Motivating Unity

Philippians 2:1-4

October 13, 2013

 

We have been studying Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

We know them to have been a faithful church,

And one that is faithful even in the midst of hardship.

 

If there is one issue in the Philippian church

It is that Satan was working to attack the unity of the church.

 

Really, the only negative vibe in the entire letter to the Philippians

Comes in chapter 4.

 

Philippians 4:2-3 “I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

 

Apparently these two women in the church were out of harmony,

And Paul not only encouraged them to get over it,

But even recruited two men in the church to help them do it.

 

And so of all the issues the Philippians faced,

A little discord proves to be about the only mark against them.

 

But honestly let’s admit that discord is no small matter.

Church dissension is no laughing matter.

 

Paul wrote about the importance of church unity in every letter he wrote.

And we know the reason it matters is because

OUR TESTIMONY HANGS UPON THE NAIL OF OUR BROTHERLY LOVE.

 

Jesus said it plainly:

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

John 17:20-21 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

 

Unity is important.

 

Now it is also important to give a much needed disclaimer about unity,

And that is that we are talking about Biblical unity, not just unity for unity sake.

 

The apostle John had a good handle on this.

 

He preached unity, he preached brotherly love,

But it always revolved around the truth.

1 John 1:3 “what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

 

John was clear.

He wanted fellowship, he wanted unity, but it had to be unity and fellowship with the Father first, and then with one another second.

 

That is the same implication he made in 2 John.

2 John 1 “The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth,”

 

All who know the truth are in fact unified.

 

So when we are talking about Biblical unity

Just know that we are talking about unity in the truth.

 

Any unity apart from the truth is at the very least a club

And the very most an occult.

 

We want true Biblical unity centered on the truth of God

And true fellowship with Him.

And that is assumed here.

 

But once you have the truth, unity becomes of the utmost importance.

It is so important that the church not fracture and split

And become divided amongst itself.

 

It matters that we stand together.

We need one another.

 

Consider this verse:

Ephesians 4:15-16 “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

 

Notice there Paul talked about a body,

And according to him every joint supplies something.

 

There are no expendable parts of the body of Christ.

And if any part is cast aside, then the body is handicapped.

We must be unified.

 

And if you will remember that is what Paul encouraged them to be

At the end of chapter 1.

 

Philippians 1:27 “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

 

Twice in that verse Paul mentioned the necessity of unity.

You must stand firm together and you must strive together.

 

But whatever you do, you must do it together.

There must be unity.

There must be a solid front.

 

And so long as there is purity of doctrine and correct theology

There is no excuse not to have it.

 

Now there are reasons why at times we don’t,

And the main reason is selfishness.

 

Remember the Corinthians and their division?

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?”

 

The Corinthians fought because they were fleshly.

They were babies, they were immature, they were selfish

And that was the cause of their disharmony.

 

And the reality is that today

Very few people break fellowship over bad doctrine (when they should)

Scores of people break fellowship over bad attitudes (when they shouldn’t)

 

Well, Paul is writing to a church that is theologically sound.

So the issue isn’t doctrine.

 

And therefore there is no excuse for there not to be unity.

 

AND THAT IS THE POINT OF THIS PASSAGE.

 

For us, we learn the steps to achieve unity.

To be a unified church, it is extremely simple.

 

Three main things

#1 MOTIVES TO EXAMINE

Philippians 2:1

 

I really love this verse.

It is probably my favorite verse to fall back on any time there is discord

Because it so simply states the foundations for our unity.

 

If a believer can’t come back to these foundational truths

And be motivated to find unity

There is something foundational wrong with that person.

Now you will notice Paul gives four statements

And gives them all as “if” statements.

 

He does this so that you and I will evaluate each of these statements and determine if we find them to be true or false.

 

The implication being,

• If these statements are true, then we should be unified.

• If these statements are false, then I suppose unity is overrated.

 

1) “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ,”

 

To put it another way:

“If Christ is an inspiration in any way”

“If Christ is an encouragement to you”

 

He just told them up in verse 27 to be unified

And here he is giving the motivation and he wants to know

If Christ’s example has ever inspired you in this regard?

 

Has Christ inspired you to love your brother?

 

John 15:12-13 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

 

And obviously that was Christ.

 

Consider what Paul told the Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:11-14 “Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands — remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,”

 

What Christ did was the very basis of unity.

He made Jew and Gentile alike equally accessible to God.

 

His whole death was about unity.

 

To the Galatians Paul wrote:

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

 

• The death of Christ brought equality between Jew and Gentile

• The death of Christ brought equality between rich and poor

• The death of Christ brought equality between male and female

 

I mean all we have to do is open our eyes

And see that Christ brought unity.

 

But that is really what Paul is asking.

 

Did Christ inspire unity?

(You have to answer yes or no)

 

2) “if there is any consolation of love”

 

You know what “consolation” is.

It is what the person who doesn’t win the main prize gets.

 

It is for the runner up, it is what’s left over.

 

And let’s suppose here that in your argument

You didn’t get what you wanted.

All you get is the consolation prize.

 

And the consolation prize in this case is “love”

 

That’s all you get.

You didn’t get the color of carpet you wanted,

But you do get the love of your brother.

 

And there is Paul’s question:

IS LOVE ENOUGH?

 

• And I could remind you that “love never fails”

• I could remind you “now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

 

Is it enough to just be in a loving body of believer?

Is it enough to have nothing more than the love of God?

Is it enough to have nothing but love?

 

At the end of the day you don’t get any of your personal preferences,

But you still have the love of God on your behalf.

Is that enough?

 

(And again you have to answer yes or no)

 

3) “if there is any fellowship of the Spirit”

 

Very simply Paul is asking:

Is the Spirit a bond?

 

Do you feel a spiritual bond with other believers

That does not exist between you and non-believers?

 

Is it evident that He has put in you the same thing He has put in someone else?

 

Or is that fellowship just a farce?

That is Paul’s question.

Does a genuine fellowship of the Spirit really exist?

 

(Answer yes or no)

 

4) “if any affection and compassion,”

 

And here he is just asking if affection and compassion exist.

 

• Do you have them at all?

• Is there anything in you that feels affection toward your brothers and sisters in Christ?

• Is there any part of you that is moved toward compassion for your brothers and sisters in Christ?

 

I mean that is what he wants to know.

He’s asking you.

 

He really just wants to know if these things exist…

• Is Christ an inspiration?

• Is love enough?

• Is the Spirit really a bond?

• Does affection and compassion exist?

 

Those are the questions and you have to answer yes or no

To those questions.

 

Those are motivations that you and I have to examine.

 

#2 MOTIVES TO EMBRACE

Philippians 2:2

 

Now obviously we all answered yes to every one of those questions.

And Paul knew we would, because the correct answer is yes.

 

• Christ is an inspiration…

• Love is enough…

• The Spirit is a bond…

• Affection and compassion do exist…

 

Well if the answer to those things is yes, then this is what you need to do.

 

“make my joy complete”

 

HOW?

