(Introduction)
(Other ideas might be the pains of road construction: and the signs that say, “Completed in 2011 as promised)
The grief of my grandfather’s loss was still fresh. His wife, my step grandmother, had passed away unexpectedly. She was alive and well as they went to bed. He awoke the next morning to find that she had died during the night.
To understand the story you need to know that my grandfather was not a Christian man. Jesus was never very important to him. Little did I understand this as a brand new student at Bible College. And as a Freshman student, I was anxious to test out my training. So when my family went to visit with him, I looked at him and told him this sagely advice: “God promises that this will work out for the good.”
I knew immediately that I had made a mistake. My grandfather’s face twisted up with anger. He looked back at me with resentment in his eyes and pointed a finger in my face. And he said with spite, “How can this possibly be for the good? THAT is no more than WISHFUL thinking!” The words I thought would bring hope rang hollow to him.
(Common Ground)
Have those words ever rung hollow to you, too? God works all things out for the good of those who love him? In the midst of tragedy, it can be hard to picture God working it all out for the good. Do you know what I mean? In the aftermath of a tornado or flood; when we receive bad news about our health; when we lose our job; when we lose someone we love, it can sure feel like God is distant; it can sure feel like God has failed in his duty.
But what if God were able to use trials and suffering for the good? What would that look like? Let’s explore this question today as we continue our series from the book of Philippians.
Historical Context:
We talked last week that Paul writes this letter while sitting in prison. He is under house arrest for sharing his faith. He has made an appeal to Caesar and is awaiting his trial in Rome. To keep him secure, he would have been chained by the wrist or ankle to a Roman guard at all times.
A speedy trial for a 1st Century prisoner in Rome was not guaranteed. A prisoner could wait months or years before having the opportunity to present his/her case. The timetable for a trial was often based on the whims of the magistrate. Sometimes the prisoner was used as a bargaining chip. If held long enough, the prisoner might even be able to buy his freedom by offering a bribe. Getting a prisoner to trial was not always the magistrates concern. History teaches us that Paul waited for his day to present his case for 2 years.
And during imprisonment, the Roman government was not worried about the welfare of the prisoner – there was no constitutional guarantee of humane treatment. There was no cable T.V., no exercise equipment, no three meals a day provided. The prisoner in Paul’s time would have been dependent on paying the guards or on others to provide the basic necessities of life – food, water, clean clothing. It would have been a miserable situation physically and emotionally.
It is from this situation that Paul writes these words.
Philippians 1:12 (NIV)
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
Can I paraphrase that?
“I want you to know that what seems to be bad (My being in chains) has turned out for the good.” It’s a remarkable statement isn’t it?
Picture that statement for a moment.
I have cancer, but it’s a good thing.
I lost my job, but it’s a good thing.
My wife left and took the children, but it’s a good thing.
Being a prisoner of Rome would not be a good thing, but Paul says,"Good things are happening while he awaits trial in prison." He has been able to share the gospel as a result of it. Listen to what he says in vs. 13.
Result one:
Philippians 1:13 (NIV)
13 As a result (of my imprisonment), it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
When we read this we need to understand that there is a dual tone taking place. In one sense Paul is declaring his innocence. He wants those in Philippi to understand that he has done nothing illegal. Paul has not been placed in prison for a misdeed. Instead he is in chains for preaching Christ.
On the other hand, Paul is sharing the results of his imprisonment. I am in chains FOR CHRIST. It is the reason that Paul is in prison. And Paul says that Christ is using his chains for the good. The gospel is advancing.
We read this and realize that there is a bit of sweet irony taking place. Paul has been placed under house arrest so the story of Jesus could not be spread. Instead, Caesar’s own guards are hearing the message. The guards who are chained to Paul to keep him from escaping have become the captives and not the other way around. And Paul is sharing the good news with them.
Result One – Christ is still being preached in the midst of terrible circumstances
Paul is using his terrible circumstance (being in chains) as a means to share the gospel.
The second result
Philippians 1:14 (NIV)
14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly (as well).
