TEXT: Philippians 1:12-30
TITLE: To LIVE: Deliverance
SERIES: To Live
TOPIC: Salvation
OCCASION: Burnside Christian Church, June 28, 2009
PROP.: in order to receive deliverance, you must wait for the Lord…but continue to read His word, continue with your mission, understand God’s plans are perfect.
INTRODUCTION: Good morning! Turn to the book of Philippians with me. We are studying the entire book of Philippians…all four chapters. It will take us a total of 10 weeks.
I’ve asked you to do two things while we are studying this book together.
1. Bring your Bible and a Pen. Hold up your Bible and pen today!
2. Read through the book of Philippians
If you’re new with us, we are on week 3 of a message series called: To Live.
I want you to take ownership of this book. Read it as though Paul is writing this letter with your name at the top of it! I want you to become familiar with this book.
And what we’re doing is we are going through the book of Philippians verse by verse and learning what Paul tells us on how we are to live!
So here are the big ideas we’ve learned so far:
Week 1 - To Live - Grace & Peace
What we learned in week one is that Paul is a slave of Jesus Christ. And because Paul is a slave of Jesus Christ there are two things that he has that he wants us to have: GRACE & PEACE! How do you get God’s grace? How do experience a peace in life that only Jesus can give? Become a slave of Jesus Christ!
Week 2 - To Live - Grow. Last week we learned that God is working in your life…RIGHT NOW! God is working because He wants you to grow! He wants to shape you and mould you into the person He desires you to be. And God is causing you to grow by using bad times in your life…all the stuff that you are going through and living through right now, God is using that to shape you into the person he wants you to be! But God is also causing you to grow using good times too.
But not only does God wants us to mature and grow, PAUL wants us to grow! Paul wants our love for God and one another to abound more and more. To grow!
So that brings us up to today. We’re going to read Philippians chapter 1 starting in verse 12.
Now before we actually get into the text, I need to answer a big question that we haven’t addressed yet!
I’ve told you that Paul is the one writing this letter. I’ve told you that he is writing this letter from a prison in Rome. But I haven’t told you: WHY Paul is in prison. What did he do? Did he murder someone? Did he steal something?
No. He is in prison because Paul claims with all of his heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. That’s why he’s in prison. Bottom line, he’s in prison because He says and believes that Jesus Christ is Lord.
That’s what got him arrested in the first place. Paul used to be a Pharisee. A die hard law follower. But then Paul met Jesus as he was on his way to Damascus and now Paul is a die hard JESUS follower!
And Paul was in Jerusalem to do some worship in the temple. And while he was there worshiping God, some of his fellow Jewish people saw Paul and they started to raise a ruckus, and there was a riot that broke out and they end up arresting Paul. All because the Jewish people proclaim that Paul is a blasphemer because Paul believes that Jesus Christ is lord.
So Paul is arrested, ends up in Caesarea, and while Paul was in Caesarea, he stands trial before Felix and Festus…and while he is on trial, because Paul was a Roman Citizen, Paul requests that his case be heard in Rome. So Paul appeals to Caesar to come to Rome and so Paul gets to plead his case in court in Rome.
But here’s the problem. You know what the people of Rome believe? They don’t believe that Jesus Christ is lord. They believe that Caesar is lord. And you see that around the whole Roman empire at that point. They believe that Caesar is Lord. So Paul is going to have to stand trial and Paul is going to have to state his claim that Jesus is Lord.
So back in Paul’s home country, he is considered a blasphemer of God. And here in Rome, Paul is going to be considered a traitor. Both crimes punishable by death. And why?
BECAUSE PAUL BELIEVES WITH ALL HIS HEART, THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! WOW! What do you believe about Jesus Christ?
So as we read in verse 12, keep all of this in mind…
12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. (let’s stop right there. This verse could have easily tied into last week’s sermon. Remember last week when I said that God is wanting you to grow? And God will cause you to grow in good times and in bad? Paul is saying, “I’m growing! Yeah, it’s unpleasant and uncomfortable right now, but God is using this to grow me AND His kingdom!
And what makes Paul so amazing is that he sees the big picture! How many times do you and I go through a difficult situation in our life only to complain and grumble about it?
But not so with Paul. He understands that God is using this situation to bring about some good things for His kingdom! Let’s continue reading…)
13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
(look up here for a second. So what’s happening is that Paul has become familiar with the guards who are keeping watch over him. And the guards are becoming familiar with Paul. And it’s obvious to the guards that Paul is not some common criminal. He’s not a thief. He’s not a traitor (like they are saying he is). There’s something different about Paul. He talks with the guards. He doesn’t cuss them out. He has a gentle demeanor. The guards are discovering that Paul’s message about life, about death, about Jesus is very appealing. Let’s keep reading…verse 14)
14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[c]
(so what is happening here is that some of the area preachers are taking Paul’s imprisonment and are using it to help grow their own church. They are in competition with the other area churches. DO YOU KNOW OF ANY CHURCHES THAT ARE IN COMPETITION WITH OTHER CHURCHES? It’s quite sickening to watch. And so there is a competition among some of the churches in Paul’s day and those preachers are trying to run Paul’s name through the mud saying, “I don’t know about your church, but our church is NOT associated with Paul…that criminal. These churches have the right message…but the wrong motives. They are preaching Christ…just going about it in the wrong way.
