Making a difference. As a child of God, as a minister of the gospel. We long to know that we are making a difference for the Kingdom of God. It is what we live for. We love our brothers and sisters we love the lost, those in darkness. We long to see them come to the saving grace of Salvation. We long to see those become steed fast in Christ Jesus. WE long to see the fruit of our labor to know we have run the race and not in vain. Its important. When you plant a garden in the natural it takes a lot of effort. WE have to plant it and water it. We pray over it and ask the Lord to bring increase to that garden. Day after day we pull up weeds. And it cost time and money. But in the end we see the fruit of our works. And we are willing to share the fruit of that garden with others. We don’t horde it , we want to bless people with the increases. If we will produce fruit, we must abide in the Vine. If we will abide in the Vine, we will not have to struggle to bring forth our fruit, it will happen naturally John 15:5. I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. 3. As we abide in Him and bring forth fruit, we will not draw attention to ourselves. After all, whoever heard a branch on an apple tree make a lot of noise about the fruit it was producing? All the glory in the orchard is enjoyed by the tree and the farmer. So it will be for us. When we are bringing forth fruit for Him, He will get all the glory 1 Cor. 10:31. 31 So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God. Philippians 1:12-24 12 Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel). Focus on The Father, Not the place . Its not a good place to be at, Prison. What a place for an Apostle of God, Sent by God to end up in. But now look at Paul’s heart here. He isn’t looking at the circumstances. He is looking at what the Father is doing in this place. He tells us it has actually only served to advance, to give place to sharing the good news of the Gospel. Paul is far from being depressed by his circumstances. He is looking at the availabity that God has . Paul understands that where ever he is, God is and God will move and act. It’s the same for us today. No matter where we are we have this same opportunity When your destiny is settled - you can face life's most difficult problems with greater confidence and enjoy experience joy in grief and sorrow. It's the joy that only Jesus can give. Your perspective makes a difference. you got to view it through the eyes of Jesus and understand that God can use the bad things that have happened to equip you to help others. What has happened to you can serve to advance the gospel  13 So much is this a fact that throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest [here] my imprisonment has become generally known to be in Christ [that I am a prisoner in His service and for Him]. Paul tells us that the whole imperial guard and the rest there has become known to be in Christ. Notice Paul is not saying this has happen under his own power. He goes on to say I am a prisoner in His service for Him. He gives God the glory. Your station in life is not important. 14 And [also] most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak and publish fearlessly the Word of God [acting with more freedom and indifference to the consequences]. He his is in prison, and in chains, and in all of this, God is using it for His glory. The brethren have a fresh confidence in the Lord BECAUSE of Paul’s chains. It encourages them to speak more boldy and to publish fearlessly the word of God. We have different kinds of chains if you will you can grumble about being homebound or you can take that time to do the reading, writing and praying you've always wanted to do. you can grumble about financial stresses or you can take it as a challenge to find contentment and joy in things that don't cost money. you can grumble about your physical condition or use your physical condition as your motivation for getting started on that exercise program you've been putting off. you can complain about how empty the house is with the kids gone or you can travel or look for new ways to occupy your time. you can grumble about your illness or you can use the time to deepen your faith and to minister to others. you can complain about living in a small town or you can draw from the benefits of the small town. 15 Some, it is true, [actually] preach Christ (the Messiah) [for no better reason than] out of envy and rivalry (party spirit), but others are doing so out of a loyal spirit and goodwill. Paul Knew that some where preaching to build their own reputations, and taking advantage of his imprisonment to try to make a nave for themselves. But regardless of thehe movtives paul choses to rejoice that the good news was being preached. Now Paul is not condoning it nore does God excuse their wrong motives. But we should be glad if God uses their message, regardless of their motives. 16 The latter [proclaim Christ] out of love, because they recognize and know that I am [providentially] put here for the defense of the good news (the Gospel). Paul could of become depressed, discouraged, or disillusioned. He could of wallowed in self pity and despair. Instead, he regards his imprisonment as being appointed by God. God uses Pauls imprisonment to rome to bring the gosple to the senter of the impire as well as to give Paul lots of time to write letters that would one day end up being the new testament and give us much teaching and encouragment. Do you have difficulty accepting your station in life? Do you resent where God has placed you?often Gd puts us in a place to serve. even if it is an actual presion or a place that feels like one. God want you to srve Him faithfully and joyfully. 