“by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

 

 

And I hope you recognize that these four realities

Directly coincided with the realities listed in verse 1.

 

In fact you could read them like this:

“if there is any encouragement in Christ…make my joy complete by being of the same mind”

Be like Him

Be an inspiration like He is

 

“If there is any consolation of love…make my joy complete by…maintaining the same love”

 

If love is enough, then give it

 

“if there is any fellowship of the Spirit…make my joy complete by being…united in spirit”

 

If the Spirit really is a bond, then be unified in Him

 

“if any affection and compassion…make my joy complete by being…intent on one purpose”

 

If there really is those things then use them and be unified.

 

Each of these realities coincide with the realities of verse 1.

 

And that is the whole point.

 

You and I have to decide whether Christ is enough,

Whether love is enough, whether the Spirit is enough,

Whether affection and compassion are enough.

 

And if we decide that they are,

Then we really don’t have any choice but to unify.

 

• I mean, If Christ is all you need, then you have no excuse to split over the color of the carpet.

 

• If love is all you need, then there is no excuse to split over music style.

 

• If the Spirit is all you need, then there is no excuse to split over the budget.

 

• If affection and compassion are all you need, then there is no reason to split over the Wednesday night menu.

 

Paul is trying to make sure we all see what is important and what is not.

 

Now granted if we were talking heresy or false doctrine,

Paul would lead the charge to stand your ground and not give in.

But we aren’t talking about those things, we’re talking about petty issues.

 

And there should be no petty issue that cannot be overlooked

If we have Christ, love, the Spirit, affection, and compassion.

 

We really ought to be able to handle any issue, get over it and move on.

SHOULDN’T WE?

 

That is how Paul lived:

1 Corinthians 8:13 “Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.”

 

Paul wrote to the Romans:

Romans 14:15-17 “For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

 

And you know this.

We are called to make unity a priority.

We are called to put aside our petty differences for the sake of what is more important.

 

We can all put up with a little disappoint if Christ and love and the Spirit and affection and compassion really are enough.

 

So we embrace those things.

• We determine to be “of the same mind” as Christ.

• We determine to maintain “the same love”

• We determine to be “united in spirit”

• We are “intent on one purpose”

 

Those are the motives we embrace.

 

Motives to Examine Motives to Embrace

#3 MOTIVES TO EXCLUDE

Philippians 2:3-4

 

First Paul gave the attitudes to embrace

And now come the ones to exclude.

 

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit”

 

What a statement, and one we should all learn.

• There is never a time…

• There is never a decision…

• There is never a situation…

When selfishness is ever appropriate.

 

• There is never a time…

• There is never a decision…

• There is never a situation…

When it is ok to be conceited.

 

And we hear that junk in the world all the time.

• “Well you know sooner or later you’ve got to take care of yourself”

• “I deserve this…”

• “It’s time for me to get what I want out of life”

 

“DO NOTHING FROM SELFISHNESS OR EMPTY CONCEIT”

 

“but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;”

 

Now there is a notion.

 

We have a church dilemma

We have a church disagreement

 

One person says, “I want the thermostat set at 72”

The other person says, “I want it set at 69”

 

Wouldn’t it be great if person 1 said, “You’d better set it at 69 because we don’t want to offend them. The church would be fine without me, but it really needs them.”

 

And then person 2 said, “No, not at all, I’m expendable, but we couldn’t survive without you, set it at 72”

 

But that isn’t very often how people think is it?

 

In fact we live in the day where people

Continually try to manipulate and connive to get their way.

 

“If you do that, I’ll leave…”

 

The implication being, you need me here,

And so you had better do what I want so I don’t leave.

That is a horrible attitude.

 

And Paul blatantly commands us to never think that way.

 

We must look around our church and honestly believe,

I am the least important person here.

 

And start feeling gratitude for being here,

Instead expecting everyone else to be grateful that you are here.

 

And then Paul pushes it even further.

Verse 3 dealt with the ATTITUDE, verse 4 deals with the ACTION.

 

“do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”

 

You cannot live this life only concerned about

You getting what you want.

 

I’ve learned this principle over the years.

(I didn’t always have a handle on it)

 

• But this principle works in this church

• It has worked on mission trips

• I’ve even seen it work with coed softball leagues

 

And here is the principle.

IF OTHER PEOPLE DON’T PROSPER, NEITHER WILL YOU

IF OTHER PEOPLE DON’T SUCCEED, NEITHER WILL YOU

If people don’t individually succeed, the main cause won’t either.

 

I’ve learned that for the group to have the right kind of attitude

It is more important that I meet the needs of others

Than that I meet my own need.

 

Because if everyone in the group feels like things are going their way,

Then the whole group will go the right direction.

 

But if others don’t succeed, neither will you.

 

And we see this clearly in our world today.

It’s no surprise our government is dysfunctional.

 

Everyone wants to win at the cost of everyone else.

And people don’t go for that.

And you end up with gridlock and a shutdown government.

 

But let me assure that the same thing will happen in the church.

If you go in and try relentlessly to make everyone do everything your way, get ready for implosion.

 

But if you set your mind on focusing on their interests

Then the whole thing will prosper and you will share in that prosperity.

 

Let me give you some examples.

Jeremiah 29:4-7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. ‘Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. ‘Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’”

 

Could it really be that God would command His children to work for the prosperity of Babylon?

 

Yes, because if they wanted to live in a prosperous community,

That was their only option.

 

I mean they could trash the place,

But then they’d have to live in a trash heap.

 

You might as well work for the common good

So you can reap the common benefit.

 

Remember what Paul told the Corinthians?

 

TURN TO: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:14-26

 

You see that same type of “me first” mentality there.

And did you notice what Paul said?

 

(26) “and if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

 

That is a true life principle, and true in the church.

 

Take your body.

I love playing softball, but if one leg is hurt, my whole body suffers.

 

My hand can’t catch a ball that my leg won’t let me reach.

 

There has to be a mentality of corporate prosperity.

Then everyone can rejoice.

 

That is why Paul told the Ephesians:

Ephesians 4:1-3 “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

 

Notice he said to be “diligent to preserve the unity”

In other words, protect it.

 

If you aren’t unified, then pursue it.

Die to self, put away selfishness and start seeking the interests of your brother.

 

If you are unified then preserve it.

Work to keep it.

And listen the means to unity are not complicated.

• If Christ is enough then be of the same mind.

• If love is enough then maintain the same love.

• If the Spirit is enough, then be united in the Spirit.

• If affection and compassion are enough, then offer them.

 

• Don’t be selfish.

• Don’t be conceited.

• Instead see other people as more important than you.

 

• And don’t always seek what is best for you.

• Seek what is best for your brother because when he prospers you will benefit.

 

That is how you achieve and maintain unity.

 

And the result of unity is this:

 

(2) “make my joy complete…”

 

The result of unity is complete joy.

I promise you love this church the most when we are walking in unity.

 

It is those moments of hostility and discord that make you dread it.

But when we are all unified, church is a joyful place to be.

 

So seek unity

Pursue unity

Preserve unity

 

And then enjoy it.

