3. Preaching Christ (12-18) V.12-18 What had happened in the past. V.19-26 What was happening in the present. V.12 a) Extension - Of the Gospel. I. As Paul was imprisoned in Rome, God turned it to the good. Rom.8:28; Gen.50:20; 2.Tim.2:9 II. About 10 years earlier God did the same thing in Philippi and if the jailor were still alive he would have said amen. Acts 16:25-34 III. We can choose to allow God to turn our circumstance into the good: the better or we can go with the flow and become bitter. IV. God used 3 things to further the Gospel: 1. Through Paul’ s Chains - Christ was known v.13-14 2. Through Paul’ s Critics - Christ was preached v.15-18 3. Through Paul’ s Crisis - Christ was magnified v.19-21 V. The same God that used the rod of Moses and the sling of David also used the chains of Paul. VI. What was the secret of Paul: He knew that circumstance steals the joy but he had the antidote - a single mind (A mind focused on God). Col.3:1-2 The single mind sees what God is doing instead of what God isn’ t doing. V.13 b) Evidence - Of the whole palace Guard. The Romans soldiers where forced to hear him preach to them for they where chained to him. Acts.28:30-31 V.14 c) Expression - The Gain of the chain. The Christians that knew him and saw how God used him even in chains became bold (some of them got a single mind). 2.Tim.1:7 V.15 d) Envy - Or Goodwill. Some of those preached Christ because they wanted to be great and visible. V.16 e) Egoism - Preaching through Greed. These had ambition and it wasn’ t equipping the saints but building their pride that mattered. Eph.4:11-12; 1.Cor.12:7; 3:3, 12-15 V.17 f) Election - Paul’ s calling and Gift. I. The unselfish ones preached Christ because they knew Paul was elected. II. They preached because they loved God and Paul. 1.Cor.3:12-15; 13:13 V.18 g) Enjoyment - Preaching caused Gladness. The motive was wrong but the content was right therefore he rejoiced.