MAKING THE BEST OUT OF A BAD SITUATION
Philippians 1
INTRODUCTION
The apostle Paul is the writer of the text, written to the Church at Philippi.
He was the most prolific writer of the New Testament. He wrote 13 of the
26 books of the New Testament. He was the most educated of the apostles
and taught the law by the greatest Jewish teacher of his time, Gamaliel.
Apostle Paul set the standard for the love, devotion, and dedication to
preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul made 4 missionary journeys
across Europe, putting his life in danger by opposing the
Jewish traditions that legalized the Word of God. He taught the Word
of God with power and conviction saving souls and establishing churches
wherever he traveled. His ministry spanned 32 years and He was tried and
convicted for preaching the Gospel of Jesus in the Roman Empire.
His ministry started 14-20 churches across Europe and Asia,
The church at Philippi was the first Christian church in Europe, planted by the apostle Paul on his second missionary journey around AD 50 or 51. The initial converts of the church at Philippi were Gentiles, and the congregation developed into a predominately Gentile fellowship (gotquestion.org/Bible answers)
Philippi was a Roman colony, so its citizens were Roman. Whatever Paul did in
Rome would affect them. Paul loved the Church and the Church Loved Paul.
It is our job to work for Christ, in so doing, we work for the good of each other. We
are in a partnership with Christ
Philippians 1:3-6
I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Not only are we in a partnership with Christ but our work will be successful.
We do not have as many people in Bible Study on Wednesday night, Sunday
School or regular Church services as I would like, but it will end in success.
Lives are being influenced and the next generation of Christians are being
trained.
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Christian fellowship is important. Fellowship is more than coming to church and
singing a few songs. The apostle Paul promoted Christian fellowship throughout
Europe and Asia. Christian fellowship is being involved and concerned for each
other in the love of Jesus Christ. Listen to what Paul said to the Philippian's church
Verses 3-6. I have you in my mind
Verses 7-8 I have you in my heart
Verses 9-11 I have you in my prayers
Fellowship is having something in common which is Jesus Christ.
It is our job, the good work to promote fellowship with believers
through Jesus Christ.
MAKING THE BEST OUT OF A BAD SITUATION
The Apostle was in prison awaiting execution, but His mind was not on himself
but on the welfare of the church members. He was not sad but joyful. The secret of
his joy was his single mind, living for Christ and the Gospel.
At the end of is missionary trips he want to preach the Gospel in Rome (Acts 19:21, Romans 1:15). Rome was the gate way to the world. If He could
get the Gospel accepted in Rome it would spread throughout the Roman Empire.
He wanted to preach as a free man, but He was brought there in Chains. Falsely
accused by the Jewish Hierarchy in Jerusalem and imprisoned in Caesarea for
two years, he appealed to Caesar in Rome. He got to Rome but in chains.
CHAINS, DIVINE BLESSINGS
You could consider trials and tribulations as bad, but Paul used them to His advantage
Paul had three tools for the promotion of the Gospel in Rome:
His Chains Verses 12-14
His Critics Verses 15-19
His crisis Verses 20-26
Philippians 1:12-14
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.
Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Paul was in the prison chained to one of the elite guards of Rome, the Praetorian, 24 hours a day. The guard was changed every six hours. This gave Paul access to four Roman soldiers a day to proclaim the Gospel. As a free man, he would not have access
to these soldiers. The Gospel influence went beyond the guards but everyone who
came to visit him. Not only that, but Paul’s chains encourage the Church
in Rome to speak more boldly the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul was no stranger to jails. In Ad 49 at Philippi. Paul and Barnabas were jailed
and beaten for casting out a demon from a slave girl. At midnight chained and
blooded they began singing and praying causing an earthquake and all
jail cells to fly open. The chief guard on duty thought all prisoners had escaped
and wanted to kill himself. But Paul stopped him. As a result, the jailer bandaged
their wounds and he and his family received Christ. A bad situation turned good.
Sometimes God has put chains on us to get us to promote the Gospel to the lost.
You may feel stuck in a job or position and cannot advance yourself. It may be
that God closed the door because He has someone he will put in your midst
who needs the saving words of the Gospel. Instead of looking at what God is not
doing we need to look at what God is doing for others through us. God is
still working bad into good today.
