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<v SPEAKER_00>Good morning, First Baptist Wimberly.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is Mike Gibbons.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Welcome to Friday.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I am really enjoying the beginning of our study in Philippians.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This week we are going to be looking at Philippians 1, verses 12 through 18.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Let me read verses 15 through 17.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So what's going on here?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Paul is imprisoned, and he has a group of preachers that are speaking against him.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And these preachers are vicious in their attacks.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They are thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment, says Paul.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They are slandering his character and discrediting his motives to gain a following.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Every one of us faces assaults by others who want to steal our joy.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I know you know what I'm talking about.

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<v SPEAKER_00>When they walk in the room, they just suck the joy right out of the room and right out of you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It may be a coworker, it could be someone in your small group's Bible study, it could be someone in your family.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But this is why we must remain riveted in our focus on Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Look at how Paul responds.

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<v SPEAKER_00>He says he has constant joy.

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<v SPEAKER_00>In verse 18, he says what really matters is not that he is found innocent or exonerated, but that the name of Christ is exalted.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Even in prison, when others are turning against him, when his good name is being slandered, Paul is rejoicing in the Lord.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The priority for Paul is always the magnification of Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>For Paul, it matters little what happens to him or what is said about him as long as the Lord is glorified.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So here's the question I'm asking myself today.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Do I rejoice in the midst of my suffering when the name of Christ is being advanced?

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<v SPEAKER_00>Or do I care more about my reputation or the reputation of my Redeemer?

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<v SPEAKER_00>We have to recognize that our life is not about comfort, but about Christ being made known.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This is Mike Gibbons, and I love being your pastor.