HOW TO BE HAPPY IN CHAINS

Philippians 1:3-11

INTRODUCTION

As Paul wrote Philippians he was imprisoned in chains in Rome

Philippians 1:13 ASV

13 so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest;

He could have spent his time in self-pity and complaint - but he didn’t

Instead, he spent his time encouraging others:

Philippians 4:4 ASV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.

You and I may not be physically bound, but most of us wear “chain” of varying sizes and lengths:

Failing health or a serious medical problem

An unhappy marriage or children who break our hearts

Job-related stresses

Financial struggles

How could the apostle Paul be happy in his chains?

How can we be happy in our chains?

Philippians 1:3–11 ASV

3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; 10 so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ; 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

How can we be happy in our chains? Paul tells us to…

DISCUSSION

LOOK AT THE PAST WITH THANKSGIVING TO GOD (1:3-5)

Paul was able to be happy in chains because, when he looked at the past, he did so with thanksgiving

Paul had probably been associated with the church at Philippi for 10 years, and he only had fond memories of that association

Philippians 1:3–4 ASV

3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy,

The double use of the “all” make these verses amazing

Paul looked for the good in all things - even though he had suffered mistreatment in Philippi

1 Thessalonians 2:2 ASV

2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much conflict.

Perhaps, when he looked back on the unpleasant events he saw the good that came from them

Romans 8:28 ASV

28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.

He did not say all things are good

But “all” things “work together” for good

Perhaps Paul was looking back with thanksgiving of his wrongful imprisonment resulting in the conversion of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:16-34)

Perhaps Paul was looking back with thanksgiving at his being forced to leave town at various times resulted in the preaching of the gospel in other places

Paul’s pleasant memories were focused on the Christians in Philippi

Paul remembered how they faithfully supported his work

Philippians 1:5 ASV

5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now;

“Fellowship” - koinonia - to have in common

The word embraces the concepts of sharing and joint participation

They supported Paul in work in various ways:

They prayed for him

Philippians 1:19 ASV

19 For I know that this shall turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Financial support

Philippians 4:15–16 ASV

15 And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; 16 for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need.

Paul’s hardship gave others opportunity to help

Perhaps our hardship will provide opportunities for others to fulfill their God given roles

Paul could be happy in chains because he looked at the past with thanksgiving to God

You and I can concentrate on the bad things that happen in our lives and end up bitter, or we can remember the good things, gives thanks to the Lord, and be happy

Happiness is a choice

1 Corinthians 10:13 ASV

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

Paul was also able to be happy in chains because he...

LOOKED AT THE PRESENT WITH CONFIDENCE IN GOD (1:6-8)

As Paul thought about the Christians in Philippi, he was flooded with emotions: “Love” was one of these emotions

Philippians 1:7–8 ASV

7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.

Paul longs for them with all of his heart

Paul loved them with the love that characterized the Lord

As Paul remembered his brothers and sisters in Christ, he was also filled with “confidence”

Philippians 1:6 ASV

6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Paul was happy in chains because he was able to look at the present with confidence in God

He was not self-confident as much as he was God-confident

Philippians 2:13 ASV

13 for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

Paul had seen God at work in Philippi, and he believed that the Lord deserved praise for every good thing that had been accomplished

The confidence expressed by Paul was primarily because of who God was (and is), but his confidence was bolstered by who the Philippian Christians were - the kind of people in whom God could work.

God does not look for perfect people in whom to work; if He did, He would never work in anyone

Rather, He looks for those who will allow Him to work in their lives ©

How does God work in our lives?

Through His word

Hebrews 4:12 ASV

12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Through events in our lives

James 1:2–3 ASV

2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; 3 knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience.

Through people

2 Corinthians 7:6 ASV

6 Nevertheless he that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

What qualities permitted God to work in the lives of the Christians at Philippi?

Paul uses the Greek a form of the word koinoia, translated as “partaker” - this is one who partakes of the same object as another

He mentions three things he and these brethren have in common…

They did not turn their back on him as other had when he was imprisoned

They defended and confirmed the gospel when it was attacked

“Defense” - apologia - meaning a verbal defense

“Confirmation” - has to do teaching and exhorting

Regarding their fellowship “of grace,” Paul used “grace” (unmerited favor) to encompass all that he was and did

What ever our challenge is in life, we need to remember that, if we are faithful children of God, we do not have to face those challenges alone.

Paul had confidence in his brethren

Paul had confidence in the Almighty

Ephesians 3:20 ASV

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Paul could be happy in chains because he...

LOOKED TO THE FUTURE WITH PRAYER TO GOD

Regarding what was ahead, he did not ignore the realities of life, he knew that the Philippians would continue to face challenges, as would he.

Philippians 1:9–11 ASV

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; 10 so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ; 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Paul prayed that their “love may abound” (agape)

That it would abound

Always seek the best of another

Paul prayed that they would “abound yet more and more on knowledge”

Spiritual knowledge

Study is the key

He prayed that they would “abound” in the ability to “discern” between right and wrong

This is closely connected to knowledge

It means perception and understanding

Paul prayed that they would grow in Christian character

“Sincere and void of offence”

Sincere means judged by the sunlight (Lat. Without wax).

Paul prayed that would grow in living fruitful lives

“Fruits of righteousness”

To bear the fruit of good works

To face the future with confidence we must live closer to the Lord each day and glorify Him in all things

Prayer is a main component in this

There is no better advice for those who are “in chains” than to take their eyes off themselves and fasten them on the Lord

CONCLUSION

What will your reaction be to the “chains of life”?

We can look at the past with misgiving or thanksgiving

We can look at the present with cowardice or confidence

We can look at the future with apprehension or prayer

We can rely on our strength, or we can rely on the strength of the Lord

Which will be true of you?