Introduction:
A. Today, we are continuing in our sermon series on Paul’s letter to the Philippians called “Joy for the Journey.”
1. I want us to continue to understand how attitude makes a difference in whether or not we experience joy for the journey.
2. But by attitude, I don’t mean a foolish optimism like we find in the self-help books that peddle the “power of positive thinking.”
3. I heard about one man who ascribed to the power of positive thinking fell off a 40 story building and as he fell past the 10h floor he was heard to say, “So far so good!”
B. The kind of attitude that leads to joy for the journey is the kind of attitude that is the difference between keeping your eye on the doughnut or the hole.
1. Think about it for a moment – a doughnut has two parts – the round piece of fried dough and the empty hole in the middle.
2. Each of us have a choice to make – we get to decide which part of the doughnut will attract our attention.
3. We can choose to focus on the circle of fried dough that we have, or we can focus on the missing fried dough in the middle.
4. We can focus on what we’ve got, or we can focus on what we lack.
5. And in addition to that we can trust that whether we have the doughnut or the hole, God can work with and through either the doughnut or the hole.
C. Consider the story of Raymond and Yvonne Bailey.
1. At just 22 years old, their marriage was dying and they met in a restaurant to discuss divorce arrangements.
2. When their meeting was over, Raymond agreed to give Yvonne a ride on his motorcycle to Yvonne’s mother’s house.
3. On the way, they were involved in an accident and both ended up in the hospital.
4. When the nurses learned of their impending divorce, they put the couple in the same hospital room.
5. The nurses were determined to patch up more than their broken bodies; they wanted to patch up their broken marriage.
6. And guess what? It worked!
D. Who would have believed that something as bad as a motorcycle accident could save a marriage?
1. But the truth of the matter is that sometimes the most difficult experiences in life produce the best results.
2. This isn’t a popular message if we are looking to Christ for an escape from life’s problems, but it is a revolutionizing insight into Christian living if we are willing to make it our own.
3. My main point today is that God is able to use any situation in our lives for our good and for the good of His Kingdom.
4. My hope is that all of us can develop the right attitudes toward our circumstances and difficulties so that God might be able to be glorified through them.
5. Paul is a prime example of someone who had the right attitude toward all his circumstances.
6. And when Paul wrote to the Philippians, he shared with them many lessons and principles about trusting God to make something good from something bad.
7. Let’s learn the lessons that Paul learned and shared with the Philippians.
I. Lesson #1 is: The Way of Christ is the Way of the Cross.
A. Paul understood that the most basic teaching of Christ is: Anyone who wants to follow Christ must pick up their cross daily and follow him. (Mark 8:34)
1. The Christian life is truly a challenging life.
2. It is easy to draw people to Christianity if you give them the false notion that it is a life of ease.
3. There are certainly wonderful and thrilling promises from God to those who put their trust in Him.
4. However, coupled with those positive promises is the startling realization that the Christian life is not easy.
5. The Christian life involves a cross.
B. The apostle Paul knew the reality of this truth in a personal way.
1. When Ananias was sent to Paul after being blinded on that Damascus Road, the Lord said to Ananias: “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15-16)
2. Paul was suffering as he sent this letter to the Philippians – he was suffering imprisonment.
3. Periodically in Paul’s letters, he reminds his Christian friends of the sufferings he has experienced; including all kinds of danger, beatings and imprisonment; he almost died on several occasions.
4. When Paul wrote to Timothy he reminded him, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim. 3:12)
C. So as Christians, we must arm ourselves with an attitude that is prepared for trouble and hardship.
1. Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble (John 16:33).
2. Some of the trouble and hardship we face has nothing to do directly with being Christians.
a. Just because we live in this physical, fallen world we may experience hardships like car accidents, cancers and other catastrophes like hurricanes and tornados.
b. We may experience hardship because of the mistakes and sins of others, or from our own mistakes and sins.
c. But these kinds of sufferings are not suffering for the sake of Christ or because of our obedience to the Lord.
3. But there is a suffering for the sake of Christ and His church that is a different kind of suffering.
a. Over the last 2000 years of Christianity, there have been thousands who have been imprisoned or killed because of being followers of Christ.
b. That kind of suffering continues to be a reality for followers of Christ today in some parts of the world.
