The Daily Walk | 08.07.2026 | Pastor Mike Gibbons | Philippians 1:12-18

Good morning, First Baptist Wimberly.

This is Mike Gibbons.

Welcome to Friday.

I am really enjoying the beginning of our study in Philippians.

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

Philippians 1:12–18

Let me read verses 15 through 17.

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.

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

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

So what's going on here?

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

And these preachers are vicious in their attacks.

They are thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment, says Paul.

They are slandering his character and discrediting his motives to gain a following.

Every one of us faces assaults by others who want to steal our joy.

I know you know what I'm talking about.

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

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

But this is why we must remain riveted in our focus on Christ.

Look at how Paul responds.

He says he has constant joy.

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.

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

The priority for Paul is always the magnification of Christ.

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

So here's the question I'm asking myself today.

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

Or do I care more about my reputation or the reputation of my Redeemer?

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

This is Mike Gibbons, and I love being your pastor.