 

A Sufferer’s Perspective – part 3

Philippians 1:12-30 (27-30)

October 6, 2013

 

Without a doubt today the most distinguishable mark of our society

Is that of self-centeredness.

 

One recent writer put it this way:

“Our culture’s focus on self admiration has caused a flight from reality to the land of grandiose fantasy, we have phony rich people with interest only mortgages and piles of debt, phony beauty with plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures, phony athletes with performance enhancing drugs, phony celebrities via reality TV and youtube, phony genius students with grade inflation, a phony national economy with eleven trillion dollars of government debt, phony feelings of being special among children with parenting focused on self-esteem, and even phony friends with the social networking explosion. But perhaps nowhere in human history has human pride run freer, and we all see it, to our shame, than on the internet with the “me” generation. It began with blogs and myspace, then came facebook, which now has 5 hundred million users worldwide. And of course there is youtube which blatantly invites us all to “broadcast ourselves”. And twitter has given everyone the chance to broadcast a running commentary on their lives. It gives the illusion that there are dozens perhaps even hundreds of people who really care what you’re doing right now.” (Tom Pennington at 2011 Shepherd’s Conference)

 

We are a self-centered society.

 

And nothing brings out that self-centeredness in us like a little hardship.

 

It is so easy when we suffer to sort of clam up in a little ball

And just sit and wait for the world to come and revolve around me.

 

• No one ever suffered like this before…

• No one ever suffered this bad before…

• And I’m pretty sure I’m the only one suffering in the world right now…

 

It is easy to become self-centered.

But that is not at all how a Christian is called to live.

 

In this very letter Paul will tell the Philippians:

Philippians 2:1-3 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;”

 

We read this morning in Galatians:

Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

 

Paul told the Romans:

Romans 15:1-3 “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.”

 

I’m reminded of a verse in Hebrews:

Hebrews 13:3 “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.”

 

And you understand the point.

 

We are not to live our lives with some sort of selfish inward focus.

Everything we go through can be used to encourage others.

 

And this is especially true in the church.

 

One of the reasons we are called to be faithful even in church attendance

Is because we are to have an encourager’s mindset.

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

 

We know that our hardships and sufferings

Are being used by God to mold and shape us.

 

We have learned from men like James to count our trials joy

Because at the very least we are learning endurance.

 

But one thing we must learn is that our trials are not just for ourselves.

Our temptations are common temptations.

Our hardships are common hardships.

 

Other people face the same hardships we face,

And part of the reason we suffer them is

That we will be better equipped to encourage others.

 

And that is what I love about Paul’s perspective here.

 

This letter was not written to he could induce pity from the Philippians.

This letter was written to encourage them.

 

Throughout the letter he doesn’t beg them for sympathy,

He encourages them to rejoice.

 

In short:

Paul did not write focused on himself;

He wrote focused on the Philippians.

 

And this is a great perspective while suffering.

We’ve already seen two:

 

1) FIND A REASON TO REJOICE

The Opportunity Presented

The Encouragement Provided

The Motivation Produced

2) FIND A REASON TO ENDURE

Certain Victory

Christ’s Glory

Christian’s Encouragement

 

And tonight we find a third perspective to adopt when you are suffering.

#3 FIND SOMEONE TO ENCOURAGE

Philippians 1:27-30

 

And I don’t just say this because there are other people out there

Who are suffering who need your encouragement.

 

There are, but that is not why I say this.

 

I say this because when we suffer, we need this.

 

Many times our own hardships are so close that we can’t see them clearly.

However when you encourage someone else in their hardship

It is amazing how clarifying your own dilemma comes.

 

I can’t tell you the number of times someone has come in my office, and through talking with them, I have actually found encouragement in my own struggles.

 

Furthermore it helps you find joy and gratitude and comfort

When you encourage others.

 

When we suffer we desperately need to find someone else to encourage.

 

And that is precisely what Paul is doing here.

He didn’t just sit in his jail cell waiting for the next care package to come.

 

Paul wrote letters.

• He wrote to the Philippians

• He wrote to the Colossians

• He wrote to the Ephesians

• He wrote to Philemon

 

He looked past his own hardships to the hardships of others.

He determined to help them carry their burden as well.

 

And that is what we see here tonight.

Paul has found someone to encourage.

 

And tonight I want you to see how he encouraged them.

 

Incidentally, his life proved to be a model example

Of the lifestyle he is encouraging the Philippians to live.

 

And through this we are reminded that your voice carries much farther

When you encourage from your suffering.

Paul could write with all confidence because he was living this.

 

The Philippians could receive this encouragement with all sincerity

Because Paul knew what he was talking about.

 

That is all the more reason why you and I should encourage others

Even from the pit of our hardships.

 

But tonight let me show you the encouragements that Paul gave to the Philippians.

 

1) EMBRACE THE GOSPEL (27)

 

I love the phrase.

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”

 

Paul uses the word “Only” there as a way of elevating this command

Above all the others.

 

Remember when Jesus was at the house of Martha and Mary?

Martha was busy, Mary was worshiping.

 

Jesus said:

Luke 10:42 “but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

 

It’s not that Martha’s work wasn’t important.

 

The Bible speaks repeatedly about hospitality.

Furthermore we can confidently conclude that

Jesus probably ate the meal Martha fixed.

 

The issue wasn’t whether Martha’s work was important,

It was that Martha had failed to see the most important work.

 

That is how Paul addresses the Philippians.

There are a lot of things that are important,

But let’s make sure we get number 1 on the list.

 

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”

 

Of first importance I want to encourage you to live like a Christian.

I want to encourage you to embrace the lifestyle that the gospel demands.

 

It is a motivation that you and I should never lose sight of.

• God became flesh and dwelt among us.

• He lived a sinless life amidst much suffering and opposition.

• Ultimately he bore our sins on a cross in cruel death.

• He rose from the dead and offers salvation to us all.

 

Jesus conquered sin and set us free.

 

That sort of reality demands a certain type of life.

It is the Christian obligation we have recently spoken of.

 

If you are going to accept the benefits of Christ

Then by all means embrace the obligations.

 

And the first is that you live like you are expected to live.

Live worthy.

 

And then Paul explains what he means by that.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE WORTHY?

 

TWO WAYS

 

STAND IN UNITY & STRIVE IN UNITY

 

“so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit,”

 

We never lose sight of the reality that a Christian is called to stand.

 

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

 

Ephesians 6:13 “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

 

We understand that there is an enemy in this world

Who is attacking the gospel and the cause of Christ.

 

False teachers distort the truth…

False religions deny the truth…

False believers malign the truth…

 

The gospel is under constant attack.

 

And Paul calls for these believers to do something worthy of the gospel

And that is to stand firm for it.

 

Defend it!

Jude 3 “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”

 

How can we be those who claim to love the sacrifice of Jesus when we stand by while others attack it?

 

We must defend the gospel.

We must stand.

 

And we must stand “in one spirit”

He isn’t referring to the Holy Spirit, but rather our internal attitude.

