Turning Chains Into Courage

Phil. 1:12-18 – PPHC – 7/30/06 A.M.

I. Two Observations  - v. 13

 A. 1st Observation - Bad Things Do Happen to Good People

·          "As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ

  1. False Belief of Many Christians

   a. "Bad things don’t happen to good people, especially not to God’s people."

·    So when bad things happen to a good person or to a Christian, then it must be 1because that person has some unconfessed sin or 2that person really doesn’t belong to God. (That’s not true, nor is it Biblically scriptural).

  Joseph – slavery

  David – hunted by Saul

  Job – lost family / health

  Christ – beaten & crucified

  Paul – imprisoned & later beheaded

  Original disciples – discounting Judas, all but John were martyred

 B. 2nd Observation - A Christian Is A Witness To Christ (whether good or bad)

·          Paul writes in verse 14, "Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."

·          Recall Acts 1:8 – “and ye shall be witnesses unto me…” (no exception)

 C. You may be the only Bible someone else will ever read.

·          Does your co-worker have a better understanding of who Jesus Christ is because of your words and your life lived out at work?

  1. Paul, chained to different Roman soldiers 24 hours a day, was a witness to each soldier, of his relationship to Christ.

·          Don’t wait for an ideal situation to be a witness for Christ.

II. Main Principle

·          He turned his chains into courage by focusing on the prospect of a joyful outcome and not on the prospect of a dreadful process.

·          He concluded his thoughts on being imprisoned and being the target of troublemakers with "And because of this - this being "Christ is preached" - I rejoice!"

 A. The Anticipation of a Joyful Outcome Will Create Courage for Anyone.

  The mountain climber who is be willing to scale rocks even in below-zero temperature, losing fingers, just to reach the peak…vs…the one who looks at the sacrifice & hardship will dread the pain of the climb.

  The student who is willing to study extra hard for final exams, being called a geek/nerd, looking further into the joyful future of a satisfying career of his/her interest; they would have greater courage to face the peer pressure…vs…the student who looks at the library as a jail will dread the pain of studying.

  The prayer of an alcoholic businessman as he got ready for a company party. He prayed:

"Dear God, help me not to drink any alcohol.
But if I do, help me not to drink too much.
But if I do, help me not to get drunk.
But if I do, help me not to faint.
But if I do, help me to fall face down, so my name tag won’t show."

He was focusing on the prospect of a dreadful process instead of a joyful outcome.

  1. Oft times a common reaction to a bad situation is, “Why Me?”

·          That’s not a helpful reaction and will lead to a “victim” mentality.

·          One theologian stated his belief was that God allows there to be a Christian with cancer for every non-Christian with cancer, so the world can see the difference.

 B. Applying the Principle By Focusing On Two Joyful Outcomes

  1. The 1st joyful outcome: fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.

   a. Paul rejoiced in prison because even there his purpose was being fulfilled (advance the gospel).

  2. The 2nd joyful outcome: vs. 14 – he turned spectator Christians into participants.

III. Applications of Turning Your Chains Into Courage

 A. Focus On the Joyful Outcome of Fulfilling God’s Purpose in Your Situation or Your Life

·          If a toaster could gain consciousness, it would rejoice each time it toasted bread or frozen waffles or whatever to just the right crisp and color

·          If a painting were to gain consciousness, it would rejoice each time it brought pleasure to its viewers.

·          “I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel.”                                                               Phil. 1:12 NRSV

   1. Focus on the purpose God has for you, not on the pain you are experiencing.

·          Then along with God’s help, take action to fulfill the purpose God has for you.

Some years ago, one of the team members of the Billy Graham Crusade ending up in the hospital and wondering why God kept him from helping at a critical time. Even worse, he was placed in the same room with a very bitter man, who ridiculed his Christian faith. Yet, each day, he treated his obnoxious hospital roommate with encouraging words and offered to share the food that others brought to him.
On the day the member of the Billy Graham Crusade was to be discharged from the hospital, his roommate slipped him a note that read, "If only for me, God brought you here, to show me His love."

 B. Focus On the Joyful Outcome of Exalting Christ and Not Self in Your Situation or Your Life

·          “What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.”                    Phil. 1:18 NRSV

  1. Most pain in life is caused by ego-damage or by our pride being hurt. 

  2. Paul told us what was important to him. The importance was not who got the credit.

·          Can you picture the joy a church has, when we surrender our ego and pride for the cause of exalting the truth of Christ? God will draw others to Himself in the church that exalts Christ.

·          There is a phrase, "Turning lemon into lemonade, " which is use to mean that one can take the bad and sour things of life and make it good.