Attitudes For Adversity

Attitudes For Adversity:

(Phil 1:12-30)

Introduction:

Scenario... 1 – medical issue

Scenario 2 – loss of work

Scenario 3 – marriage break-up

Cuba...

Five years after the collapse of the Berlin Wall, (theologian Thomas Oden) visited congregations in the Methodist Church of Cuba and discovered that despite thirty-five years of oppression and miserable economic conditions, the Methodists had grown from a low of 6,000 to over 50,000 members.

Nothing short of a spiritual revolution reminiscent of Acts 2, said Oden, had taken place. Much of this spiritual and numerical growth, moreover, could be attributed to people, both young and old, who had grown weary of the official atheist party line and turned to the church to find a more satisfying answer to the meaning of life. During the previous four decades, the best efforts of Fidel Castro’s tyrannical regime had not succeeded in stamping out the church.

***Despite the personal cost of everything --- from a chance at a university education to long prison terms, Christians had remained faithful and the church had grown!

Text:

12 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.

15 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. 18 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. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 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. 20 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. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 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. 25 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.

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Biblical Context - Paul was at peace with his circumstances despite his unjust imprisonment and the presence of fellow believers who took advantage of his suffering to advance their own selfish ambitions. The reason for this remarkable attitude was that the advancement of the gospel was his primary goal in life.

Truett Foster McKeehan, eldest son of Christian hip hop artist TobyMac, died suddenly at his home in Franklin, Tennessee, on Wednesday of this week -- Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

He was just 21.

Cause of death -- unknown

TobyMac...statement:

“My wife and I would want the world to know this … We don’t follow God because we have some sort of under the table deal with Him, like we’ll follow you if you bless us. We follow God because we love Him.” ... God is “the God of the hills and the valleys.”