Paradox, 21 September 2025
21 09 25 Filed in: Sermons | Philippians
Paradox
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
September 21, 2025
Philippians 1:12-26
Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.
Big Idea: The Kingdom of God is filled with paradox the world does not (always) understand.
Paradox is a statement that appears contradictory but actually describes a deeper truth. One of the most popular examples is less is more.
The Bible is filled with paradox, which explains why following Jesus is the original alternative lifestyle. It is radical. It is counter-cultural. We are not to live like the world lives because we are not of this world. We are citizens of what appears to be an upside-down kingdom, the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said, “The first shall be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 20:16)
Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Today we continue our series on the book of Philippians, a short letter written by Paul to one of the first churches he started in modern day Greece. He’s writing from an unknown prison and the theme of the letter—paradoxically—is joy.
Have you ever been imprisoned? Most of us have not been held in physical chains, but many of us have been in bondage, whether it’s to fear, addiction, mental illness, debt, loneliness, anxiety, hatred, or shame.
Paul is physically imprisoned for proclaiming the gospel, the good news that Jesus is LORD. You would think that prison would stop his ministry, but Paul says otherwise.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14)
Do you see the paradox? Paul is arrested for preaching good news and now possibly thousands of soldiers (the whole palace guard) learn about him and his message. Chains may or may not have been literal, but he was imprisoned and suffering physically.
For two thousand years, tens of millions of Christians have been persecuted for their faith, many even martyred. Roughly 4000-6000 are killed for faith-related reasons every year. North African Tertullian in the second-century said “The blood of Christians is seed,” meaning “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” When you try to stop us, it will only strengthen and expand our movement.
Paul understood this. Amazingly, even in prison, he was not concerned about his well-being, but rather the Kingdom of God. He understood these words of Jesus:
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)
Every human experiences seasons of growth, from drinking to eating to crawling to walking to running. Spiritual growth has its own steps. Jesus began his public ministry by inviting people to “come and see.” Over time, he challenged them to greater maturity, culminating with “come and die”…in order to truly live.
Do you understand this? Are you experiencing this? If you’re like me, you wonder if it’s even possible. After all, we’re taught in our culture to be independent, to do whatever feels good, to declare our rights, and pursue happiness, safety, and comfort. But this is not the way of Jesus…or Paul. Their chief concern is the Kingdom of God.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (Philippians 1:15-17)
Motivates matter, right? Not according to Paul in this instance!
But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Philippians 1:18a)
Paul doesn’t care. The gospel, the good news that Jesus is LORD, is being preached. Here the message is more than the medium, in this case likely competitors of Paul preaching the pure gospel with selfish motives. He then says,
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, (Philippians 1:18b)
He’s really rejoicing…in prison…in chains. Why?
for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. (Philippians 1:19)
There it is…Paul’s deliverance, whether it’s release from prison or eternal salvation.
Notice the two things that will turn out for his deliverance: the prayers of the Philippians and the Holy Spirit.
It’s a mystery the role we play and the role God plays in miracles, in the supernatural, in the transformation of lives.
I often think of it like sailing. Heather and I had a sailing class in college, the last class of the week on Friday afternoon we got to go sailing. There are two parts to sailing: the wind and the sail. If there’s no wind, you won’t move much. If the sail is not in the right position, you won’t move much…or at least not in the right direction! It’s a both-and.
The Greek word for the Holy Spirit, pneuma, literally means wind. I like to think our prayers are like putting up the sails. When we pray and the Spirit moves, there’s motion, movement, transformation.
Does God need us? Of course not, but He chooses to involve us in His work, His mission. We are His ambassadors on planet earth, re-presenting Him to others. Incredible!
Paul rejoiced at the prayers of the Philippians and the provision of the Spirit.
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20)
“Paul, you’re in prison for your faith. Don’t worry about being ashamed. You are obviously a man of great courage.” Are we courageous about our faith…or ashamed? Jesus hung up for us. Can we stand up for him? Can we tell our story…His-tory? Paul didn’t care about himself. All that mattered was God’s glory, Christ exalted. He explicitly said,
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
Paradox!
We’re all going to die someday. The question is how will we live. Paul has already given up his life, his agenda, his will, his rights to Jesus. Every day he declared in word and deed, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.” Did you know there’s tremendous freedom in letting go? Fully surrendered people don’t worry about…anything! If it’s all about Jesus, it’s up to him whether we live or die, so there’s nothing we need to protect, maintain, or stress about. It’s in His hands…even our very lives.
Do our lives matter? Absolutely! You were created in the image of God with dignity, value, and worth. But you were made by God, for God, and for God’s glory.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
Here’s Paul’s explanation of “should I stay or should I go?”
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:22-24)
I feel this. I can’t wait to meet Jesus face to face, but my mission has not yet been accomplished…and neither has yours! We have work to do.
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. (Philippians 1:25-26)
Like a good pastor, Paul loves his flock, his sheep, his disciples. He cares for them, encourages them, and finds joy in their maturity.
I can relate. College First, when I hear stories of people taking next steps with God I rejoice. Whenever a selfish sinner surrenders to Jesus, I celebrate…with all of the angels, by the way! I love you and love to see what God is doing in and through us—not me, but us. Together. Jesus is building his church! Each of us has a part to play, a gift to use…not for our glory but God’s.
Thank you…for praying, inviting, serving, and investing. God is moving in and through us as we love, equip, and send and I can’t imagine anything more exciting.
So What?
The Kingdom of God is filled with paradox the world does not (always) understand. The more we decrease, the more God can increase. When we are weak, He is strong. When we die to our own ego and agenda, we can truly live the abundant life Jesus offers. Where are you weak? Where do you need to die?
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
May this be our declaration as we love, equip, and send.
