Introduction
What are you supposed to look like? A young 8-year-old boy was sitting on a wooden pew during the Sunday morning service in a war torn German sanctuary. The others in attendance were stern, rigid, and downcast. The sermon was quite dry and austere. The young boy sought some object upon which to focus his curious attention. His eyes focused on the stained glass behind the minister’s pulpit. He noticed that the colors were bright, the faces etched in the glass were joyful, and the perfect morning sun illuminated the colors. After eyeing it for several minutes, he was very impressed and whispered to his mother, “Oh mother, who are those people in the colorful stained glass?” His mother replied in a correcting tone, “They are saints. Shhh.”
The next day, the young boy was off to school. At the outset of the history lesson, his teacher announced, “Today we are going to learn about the saints. Can anyone tell me what a saint is?” While others in the class seemed puzzled, the young boy excitedly raised his hand. The teacher called out his name, “Tobias, can you tell us what a saint is?” He replied, “Yes ma’am. Saints have joyful faces. They are colorful and the sun shines through them.”
What a living picture that could be. Joyful, colorful, and transparent; despite our circumstances, our lives reflect the radiant color and joy of Christ as His light and glory illuminates our beings.
After Jesus lays out the beatitudes, the mandate of Christlike living in Matthew 5:14, He says, You are the light of the world. It is no wonder that He says that. There is a vibrant expression coming from the believer, a radiance coming from the presence of God in our lives. Does His light shine through you refracting the glory of His Spirit through your words, actions, attitudes, and relationships?
This morning, we conclude our series, Primary Colors. These are the qualities about our lives, which remain constant, regardless of our circumstances. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul, the prisoner-apostle, provides a living example of spiritual maturity under fire.
Integrity is that mark of personal character, which fades not in the path of danger or the occasion to compromise. His words of verse 27 convey the call; Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…
Unity also comes in verse 27; stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel… We are united in the experience, ministry and power of the Holy Spirit, as well as the work before us to communicate the Gospel to our generation.
These reflect the progressive maturity of each believer. That is the goal of this letter. With a pastor’s heart, Paul the apostle encourages Philippian Christians to pursue the purposes of God for their lives. What emerges in his words is a portrait of the NT Christian.
What is the final color, which shines through the believer who faces trying circumstances and suffering? Verse 28 provides the answer; and not in any way terrified… The answer is bravery. Bravery is essential to the Christian life.
Philippians 1:6… The Lord desires to complete a work in our lives. That work is thwarted by circumstances, which decimate our faith, deplete our energy, and fight against God’s purposes in our lives. Bravery in the midst of difficulty is essential. Simply put, a believer’s bravery is an indication of maturity in Christ. A believer can face the stiffest of oppositions or the most pressing circumstances and radiate bravery in the midst.
Trials are inherent to the Christian life. 2 Timothy 3:12 – Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Because they are, we must gain an understanding of why suffering happens. Why cancer? Why personal disappointment? Why heartache? And how do I deal with it? How do I overcome? The Word of God and the Holy Spirit are going to help us.
1 We are positioned in His Sovereignty. V. 28
Originally, these words come to the NT church in the first century Roman Empire. By AD 60, the fires of persecution were ablaze against Christians. In July of AD 64, the wicked Roman Emperor Nero set fire to Rome and sought to fix blame upon early Christians. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all that confessed Christ. The Roman historian of that day, Tacitus renders his report. Multitudes were arrested, simply out of Nero’s hatred. Mockery of every sort was added to their execution. Covered with the skin of wild beasts, they were torn by dogs, nailed to crosses, and burned alive.
Paul, himself, was under Roman house arrest; however his words are clear in verse 28; not in any way terrified by your adversaries. The Greek word for terrified means to be frightened or unsettled by fear. It was a term used for horses who were riled into an uncontrollable state or cattle spooked into a stampede. Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. In trials or difficulties, we are to be under control, unwavering, standing fast. As a believer, fear doesn’t become your counselor. In Christ, we remain confident and committed.
Adversary is antikeimai in the Greek NT, meaning opponent or one, who is hostile toward you. The believer’s adversaries come in various dimensions. They are opponents of God’s purpose being fulfilled in our lives, families, and churches. They are hostile and they resist our advancement in the will of God. It may come through the systems and temptation of the world. They may rise up in our old fleshy nature. We also face satanic forces as a fierce opponent of God’s will being accomplished in our lives. Trials and hardships, such as illness or tragedy, likewise resist our pursuit of God’s will.
Regardless of what dimension they may come in, God remains committed. He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. We can trust in the Sovereign work of God. His Sovereignty is His absolute authority and rule over the affairs of our lives. Much of what masquerades as a genuine faith movement today leave little room for the value of suffering, but God does great things through our suffering.
Even in suffering, His purpose is revealed. Acts 14:22 - We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God. Having a right attitude toward suffering is essential, and that required attitude is concern for the kingdom of God. Remember that believers are citizens of Heaven. We are concentrated on God’s kingdom. Our focus is not on personal comfort, but on the glory of God and the fulfillment of His purposes. Suffering is not to be thought of as evidence that God has forsaken them, but evidence that He is with them, perfecting them.
Consider God’s words to Joshua and the nation of Israel coming into the Promised Land in Joshua
1.... There are adversaries to conquer, lands to possess, trials to face... Salvation is the assurance of God’s favor, but presents work to the believer committed to God’s purposes. There is sin to deal with. There are blessings to receive. There are battles to win.
