Banner of Praises Ministries
Rev. Dr. Levi Howard Wright, Pastor & Founder
“What Do You Do..... When You Are Caught In A Dilemma”
Philippians 1:21-26
[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. [22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. [23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: [24] Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. [25] And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; [26] That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
Introduction
Life can become a great dilemma and can gets rough sometimes.
Some of the choices that we have to make..... sometime can be very difficult.
And sometimes ...... We find ourselves, "caught between a rock and a hard place".
When we are stuck between two possible opinions ..... where an argument could be made for going either way.
This is called a DILEMMA.
➢ A DILEMMA is a situation that requires you to choose between two equally balanced discussions.
➢ There are different kinds of DILEMMAS.
1. Some dilemmas can be very PERSONAL AND EMOTIONAL.
➢ Especially when you want to do two things at the same time.
It is a DILEMMA when you’re in a church or congregation that is not meeting your Spiritual needs.
➢ The problem is especially difficult if you’ve been a member of a church for many years and all your family and closest friends are there.
➢ Do you stick it out and try to help bring about needed changes, which may not be too promising,
➢ Or do you state your disagreement and go somewhere else to fellowship?
Yes.... this is a DILEMMA.
2. Some Dilemmas are very EMOTIONAL DILEMMAS.
➢ For example, suppose a child has had a pet for many years. The bond between them is inseparable. But the animal has an incurable disease that makes it more and more miserable.
➢ You know what the dilemma is. To provide the pet relief means putting it to sleep, but it’s a painful option.
If you think that one is difficult, how about dealing with an adult rebellious son or daughter?
➢ He or she has moved out of the house and is living a lifestyle that is disappointing to God and to you.
➢ But it’s obvious that they need your financial assistance, in fact, they’ve asked for it.
➢ What do you do..... Do you help them...... or do you turn them down?
This is an Emotional Dilemma that will tear you up..... no matter what you decide to do.
3. Then there are GEOGRAPHICAL DILEMMAS.
These dilemmas occur when we want to be in two places at the same time.
➢ Maybe you love where you’ve been living for years, but moving would mean a raise in salary, not to mention the opportunity to make new friends and enjoy some much-needed changes.
➢ But leaving would be difficult because of the kids who are now teenagers, and the longstanding relationships you’ve built up in the church, in your neighborhood and with your family and friends.
When you weigh both sides of your choice of discussions. Neither is ideal.... yet both have their benefits.
➢ Whenever we’re faced with a dilemma.... we’re pulled in two different directions.
➢ And I might add that being older and wiser doesn’t mean that you’re immune to the DILEMMAS and the PROBLEMS in life.
And sometimes ...... We find ourselves, "caught between a rock and a hard place".
I. The Apostle Paul Had To Face Some Personal Dilemma
All of this brings us to the apostle Paul who was a prisoner of Rome in his own house.
If you’re familiar with the book of Philippians, you know that Paul reacted positively to his DILEMMAS and wrote a joyful letter of encouragement to his brethren in Philippi.
✞ In fact, the Philippian letter is best summed up in chapter 4, verse 4: "Rejoice in the Lord always,. Again I will say, rejoice!"
But even with such a positive attitude, Paul admitted that he had a dilemma of his own.
✞ "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful to you." (Philippians 1:21-24).
➢ There is no doubt that Paul’s dearest friend..... in fact his most intimate relationship on earth.... was with Jesus Christ.
➢ No one else meant more to him than Jesus..... therefore.... the thought of being with him brought Paul great joy.
When someone who lives in heaven..... means that much to you here on earth, it creates a dilemma.
➢ Paul want to be with the Lord Jesus Christ....... Right now!
➢ This explains why Paul didn’t hesitate to write "to die is gain".
➢ But, at the same time.... he realized that his work on earth wasn’t finished.
God had more he wanted to do through Paul and he knew this..... and this is what caused the great dilemma.
➢ As he put it, "I am hard pressed between the two".
➢ The Greek word that Paul uses here is one that would be used by a traveler to describe a narrow canyon with a wall of rock on both sides.
➢ In layman’s terms.... he said he was between a rock and a hard place.
I’m Caught In A Dilemmas........ between two great walls
➢ 1. "I have desire to depart and be with Christ" (which he said was much better for him), or
➢ 2. "I have to remain in the flesh" (which he admitted was more necessary for the sake of the Philippian brethren, and others I’m sure).
Let’s take a look at those two choices and notice some of the benefits and liabilities of both sides.
A. To Depart
➢ The Greek word that Paul uses here is the word that would have been used for a person tearing down a campsite..... loosening the tent ropes..... pulling up the stakes and moving on.
➢ It would have the usage to describe a sailor loosening the ropes on a boat.... pulling up the anchors.... and setting sail.
➢ One of Paul’s choices was to pull up the tent stakes and pull up the anchor and go on to meet the Lord in Glory.
In other words..... He was ready to DIE....... What were the benefits of dying?
➢ Paul would be with Christ instantly.
➢ He would be free of all earth’s hassles and limitations and frustrations.
✞ He would be in that place where "there shall be no more death.... nor sorrow... nor crying... and there shall be no more pain, for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4).
➢ At the point of death, Paul would immediately experience uninterrupted joy and the joy of unending pleasure in the most perfect of all places.
What were the liabilities of dying?
➢ Paul would have to leave those who needed him, which would seriously affect their spiritual growth.
➢ He would no longer be able to share the gospel with the Roman guards assigned to watch him or to encourage those who visited with him.