Kirk Schneemann
Joy: Book of Philippians
College First Church of God
September 21, 2025
Philippians 1:12-26
Series Big Idea: Philippians reminds us we can experience joy no matter the circumstances.
Big Idea: The Kingdom of God is filled with paradox the world does not (always) understand.
Paradox is a statement that appears contradictory but actually describes a deeper truth. One of the most popular examples is less is more.
The Bible is filled with paradox, which explains why following Jesus is the original alternative lifestyle. It is radical. It is counter-cultural. We are not to live like the world lives because we are not of this world. We are citizens of what appears to be an upside-down kingdom, the Kingdom of God.
Jesus said, “The first shall be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 20:16)
Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
Today we continue our series on the book of Philippians, a short letter written by Paul to one of the first churches he started in modern day Greece. He’s writing from an unknown prison and the theme of the letter—paradoxically—is joy.
Have you ever been imprisoned? Most of us have not been held in physical chains, but many of us have been in bondage, whether it’s to fear, addiction, mental illness, debt, loneliness, anxiety, hatred, or shame.
Paul is physically imprisoned for proclaiming the gospel, the good news that Jesus is LORD. You would think that prison would stop his ministry, but Paul says otherwise.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14)
Do you see the paradox? Paul is arrested for preaching good news and now possibly thousands of soldiers (the whole palace guard) learn about him and his message. Chains may or may not have been literal, but he was imprisoned and suffering physically.
For two thousand years, tens of millions of Christians have been persecuted for their faith, many even martyred. Roughly 4000-6000 are killed for faith-related reasons every year. North African Tertullian in the second-century said “The blood of Christians is seed,” meaning “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” When you try to stop us, it will only strengthen and expand our movement.
Paul understood this. Amazingly, even in prison, he was not concerned about his well-being, but rather the Kingdom of God. He understood these words of Jesus:
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)
Every human experiences seasons of growth, from drinking to eating to crawling to walking to running. Spiritual growth has its own steps. Jesus began his public ministry by inviting people to “come and see.” Over time, he challenged them to greater maturity, culminating with “come and die”…in order to truly live.
Do you understand this? Are you experiencing this? If you’re like me, you wonder if it’s even possible. After all, we’re taught in our culture to be independent, to do whatever feels good, to declare our rights, and pursue happiness, safety, and comfort. But this is not the way of Jesus…or Paul. Their chief concern is the Kingdom of God.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (Philippians 1:15-17)
Motivates matter, right? Not according to Paul in this instance!
But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Philippians 1:18a)
Paul doesn’t care. The gospel, the good news that Jesus is LORD, is being preached. Here the message is more than the medium, in this case likely competitors of Paul preaching the pure gospel with selfish motives. He then says,
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, (Philippians 1:18b)
He’s really rejoicing…in prison…in chains. Why?
for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. (Philippians 1:19)
There it is…Paul’s deliverance, whether it’s release from prison or eternal salvation.
Notice the two things that will turn out for his deliverance: the prayers of the Philippians and the Holy Spirit.
It’s a mystery the role we play and the role God plays in miracles, in the supernatural, in the transformation of lives.
I often think of it like sailing. Heather and I had a sailing class in college, the last class of the week on Friday afternoon we got to go sailing. There are two parts to sailing: the wind and the sail. If there’s no wind, you won’t move much. If the sail is not in the right position, you won’t move much…or at least not in the right direction! It’s a both-and.
The Greek word for the Holy Spirit, pneuma, literally means wind. I like to think our prayers are like putting up the sails. When we pray and the Spirit moves, there’s motion, movement, transformation.
Does God need us? Of course not, but He chooses to involve us in His work, His mission. We are His ambassadors on planet earth, re-presenting Him to others. Incredible!
Paul rejoiced at the prayers of the Philippians and the provision of the Spirit.
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20)
“Paul, you’re in prison for your faith. Don’t worry about being ashamed. You are obviously a man of great courage.” Are we courageous about our faith…or ashamed? Jesus hung up for us. Can we stand up for him? Can we tell our story…His-tory? Paul didn’t care about himself. All that mattered was God’s glory, Christ exalted. He explicitly said,
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
Paradox!
We’re all going to die someday. The question is how will we live. Paul has already given up his life, his agenda, his will, his rights to Jesus. Every day he declared in word and deed, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.” Did you know there’s tremendous freedom in letting go? Fully surrendered people don’t worry about…anything! If it’s all about Jesus, it’s up to him whether we live or die, so there’s nothing we need to protect, maintain, or stress about. It’s in His hands…even our very lives.
Do our lives matter? Absolutely! You were created in the image of God with dignity, value, and worth. But you were made by God, for God, and for God’s glory.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
Here’s Paul’s explanation of “should I stay or should I go?”
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:22-24)
I feel this. I can’t wait to meet Jesus face to face, but my mission has not yet been accomplished…and neither has yours! We have work to do.
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. (Philippians 1:25-26)
Like a good pastor, Paul loves his flock, his sheep, his disciples. He cares for them, encourages them, and finds joy in their maturity.
I can relate. College First, when I hear stories of people taking next steps with God I rejoice. Whenever a selfish sinner surrenders to Jesus, I celebrate…with all of the angels, by the way! I love you and love to see what God is doing in and through us—not me, but us. Together. Jesus is building his church! Each of us has a part to play, a gift to use…not for our glory but God’s.
Thank you…for praying, inviting, serving, and investing. God is moving in and through us as we love, equip, and send and I can’t imagine anything more exciting.
So What?
The Kingdom of God is filled with paradox the world does not (always) understand. The more we decrease, the more God can increase. When we are weak, He is strong. When we die to our own ego and agenda, we can truly live the abundant life Jesus offers. Where are you weak? Where do you need to die?
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)
May this be our declaration as we love, equip, and send.