 

The implication here is that we all stand for the same reason.

We stand because we love Christ.

It isn’t out of jealousy or a desire for glory.

 

We stand because Christ deserves it and we all stand together in it.

We Stand in Unity.

 

We also STRIVE IN UNITY

“with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;”

 

“striving” translates SUNATHLEO

 

SUN = with

ATHLEO = means to compete in a contest (wrestling)

(athletics)

 

Paul often pictured advancing the kingdom similar to a sporting event.

 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

 

And the idea here is that we are obviously on the same team

Competing for the same goal.

 

We are striving to push the gospel to the ends of the world.

 

On one hand we defend it, on the other we spread it.

 

I’ve always like the imagery provided by Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 4:16-18 “From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me.”

 

That is how a Christian does his work.

In one hand is a sword to defend the truth of the gospel.

In the other hand is a trowel to continue to build the kingdom.

 

Let go of the sword and what you are building is of no account.

Let go of the trowel and the enemy is winning because the gospel isn’t spreading.

 

Paul encouraged the Philippians to EMBRACE THE GOSPEL

To stand in unity and to strive in unity.

Embrace the gospel

2) EXPECT OPPOSITION (28)

 

I like what Paul says here:

“in no way alarmed by your opponents”

 

“alarmed” in the Greek this is a word they used to describe a spooked horse.

 

If you’ve ever ridden a horse and had him jump out from under you,

That word makes sense.

 

Paul is telling the Philippians not to be easily shaken by their opposition.

 

Peter said:

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;”

 

John said:

1 John 3:13 “Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.”

 

And obviously those men gave such warnings because

They knew that none of us is instantly ready to handle hatred.

 

• I don’t care how tough you are…

• I don’t care how hard you are…

• I don’t care how confident you are…

 

No one likes to find out that someone else hates them.

Opposition is never fun.

Opposition is never easy.

 

And for many people just the threat of opposition

Is enough to cause them to quit.

 

Some people find out that others are unhappy and instantly make a u-turn

Just because they don’t like being opposed.

 

Paul is encouraging the Philippians

Not to make such a knee-jerk reaction here.

 

Don’t be “alarmed by your opponents”

 

Don’t let them rattle you.

Don’t let them cause you anxiety or fear.

 

And in order to aid them Paul explains

What that opposition really indicates.

 

Some people assume that all opposition indicates error.

 

I’ve had people many times in my life and ministry tell me I was wrong

Simply because a certain number of people disagreed with me.

 

But having opposition does not necessarily mean you are wrong.

 

And if you what you are doing is in obedience to the will of the Lord

Opposition certainly doesn’t indicate you are wrong.

 

If you are opposed for doing the Lord’s work,

It only indicates that you look like Jesus.

 

And that is precisely what Paul reminds the Philippians of.

 

This opposition that they are giving you “is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.”

 

The very fact that they oppose your preaching of the gospel

Only serves as an easy indicator that they are not saved.

 

Their opposition to the things of God only validates that they do not love God, or have God, and do not possess eternal life, but are instead headed for destruction.

 

On the other hand:

The fact that you are opposed for the cause of Christ is a good sign.

 

It is “of salvation for you”

 

It indicates that you are saved and you do look like Christ.

 

And incidentally, opposition commonly has this effect.

 

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, they were also having division.

 

1 Corinthians 11:18-19 “For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.”

 

See, often times a division or a conflict

Is the means by which fruit is revealed.

 

When you push people in a disagreement you begin to see their driving force and through the conflict those who love God and those who do not

becomes evident.

 

And that is the fact Paul uses to encourage the Philippians here.

 

I know you are facing opposition, and I know it is hard,

But don’t let it get you down.

 

All that opposition proves is that you are of God and they are not.

 

He encourages them to:

Embrace the Gospel Expect Opposition

3) ENDURE SUFFERING (29-30)

 

“For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

 

Now there is a truth that many would rather forget today.

 

“For to you it has been granted…to suffer”

 

Incidentally “granted” comes from CHARIZO, which is where we get “grace”

 

Not only has God graciously granted you the privilege of saving faith

– “to believe in Him”

 

God has also graciously granted you the privilege of suffering for Him.

 

Now we see salvation as a gracious privilege.

Most of the time we don’t see suffering as a gracious privilege.

 

But the apostles did.

Acts 5:40-41 “They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

 

Now where they rejoicing because they suffered?

No

 

Why did they rejoice?

“that they had been considered worthy to suffer”

 

Christ does not entrust just anybody with carrying His suffering.

Only the faithful are entrusted with that honor.

 

Remember when we studied Acts recently how much opposition Paul had to endure just to get to Jerusalem?

 

Everyone told him not to go.

And once he was there he was beaten and yet remained faithful.

 

After this display of faithfulness Christ came to him and said:

Acts 23:11 “But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

 

Paul proved his worth, and thus was granted the privilege

Of being the one to carry the gospel to Rome.

See, in our lives, we view it all backward.

 

We think that if we live good enough

That Christ will spare us from suffering.

 

The reality is that because we aren’t faithful enough

He can’t trust us with suffering.

 

However, when we do, that is reason to rejoice.

For Christ knows that you can handle it.

 

You can take the hardship and yet He knows you will not fail.

 

Remember Peter?

Jesus knew this about Peter.

 

Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

 

Jesus knew Peter would stumble, but He also knew he wouldn’t fall.

 

Peter could handle it.

Jesus entrusted that suffering to him.

 

And Paul uses that to encourage the Philippians.

Lift up your heads Philippians, Christ knows you are faithful,

He knows you can handle it.

 

He has graciously selected you as those who will display His suffering.

You get the tremendous privilege of suffering “for Christ’s sake”

 

• Who can handle this mission?

• Who can be trusted to charge this hill?

• Who can be trusted to penetrate enemy lines?

 

The Philippians could.

 

And because they did, Paul said that they were “experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

 

What is this conflict?

Imprisonment.

 

• They saw Paul imprisoned in Philippi

• They hear of Paul imprisoned in Rome

 

And some of the Philippians are getting the same treatment.

 

But it wasn’t punishment, it was an honor.

Christ trusted them with it.

 

Picture it like this:

Can Christ trust you to carry His cross?

 

He trusted the Philippians.

 

And Paul uses that as a means to encourage them.

 

So he encourages them to:

• Embrace the Gospel

• Expect Opposition

• Endure Suffering

 

And I’m sure they needed the encouragement.

 

The beauty of it all is that while Paul wrote this letter to them,

He himself was having to stand firm and strive for the gospel.

 

While he wrote this, he himself was being opposed.

While he wrote this, he himself was having to endure suffering.

 

And yet, instead of focusing on his own hardship

He took the opportunity to encourage them in theirs.

 

When you suffer, follow his lead.

• Find a reason to rejoice

• Find a reason to endure

• Find someone to encourage

 

That is how you suffer like a faithful Christian.

 

A Sufferer’s Perspective (Part 2)

Philippians 1:12-30 (19-26)

September 29, 2013

 

As you know we are studying Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

It is a highly encouraging letter that Paul chose to pen to them.