But Paul doesn’t even seem bothered by the fact that those preachers who are trying to grow their church are ruining Paul’s reputation and trying to get rich by having a big church…notice what he says…verse 18)
18But 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,
Paul has the right perspective about life. He uses the word rejoice. What does he have to be joyful about? He’s in prison, away from friends. Away from family. Awaiting death. And he will continue to rejoice?????? It only goes to show that for the Christ follower, our joy does not hinge on what happens to us!
And now we come to verse 19. This is the verse I want to spend most of our time on today. If you get verse 19, you’ll understand this whole section of scripture. This is like the ‘highlight’ of the text…
Let’s read WHY the apostle Paul can have joy.)
19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
(the Greek language is truly amazing. Paul says, that he will continue to have joy because everything that has happened will turn out for His deliverance. Now we look at that word deliverance and we assume he is talking about being set free from prison. But if you’re Bible is like mine, there is a foot note at the bottom of the page. What else can this word be translated as? That’s right…SALVATION!
It is NO mistake that Paul uses this word. It’s the word SO-TEER-E-OS. It can be translated Freedom or salvation. In fact, I have written in the margin of my Bible:
FREEDOM? SALVATION?
Paul uses this word because he doesn’t know the future. He doesn’t know if he will be set free from jail or if he will be set free from life. But whatever happens, he will be delivered! He will be SOTERIOS.
Well here is the big idea you need to walk away with today…
T.S.: What Paul is reminding the Philippian readers, and what Paul is reminding you and me is this: If you want to enjoy this life…if you TRULY want to live and have joy…then there’s some stuff you need to know about DELIVERANCE.
(TO LIVE: DELIVERANCE)
T.S.: What I want to share with you today are some key reminders about deliverance.
How many of you are going through a difficult situation right now? How many of you are having a rough time at work? How many of you are dealing with a difficult relationship (maybe a family member or a friend)? How many of you are sick and hurting and in pain? How many of you are really tight financially speaking right now?
How many of you are WAITING to be delivered?
Then perhaps today’s message is one you need to hear. And if right now, everything is perfect in your life, you need to hear today’s message so you may offer some comfort to those who are suffering.
That’s the first thing you need to know. If you are in a season of pain right now…wanting to be delivered…YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT!
That’s what Paul was doing. He didn’t know when it was going to happen. But he was confident that he would be delivered. He was simply waiting on the Lord.
Now, I know something about waiting. I hate it. Waiting is never fun. Whether you are waiting to hear news about a test…or waiting to see a doctor…or waiting for a baby’s delivery date to FINALLY get here…waiting is never fun. And so too, waiting on the Lord isn’t fun.
But this kind of waiting you and I are to experience isn’t the kind of waiting where we sit around and do nothing. While you are passing time, there are some things you need to be doing…and that’s what I want to share with you today…
First thing to do while waiting on the Lord‘s Deliverance…
I. READ GOD’S WORD.
“But Mark, you don’t understand, I’m hurting! I’m in pain. I’m suffering. What good is reading God’s word going to do? How will that help me???”
I’ll explain that to you…
A. Story of JOB
ILLUSTRATION: JOB. Let me tell you a story from the Old Testament. Its entirely true. It’s not an allegory or some story with symbolic meaning. It actually happened.
For those of you who are students of the Bible, you’ll know the story well.
There was this man named Job. In fact, there is a book of the Bible that is dedicated to the life and story of Job.
Job was this guy who God considered righteous. What a great description by the way. To be considered as someone who does life the right way.
One of the things that happens to Job is he is bombarded by some serious tragedies in life.
His family was killed, he lost much of his wealth, and then he lost much of his health. Everything that could go wrong…DID go wrong!
In that culture, it was believed that if bad things were happening to you, then you must have sinned against God…that you must have REALLY ticked God off because He is unloading it on you! And so Job has some buddies who are really not making the situation any better…they are convinced that Job messed up in some way, but Job knows that he has done nothing wrong.
And so Job in chapter 13 verse 15 says this…
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to His face;
Job, despite what circumstances he finds himself in, EVEN if God takes Job’s life…he will not allow himself to lose hope! How are you doing with that? Are your circumstances causing your faith to weaken? Have you lost hope?
Then Job says in verse 16:
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
for no godless man would dare come before him!
In other words, Job is convinced whether God allows him to die or to live, that Job will be delivered! That Job will be saved…either in this life or the next.
Sounds familiar doesn’t it?