Other brothers in Christ facing the same kind of suffering have been encouraged to share the gospel as well. Do you hear Paul’s message? God is working!
Vision / Dream Question
Folks, we live in a world that offers hopeless situations in large doses. We live in a world that can hurt more often than not. Being a follower of Jesus does not make us immune. Sometimes the world hurts because we ARE Christians. So what would happen if our suffering became a means to share the good news of Jesus? What would happen if those of us who are “chained” to doctors and nurses shared the good news while in the hospital? What if they saw us able to rejoice in the midst of suffering? What if we gave generously even in the midst of financial hardship? What if friends and family saw the woman rejoice even when she finds out she can’t have the child she longs for?
God working for the good even in bad situations. Folks, I firmly believe that God can and DOES use sickness, and loss, and financial struggles, and emotional burdens as a means to advance the gospel. And it is a powerful witness when a person is able to rejoice in the midst of terrible suffering, loss, and tragedy!
Don’t hear me wrong. I’m not saying that those situations don’t cause us suffering and pain – I’m not saying the grief and pain isn’t real. I’ve spent too much time in hospitals and funeral homes to deny the pain. It is very real. But when people see us rejoice in the midst of them, it causes them to ask questions – It can happen that the good news can be made known through bad situations.
I know nurses who accept Christ because of a patient. I’ve read and heard first hand accounts about prisoners and prison guards who hear the good news because a Saint has been imprisoned for his faith.
Illustration:
My wife and I had the privilege of meeting a man who we will call P. He is a Christian who lives in a country where Christianity is illegal. P shared his story with a group of us. On several occasions P has been arrested simply because the people in his community know he is a Christian. The city officials needed no more reason than his faith to arrest him. On one occasion, P testified that he came face to face with the head of the police. He took a loaded pistol and aimed it a P’s head. P did not know whether the head of the police would pull the trigger or not. He said he was very afraid.
P has a wife and a child. He obviously worries about them and their safety too. Now P is highly educated. He has a doctorate degree. In the US, P could have sought refuge and probably received it. Instead, he chose to go back to his country and face the potential of suffering and death because he wants his people to know about his faith.
Somehow he finds the courage to continue to share the message of Jesus. The result? The head of the police has heard the good news of Jesus. P reports that this man’s heart has begun to soften. City officials, family and neighbors have come to know Jesus because of his witness. And you know what else? If P can face the suffering because of his faith, I am encouraged to boldly share my faith as well.
It’s an awesome thing to see God use difficult circumstances to advance his plan! It happens all throughout the world. God is indeed working in the midst of suffering so that a world that is suffering from the ravages of sin can hear the good news of Jesus!
And it’s a reason we can rejoice even in the midst of it all! People hearing the good news of Jesus. Look at Paul’s words in our text. Paul celebrates this even when some of those who are preaching have the wrong motives.
Look at verses 15-18
Philippians 1:15-18 (NIV)
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16 The latter do so in 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,
Paul’s joy comes from the gospel itself – It is hidden within his heart. The story of Jesus is GOOD NEWS that sustains his joy in the midst of a bad news world. Christ is preached and because of that he continues to rejoice!
It leaves us with a question. What do we find joy in? What is our joy centered on? We have to ask ourselves, “If someone evaluated my life what would they say I thought was good news?” “When bad news comes, would they see that I still believed that there was good news in Jesus?” The story of Jesus will advance through us only when we see it and treat it like it is good news. It is something to celebrate!
Now I think Paul was scared? He didn’t know how his situation would end. So he appeals to the Christians to pray for him. Look at verses 19-21 as he appeals to their prayers.
Philippians 1:19-20
19 for 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. 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.
He’s appealing to them to continue praying for him so that through their prayers and the help of the Holy Spirit he will be delivered; that through their prayers he will in no way be ashamed; and that he will have SUFFICIENT courage to exalt Jesus whether he lives or dies.
It sounds to me like there were days that Paul faced where his own courage seemed insufficient; it was unable to cover the deficit. I know that people don’t usually bother mentioning prayer requests unless they feel there is a need.