 

This church had been faithful to help Paul even though they had limited resources

And Paul is writing back a letter rooted in gratitude to them.

 

Because they were a church of simple means and because they were a church that faced opposition, and because Paul was currently in prison…

We knew it wouldn’t take long before the concept of suffering arose.

 

Christians suffer in this life.

• We suffer the natural consequences of a fallen world.

• And we suffer the hatred that the world has for Christ.

 

When Paul wrote to the Colossians he wrote:

Colossians 1:24 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.”

 

Paul is not saying there that in some way Christ didn’t suffer enough,

Or that His redemptive work is incomplete or lacking.

 

Instead Paul is pointing out that the world still has hostility toward Christ,

But since He is out of physical reach,

The world turns their hostility toward Christ’s people.

 

Paul said, I face this hostility, and I suffer my fair share for Christ.

 

And that is just reality.

The world hates Christ, but if they can’t get to Him, they come after us.

 

This will be depicted even greater in the end.

Revelation 12:13-17 “And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. And the serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth. So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

 

That of course was the enemy seeking to attack Israel,

But when God supernaturally protected her,

He just took the next best thing.

 

That is always the enemy – that is always the world.

Since they can’t touch Christ, they now turn to us.

 

That means a believer has to know how to handle suffering.

We are certainly going to face it.

We need to know how to handle it.

 

Last week

#1 FIND A REASON TO REJOICE

Philippians 1:12-18

 

James 1:2 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,”

 

You may not naturally feel joyful, but we aren’t talking about a natural feeling. We are talking about a spiritual decision.

 

Find a reason to rejoice.

And Paul found three.

1) The Opportunity his suffering had presented

 

He wrote in verse 13, “my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else…”

 

Paul’s suffering had opened the unique door of

Allowing him to witness to the secret service of Rome.

 

The end result is even that by the end of the letter

Believers from Caesar’s own household are greeting the Philippians.

 

He rejoiced because his suffering led to other’s salvation.

 

2) The Encouragement his suffering provided

 

He wrote in verse 14 “most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

 

New believers…

Timid believers…

Scared believers…

Saw how Paul endured his suffering and it encouraged them.

 

Through Paul they saw first hand that God does sustain His children,

That God is still in control, and that all thing do work together for good.

 

And this encouraged them to step out

And boldly proclaim the gospel as well.

 

And that is the third reason Paul found to rejoice.

3) The Motivation his suffering produced

 

Paul stating in verse 18, “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.”

Paul could rejoice in the fact that despite his circumstances, despite his suffering, the cause of Christ had not suffered.

 

• People were still being saved…

• Believers were still being encouraged…

• The gospel was still being preached…

 

And to that Paul said, “and in this I rejoice.”

 

• Maybe the beds were hard…

• Maybe the food was bad…

• Maybe the chain was tight…

• Maybe the company was foul…

• Maybe the room was dark…

• Maybe the smell was awful…

 

But if they are, we’ll never know it

Because Paul didn’t write about those things.

 

He wasn’t writing to move the Philippians to some sort “Paul Pity-Party”

He was writing to make sure the Philippians could see

What a great God they served.

 

And that is tremendous perspective from a suffering believer.

FIND A REASON TO REJOICE.

 

Well tonight we move on to the second part of this sermon.

We have another perspective in suffering that is commendable.

 

Paul gives us another attitude

By which we approach the things that are hard.

 

First, we find a reason to rejoice.

#2 FIND A REASON TO ENDURE

Philippians 1:19-26

 

And we have to do this when we suffer don’t we?

If all you do is look at your circumstances they can drag you down in a hurry.

 

You have to look past those and find a reason to endure.

Many have approached hardships like cancer treatments and endured them,

Not for their own longevity, but for the sake of their family or loved ones.

 

That is the same type of mindset we are talking about here.

 

Only here we aren’t just talking about common human suffering like sicknesses and hardship, but those spiritual persecutions

We face on behalf of Christ.

 

In the realm of common physical suffering you may or may not have a choice but to endure.

 

Many times your only option is either endurance or death.

And that makes it a little easier to endure.

 

But in the realm of Christian persecution it is really quite different.

For in that realm, often times endurance leads to death,

Whereas quitting brings instant relief.

 

So a Christian in the midst of persecution

Really has to find a reason to endure in their spiritual convictions,

Especially if they are going to face death for it.

 

• You must find a reason to continue forward.

• You must find a reason to continue to proclaim the gospel.

• You must find a reason to continue to stick your finger in the eye of the enemy

 

That is what Paul did.

 

First he found a reason to rejoice, now he finds a reason to endure.

 

And just like in the first point, here there are three.

1) CERTAIN VICTORY (19)

 

We really could put the end of verse 18 with this statement.

 

“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”

 

So this verse is really both a reason to rejoice

And a reason to endure all rolled up into one.

 

And that reason is certain victory.

Paul says “I know that this will turn out for my deliverance”

 

I don’t have a doubt in my mind where this is all heading.

I know I will be delivered.

 

Now, before you jump to conclusions and assume that Paul means he will be acquitted and released you need wait a minute.

 

• You will see down in verse 20 that Paul still doesn’t know if he is going to live or die.

 

“but with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

 

• Later in verse 22 he says, “But IF I am to live on in the flesh…”

 

The point is that Paul is certain of his victory,

But he is not talking about a guaranteed release from prison.

 

He doesn’t know if he’ll be acquitted or condemned.

He doesn’t know if he’ll be released or executed.

But that has nothing to do with his confidence.

 

Despite the circumstances he is facing

He still knows that the end result will be “my deliverance”

 

I’ll either be delivered from death or through death,

But either way I’ll be delivered.

That is another way of saying, “I’m going to win either way”

 

And incidentally there is no reason why every believer

Can’t have this exact same perspective in the midst of suffering.

 

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

 

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

 

We quote those all the time.

We know God knows what He is doing.

We know God won’t fail.

 

Take Job in the midst of his trials.

 

Job 19:25-26 “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. “Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God;”

 

I mean really?

How does death hurt someone who has a room prepared in heaven?

 

Paul could not lose.

He would be victorious.

And so it only makes sense to endure.

 

If you’re carrying the ball and you’ve broken through the line and you are on your way to the end zone, it doesn’t make sense to stop now.

 

And Paul understood that.

I’ll endure because I know I’m going to win.

 

Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

 

And that is where Paul is.

He knows he will be victorious.

Now I also want you to see the strength

That will help him endure to the victory.

 

“this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”

 

Yes God is sovereign, yes God is in control

But don’t let that belief drive you from the benefit of prayer.

 

You say, “Well if God is sovereign and already decreed His plan, then why pray? I sure don’t want to mess it up.”

 

Look, I don’t know how the two work together, but they do.

 

God is sovereign, but prayer still works.

 

James 5:16b “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

 

And somehow, perhaps in a way we’ll never fully understand

Paul knew that the prayers of the Philippians would help him in his battle.

 

Paul wrote something similar to the Corinthians that I think is very insightful.