B. Paul was comforted by God’s word
Paul uses almost the exact phrase in his letter to the Philippians. Paul was a Pharisee. He knew the Old Testament scrolls probably by heart. I don’t think it is coincidence that Paul uses this phrase from Job’s life story. Paul is very much aware of Job’s situation and I think it has even more meaning for Paul as he sits in a jail cell waiting for His deliverance.
So Paul is receiving comfort from God’s word.
C. Your comfort
And so if you are in a time of distress and trial, what scriptures are bringing you comfort?
2nd thing you need to do while you wait on the Lord’s deliverance…
II. CONTINUE YOUR MISSION (verse 20-22)
.[d] 20I 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. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If 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!
Whatever difficulty in life you are facing, remember that Christ needs to be worshipped, adored, glorified, exalted!”
A. Paul’s mission
To exalt Christ! Through his life or by his death. God is using Paul even while he is in jail to advance the Kingdom! To win people to Christ. If Paul were NOT in prison, would the whole praetorian guard know about Jesus? Nope!
IILUSTRATION: Lindsay’s hospital roommate in Iowa City.
Had we not been in the hospital, I would have never met this young lady or had the opportunity to pray for her.
B. Your Mission
How is God using you and your situation?
Sometimes, we get soooo caught up on the bad stuff that is happening to us that we lose perspective. We fail to be used by God because we can’t see past our own hurt and pain. We can have a pity party and think “woe is me” and lose perspective.
To gain the right perspective…Understand…yeah, it could be better…but…
“It could be worse!”
ILLUSTRATION: Waiting room complainer. Lindsay had a follow up appointment this past Thursday in Iowa city. We were in the waiting room waiting to have the CT scan done. There was this large lady there (and that’s putting it politely) who wouldn’t stop complaining! She was dressed in a patient’s gown and was NOT bashful about telling everyone else in the waiting room her situation. Apparently, she was scheduled to have a colonoscopy and so they told her not to eat anything the previous night. Well when she showed up for the procedure that day, they switched her test to a different one…and so she was complaining about not eating for over 24 hours. She kept saying, “I don’t care what time it is, I’m going to Olive Garden after this…”
Little did she know that I was there with my wife who hasn’t had anything to eat for 3 weeks. I wanted to tell her, GET SOME PERSPECTIVE!
While Lindsay was in the hospital, it became obvious to me that our situation could be worse.
Continue your mission. Paul says in verse 27...
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
3rd thing you need to do while you wait for the Lord’s deliverance…
III. UNDERSTAND GOD’S PLANS ARE PERFECT! (verse 23 - 24)
Does God make mistakes? No. God is perfect. Therefore His plans are perfect!
Let’s read verses 23 & 24.
23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
A. It’s a win/win situation
Paul doesn’t know which is better. To be delivered from Prison and set free? Or to be delivered from this life and be with Christ? Both of these scenarios are good for Paul.
Why is that? Because God’s plans are perfect!!! The only people that would be sad about Paul’s leaving this life are his friends.
That’s usually how it is. For those of us who have lost loved ones who are in heaven, we are sad because we selfishly want them to be here with us. But if we had to choose, there is NO way we would bring them back to this life. Because they are in a far better place than we are!
B. Yours is a win/win situation
I want you to know and understand that if you are facing a life or death situation…it’s a win/win situation because you’re a Christ follower.
If you get to continue to live - wonderful! Each day is a gift, that’s why it is called the present.
If you die that’s great too! You get to be in heaven EXPERIENCING everything you’ve learned about the Bible. Some people fear death. Others fear dying.
I don’t fear death. I know where I’m going when I die. What I’m scared of is dying. The act of death.
I think it’s ok to be scared of dying. I don’t know if it’s going to be painful, if it will happen quickly or take a long time. I mean ideally, we would all like to die in our sleep. But I know that God is with me no matter what! And I know once that death has taken place, I’m going to go hang out with the apostle Peter, and Samson and of course Jesus!
It’s gonna be a win/win situation!
CONCLUSION: Some words I want to leave you with…
You are not alone in your struggle as you wait for God’s deliverance. You have two allies that Paul mentions are a help to him as he waits. He mentions them in verse 19:
19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
1st ally - Prayers of your church family
2nd ally - help of the Holy Spirit
God is using the situation you are in right now…in this moment…for His glory and you will be delivered! Just wait and see. In the meantime, seek people to pray for you. Seek the help of the Holy Spirit.
We come now to our time of decision. I want to pray for you! Our prayer team wants to pray for you. If you are in the middle of waiting to be delivered from a painful situation…won’t you swallow your pride, come forward and allow us to pray with you?
Let’s stand and sing…
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Some things to work on while you wait for deliverance
1. I will trust that God is in control
2. I will memorize scriptures that bring me comfort
3. I will accept that there are some questions I have for God that won’t have immediate answers.
4. I will expect God to work on HIS timetable.
