Sermon Notes: “Even If Life Feels Like a Prison”
Pastor Alan Hannah | January 11 & 12, 2026
12And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. [Philippians 1:12-14]
God specializes in turning prisons into platforms.
14And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. [Philippians 1:14]
15It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. [Philippians 1:15-18]
21For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. [Philippians 1:21-24]
“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” [Luke 22:42]
- Purpose in his prison.
- Joy despite his rival’s success.
- Freedom in surrender.
“God, what do you want to do through this that couldn’t happen any other way?”