2. LOVING MAKING OUR LORD CONSPICUOUS (Philippians 1:12-26)

There is nothing a happy fellowship enjoys more than making the Lord conspicuous. The Lord magnified among them and through them is the open secret of their joy. The consuming resolve of a happy fellowship on the part of each individual in it, is "Christ will be magnified..." (Philippians 1:20 ). The portion before us teaches much regarding making the Lord conspicuous.

2.1. INCARCERATED TO MAKE THE LORD CONSPICUOUS (Philippians 1:12-18)

The perplexed believers - wondered about one so gifted being imprisoned. Paul wants them to understand that God has not made a mistake (Philippians 1:12 KJV). God does not make mistakes. These painful happenings - "things which happened unto me" suffering - storm - false friends - prison - WHY?

With faith unshaken Paul could say:

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

The purpose - "the furtherance of the gospel" (KJV). People were saved even in the PALACE through Paul being incarcerated at Rome (Philippians 1:13 ). Saints had been stirred by his bonds (Philippians 1:14-18 ). Even preaching against Paul resulted in some believing - and Christ proclaimed. We can trust God even when puzzled by events and happenings to individuals in the fellowship. God's purposes are being outworked. Our joy will be full. Often calamity from the human view turns out to be opportunity from the divine view.

John Bunyan in Bedford Jail wrote: "I have never had in all my life, so great an inlet into the Word of God as now. Those Scriptures that I saw nothing in before are made in this place and state to shine upon me. I have seen that here, which I am persuaded I shall never in this world be able to express."

A happy fellowship is challenged - emboldened - and enlightened - and enabled, by adversity. The attempt to imprison it or confine it, will make it blaze forth all the more.

2.2. INFILLED TO MAKE THE LORD CONSPICUOUS (Philippians 1:19)

By prayer and the continued "supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:19 KJV). Paul was fully confident that "salvation" (Greek 'soteria') deliverance, temporal safety, and freedom from chains and imprisonment would result, through their prayers and a continued supply of the Spirit - in giving him further opportunity to exercise his ministry in making the Lord conspicuous.

Release from chains was to be brought about by means of "prayer" and a supply of the Spirit - "Spirit of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:19 KJV). This is a title of the Holy Spirit:

	"Spirit of Jesus Christ", compare "Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9 and 1 Peter 1:11 ).
	"Spirit of Jesus" (Acts 16:7 NIV and RV).
	"Spirit of His Son" (Galatians 4:6 NKJV).
	"Spirit of the Lord" (Acts 5:9; 8:39 NKJV).

John 7:37- 39 "... "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; ..."

John 20:22 "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit"."

The giving of the Spirit at Pentecost is attributed to Christ, by Peter.

Acts 2:33 "... having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear."

	The Spirit imparts the Christ life - "the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:11 ).
	The Spirit reproduces the fruit of the Christ life within us.
	The Spirit interprets the Christ to us. John 16:14 "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you."
	The Spirit perfectly represents the Christ. John 14:18 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"

"Another" Greek 'allos', meaning "another of the same kind." The Spirit and the Son are of one common essence of nature in the Godhead. Therefore the Spirit is the perfect representative of Christ. To have then, a continued "supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" is to have Christ continually made conspicuous through your life.

How is the Holy Spirit's supply maintained? The secret of the continued Spirit-filled life is BY PRAYER.

	We are to pray for OURSELVES Luke 11:13 "... how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? "
	We are to pray for OTHERS Philippians 1:19 "For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,"
	We are to pray with ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE 1 John 5:14,15 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

Obedience daily to Ephesians 5:18 "be filled with the Spirit" makes Christ conspicuous.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Can you tell, or know, of a calamity from the human view, that turned out to be a divine opportunity? (Philippians 1:12 ).

2. Do you have some person or ministry to pray for with a supply of the Spirit? (Philippians 1:19 ).

3. Can you give instances when you have known a supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ making a difference?