THE SILVER LINING
Philippians 1:12-14
11/29/94
There is an old saying that "beneath every cloud there is a silver lining". While those word sound real nice they offer very little comfort if you are going through a difficult time. While that saying is not found in the Bible, the principle behind it seems to be. That principal is that whatever may happen to us in this live whether it be good or bad, God can and does work it to good. The only condition to this is that we love God as we should. We also need to realize that that does not mean he will work it to good for us, but that He will work to good for Himself.
Just as Romans 8:28 tells us; "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." The key words there I think are "according to His purpose". And His purpose is always good.
Still many Christians wonder why God allows them to suffer and go through heart ache. We can understand why nonbelievers suffers, we figure that somehow they deserve it more then we do. But we cannot understand why bad things happen to good people? This is a question that has been asked throughout the centuries. This was basically that question which Job asked.
But before we get to our passage today I would just like to point out some basic things concerning suffering.
First we must realize that all people will experience suffering to some degree or another. It does not matter whether you are a Moslem, Buddhist, Jew, Christian, all people experience it at one time or another. It does matter whether you are rich or poor, black, white, all people experience suffering. Floods come, tornadoes, death in the family, things such as this do not overlook any one.
1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
While we may focus on the first part of this verse that when we are tempted God will provide an escape for us, let us not neglect to read that first part. Which basically states that much of what happens to us is just part of the human experience.
Many time we suffer because we break the natural laws of the universe. If someone jumps from the steeple of this building, they may think that there injuries are some sort of divine punishment for the way they are living. But regardless of what live you are living you will get injured if you jump from that height it is just that simple.
Sometimes God allows us to suffer to help in our spiritual grow. In Hebrews 5:8 we are told that this is how our Lord Jesus Christ grew;
"though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." This is but one of many passages in Scripture that shows that we grow when we are tested by the Lord.
Sometimes we suffer because of sin. We need to realize that God does indeed spank his children.
Hebrews 12:5-6 "And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."
So our suffering can come in the form of God punishing us for the sin we have done against Him.
Sometimes God allows us to suffer to prevent us from sinning. In 2 Cor. 12:7-9 Paul tells of the thorn in his flesh which God placed there to keep Paul from being puffed up and proud. Therefore Paul was allow to suffer so that God could use Him for His purposes and service.
The last reason I would like to point out to you as to why we suffer is the reason Paul states in our passage today. And that reason is the to allow for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Please turn with me to the passage for today, Philippians Chapter one, verses 12-14, (If you do not have a Bible of your own some on back table).
"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."
Paul states in verse 12 that he wants his brothers and sisters in Christ to understand why he was suffering. He states "I want you do know." On the surface it appeared as though a great tragedy had befallen fall. It appeared as through the cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ had suffered a serious set back. The most important missionary the church had at this time had been removed from the mission field. From the human vantage point it looked as thought God had made a mistake. That somehow God had allowed things to get out of control.
But God not being in control of a situation is an impossibility. So the Lord shows Paul through his Holy Spirit why He allowed Paul to be imprisoned, and Paul wants to share that knowledge with the Philippians.
So he states "But I want you to know, the things that which have happened to me actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel."
Paul refers to his suffering and his imprisonment have been used so that the gospel could be spread.
Now at times we feel sorry for ourselves in our suffering, I know I do anyway, but look at how Paul suffered, 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 "From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
(explain 39) Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; (probably a reference to be adrift at sea), in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness"
Paul certainly knew allot about suffering, allot more the me. But he writes to the Philippians telling them that these things happened to him so that things could happen through.
I am quite certain that the enemy, Satan had his hand in everyone of these things which Paul went through. I am sure that he thought that he had finally beaten Paul and would rid himself of the work Paul was doing for the Lord. But in every case, God allows it, for the furtherance of the gospel, what the devil sees as setting the gospel back, is only used by God to push it forward.
Now that word "furtherance" in this passage comes from a Greek word meaning "to cut before". It is thought to have been used of a group of wood cutters who go before the army of the marches. Their job was to cut a path or road for the army to use as they marched through dense forest.
So Paul states that his suffering, in this case his imprisonment was necessary to clear a path so
that the gospel go march forward.
So rather then a suffering hindering the spread of the gospel it had actually allowed him to preach the gospel even more effectively.
Lets look at verse 13, "so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;"
Now Paul was in Rome because he had been originally arrested for supposedly bring a Gentile into the Temple, a charge he was innocent of. But from that charge, Christianity itself was on trial. There were only certain religions which you were allowed to practice under Roman rule, Judaism being one of them. So Paul trial was to determine whether Christianity was a form of Judaism, in which case it would be legal, or some new cult or sect, which if that was the case then it would be illegal.