We all face days like that! There are days we struggle with rejoicing in the midst of suffering even when we know the good news. I would be remiss today to suggest that we are always able to grin and bear it. And often times we want someone to come alongside to help with the load. I think that is what Paul is suggesting in his letter.
Because the church in Philippi is sharing the load, Paul expects and hopes he will not be ashamed. We can also rejoice that we have a church family, a community of believers that will come alongside us and help us bear the load as well --whether through prayers, or providing for one another needs or simply being there. Paul writes that he expects to have sufficient courage whether he lives or dies.
How?
Look at vs 21. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. We hear people say the last part a lot, but we skip the first part. “To die is gain.” It’s usually said at funerals a different way – “My loved one is in a better place.” The sad reality is that while this is sometimes true; sometimes it’s not! But Paul realizes something different about the life part.
He says to continue living is for Christ. To live means he can continue to share the good news of Jesus even while in prison. To live means he can continue to build the Kingdom of Jesus. To live means he can continue to serve and to share.
To die is gain. For Paul the statement is true. Why?
Philippians 1:22-23
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;
Paul has the assurance that there is an eternal reward awaiting him. The two desires are waging war in Paul’s soul. He is conflicted and he longs for his eternal reward. He has a bigger picture in mind. But he realizes that this is not meant to be -- God is not done with him yet. He still has work to accomplish
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 joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Do you hear how Paul is facing the struggle of being a prisoner with Joy? He begins each day with the ultimate end in mind.
We all begin the day with some end in mind don’t we?
(Examples here)
What would happen if instead we began each day with the ultimate end in mind?
Paul gives some suggestions to the church in Philippi.
He writes,
Philippians 1:27-28
27 Whatever happens (Whether you are imprisoned for your faith or whether you live free) 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 one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
Keeping the ultimate end in mind will keep us more unified.
There is an appeal to unity in the midst of trials. When bad things happen it is especially easy to get off track. It is easy to become separated – for factions to develop within a group. Paul urges his readers to stand firm – keep your self from being moved from your spot – do not retreat. Stay unified in one spirit, everyone working for the same goal, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.
Then Paul writes,
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.
And he tells them that keeping the ultimate end in mind will alleviate fears. Do not be continually afriad. Those who oppose you will see it as a sign of their destruction. The trials and those that oppose you will one day meet their end too. Things will be made right. So live as people who are already saved by God.
And then Paul writes something strange.
Philippians 1:29-30
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on 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.
Do you hear what Paul is saying? Paul suggests that suffering is a gift. It has been granted to you on behalf to suffer for him. If you are like me that idea sounds foreign to you. That doesn’t seem to be the way God works. Doesn’t God want us comfortable? Take a look at the prayer list in the bulletin. What do we ask God for? It sure seems to me by the way we pray that we believe that God wants us comfortable.
If I found a genie in the bottle on the beach the last request I would want to request would be suffering. And yet Paul suggests that it is a gift God grants.
As followers in Christ, suffering is not a curse.
Keeping the ultimate end in mind will help us see suffering as a gift. It is a gift to advance the gospel
Conclusion:
Family, we live in a world where there is suffering handed out in large doses. We’ve seen evidence of it over the last year. Nationally, we see it in earthquakes, tornadoes, and flooding. In the church we’ve seen it in illness, suffering, and death.
Despite our best efforts and despite being followers of Jesus suffering has a way of worming itself into our lives as well. But suffering can be a gift. How we handle that suffering will speak volumes to a world that is also hurting and seeking a solution. If we complain about it; if there is bitterness and anger toward it then the world will not see any difference. They certainly will not see that trusting in Jesus is really good news.
But if we trust in Jesus in the midst of our suffering and if we begin each day with the end in mind then our brothers and sisters in Christ will be encouraged to stand firm, to stay strong and we will have the opportunity to share the good news to a world that is suffering as well.
We can offer the solution of the good news of Jesus Christ.
Where are we today in how we handle suffering? Can we rejoice in it as gift as we see God working? Or is it all just wishful thinking?
What do you think?
