Lessons From Prison
Tony Schachle
Lessons From Prison • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 6 viewsPaul wrote the epistle to the Philippians while he was imprisoned in Rome awaiting trial and possible execution. And in this letter, Paul wrote some powerful lessons from prison on the joy of serving God that still apply to us today. In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul gives four words of encouragement: (1) Work It Out, (2) Shine It Out, (3) Pour It Out, and (4) Shout It Out. As we empty our vessels in service to Him and others, God will send us a refilling and cause us to overflow with joy despite our circumstances. Are you ready for some lessons from prison?
Notes
Transcript
SCRIPTURE
SCRIPTURE
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. 17 Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.
MESSAGE
MESSAGE
There are four (4) lessons that Paul give us from this text:
Work It Out
Shine It Out
Pour It Out
Let It Out
Work It Out [12-13]
Therefore, my beloved,... [12]
Anytime you see the word “Therefore” in the Bible, you have to stop and ask what is the word “Therefore” there for?
If we go back and read the beginning of Chapter 2, we find that Paul is describing the obedience of Christ in going to the Cross
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
…as you have always obeyed... [12]
Christ is our example
Just as Christ was obedient to the will of God the Father, we too must be obedient to His will
Obedience is better than sacrifice
...Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,... [12]
Paul’s says that their obedience had stuck
It wasn’t just for show when Paul was there
…work out your own salvation... [12]
Does not mean that we are to try to earn our salvation
But it does mean we are to put forth some real effort into our Christians lives
Activate the salvation God has freely given you
There is a sense in which our salvation is complete
There is also a sense in which our salvation is incomplete
We must finish the race
We need to work on our own salvation, not others
…with fear and trembling; [12]
Not unhealthy fear
Fear as in reverence and awe
Trembling as in His presence
11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. [13]
We work for God because God works in us
God’s work in us increases our responsibility
God is working in us to
Transform our will (to will)
Change our actions (to do)
For His good pleasure
As you work it out, God works more in you
Shine It Out [14-16]
Do all things without complaining and disputing, [14]
It is all about how we live out and demonstrate our salvation in the world
Sheep don’t have fangs
that you may become blameless and harmless... [15]
Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves
It is about having a good reputation in the world
...children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,… [15]
We are ambassadors of Christ
We should stand out and be different than the world around us
…among whom you shine as lights in the world, [15]
This world is full of darkness
Our lives should be the light that illuminates the way to Jesus
How bright do you shine?
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
holding fast the word of life,... [16]
Could be holding fast or holding forth
Perhaps Paul meant both meanings
We hold fast the Word of Life
We hold forth the Word of Life
…so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. [16]
Paul did not want his work in the ministry to the Philippians to be in vain
And if the Philippians did not hold fast, but fell away and backslid, it would mean his labor had been in vain
But thank God that was not the case
As you shine it out, God shines more in you
Pour It Out [17]
Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering… [17]
Paul alludes to the Jewish practice of pouring out wine as part of a sacrifice
This is the drink offering from the Old Testament Law
7 And its drink offering shall be one-fourth of a hin for each lamb; in a holy place you shall pour out the drink to the Lord as an offering.
Paul knew his departure was at hand
Paul knew his life would be a sacrifice for Christ either in life or death
...on the sacrifice and service of your faith,… [17]
Paul poured out his life in service to God
Paul also poured out his life in service to others
It’s about living in the overflow
...I am glad and rejoice with you all. [17]
There is no greater joy than to know you’ve made a difference in someone else’s life
Paul rejoiced to have the privilege of having a part bringing the Philippians to Christ
As you pour it out, God pours more in you
Shout It Out [18]
For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. [18]
Paul rejoiced even though he was in prison and knew he might be executed soon
Paul wanted the Philippians to have the same attitude
We can have joy regardless of our circumstances
The source of our joy should be our salvation and relationship with Jesus
Your joy can’t stay bottled up
You’ve got to let it out
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
As you shout it out, God will speak more in you
CLOSING
CLOSING