4. Many of us will not face that kind of suffering, but we may face other kinds of suffering for Christ.
a. Our suffering may include ridicule or rejection as we attempt to share the gospel and live a transformed life.
b. Our suffering may include the challenges that come from the sacrifice of our time and money as we give ourselves to the Lord and His work.
5. But when we do suffer for the sake of Christ, let’s do what Paul and the early Christians did – let’s rejoice because we have been counted worthy of suffering for the name of Christ (Acts 5:40).
6. Let’s arm ourselves with the attitude that Peter described: But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:20-21)
7. Paul understood that suffering was a part of the Christian journey and so he armed himself with the attitude that “the way of Christ is the way of the Cross.”
II. Lesson #2: Something Bad Can Be Used for Good.
A. Paul explained this to the Philippians, saying: 12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 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. (Phil. 1:12-14)
1. Paul’s faith in the Lord allowed him to have the attitude that God can work through anything and take something that is bad and use it for good.
a. Paul believed that the same God who used Moses’ rod, Gideon’s pitchers, and David’s sling, could use his chains.
b. Who would have imagined that the chains affixed to Paul’s wrists would actually release the gospel rather than bind it?
2. Paul declared that his imprisonment has served to advance the gospel.
a. The word Paul used for “advance” is a military term referring to the army engineers who go before the troops to open the way into new territory.
b. Those engineers go in and clear obstacles, open roads and build bridges so the army can advance unhindered.
c. Paul was saying that his imprisonment – which seemed like a setback or a shutting of the door, has actually opened the door to new spheres of work and activity.
d. Specifically, that new door was into the finest regiment of the Roman army – the palace guard.
e. These men were the finest soldiers whose primary job was to guard the Roman Emperor and were also in charge of all the imperial prisoners.
B. Before I go any further with this point, allow me to make an important clarification.
1. Let me say it as clearly as I can – I am not suggesting that everything that happens to a believer is good.
a. Many of the things that happen to us or that we go through are not good – an innocent person being imprisoned is not good.
b. Having a car accident, or the death of a child, or losing a job, these are not good things.
2. But here is the spiritual truth and promise that we must arm ourselves with: Our God can take the very worst of circumstances and bring something good from them.
a. Our God can make something good from something bad.
C. How does that happen?
1. First, our sufferings can stimulate public interest.
a. There is great power in the witness of a consistent Christian life, especially in the face of hardship.
b. Someone once said, “Your obstacles may become your pulpit.” (Henrietta Mears)
c. Many people never pay attention to our faith until they see it in action.
d. When they see a Christian face hardship with peace, courage, and joy, they suddenly want to know how we can do that.
2. Second, our sufferings can authenticate our witness.
a. We often talk about credibility or integrity, but it is in times of trouble when these kinds of things shine.
b. In the political world, we are impressed by those who will make public stands based on their beliefs, especially if those stands are unpopular.
c. In contrast to that are those who will say or do whatever they have to in order to stay out of trouble or to get what they want.
d. It would have been easy for Paul to try to slide out of this situation, by compromising or by paying a bride like the Roman Governors wanted, or simply withdrawing his appeal to Caesar, but he didn’t.
e. Everyone knew that Paul was in prison for Christ, and that communicated volumes.
3. Third, our suffering for Christ will encourage other believers to new zeal.
a. Paul pointed out that because of his chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. (vs. 14)
b. Most would think that the opposite would be true, right?
c. Most would think that if you put one person in prison because of Christ, then it would cause others to stop speaking about Christ, right?
d. We notice that Paul said that “most” had been encouraged, but not “all.”
e. Suffering will cause some to be cowardly, but for most people courage is contagious.
f. The amazing fact of history is that persecution has always helped the church rather than hurt it.
g. An early church father, Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
h. When a Scottish Christian named Patrick Hamilton was burned at the stake because of his faith, someone said, “If we burn anyone else, we should burn them in low cellars, for the smoke of Mr. Patrick Hamilton has infected as many as it blew upon.
i. Consider what happened in China in 1949 when Maoist Communism took over rule of China and in one fell swoop thousands of Western missionaries were expelled from China.
1. Churches were closed and gospel preaching was silenced.
2. In 1978, 30 years later, China began to loosen restrictions.
3. What emerged took the church and the rest of the world by surprise.
4. When Communism came to power in 1949, approximately 1 million Chinese were Christians.
5. But in spite of the restrictions and persecution, by 1979, the number had risen to 12 million.
6. By 2000, the estimate was over 20 million and maybe as many as 100 million.
j. So what appeared to be the worst possible thing that could happen to the church in China in 1949, God was able to work for good.
k. God is regularly at work making something good from something bad.