17 But the former preach Christ out of a party spirit, insincerely [out of no pure motive, but thinking to annoy me], supposing they are making my bondage more bitter and my chains more galling.  What has happened to you will ultimately turn out from your good 18 But what does it matter, so long as either way, whether in pretense [for personal ends] or in all honesty [for the furtherance of the Truth], Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I [now] rejoice, yes, and I shall rejoice [hereafter] also. 19 For I am well assured and indeed know that through your prayers and a bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) this will turn out for my preservation (for the spiritual health and[i]welfare of my own soul) and avail toward the saving work of the Gospel. Paul trusted Christ to work out his deliverance. Pauls prayer was that when he stood trail, he would speak courageously for Christ and not be timed or ashamed. Weather he lived or died, he wanted to exalt Christ and not self. Now Paul was released from this imprisonment but arrested again two or three years later. Only faith in Christ Jesus could sustain Paul. 20 This is in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope, that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything; but that with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always heretofore, Christ (the Messiah) will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through (by) life or through (by) death. Pauls whole purpose in life was to speak out boldly for Christ Jesus nad become more like Him. Paul could confidently say that dying would be even better then living because in death he would be removed from worldly troubles. and he knew he would see Christ Jesus face to face. If your not ready to die, then you are not ready to life. Make cerntain of your destiny, when you will be free to serve and devote your life to what really counts, with out fear of death. 21 For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]. 22 If, however, it is to be life in the flesh and I am to live on here, that means fruitful service for me; so I can say nothing as to my personal preference [I cannot choose], 23 But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better; When Paul uses this word, he is telling us that he feels like a prisoner in this world. In other words, his body is here, but his heart is elsewhere. He feels the pressure of this life and longs for the freedom of Heaven. 24 But to remain in my body is more needful and essential for your sake. Here is Pauls purpose for living when he served .... It was to serve God and serve others as Christ Jesus would have him to do. Paul was not worried about his comfort, or even provisions for his life. We also need a purpose for living that goes far beyond providing for our own needs... Whom can you serve or help... what is your purpose for living? 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and stay by you all, to promote your progress and joy in believing, 26 So that in me you may have abundant cause for exultation and glorying in Christ Jesus, through my coming to you again. Whatever happens conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel 27 Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side andcontending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel). Paul encouraged the believers to be unified as they stood side by side, fighting together for the faith. He as we should be was welling to go that extra mile. even if it was hard for him to do so. He was about The Fathers Kingdom work and not about his own. We are to stand firm in one spirit and purpose. we are to be joined together in this way.We are part of the Vine. We are all connected to the same Branch. There is to be unity of the Holy Spirit among us. And that means living in a worthy manor of Gods word and Christ Jesus purpose. 28 And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents andadversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God. For Paul, Christ is the obvious response to all of these concerns; hence he concludes once more on the note of rejoicing urging them to follow his own example in the face of opposition and suffering. Paul was an encurager and he could use himself as an example because of how he was living and conducting himself. Can we do that same thing with the way we live our life now? Do we need to work on these things some more? 29 For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf. Paul says it is a privilege not only to believe in, and adhere to, to rely and trust in Him but also to suffer on the behalf of Jesus. 30 So you are engaged in the same conflict which you saw me [wage] and which you now hear to be mine [still]. we are in the same conflict as Paul. and we will suffer at some point in some way because we are children of God. Suffering is always a tool for the Lord in our life. Suffering can help us grow and mature.God can use suffering to display his work in you. God is looking for that one who can make his or her mark. You may be the only Christian whom some people will ever know. The fact is that God can do a lot with a little. God is just looking for one-someone like you, someone like me. Will you be that one person?Would you be willing to do what you can, where you are, with the influence that God has given you? Never underestimate the power of one.Never understatement when He can do in and threw you as you yuild yourself to him. Dont ever think its just a little bit. Its not about numbers its about Him and never about us. Its look at Him and what He does