What To Do When Stuff Happens

"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.