 

2 Corinthians 1:8-11 “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.”

 

I don’t know how prayer helps…

But Paul was certain it did.

 

And this is evident in his life, not only in that he asked for prayer,

But in the fact that he so faithfully prayed for others.

 

We already saw that in the first part of this book.

Paul always prayed for the Philippians,

 

And in turn he knows that their prayer

Will work a significant part in him excelling in victory.

 

And their prayers were not the only thing that helped him

“your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”

 

We’ve talked about Him quite a lot recently.

 

It is the Spirit who comforts, it is the Spirit who helps, it is the Spirit who empowers.

And because of the Spirit and the prayers of the Philippians

Paul knew that he would remain faithful and thus achieve victory.

 

There was no reason to stop now.

There was no reason to give up the fight.

He was going to win.

 

Don’t quit now, victory is certain.

 

So the first reason Paul endured was certain victory

2) CHRIST’S GLORY (20-21)

 

Here we find specifically

What Paul wanted to accomplish in his faithfulness.

 

He wasn’t just faithful for faithful’s sake.

• He had a purpose.

• He had a reason for wanting to continue on.

 

That reason was that he wanted Christ to be exalted.

 

“according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

 

I can’t quit because Christ doesn’t get exalted if I quit.

Christ isn’t glorified if I stop.

 

It didn’t matter to Paul if it was life or death,

But only that Christ was glorified.

 

(21) “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

 

You can’t say it any better than that.

If I live, it is only for Christ.

If I die, well then victory is here sooner than we thought.

 

His blood pumped Jesus, 24/7

Romans 14:8-9 “for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”

 

It’s all about the glory of Christ.

It’s all about how He is viewed.

 

And Christ’s glory was enough motivation for Paul to endure.

 

I’m sure he could have looked at the chain, or the emperor,

Or the angry Jews and thought, “I’ll just quit”.

 

But that doesn’t make Christ look very good.

So Paul endured, if for no other reason, than to glorify Christ.

 

And listen, this must be our motivation.

• Can you endure your suffering if Christ is using your suffering for

His glory?

 

• He suffered for your benefit, can you not suffer for His?

 

We go through life and think that Christ owes us

All this comfort and all this ease and all this prosperity.

 

Christ is on mission to save this world from sin.

In this mission we have signed up for active duty.

 

The soldier should not be surprised

If his life is placed in danger for the sake of victory.

 

Paul wasn’t surprised.

He endured for the cause of glorifying Christ.

 

This was the same motivation Jesus gave to Peter.

John 21:18-22 “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me!” Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

 

Of course this was right after the infamous “Peter, do you love Me?” conversation.

 

And Jesus tells Peter that his love

Will end in a death he won’t be that excited about dying.

 

And notice John said this

“signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God.”

 

Have you thought about that?

Hopefully you desire to live a life that glorifies God,

Do you desire to die a death that glorifies Him?

 

Jesus outlined for Peter a death that would glorify God.

 

Now the interesting is that Peter wants to know if he is in this alone,

Or if the other disciples get the same treatment.

So Peter asks about John’s death.

 

To which Jesus responds, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

 

What does John’s lot have to do with yours?

 

This isn’t about who gets which path.

This isn’t about who gets which mission.

 

This is about whether or not you are truly giving your life for Me

To use however I desire.

 

IF WE HAVE, THEN THAT IS WHY WE ENDURE.

 

Such a commitment necessitates that when suffering comes we endure.

 

That is why Paul endured.

• He knew he had certain victory

• He knew Christ was being glorified.

 

Let me give you the third reason he found to endure

3) CHURCH’S BENEFIT (21-26)

 

Now before we get to the explicit stating of the reason

We are first allowed to see the inward struggle that Paul is facing.

 

(22-24) “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”

 

Paul did not know if he was to live or die in this affliction.

That is to say he didn’t know if it was God’s will for him to live,

Or God’s will for him to die.

 

But here Paul gives some insight as to his own desires on the matter.

 

On one hand I can “live on in the flesh”

And “this will mean fruitful labor for me;”

 

That is to say, if God chooses to leave me here, I know what that means. It means more labor.

And it also means God still intends to use my life on this earth.

 

If God chose to leave him here,

There would be NO RETIREMENT,

There would be NO QUITTING.

It would simply mean he had NOT YET FINISHED his task.

 

One the other hand was this desire “to depart and be with Christ”

And Paul makes no bones about it – “for that is very much better”

 

Of course it is.

• No more flesh

• No more sin

• No more suffering

• No more pain

• No more labor

 

Revelation 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.”

 

Isaiah 57:1-2 “The righteous man perishes, and no man takes it to heart; And devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from evil, He enters into peace; They rest in their beds, Each one who walked in his upright way.”

 

Why wouldn’t it be better to go and be with Christ?

Death would actually be a promotion.

 

HOWEVER

“to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”

 

Paul says it would be better for me to die and go be with Jesus,

But it wouldn’t be better for you.

 

There is still work that needs to be done in your church.

I have not yet finished my task with you.

 

(25-26) “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”

 

And there is the answer.

“I will remain and continue”

 

WHY?

“for your progress and joy in the faith”

 

I want your faith to grow and be encouraged,

And I want Christ to be glorified when I come to you again.

 

What was his reasoning for endurance?

The church.

 

They still needed him.

They still needed what he had to offer.

 

And so, he chose to endure.

 

And that is the type of perspective that is required when we suffer.

 

When persecution comes, or even daily hardships,

Then find a reason to rejoice.

 

It may not be instantly obvious, but it is there.

Look for it and find a reason to rejoice.

 

• It may be the opportunities you’ve had through this to share your faith.

• It may be the encouragement your endurance has for others

• It may be the fact that the kingdom marches on

 

Whatever it is, find a reason to rejoice

 

And then find a reason to endure

For Paul it was that

• He was certain that he would be victorious.

Why quit if you know you’re going to win.

• His endurance would glorify Christ

• The Church still needed him around.

 

That is why you endure.

 

SO YOU’RE SUFFERING.

• Then open your eyes and see why you need to endure.

• See why you need to keep going.

• Find motivation beyond your current situation and press on.

 

That is how you handle suffering as a Christian.

 

AND ONE QUICK PROMISE

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

 

A Sufferer’s Perspective – part 1

Philippian 1:12-30 (12-18)

September 22, 2013

 

As you know we have recently begun a study

Of Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

 

The Philippian church was the first church ever started in Europe.

God did some amazing things in opening the eyes of Lydia and orchestrating the

salvation of the Philippian jailor, and thus started this church.

 

And even though they are poor, they are a tremendously faithful church.

They are generous, they are faithful,

And they are compassionate toward Paul.

 

The motivation for this letter came from the fact that

Even though Paul was imprisoned in Rome

This church still revived their concern for him and sent him some help.

 

Paul wrote this letter of encouragement in response to their generosity.

 

So what we have is a letter from a man in prison

To a church that has its own struggles.

 

And that means that it was only a matter of time

Until the concept of suffering is addressed.