➢ In addition, his missionary activity would instantly cease.
➢ So, as good as death may have seemed, it wasn’t without its liabilities.
B. To Remain
If the apostle Paul had remained on and continued in his ministry, the benefits were obvious.
➢ He would have had a hand in the spiritual growth of many, his role as a teacher of the Philippians (and many others) would continue.
➢ And his vision of reaching a world for Christ would continue to keep the fires of evangelism going everywhere he went.
➢ And don’t forget about his writing ministry. By remaining, his inspired letters would continue to be written.
The liabilities of staying here?
➢ He would remain absent from his heavenly home.
➢ He would remain in prison, his pain would only increase.
➢ There would be more suffering and more persecution.
➢ After all he had been though..... who needed more? It was time for some relief.
When We Are Caught In A Dilemma ...... We Need To Make Wise Choices
➢ Now you might think that Paul was mature enough to make this decision without too much of a struggle.
➢ After all, he was a Strong and Faithful Soldier of the Christian faith.... a Wise Counselor.... and a Spiritually-Minded man of God.
Surely he could decide on his own.
➢ But, according to his own words, he admitted..... in essence, "I don’t know what to do."
Both choices made logical sense.
➢ Neither one of them would be wrong. Both of them had some positive benefits.
It was a real toss-up.
➢ So he did the right thing -- he let the Lord decide for him.
Paul’s main motivation in life was to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
➢ He longed to go to Heaven to be with the Lord.
➢ However, he had a Christ-like desire to serve others and did not want to die and go to Heaven if it meant that others would be deprived of the opportunity to grow spiritually.
➢ Paul’s life demonstrated the reality of selfless love when he placed the needs of others above himself.
Let me make this point clear: When we have dilemmas in our lives and we’re unable to figure out the right direction to go, it’s so very important that we turn to the Lord.
✞ James said, "If any of you lacks wisdom...", and wisdom is nothing more than the ability to make right decisions, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5).
✞ King Solomon said, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12).
When We Are Caught In A Dilemma.....
➢ We must turn to the Lord and allow him to be our guide... our strength.... our wisdom.
✞ We must acknowledge what God said in Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways’, says the Lord. ’For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’"
When We Are Caught In A Dilemma.....
We must remember what Jesus did when He was facing a Dilemma in the Mark 14..... when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane
➢ Knowing that the mob was preparing to climb up the hill and capture him.
➢ He knew what the next few hours would hold.
➢ He knew that He would be beaten and scourged.
➢ He knew that huge nails would be hammered into his hands and his feet.
➢ He knew a spear would pierce His side.
➢ He knew how excruciating the pain would be as He was dying.
Yes..... He Was Caught In A Dilemma.....
✞ The attitude expressed by Jesus in the face of this dilemma is one that we all need to develop: "Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ’Sit here while I pray.’
Then he said to them, ’My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.
✞ Stay here and watch.’ He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, ’Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.’" (Mark 14:32-36).
✞ So, in essence, Jesus didn’t make the decision himself. He allowed His.... Father to make it for him. "Not what I will, but what you will."
Every moment of Jesus’ life..... from his first cry as an infant in his crib..... to his last cry on the cross..... was lived in total submission to his heavenly Father.
CONCLUSION
➢ When We Are Caught In A Dilemma..... every Christian at times faces temptations, trials and heartaches that threaten to overwhelm him.
➢ In the midst of such difficult times, even our closest friends may be unable to provide the comfort and strength we need. We must learn to call on the Lord!
➢ There are times when First Lady Wright .... the Apple of My Eye and the Pitter- Pat- of- My- Heart cannot comfort.
➢ No matter how much she rub and peck my head...... the Hen that I love to be pecked by cannot bring me any comfort sometimes.....
Yes...... God certainly expects Christians to encourage and strengthen one another, and I don’t mean to downplay that..... because.... it is essential.
➢ But there are times when only direct.... intimate communion with God in intense prayer can provide the strength to meet our needs.
The two weapons Jesus used when he was in a dilemma and facing difficult decisions.... was the scripture and prayer
➢ There’s no way we can over-emphasize the importance of prayer and scripture
✞ Paul said in his Philippian letter, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7).
You can sum this passage up in seven words: "Worry about nothing.... but Pray about everything."
When you Prayer..... God’s peace "will guard your hearts and minds"..... It’s a peace that surpasses all understanding.
✞ Many people are not willing to turn the reins over to the Lord because it requires humility.
✞ But Peter said, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you." (I Peter 5:6-7).
When You Are Caught In A Dilemma...... You Ought To Pray.... Look At What Happen When...
➢ Daniel prayed in the Lions Den...... the Lions could not Eat Him.
➢ The Three Hebrews Boys in the Fiery Furnace..... the Fire could not Burn them.
➢ Joshua at the Wall of Jerhico..... the Walls Fell Down before them.
➢ Moses at the Red Sea..... the Sea Open for them.
➢ Peter when Walking on the Raging Sea...... the Lord Save Him.
When You Are Caught In A Dilemma...... You Ought To Pray.... Look At What Happen When You Don’t Prayer......
➢ David was being a Peeping Tom..... Committed Adultery and Murder.
➢ Samson Laid His Head in the Wrong Place.... Lost His Power and Strength.
➢ Jonah Ran in the Wrong Direction....... Swallow by a Whale...
When You Are Caught In A Dilemma...... You Ought To Pray.... Amen..... Amen