So this was the issue at hand, and until it was settled Paul was to remain in custody. There were confinements which could be given to Paul, He could be thrown in a jail, like he was at Philippi in Acts chapter 16. He could be allowed to go about his business and have a friend appear for him in court. Or he could be given what was called a "Military imprisonment". This was the one which in fact he was given.
Paul was allowed to live in a rented house, where anyone could come and see him if they desired. Paul himself would be chained to a Roman guard 24 hours a day.
Acts chapter 28, verses 16, 30-31 give a good picture of Paul’s situation when he wrote these words to the Philippians; "Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him." "Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him."
So that was Paul situation at this point in time.
Now our passage states that in became quite clear to Paul’s guard and "all the rest" that Paul was in chains not for murder, not for theft, not for treason or any crime other then his believe in Jesus Christ, which at this point in Roman history was not a crime.
I feel I should just say some things about this palace guard. These were the soldiers who were in charge of Paul, they were also known as the Praetorian (Pri-tor-ee-uhn) guard. These were the cream of the crop of the Roman army. These were the men who were responsible for guarding the Emperor himself. The commander on the praetorian guard was one of the most powerful men in the world at that time.
So here we have the soldiers of the most important army in the most important city of the world being won for Jesus Christ. This of course would not be possible had not Paul been arrested.
If we figure that Paul was under house arrest for two years, and they would change the guard every six hours, Paul meant quite a few men for this army.
I personally believe that many of these men came to know do know that Lord, not because Paul sat and preached to them knowing that they could not get up and leave, but that they were won to Christ because of the example Paul was.
Look at the life these men witness. They probably thought Paul would be bitter about being locked up for a crime he did not commit. But what did the see. They saw a man who prayed continually. They saw a man teaching others about his God, They saw a man writing to others concerning Christ. They saw a man would was certain that no matter what happened God would be there. they saw a man of great faith a man full of courage, patience, a gentle man, a sincere men, what they saw was a man who had been transformed by Christ.
I firmly believe that many were won to Christ simply by what they saw and by what they heard Paul teach to others.
So we see how the gospel was advanced undo a community which Paul could not get into any other way them to be arrested and held prisoner. What the enemy thought would bring the spread of the gospel to slowed down, only fanned the flames. Now these soldiers would be transferred to other units, where they would share the gospel, and so on and so forth.
Our passage also states that not only were the palace guard hearing and receiving the gospel but so were "all the rest".
This seems to refer to the rest of town. In Acts we read that Paul was preaching and teaching to Christ to all who came to hear him. Paul became the talk of town. God had flung open a door, though Paul arrest and suffering. And the gospel was going out not only to the praetorian guard but to "all the rest"
Now God not only used this imprisonment of Paul’s to influence unbelievers but also to influence believers. Verse 14.
"and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."
Paul was influencing other Christians to speak up for Christ. When they saw how much courage Paul had, and how much faith Paul had, it influenced them to be the same way. To boldly preach the gospel.
Discouragement is very contagious. So is encouragement. If Paul had been a coward, if he not shared Christ with others because of his chains can you imagine the effect that would have on his fellow believers.
But because of Paul boldness, and faith, others were boldly speaking of the Lord.
So we can see how God used the sufferings of Paul to influence not only unbelievers but believers as well. God had used Paul’s suffering for His good. And that is a point I think is worth repeating. Our suffering may not work out for our own personal good, but God promises that it will work our for His good and for His glory.
So in applying this to our own lives realize how each one of us influences others by our own faithfulness or lack of it. We influence people in ways we would never dream. I believe we influence far more people them we realize.
So when are faithful to the Lord you like Paul influence the unbelievers. Our lifestyles do more witnessing then our words could ever do. By our constant faithfulness to Christ we can win people to the Lord in places that we never would dream possible. On the same token by our lack of faithfulness and witness we can drive people away from Christ.
Also realize that by our faithfulness or again lack of our faithfulness we have a great influence on believers. When other believers see us steadfast the Lord they do will want to serve Him with enthusiasm. But also when we walk around discouraged and defeated, we do will influence them to do the same.
So may a just repeat that you like Paul influence many people in your walk with Christ, be they your family, friends, people at work, people at church. So I just encourage you to influence them just as Paul did, influence then in such a way as to glorify the Lord.
SHALL WE PRAY