 

And the remainder of Philippians chapter 1

Is one of the best portions of Scripture in the Bible

As it pertains to maintaining a proper perspective in suffering.

 

Look, we know that suffering is promised.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

 

And for a believer that tribulation actually comes from two places.

On one hand we suffer the plight of humanity.

 

This world is fallen, the sin curse runs rampant.

And just because we are believers does not mean

We are suddenly exempt from our share of humanity’s suffering.

 

We still get sick, we still have pain, we still face death, etc.

 

On the other hand we also suffer persecution.

 

Believers however have the added assurance that because they follow Christ they will have an extra amount of suffering.

 

Matthew 10:22 “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”

So not only do believers suffer with the rest of the world,

We also suffer at the hands of the rest of the world.

This is just a promise.

 

And that means that as humans in this world and especially as believers in Jesus Christ we had better learn to deal with suffering.

 

Now we are studying Philippians chapter 1,

But the Bible is not lacking in passages regarding suffering.

 

James 1:2-4 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

 

James is as clear as anyone when he tells you that

The best weapon against suffering is a good attitude.

 

THERE IS NO BETTER WEAPON AGAINST SUFFERING

THAN A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE AND A JOYFUL ATTITUDE

Continually the writers of Scripture try to hammer this home.

 

Consider Peter,

• Writing to a group of scattered believers.

• Some had lost their property, some had lost their jobs.

• They were hated and maligned in the world.

 

1 Peter 3:13-17 “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”

 

Can you hear Peter addressing their Biblical perspective?

Don’t look at what pleases you, look at what pleases God.

 

God is glorified when you suffer well.

 

Peter would go on to say:

1 Peter 4:12-14 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

 

There again, look past your trials.

Find something to rejoice in.

 

And I’ll tell you this much, suffering as a Christian may not be fun

But I’ll give you one positive: it proves you are a Christian.

Even Jesus spoke on handling suffering

When faced with a discouraged John the Baptist.

 

Matthew 11:2-6 “Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. “And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.”

 

Jesus was clear to John.

“John, you are looking for blessing in the wrong way. You think it would be a blessing to get relief from your circumstances.”

 

No, the blessing is when you don’t fall away just because it is hard.

 

That produces an endurance, an assurance, and a strength of faith

That is far more valuable than comfort.

 

John, seek the true blessing of endurance, not the quick blessing of relief.

 

And you get the point.

 

Scripture repeatedly speaks to the concept of suffering

And it always asks people to look at their suffering

Through a Biblical perspective and a proper attitude.

 

And we know that.

How familiar we are with the life of Joseph

Who was sold into slavery and faced all sorts of hardships.

 

We remember the end of his life, speaking to his brothers when he said:

Genesis 45:4-8 “Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. “For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. “Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”

 

That is perspective isn’t it?

Joseph saw what God was doing.

 

However, Joseph saw that after he rose to power.

Even though God told him ahead of time through a dream,

Joseph had a better understanding of it after the suffering was over.

 

What we are asking for is the right kind of perspective

In the middle of the suffering.

And tonight we have an example of it.

 

Paul wrote this letter from prison.

 

He was not in a dungeon, he was in his own quarters.

Acts 28:30 “And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,”

 

However, the whole time he was there, he was chained to a Roman guard.

He had no privacy, ever.

 

And that after the ordeal of the previous three years.

Prison, false trials, a shipwreck, a snakebite

 

You get the point.

Paul is not writing from the victory side of suffering.

Paul is writing from the middle of it.

 

And it’s valuable to us that he is,

Because he shows us tremendous perspective while suffering.

 

Now, we can’t cover the entire perspective tonight.

All I can give you is the first point.

 

Tonight let me show you the first attitude and perspective

By which you handle suffering.

 

#1 FIND A REASON TO REJOICE

Philippians 1:12-18

 

What you have here is Paul giving the Philippians his reason for rejoicing.

 

You actually see that in verse 18.

“and in this I rejoice.”

 

• He is not rejoicing in his circumstances.

• He is not rejoicing in his pain.

• But he is most certainly rejoicing in what his circumstances are producing.

 

And isn’t that what James told us to do?

James 1:2 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,”

 

You have to make a decision to rejoice.

 

And before we get into this text just let me say that

Choosing to rejoice is far different from feeling joyful.

 

When you wake up in sour circumstances you don’t naturally feel joyful.

 

You must force yourself to see realities that can allow you to rejoice.

 

That is what Paul is doing here.

He isn’t happy to be in jail.

He isn’t happy to be chained to a soldier.

He isn’t happy to be kept from traveling.

 

So he is looking for what he can rejoice in.

 

And maybe in your suffering this is what you need to do as well.

If the surface isn’t joyful, then look deeper, look longer, look broader,

And find a reason to rejoice.

 

Let me show you Paul’s reasoning.

 

There are three reasons he gives for why he can rejoice

Even while being in prison in Rome, chained to a guard.

 

1) THE OPPORTUNITY IT HAS PRESENTED (12-13)

 

“Now I want you to know…”

 

It carries the idea of Paul grabbing their head

And forcing them to look at what they might not otherwise see.

 

The natural human reaction would be to jump into the “woe is me’s”

With Paul and see how hard it is.

 

“Oh poor Paul, that’s so terrible, how do you endure?”

And then for Paul to say, “Ohhh, it’s tough, but I’ll make it”

 

And then we can all have this wonderful little pity party.

 

Paul is making sure this letter does not turn into a pity party.

He tells them what he wants them to know.

 

• Nothing about the bed…

• Nothing about the food…

• Nothing about the chain…

• Nothing about the length of time…

 

He is choosing not to focus on those things

And he is asking the Philippians not to focus on them either.

 

In fact, he is not giving a prayer request here at all,

He is giving a praise report.

 

At the end of this section it is Paul’s desire

That you be motivated to praise God, not feel sorry for Paul.

(How we as believers need this perspective)

We love prayer request times so we can get everyone

To focus on how awful our circumstances are.

 

That isn’t what Paul is doing,

He wants everyone to focus on how faithful His God is.

 

He doesn’t want the Philippians to know about his struggles,

He wants them to know about his opportunities.

 

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,”

 

Regardless of what you think about me being in prison, I want you to know that me being in prison is opening some mighty doors.

 

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

(13) “so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,”

 

Because Paul is in prison, his story has become well known “throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else”

 

Let that sink in.

 

“the praetorian guard” was sort of a secret service.

They protected the emperor

 

How many in here want the president to be saved?

Well who has access to the president?

 

You’d be better served to start with the secret service.

 

And because of his imprisonment Paul was able to witness to them.

 

And undoubtedly he had done such a good job with them

That “everyone else” had heard his story as well.

 

All of Rome knew about Paul.

All of Rome was familiar with his story.

 

You can even look to the end of this letter and see that some even in Caesar’s household had been saved.

 

Philippians 4:22 “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.”

 

Paul being in prison may have been a hard thing,

But it wasn’t hard for him to rejoice about it.

 

His being in prison had presented him with a very unique opportunity.

