.
(1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”)
Oh, to be with Jesus face to face! To die was to see Him clearly for the first time — a gain, a no-lose situation for Paul.
My dad, Arliss Beavers, was a minister for over 50 years. He passed away suddenly five years ago on Father’s Day. He had told us he didn’t fear death — he feared reaching an age where he could no longer preach and minister.
I remember rushing to him at the end. God gave me mercy to see him in those last clear moments, to say goodbye and ask if he was ready to go home.
He squeezed my hand, and in his eyes, I saw no fear — only peace about going home to Jesus.
That strengthened my faith, even today.
Christ was magnified in my father’s readiness. I could see Jesus as if face to face.
Praise God — we don’t have to mourn as others do. We have a blessed hope in Jesus.
Philippians 1:22-26
“But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”
Paul knew his work wasn’t done yet. It’s believed Nero set him free for a time, and Paul did return to Philippi.
He was torn between ministering here and going to heaven. He knew what heaven meant:
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No more sin or temptation.
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No more tears or sorrow.
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Being with spiritual brothers and sisters who had gone before.
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Being with Jesus in a way better than we can imagine.
Paul was confident, though. He knew he had more time, more work to do. And that work would bear fruit by the power of the Spirit. Paul’s life would continue to magnify Christ to the Philippians.
Can you see Him in the lives around you?
Later, Nero changed his mind and had Paul arrested again and martyred for his faith in Rome.
But Paul had work to accomplish first, Nero had plans, but God wasn't finished with Paul yet.
If you woke up today — how many of you did? Why do you still have breath? To make Jesus known to others. Do you believe that?
Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Each day is a precious gift, filled with new grace and new opportunities. Don’t waste a single day to share the Gospel or love someone on Jesus’ behalf.
Paul didn’t fear death because of his hope in Jesus, who rescued him on the road to Damascus. That relationship with Jesus changed his entire outlook. Ministry was a blessing, not a burden.
It’s easy to try to tell God how He should glorify Himself through us — why many Christians and leaders burn out. But Paul humbly left God to glorify Himself in Paul’s circumstances. God knows what He’s doing. Amen?
Philippians 1:27
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”
The Greek word for “conduct” means “to live as a citizen.” Paul is calling them to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God — a theme he will develop later in Philippians.
“Striving together for the faith of the gospel” means the body of Christ must stay unified and productive — especially when there’s no leader around.
That’s exactly what happened at Harvest when you were without a pastor. Instead of falling apart, your faith drew you together. Paul would rejoice in the work of the Lord in your lives. What a blessing to be part of such a unified body of believers.
Philippians 1:28
“...and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.”
Stand strong and courageous — like Moses told Joshua before entering the Promised Land.
When Christians stand firm against the world, the flesh, and the devil, it reminds those spiritual enemies of their coming destruction.
Philippians 1:29-30
“For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.”
Now we get to the heart of this message. The Philippians were facing the same conflict Paul was.
Their lives were under spiritual attack, but Paul reminded them God hadn’t abandoned them — just like He never abandoned Paul.
Paul taught them that suffering for Jesus is a privilege.
When the enemy attacks us, it’s proof of our salvation. It shows the enemy sees our walk with Jesus as a threat. When the enemy attacks, it means we are making an impact.
Matthew 16:15-19
Jesus asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said, “Blessed are you… I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”
We’re called to take the Gospel to the gates of Hell. That’s offensive, not defensive. Gates don’t come to us — we go there.
Even the gates of Hell won’t prevail against Jesus.
Can you see Him?
Paul tells the Philippians — and us today — that if you face spiritual attacks, if the enemy fights your flesh, tempts you, or you feel abandoned by people in the church, even preached against by others, you can still experience joy and fruitfulness in your life — just like the Philippians, and like Paul.
Hallelujah to a risen Savior! Would you stand with me?
May Christ be glorified.
Can you see Him today?
The same Jesus who spoke the world into existence, the stars that still shine in the night sky, is calling to you today.
If you don’t know Him, He’s calling.
If you do know Him and you’re discouraged, He hasn’t left you.
Can you see Him?
What a mighty Jesus! Let Him be magnified in your life, and let others see Him in you this week.
Amen?
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