Consider the trust of the early church in Acts 4:23… Lord is despotes, an absolute ruler, dictator or master. We get the word despot or tyrant from it in English. It is a rare title for God in the NT, but it speaks not in a wicked sense. It describes His control and utter authority. No authority is denied Him in any situation or circumstance. When faced with the threat of suffering, Peter and John returned to a prayer meeting, a band of believers trusting the absolute Sovereignty of the Lord in all matters relating to their lives. There was a battle to endure, but a battle to be won. There was threat to their welfare, but a victory to achieve. They stood fast in the Sovereign Lord.
Suffering also means something to our adversaries. It’s proof of their perdition or damnation, but salvation to the Christian. Suffering has a way of bringing our salvation into a clearer focus. It actually brings assurance of our eventual salvation.
The Roman Empire despised the NT followers of Christ. Many Roman citizens reviled Christians for following Jesus, the carpenter, who died claiming to be a king. Early church historians noted these cultural differences. A Roman colonist would chide a believer by saying, “So follower of Jesus, what is your carpenter-king building today?” The believer would respond, “He’s building a coffin for your emperor.” Our confidence is in the God, who promises to complete what He has begun in our lives. His Sovereign rule allows us to face trials with courage and boldness, with unwavering bravery. We are held tightly in the grip of His security and power.
2 We are privileged in His Suffering. V. 29
Notice that suffering is granted to believers. It is a gift a privilege of God’s wisdom, timing, and grace. He fulfills His purpose in our lives through difficulties. You and I somewhat choose the reason for our suffering. Having the right attitude about it causes us to see the hand of God in it.
CS Lewis likened God's use of adversity to walking a dog. If the dog gets its leash wrapped around a pole and tries to continue running forward, he will only tighten the leash more. Both the dog and the owner are after the same end, forward motion, but the owner must resist the dog by pulling him opposite the direction he wants to go. The master, sharing the same intention but understanding better than the dog where he really wants to go, takes an action precisely opposite to that of the dog's will.
Philippians 3:10… Suffering is joined to knowing Christ in the fellowship of His sufferings. No one goes around looking for suffering. In fact to do so is un-scriptural. Yet in the economy of God, suffering is a blessed opportunity of drawing nearer to Christ.
Matthew 5:10-11 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Suffering can become an intimate time of pressing into to a deeper, strengthened union with Christ. The word blessed means supremely happy. It is the paradox of allowing God to draw near us in His love, compassion, and comfort. We are securely positioned in His Sovereignty. Graciously privileged in His suffering, and finally…
3 We are empowered in His Spirit. V. 30
There is a common bond in difficulties. Paul speaks of their camaraderie in suffering. In fact, the Greek word Paul uses for conflict is translated as agonizing fight. He has reported to them of his current confinement in Rome. Yet he is able to report in verses 20-21…
We must remember the nature of our involvement in the kingdom. Power comes into the commitment to God’s purposes and rule. If you want the power of God in your life, you must be linked up with what God wants to do. Does He want the lost to know Jesus? Does He want our devotion and a love relationship with us? Will He build His church?
What was Paul’s take on his personal suffering? He could see God’s purpose in His suffering. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10… A thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, was sent to him by God, producing humility. Satan was the immediate cause, but God was the ultimate cause. Paul’s use of the word “messenger,” which in the Greek is angellos, or angel from Satan, suggests the “thorn in the flesh” was a demon person, not merely physical illness. Of the 188 uses of the Gr. word, angellos, in the NT, at least 180 are in reference to angels. This angel was from Satan, a demon afflicting Paul. The nature of its work against Paul is suggested by it being a thorn in the flesh, literally, a stake for the flesh. Most likely, it could have been a demonized person causing Paul much grief. Perhaps, it may have involved a demonically caused sickness. The important thing to remember is the nature of it.
Having prayed three time, Paul’s request was denied, but for a greater purpose. Brokenness in Paul produced the greater measure of Christ’s power and purpose in his life. The present tense of the verb translated is sufficient, reveals the constant availability of divine grace. The weaker the human instrument, the more clearly God’s grace will shine forth. Continual humility and brokenness, reveals the continual grace of God, bringing faith and grace, which perfect His purposes in our lives.
Consider Jesus when He prayed in the Garden, Lord, not my will, but yours be done. It was a statement He had so radically lived out in his own life. I’ve come to do the will of He who sent me.
One cannot read Paul and understand fully what he intends for believers apart from the fullness of the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians, He says, “Be filled with the Spirit,” and “pray in the Spirit.” In Romans 8:26, he writes, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” He has already instructed the Philippians to stand fast in the Holy Spirit.
He also reminds us of His initial work in Philippi; you saw in me. It is recorded in Acts 16…
A. The foundations were shook.
B. The doors were opened.
C. The chains were loosed.
D. The Philippian jailer questioned, What must I do to be saved?
E. A great platform for the Gospel was prepared.
The greater cause and purpose of God was revealed through deliverance. We can expect the empowering of the Holy Spirit in our lives through suffering. When faced with intense suffering His living example displays a Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered posture. Suffering and persecution becomes the occasion for the empowering of the Holy Spirit to work…if we pray.
D. L. Moody said, “I'd rather be able to pray than to be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to preach, but only how to pray.” Truly, prayer will bring us into the greatest purposes of God.
Let’s depart from dead methods and traditions and seek the living power of God available to secure His purpose in the earth.
Conclusion
With bravery, a believer can face the stiffest of oppositions or the most pressing circumstances. We trust in His Sovereignty. We rejoice in our salvation. We pray in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