4. Let me add a fourth way that God can use something bad for good, when we suffer hardship it can help us grow.
a. Hardship requires us to exercise our faith and learn patience and endurance.
b. Endurance can only be developed by having to endure something.
c. Paul often makes this point about the benefits of suffering in his letters.
d. It isn’t the point he was making to the Philippians, but it is an important point that he makes elsewhere.
III. Lesson #3: All that Matters is Christ is Preached.
A. Paul wrote: 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. (Phil. 1:15-18)
1. Here we see Paul revealing a glimpse into his heart.
2. We have already seen how Paul’s imprisonment had encouraged many who loved Paul to greater outreach, but his imprisonment had also encouraged a different group.
3. Paul’s opponents saw Paul’s imprisonment as an opportunity to advance their own influence and prestige.
4. Paul said that they were moved by selfish ambition and a desire to make matters worse for Paul.
B. But I am so encouraged by Paul’s attitude in the midst of that reality.
1. Paul expressed nothing concerning personal jealousy or resentment about those opponents.
2. As long as Christ was being preached, Paul didn’t care about who received credit, nor what their original motive was.
a. It takes a mature person to have that kind of attitude!
3. Paul’s faith in the Lord convinced him that God’s Word could accomplish its mission even if those who delivered it were not all they should be.
4. Sadly, all too often, personalities get in the way of the progress of the gospel.
a. Sometimes, Christian leaders fight over control, or over the spotlight.
5. Paul’s example here is such a good one – he lifted the matter above personalities and prominence, and concluded that all that matters is Christ, and that Christ’s message is preached.
a. Paul really put first things first!
6. And this is one of the wonderful things about the Spirit of Christ that has been a part of the church family here at Wetzel Road over the years.
a. We have been unified in spirit and in purpose.
b. We have had no leaders who have led out of selfish ambition.
c. We have worked as a team, and our goal was been to glorify Christ and make followers of Christ, not followers of us as leaders.
7. I pray that we will continue to trust God and unselfishly serve in partnership for God’s glory.
Conclusion:
A. As we bring this lesson to a conclusion, I want to bring us back to the attitude that will make all the difference in having joy for the journey.
1. When our trust is in the Lord and when we believe that God is able to make something good from something bad, then we are filled with joy and peace.
2. When we are trusting God in this way, then we can have joy regardless of the circumstances we are in, knowing that God can make something good even out of something bad.
3. When we are trusting God in this way, then we can have joy regardless of what others do, knowing that God can make something good even out of something bad.
4. But it all begins with that kind of attitude of trust and it is something we must decide on ahead of time.
B. Allow me to end with the story of a woman named Maurine Jones.
1. At 92 years old, she had to be moved to a nursing home.
2. Her husband of 70 years had recently passed away, making the move necessary.
3. After several hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, Maurine was told that her room was ready.
4. As Maurine maneuvered her walker toward the elevator, the nursing home director began to give her a verbal description of her tiny room.
5. But Maurine immediately interrupted the director, saying “I love it.”
6. “Maurine,” the director said, “how can you say you love it when you haven’t heard all about it, nor have you seen it?”
7. 92 year old Maurine explained, “That doesn’t have anything to do with it. Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it ...It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away...just for this time in my life.”
C. Paul had the right kind of attitude, just like Maurine.
1. Paul had decided ahead of time that he would trust in the Lord and find joy in trusting in God.
2. Paul had decided ahead of time that the Christian life included a cross – suffering and persecution were no surprise.
3. Paul had decided ahead of time that God can make something good from something bad.
4. Paul had decided ahead of time that all that matters is that the message of Christ is preached.
5. Our joy comes from deciding ahead of time to pick up our cross daily and follow Christ, and leave everything else in God’s hands.
6. I pray that all of us can develop this kind of attitude, because it provides the joy for the journey we need.
Resources:
“It’s All In How You Look At It” Sermon by John Hamby, SermonCentral.com
“The Strangest Church Growth Technique” Sermon by David Strain, www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/the-strangest-church-growth-technique
“Keep You Eye on the Donut and Not on the Hole” Sermon by Ray Pritchard, http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/keep-your-eye-on-the-donut-and-not-on-the-hole/
