STAYING FOCUSED

YEARS AGO, AN AMERICAN SHOE COMPANY SENT A SALESMAN TO AFRICA TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS. SHORTLY AFTER HIS ARRIVAL, HE SENT BACK TO THE HOME OFFICE THE FOLLOWING TELEGRAPHED MESSAGE.

“I AM RETURNING HOME ON THE NEXT SHIP BACK TO AMERICA. NOBODY HERE WEARS SHOES.”

THE COMPANY WAS PERSISTENT IN THEIR EFFORT TO EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS IN THE SECOND LARGEST POPULATED CONTINENT IN THE WORLD, SO THIS TIME THEY SENT A YOUNG, ENERGETIC, SHOE SALESMAN TO AFRICA. SHORTLY AFTER HIS ARRIVAL, HE SENT BACK TO THE HOME OFFICE THE FOLLOWING TELEGRAM.

“START LOADING AND SENDING BOAT LOADS OF SHOES OF ALL SIZES AND STYLES. ONLY A FEW PEOPLE HERE HAVE SHOES!”

OFTEN, OUR PERSPECTIVE OF A SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE IS SHEWED BY:

THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

EMOTIONAL FEELINGS

LOVE

DRAWING INCORRECT CONCLUSION

REVIEW

INCORRECT FOCUS

SOMETIMES WE GET SO FOCUSED ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE CAN’T SEE THE POTENTIAL!

TODAY, WE WILL LOOK AT PHILIPPIANS AND HOPEFULLY SEE THAT NOT ONLY CAN WE EXPERIENCE TRUE, GENUINE, HOLY SPIRIT PRODUCED JOY IN OUR LIVES ON OCCASION, BUT TO SOME DEGREE, WE CAN MAINTAIN OUR JOY DAILY REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE KEY TO LIVING A JOYFUL LIFE IS FOUND IN CONTROLLING WHAT YOU FOCUS ON.

REVIEW

POWER POINT

HAPPINESS

HAPPINESS

Happiness is an attitude of satisfaction or delight based upon

if the circumstances are pleasing

an attitude of satisfaction or delight based upon

a pleasing circumstance

a pleasing circumstance

if my health is good

Happiness = is an attitude of satisfaction or delight based upon

if I have adequate financial resources

·

if I’m not having any problems with other people

· Being in good physical condition, or

· Having adequate financial resources, or

· Having no problems with people

In other words, if things are happening the way I think they should happen then, and only then, am I happy!

POWER POINT

JOY

Joy is a deep, abiding confidence that

Joy = is a deep, abiding confidence that

· No matter the circumstance,

· No matter the problem,

· No matter the illness,

· No matter the person,

· No matter the action,

· No matter the statement,

· No matter the look,

· No matter the finances,

· No matter the loss,

all is well.

all is well.

all is well.

POWER POINT

A statement about joy

Some statements about joy

Joy is a gift from God

Joy is a gift from God

Joy is given to all who receive the gospel and are born-again

Joy is produced in the believer by the Holy Spirit

Joy is experienced when we receive and obey the word of God led by His Spirit

Joy can be experienced even when mixed with trials

Joy comes when we keep our focus on Jesus’ eternal glory

POWER POINT

PHILIPPIANS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT PAUL’S CIRCUMSTANCES

PHILIPPIANS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT PAUL’S CIRCUMSTANCES

THEY SENT EPAPHRODITUS TO VISIT PAUL

THAT HIS MINISTRY HAD BEEN CURTAILED

THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL

POWER POINT

PHILIPPIANS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT PAUL’S CONDITION

HIS PHYSICAL CONDITION

HIS MENTAL CONDITION

HIS SPIRITUAL CONDITION

MAYBE THEY HAD HEARD THAT WHEN PAUL WENT TO JERUSALEM, HE WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND BEATEN BY THE COMMANDER OF THE ROMAN COHORT

MAYBE THEY HAD HEARD THAT WHEN PAUL WENT TO JERUSALEM, was taken into custody and beaten by the Commander of the Roman cohort in Jerusalem.

