"What to Do When Stuff Happens"
Philippians 1:12-19
Introduction: How many of you know that "stuff happens" in life? Most reasonable thinking folks understand that things happen in life; difficult things, unexplainable things, unimaginable things, stuff that just happens. Now there are all kinds of questions as to why stuff happens and there are some really difficult answers. There is also some really bad information out there too about why stuff happens. For instance, I've mentioned the "health, wealth, and prosperity" teaching that is embraced by many so called "TV preachers and preacherettes! These folks say that the reason stuff if happening to you is your fault; you don't have enough faith or you have some sin of unbelief in your life. Their cure for your problem is usually some "power of positive thinking message" or "name it and claim it" or just "speak the name of Jesus' and you will have what you want or desire. Most of this has no legitimate place in the church. I can give you any number of biblical reasons why stuff happens, even to good people. I would like to illustrate my point by using the life of the Apostle Paul and his own words. My goal is to help and encourage you this morning, especially if you are experiencing a lot of "stuff" in your life. First, Paul:
I. Paul's Recognition that Stuff Happens v. 1
We are the sum of all our experiences both good and bad! Paul's life experience could be divided into three periods of time.
a. His life prior to conversion
Acts 26:1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
There have been many important events in history and obviously the life death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ are at the top of the list but beyond that the conversion of Saul of Tarsus ranks with the most important and influential events ever. He describes his conversion in Acts 26:12-18 in his defense before King Agrippa.
b. His life after his commission
Paul describes many of the things that happened to him after his commission in his 2nd letter to the church at Corinth.
2 Corinthians 11:21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
c. His life leading up to his coronation
Philippians is one of Paul's prison epistles and in our text he speaks of his "bonds" in verse 13. Where was Paul when he penned this wonderful letter? According to what most scholars believe Paul was under house arrest in Rome. He would later finish his course when he was re-arrested and imprisoned in the Maritime jail. Church history generally looks to his martyrdom outside the city of Rome at the hands of his Roman captors. It is from this second imprisonment that we have the 2nd letter to Timothy, considered Paul's "last will and testament."
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
II. Paul's Realization When Stuff Happens vs 2-17
Most of us view the stuff of life through a microscope whereas Paul looked at life through a telescope! He saw the things that had happened to him as a teaching moment.
a. The providence of God
Contemporary wisdom would say that what had happened to Paul was a bad thing but Paul saw everything through the lens of the providential arrangement of God. He speaks of the "things which happened unto me have fallen out rather..." The ESV translates it this way:
Philippians 1:12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, ESV
b. The progress of the Gospel
He declares that his "...bonds in Christ..." revealed to the Imperial guard and everyone else in the palace that he was imprisoned for Christ sake! Two things come to mind. First, that church tradition tells us that Paul's imprisonment had opened the way for preaching the gospel to the finest regiment in the Roman army! All the Praetorian Guard knew why Paul was in prison -- and many of them were touched by the gospel. No wonder Paul declared that his imprisonment had actually been for the furtherance of the gospel! The news spread from guard to guard, to the families of the guards, and then to Caesar's household! This very sight had to give great comfort and fresh courage to the brethren at Philippi.
Second, Paul ended the Philippian letter by saying, "All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household" (Phil. 4:22). "Paul sends special greetings from the Christian brothers who are of Caesar's household. It is important to understand this phrase rightly. It does not mean those who are of Caesar's kith and kin. Caesar's household was the regular phrase for what we would call the Imperial Civil Service; it had members all over the world. The palace officials, the secretaries, the people who had charge of the imperial revenues, those who were responsible for the day-to-day administration of the empire, all these were Caesar's household." (William Barclay, The Letters To The Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians, p. 87).
c. The proclaimers of the Gospel
Look at what Paul says in verse 14. He says that many of the "...brethren in the Lord..." were emboldened by his bonds and they preached the Word without fear." This is important for it would not be long before Nero would burn Rome and blame the Christians. Persecution would occur on a scale not seen before; Paul himself would be martyred as would many Christ followers as this evil ruler sought to exterminate all Christians from Rome. There is a great lesson for us here. When we share our faith it serves to give courage to others.
III. Paul's Response when Stuff Happens vs 18-19
"Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Jesus"
The overwhelming theme of Philippians is joy; 16 times he uses the word joy or rejoice. He is thankful for several things:
a. Christ is heralded
Paul acknowledges that some of them preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome, but others were preaching from genuine good will. They do so from love, because they know that God has given me the work of defending the gospel. The others do not proclaim Christ sincerely, but from a spirit of selfish ambition; they think that they will make more trouble for me while I am in prison. It does not matter! I am happy about it---just so Christ is preached in every way possible, whether from wrong or right motives. And I will continue to be happy.
b. Christ is honored
Our study of this section closes with Paul's summation of what he has said:
Philippians 1:20 My deep desire and hope is that I shall never fail in my duty, but that at all times, and especially right now, I shall be full of courage, so that with my whole being I shall bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. GNB
Conclusion: Are you struggling friend with some of the stuff that has happened or is happening in your life? Do you have questions but no answers? I want to suggest some things that will help you understand the "stuff" that happens in your life. First, and this is important; you will never understand what is going on in your life without a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Nothing will make sense apart from the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
If you are a believer ask God for a "telescopic" perspective on life, a "big picture" viewpoint! Ask Him to help you see life the way He does. Remember what He has said...
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
God Will Make A Way in a Tragedy
In other words, as we depend on the Lord, then we persevere in loving each other like Christ did. As we depend on the Lord, then we persevere in doing what's right even when it's hard. Several years ago, Don Moen was awakened in the middle of the night with a phone call. His mother-in-law had called to tell him of a tragic car accident involving his wife's sister, Susan. Susan and her husband, Craig, and their four little boys were on a trip when the tragedy occurred. Jeremy, age eight and the oldest of the four boys, was killed instantly. The others were seriously injured. As Don and his wife grieved and poured out their hearts to the Lord, they felt helpless at communicating hope and grace to Susan and Craig. Don recalls how God helped him through the tragedy. "It was as if the Lord gave me these words," he said.
"God will make a way when there seems to be no way.
He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide; hold me closely to his side.
With love and strength for each new day, he will make a way."
(Don Moen, God Will Make a Way, 1990, Integrity's Hosanna! Music/ASCAP; www.PreachingToday.com) From a sermon by C. Philip Green, Anticipating Advent -- Part III, 12/19/2009
THANKFULNESS/CONTENTMENT:
One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