The Five Blind Boys of Alabama formed in 1939 at the Talladega School for the
Blind has inspired and encouraged the Christian community all over
this nation. Their blindness was a tool God used for the ministry.
Stephen Hawking a renowned physicist developed ALS at 22 and was given
two years to live, died at 76. He was paralyzed from head to toe
with severe disabilities and confined to a wheelchair. His research discovered
that black holes emit radiation.
Whatever defects the world sees in you, that you think are holding you back
maybe what God uses to promote the Gospel and you.
When your focus is on the Gospel you can see your circumstances as opportunities.
Paul found joy when he reflected on the troubles God allowed him to endure from
the start of his ministry. His troubles for the Gospel's sake inspired believers.
CRITICS FORCE US TO DEFEND OUR FAITH
Philippians 1:15-20
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, 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.
Everyone has critics. Some are in your face. Some look at you with a critical look.
Others are silent before you but talk about you to those around you. The objective of
your critics is to hinder your progress.
Paul's critics were in his face. They followed him wherever he went. They
stirred up trouble in every city he preached. He was run out of the cities
but not before churches were established.
His critics were the reason he was in Rome on charges of preaching the Gospel.
The critics took notice of the advancement of the Gospel in the prison and the
surrounding neighborhoods. There was a group that loved the Gospel and
were motivated by Paul’s devotion of the gospel in his chains, They recognized
that being focus on the Gospel provided joy in the mist of bad circumstances.
There was a group who envied Paul’s work and preached the Gospel to gain fame
and a following and to stir up trouble for him. This group asked the question of who's side are you on rather than do you know Jesus. This group wanted to end the Gospel and push Jewish legalism. They preached works over grace.
If we learn to see our critics as people just like us with different opinions we
may learn that we have a lot of similarities. Paul realized that while they
opposed him, they were proclaiming the name of Jesus.
Those who are against Jesus have to spend time studying Jesus to prove to themselves
that their opinion is correct. The Word has the power to influence those who
read it. Paul saw the Gospel proclaimed by those who opposed him.
Our critics makes us take a look at ourselves to see if there is any truth to what
they are saying. If there is no proof we dig in deeper to our own convictions and
are strengthen in the ministry.
The Gospel can be preached in many ways. We have no claim on the best way
to preach the truth. Regardless of the method or the agenda of the teacher,
the truth speaks for itself. The most important thing is the truth is proclaimed.
Paul said I determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
CRISIS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH
Philippians 1:20-26
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. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 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; 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.
Can you say of those who know you, that they know Christ through you? Can you say
that those who hear you, hear Christ? Can you say that those who watch you
see a role model of Christ? Since we are designed to be the light of the world,
can you say people around are encourage to be Christ like?
If you die, would Christ say, here is my child, well done? If you get into an
argument with someone, would they walk away saying they were treated
with respect? Paul's objective was to live for Christ. If he was persecuted, he was
persecuted for being Christ-like. Our life ought to be a road map to God's
righteousness.
I have often heard older parents say I want to stay alive long enough to
see the success of my children and see my grandchildren grow up.
I have certainly said this myself. The question is are we living a life
of Christ that they could live by? Are we a Christian role model for
them to live by if we are not here?
Paul, looking forward knew it was a good possibility that he would be found
guilty and receive a death sentence. Would he pray for death and end his
turmoil on earth and rest with Christ or would He pray to be found
innocent and continue saving souls? Paul knew in his heart that He had done
all that Christ required of him. However, he preferred to say alive to
benefit the living. Perhaps he thought there was more he could do
to advance the Gospel. It was his love for the Gospel that he desired
to live longer.
What is your desire for a long life. Is it just living or living for Christ?
SERVING ON THE BATTLEFIELD OF LIFE
Philippians 1:27-28
27 Whatever happens, 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
The Christian life is lived out on the battlefield of sin. The truth is the battle has
already been won. We must live our lives as victors and not victims. To do so
is to live life for Christ. We must live by faith that all things, good or bad are
working out for our good.
We must learn to endure the trial of life with joy and thanksgiving. We must
encourage ourselves with God’s promise that the good work He started in us will
be completed and successful in Him. We have been assigned the job of glorifying
Him with our works.
Rev. M. Mitchell
For more lessons follow my blog revmmitchell.com
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