Ashes To Glory
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Richard Simmons
76 years and 1 day.
Ozzy Osborne
76 years and 7 months.
Maybe there’s something to be said for a hard life?
Then we’ve got the apostle Paul who understood hardship.
2 Corinthians 11:24–28 “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.”
Hardships strengthen faith.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Hardship Empowers Evangelism
Hardship Empowers Evangelism
vv. 12-14
When you’ve lost something but it gives you freedom…??
Paul discovers how losing his ability to travel around gave him the freedom to share the Gospel.
The Philippian church hadn’t heard from Paul in a couple of years. Epaphroditus shows up with a letter.
Certainly, he would tell them that Paul was in prison. Great reaction from the Philippians.
“What has happened has really served…” (v. 12).
The assumption would be by some that he was suffering because of disobedience.
Certainly how some would spin the story, as we get further in the text.
Suffering was beneficial to his ministry:
2 ways, first:
Suffering opens doors.
Praetorian guard. This was a reward position. 9,000. Double pay. Benefits. Elite and influential.
And these guys had to be chained to Paul.
Both by direct conversation and just overhearing Paul talking to others, they’d hear the Gospel.
Doors to these influential individuals that he wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Second:
Suffering encourages others.
“much more bold” (v. 14).
Suffering turns bonds into freedom.
Hardship Proves The Gospel
Hardship Proves The Gospel
vv. 15-18
Seminary on Mondays… how many did you have/baptize/give??
So we just started making up numbers. Whatever they said, add one.
Back in the day, the Baptist Messenger would post attendance numbers.
Became a competition.
Happens today. When a minister from another church lied about me…
What Paul was addressing, “Envy and rivalry” (v. 15).
Those who are seeking to “afflict me” (v. 17).
Not teaching false things, but just wanting to make Paul look bad!
But, not all are like that. “from some good will” (v. 15).
What’s the difference? Motivated by love.
Ambiguous. Paul & Jesus. Not equal love! But there is love.
Be motivated by spiritual parents.
My former pastors, youth pastors, SS teachers, mentors.
But also those who came before that. Great pastors, missionaries, thinkers.
Be motivated by the value of the Gospel.
for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
The price paid was the blood, the life, of Jesus.
And as they look at the suffering happening to Paul, it serves as a “defense of the gospel.”
Apologia = defense.
Apologia // apo = from & logos = logic
When looking at Paul’s suffering, the logical conclusion is that the Gospel is true.
Why would he do what he does if it wasn’t true? Paul’s easier life.
How does your life prove the truthfulness of the Gospel?
Your approach to suffering, priorities, family?
Would an observer see the value in the Gospel by observing your life?
Paul set aside self (even allowing himself to be mocked) for the sake of the Gospel.
Carson Quote: Hughes 51-52.
Is the Gospel first?
Hardship helps us to determine the answer to that question.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Third verses that we skipped growing up.
Often the most theologically rich and gospel driven verses.
Onward Christian Soldier
What a beautiful call.
One body. One hope and doctrine.
One in charity.
Working together in the midst of suffering.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Work together.
