God Seeks Unimportant

PeoplePhilippians 1:13-20

• Freedom (v. 13)

• Comforts of life (v. 13)

• Reputation (v. 16)

• Life itself (v. 20)

Of lesser importance

“That Christ might be

magnified in my body”

Paul Changed• Acts 22:2,3• Gal 1:14• Acts 9:1,2• HAD BEEN AN IMPORTANT PERSON• Highly Educated• Spoke 2 Languages• Known by Highest Politicos

Became Unimportant

How Did This Change Occur?

HOW PAUL BECOME UNIMPORTANT -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Paul• Had been a

blasphemer, persecutor & injurious

• Chief of sinners

• Put into the service of Christ

• Glorified God

Christ• Came to save

sinners• Showed long-

suffering, mercy, grace, love, and revealed His word (“faith”)

• Put Paul into His service

• Came to bring glory to God

God Seeks Unimportant People

Christ was Magnified in Paul

• His life (Phil 1:20)

His mind, Phil. 4:8-9

His personal conduct, 1 Thes. 2:1-7 2 Cor. 7:1

His dedication to spreading the gospel, Mk. 16:15; Rom. 1:13-16; 15:19

• His death (Phil 1:20) 2 Tim. 4:6-8

Other Persons Put MAGNIFYING THE LORD Above All Else

• The prophets, Jeremiah 25:3,4 and Acts 7:52

• John the Baptist, Mark 1:6,7; 6:14-29

• Stephen, Acts 7:51

That Christ might be

magnified in my body

GOD SEEKS UNIMPORTANT PEOPLE

What Things WillDiminish Christ In One’s Body?

Self-Importance,Jno. 11:47,48

Christ

Of lesser importance

Self-will, Titus 1:7

2 Peter 2:10

Christ

Of lesser importance

My will be done, then Thy Will,

(if I have time).

Self-indulgence, Lk. 12:15-21

Christ

Of lesser importance

Self-righteousness,

Lk. 18:11,12; Phil. 3:9

Of lesser importanceChrist

God Seeks Unimportant People

Like Paul Who Made Himself Unimportant

Christ was Magnified in Paul’s Life and Death

“…whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice. For I know that through your prayersand the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christthis will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Philippians 1:18-20