 

Every day a new member of the secret service

Was chained to his arm and was a captive audience.

 

And that opens our eyes to a very simple fact.

 

SUFFERING PROVIDED A PLATFORM FOR PAUL

THAT PROSPERITY NEVER COULD.

 

Suffering opened a door for him that comfort never did.

 

And the amazing thing is that all we do in church today

Is pray for prosperity.

 

That only shows that maybe we aren’t as concerned about the cause of Christ as we should be.

 

The apostles didn’t pray for prosperity, they actually sought suffering.

 

Philippians 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;”

 

2 Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

 

Listen to Peter:

1 Peter 2:19-21 “For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,”

 

1 Peter 4:1-2 “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”

 

Those guys sought suffering because suffering

Opened more doors for the gospel than prosperity did.

 

In fact, prosperity can even close some doors for you.

All those who have been to poor regions know that being prosperous only makes it harder to identify with the poor.

 

Suffering opens doors.

 

How many in here know who Nick Vujicic is?

“No Arms, No Legs, No Problem”

 

How many in here know who Bethany Hamilton is?

“Soul Surfer”

 

Doors are opened for them because of their hardship.

 

Paul knew that.

In his suffering he found a reason to rejoice,

And that was because of the opportunity it presented.

 

That’s true for you too.

Your suffering has opened up opportunities for you

That you must open your eyes to see.

 

Rejoice in that!

 

The Opportunity it has Presented

2) THE ENCOURAGEMENT IT HAS PROVIDED (14)

 

(14) “and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

 

Was it easy to be in prison? No

Did he enjoy being chained to a guard? No

 

But he could see that his hardship was opening doors of opportunity

And encouraging otherwise timid believers.

 

There were people who loved Jesus, who believed in Jesus, who wanted to share the gospel…

 

However the threats of the enemy had caused such an anxiety in them that they were too afraid to ever step out and do it.

 

What they needed was a leader…

They needed someone to obey and show them that God was still God even in the midst of opposition.

 

Paul had become that leader.

 

I’m reminded of an early church martyr I learned about in seminary. I can’t remember his name, but his church had been discovered and he was arrested and was going to be burned at the stake.

 

As the fires were lit, the rest of his church was hiding, watching from a distance, and as the fire began to rage the man lifted up two fingers, which was a sign to his brothers and sisters who were watching which meant, “It is bearable”.

 

He tasted the wrath and let them know that the grace to endure it was indeed sufficient.

 

That is what Paul was providing.

Other believers saw the way he handled adversity

And saw God’s faithfulness in the middle of it,

And were encouraged that they could do it to.

 

This caused Paul to rejoice.

 

TURN TO: 2 Timothy

 

This is the same encouragement that Paul gives Timothy throughout this letter.

 

(READ 1:8)

 

(READ 1:12-14)

 

(READ 1:15-2:1)

 

(READ 2:8-13)

 

(READ 4:16-18)

 

You can see that very encouragement.

I did it, you can do it.

 

And incidentally Paul’s encouragement must have had the same effect on Timothy that it did on these believers.

 

For at the end of the book of Hebrews we read:

Hebrews 13:23 “Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.”

 

Apparently Timothy pushed forward, obeyed Christ,

Proclaimed boldly and found himself in prison just like Paul.

 

Sometimes people just need encouragement and Paul was that.

 

Peter used the same concept.

1 Peter 5:8-10 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

 

Peter was writing to encourage suffering believers,

And to encourage them he pointed out other believers

Who had successfully endured the same type of suffering.

 

Let their endurance encourage you…

 

 

Next time you suffer, find a reason to rejoice.

Look at the opportunity it has granted you

And then look at how many other people your endurance is encouraging.

 

You aren’t the only one to suffer

You aren’t the only one who has it rough

And if the way you approach your suffering can encourage one other person to trust Christ as well, then that is a good thing.

 

Find a reason to rejoice.

 

The Opportunity his suffering has Presented

The Encouragement his suffering has Provided

3) THE MOTIVATION IT HAS PRODUCED (15-18)

 

We just saw that other believers had now been encouraged

To trust Christ and endure as well.

 

Here we find that some had even been encouraged

To go out and boldly preach the gospel.

 

Now, first you need to notice that Paul was not naïve.

 

He knew full well that not everyone who was preaching

Was doing so with the best of motives.

 

(15-17) “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.”

 

Paul was not referencing false prophets here.

Everyone that was preaching was preaching the true gospel.

 

The sermons were theologically sound.

 

The issue was the motive for why they preached them.

 

Some saw Paul’s imprisonment as an opportunity

To swoop in and steal his position.

 

They envied him. They wanted his clout,

They wanted his role, they wanted his ministry.

 

And the fact that Paul was in prison afforded them that opportunity.

 

It’s kind of the “Prince John” affect.

King Richard went off to fight and Prince John

Sought to seize the opportunity to take his throne.

Paul knew that this “envy” and “selfish ambition” were present in some.

They preached a true gospel, but they did it for selfish reasons.

 

However Paul also knew that some did it out of genuine motivation.

 

They did it from “good will” and “out of love”

 

There motive wasn’t to steal Paul’s position,

But rather to hold down the fort until he came back.

 

Both were preaching the gospel, some did it to steal Paul’s place,

Some did it to preserve his place.

 

That would be a hard scenario to accept.

 

And yet Paul is rejoicing.

WHY?

 

(18) “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.”

 

• Paul held no animosity.

• Paul held no envy.

• Paul named no names.

 

He simply found a reason to rejoice and that reason was that

In spite of his current situation the gospel was being preached.

 

Remember what Paul told Timothy?

2 Timothy 2:8-9 “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.”

 

Paul rejoiced there because despite his current situation

The cause of the kingdom moved forward.

Can you rejoice in that?

 

You are suffering, you are hurting, life is hard.

Can you rejoice in the fact that your hardship hasn’t stopped the kingdom from growing?

 

Can you rejoice that the cause of Christ still pushes forward in spite of your hardship?

 

Paul did.

 

Sure his circumstances were bad.

No one wanted to be stuck in prison.

 

• But instead of having a pity party…

• Instead of moaning to the Philippians…

 

Paul rejoiced and gave the Philippians reason to rejoice.

 

• His suffering opened a door of opportunity to reach those who otherwise might have been off limits.

 

• His suffering encouraged otherwise timid believers that they too could stand strong for Christ.

 

• His suffering didn’t hinder the cause of Christ in any way, in fact it may have furthered it.

 

“and in this I rejoice”

 

 

So next time you suffer…

 

Instead of quickly gathering a group of professional mourners around you and seeing if you can bring them down to your level of despair.

 

Why don’t you first look for a reason to rejoice and see if you can’t leave those believers encouraged?

 

I don’t think the Philippians went away from this letter sad.

I think they went away energized.

 

That is what we want to do for others even when we suffer.

 

SO FIND A REASON TO REJOICE.

 

 

Next week we’ll move on.

Paul’s second encouragement is: FIND A REASON TO ENDURE

 

And we’ll see that next week.