MAYBE THEY HEARD THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RIOT AFTER HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

THERE WAS A RIOT AFTER HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN. (ACTS 22)

MAYBE THEY HEARD THAT THERE HAD BEEN A PLOT TO KILL PAUL AND THAT HE HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT AT NIGHT TO CAESAREA UNDER 70 HORSEMAN & 200 SPEARMAN

PAUL WAS TAKEN OUT AT NIGHT TO CAESAREA UNDER 70 HORSEMAN & 200 SPEARMAN

MAYBE THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT HIS TWO YEAR IMPRISONMENT IN CAESAREA

MAYBE THEY HAD HEARD THAT PAUL HAD STOOD BEFORE FELIX THE GOVERNOR OF CAESAREA,

AND THEN BEFORE FESTUS THE FOLLOWING GOVERNOR OF CAESAREA

AND THEN FINALLY BEFORE KING AGRIPPA

MAYBE THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT PAUL’S JOURNEY TO ROME, THE SHIP WRECK, HIS HOUSE ARREST IN HOME, HIS INABILITY TO TRAVEL, HIS BEING CHAINED TO A PRISON GUARD DAY AND NIGHT, WAITING FOR AN IMPENDING TRIAL

POWER POINT

MAYBE PAUL HAD A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON PAST EVENTS

MAYBE PAUL WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW,

AT TIMES I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO REMINISCE ABOUT ALL OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT GOD HAS DONE FOR ME AND I JUST HAVEN’T FOUND ANY TIME LEFT OVER TO THINK ON THE BAD THINGS OF THE DAY

EVERY TIME I GIVE MY TESTIMONY ABOUT THE DAY THAT GOD CAME TO ME AND REVEALED HIMSELF TO ME AND SAVED MY SOUL FROM AN ETERNAL DAMNATION AND FILLED ME WITH HIS SPIRIT AND PRODUCED IN ME THE JOY OF MY SALVATION, GIVEN ME A CHANCE TO SEE LYDIA COME TO CHRIST, THE JAILER COME TO CHRIST, YOUNG TIMOTHY CONTINUE TO GROW IN THE LIKENESS OF CHRIST… I JUST CAN’T TAKE MY FOCUS OFF OF WHAT IT’S GOING TO BE LIKE ONE DAY WHEN I SEE HIM IN ALL HIS GLORY AND GET TO START MY ETERNAL DAYS WITH HIM

PAUL MIGHT HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE HIS CALLING ON MY LIFE HAD HE NOT ORCHESTRATED MY LIFE TO BE IMPRISONED

MAYBE THEY HAD HEARD THAT WHEN PAUL WENT TO JERUSALEM, THERE WAS A RIOT AFTER HIS TESTIMONY TO THE SANHEDRIN.

“the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves to kill Paul”

Paul was sent in the night to Caesarea by 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen

Paul appeared before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa.

Paul states that Jesus said He would “rescue him from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles”(v17) NOTE: HE DOES NOT SAY FROM “KINGS”

PAUL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE HIS CALLING HAD HE NOT BEEN IMPRISONED.

YOU KNOW IMPRISONMENT WAS THE PLATFORM OF MINISTRY NOT OF MY OWN CHOOSING BUT GOD’S SO THAT I COULD SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH THE NATIONS LEADERS

POWER POINT

PAUL’S CALLING

ACTS 9:1-18

Acts 9:1–18 NASB95

1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;

Acts 9:15 NASB95

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;

ACTS 9:15

PAUL WAS CALLED TO BEAR JESUS’S NAME BEFORE:

1. THE SONS OF ISRAEL (SYNAGOGUES)

2. GENTILES (MISSIONARY JOURNEYS)

3. THE KINGS (IMPRISONMENT)

WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IN YOUR LIFE HAS BROUGHT YOU IN CONTACT WITH PEOPLE YOU WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING, ON YOUR JOB, IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, ETC.??

THE SONS OF ISRAEL (SYNAGOGUES)

THE SONS OF ISRAEL (SYNAGOGUES)

THE SONS OF ISRAEL (SYNAGOGUES)

THE SONS OF ISRAEL (SYNAGOGUES)

HOW DID YOU HANDLE THAT? HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH THAT?

KINGS

KINGS

DO YOU FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM OR DO YOU SEE THE OPPORTUNITY?

Paul was taken into custody and beaten by the Commander of the Roman cohort in Jerusalem.

Paul appeared before the chief priests and all the Council (the Sanhedrin). Paul perceived that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees.

“For the Sadducees say that there was no resurrection, nor any angel, nor a spirit… but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.”

“but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.”

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 23

the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

“the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves to kill Paul”

Paul was sent in the night to Caesarea by 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen

Paul was sent to Felix the governor in Caesarea.

Paul appeared before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa.

Paul states that Jesus said He would “rescue him from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles”(v17) NOTE: HE DOES NOT SAY FROM “KINGS”

PAUL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE HIS CALLING HAD HE NOT BEEN IMPRISONED.

