“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains. What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,” Phil 1:15-18

Paul teaches us how to combat impure motives in ministry.

First, he had a mature attitude [vs15-18]. “In this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.” If he’s in prison, it’s for good [vs12-14]. If others preach Christ selfishly - seeking to be #1 - then he will rejoice that Christ is preached. This man is not consumed with himself.

I want this SELFLESS ambition, and we can have it! God gives grace to cleanse ourselves from within. He forgives sin. He convicts us of bad habits, so that we can change. He gives the power of the Spirit.

Let us seek Paul-like, which is Christ-like, selflessness. He humbled Himself and became obedient to death. He glorified God and served others. Let us take this mindstate. Work out your salvation - humility instead of pride, service instead of selfishness - with fear and trembling [Phil 2:5-13]. God works in us to get it out.

Secondly, he commands and reproves us [Phil 2:1-4]. “Look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

“Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

If we are in Christ and have tasted His love, then we must seek the good of others. No longer can we USE people. What we can get out of someone must not be our ambition!

The gospel breaks old habits that die hard. We are self-seeking by nature. In sports, business, and education, we excelled to gratify ourselves. We wanted fortune and fame. We yearned for pleasure. We used people to meet our end game of self, but now we are different. The spell has been broken, and the bondage is over! The old man has died with Christ, and we are new creations. We have a new attitude, now power, and we follow a new Teacher.

Get strength, therefore, to be who you really are. Ask for grace. Look upon the commands and do them! Look at the examples and be like them.

Thirdly, we have a sad indictment [Phil 2:19-21]. “All others look after their own interests.”

“Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I learn how you are doing. I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs. For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”

Sinners are in the ministry for themselves, and we are saints who know the truth! Oh, how painful it is to see pride and selfish ego ministering Christ. How it distracts us and breeds contention, as men seek glory. “Honor me,” they say with their actions. “Look what my hands have built,” we think in pride.

It is a heartbreak, but it is common amongst us. Only Timothy was this unique to Paul. If Timothy could do it, however, then so can we. We must CONFESS our sins repeatedly...every time they spring up...each time they come to mind. When you hear the evil in your preaching, cast it out with prayer! Don’t despair, as if you can’t be fixed!