IMPRISONMENT WAS THE PLATFORM OF MINISTRY NOT OF HIS OWN CHOOSING THAT GOD GAVE HIM IN ORDER TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH THE NATIONS LEADERS.

DO YOU HAVE A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE OR A DIVINE PERSPECTIVE?

PAUL HAD A DIVINE PERSPECTIVE

14

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;

the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice,

for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,

so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

V12

“… my circumstances ...”

= all his circumstances

= from Philippian jail till the Roman jail

“… have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, ...”

In the KJV, the phrase “for the greater progress” is translated by the word “unto the furtherance of the gospel.”

Kenneth Wuest states that the Greek word, “furtherance” means “to cut before,” and is thought to have been used of an army of pioneer wood cutters which precedes the regular army, cutting a road through an impenetrable forest, thus making possible the pioneer advance of the latter into regions where otherwise it could not have gone.

In other words, the BV translation, all my circumstances, good and bad, have come to result in me being able to go into regions I would have never be able to go into, share the gospel with people I would have never been able to even speak to, teach new believers day after day who are now teaching new believers, and am seeing the gospel go into places I was unable to go to. I am loving my unrestricted restrictions, my massive small audiences, my luxurious meager accommodations.

“… so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ ...”

Paul is not in prison because of a crime. He is there for the cause of Christ. Everyone who asked, “Why are you here?”, got to hear the gospel.

“… has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, ...”

PRAETORIAN GUARD = 9,000 men

PUBLIC = everyone else

PAUL TURNED THE CIRCUMSTANCE INTO AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD THE DIVINE PERSPECTIVE VIEWING THE CIRCUMSTANCES THROUGH THE EYE GLASSES OF GOD.

PAUL TURNED THE CIRCUMSTANCE INTO AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD THE DIVINE PERSPECTIVE VIEWING THE CIRCUMSTANCES THROUGH THE EYE GLASSES OF GOD.

“… most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.”

OAKLEY COBB STORY

15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;

“… envy ...” = a jealousy of or a feeling of ill will towards others

“… strife ...” = meaning a heated contention, mean quarreling, wrangling of words, unhealthy debate

“… good will ...” = means pure motives (see v16)

16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

ENVY FOR OTHERS AND LOVE FOR GOD CANNOT CO-EXIST

17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.

PAUL RETURNS TO THE FIRST GROUP OF ENVIOUS PREACHERS.

“… SELFISH AMBITION ...” = literally means “one working for hire”

Someone who could be bought with money in order to carry out a devious deed

They were in it to get, not to give.

“… distress ...” = emotional anguish by inciting shame upon his reputation

It matters not only what we say and do, but why we do it.

18 "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

“… pretense ...” = hypocrisy = an actor would put on a mask with a smiling face and play the good guy. Later in the play, he would put on a mask with a frowning face and play the bad guy. When these preachers would step into the pulpit, they would put on a pious mask. When they stepped out of the pulpit, they would put on their real, envious, mean, selfish, deceitful face.

Paul was focused upon Christ. He is not looking to be exonerated, but that the name of Jesus Christ be exalted.

The pure motive preachers are not wearing a mask to deceive the people but are transparent before God and His people.

19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

“… know ...” = to know something is certain. Paul knows that soon he will either be released from this imprisonment one way or another, either by death or by dismissal.

Paul believes that his life is held in the hands of the sovereign God. His circumstances were not governed by random chance. Paul lays his head on the pillow of the sovereign God every night - and he sleeps well on it.

Once again we see, it is the Holy Spirit who provides the power and peace that Paul needs to remain steadfast in difficult times.

20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Because of the provision of the Holy Spirit, Paul is living with earnest expectation and hope.

“… earnest expectation …” = to stretch the neck forward. The idea is one straining to look ahead to the future.

“… hope ...” = confidence in the future eternal life with God

Paul’s single focus in his life is, “… that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

PAUL IS SAYING, CIRCUMSTANCES DON’T BOTHER ME WHEN I HAVE A DIVINE PERSPECTIVE ABOUT MY CIRCUMSTANCES.

PAUL IS SAYING, PEOPLE DON’T BOTHER ME WHEN I HAVE A DIVINE PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PEOPLE.

PAUL IS SAYING, THE FUTURE DOESN’T BOTHER ME WHEN MY EYES STAY FOCUSED ON HIM.

V15 ENVY AND STRIFE VS GOOD WILL

GOOD WILL

V18 IN PRETENSE VS IN TRUTH

V20 I WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME VS CHRIST WILL BE EXALTED IN MY BODY