The Gift of Struggle

27) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

28) without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

29) For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

30) since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Do you know that there are rules to receiving gifts?

Say, “Thank You”

If you have a gift for them go get it.

If you do not have a gift for them, do not say, “I don’t have a gift for you”. They don’t or shouldn’t care. If you start down that road, you can ruin the moment for the person who wants you to be excited about receiving the gift.

Ask if you can open the gift right way.

Respond positively, even if you don’t like the gift or have one already. It’s about showing gratitude for their thoughtfulness.

God gives us gifts. The Gift of the Holy Spirit (), The Gifts of the Spirit (prophecy, healing, tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, faith, ) , Gift of Salvation, Gift of God’s Grace (), The Gift of Eternal Life (), The Gift of Righteousness (), The Gift of His Son ().

So let’s thank God for the many gifts he gives his people!

Paul informs us of another Gift that is rarely mentioned! And if it is mentioned, it is not received with proper etiquette.

Illustration: A Gift with the word “Struggle” in it. have a couple of people look into the box read the paper which says “Struggle”. Then ask them to “Thank God” for their gift.

Have the last person who looks into the box ell the congregation what the gift is… “Struggle”

Today’s Teaching is entitled, “The Gift of Struggle”

Just about everything on earth goes through a struggle.

If everything on the planet goes through a struggle, we would be arrogant to believe that we are in someway exempt from the process!

Paul writes this letter while Paul is incarcerated in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier awaiting his chance to appeal before Caesar. In the section we’ve been studying, Paul is encouraging the Christians to face the struggles they are enduring with boldness.

Let’s read what Paul said...

(NIV)

27) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

28) without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

29) For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

30) since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

(NIV)

PP- (NLT)

29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Just about everything on earth goes through a struggle. Even a seed has to fight. Forced into the ground by a farmer, having to endure as it splits apart and becomes something entirely different.

Still deeply under the earth, the seedling struggles to find light, water, and nutrients for life. And one day, it pierces through the soil into light, unrecognizable!

If everything on the planet goes through a struggle, we would be arrogant to believe that we are in someway exempt from the process!

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

PP-Philippians 1:29 (The Message)

Both believing on Christ and suffering for Him had been granted to them (v. 29).

There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:29–30

Both believing on Christ and suffering for Him had been granted to them (v. 29). Suffering for Christ was not to be considered accidental or a divine punishment. Paul referred to a kind of suffering that was really a sign of God’s favor. The Greek word echaristhē, translated “granted,” is derived from a word which means “grace” or “favor.” Believing on Christ and suffering for Him are both associated with God’s grace.

Suffering for Christ was not to be considered accidental or a divine punishment. Paul referred to a kind of suffering that was really a sign of God’s favor. The Greek word echaristhē, translated “granted,” is derived from a word which means “grace” or “favor.” Believing on Christ and suffering for Him are both associated with God’s grace.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Bestow

PP-Grant - charizomai (χαρίζομαι, 5483), “to show favor, grant, bestow,” is rendered “bestowed” in , RV, for KJV, “gave.” Here and in , the verb might be translated “graciously conferred. See DELIVER, FORGIVE, GIVE, GRANT.

Note: For “freely bestowed” see ACCEPT, A, Note.

PP- Both believing and suffering are present infinitives in Greek, thus indicating that the privilege of believing Christ and suffering for him is not a once for all action but is continuous, it’s in progress.

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

PP- (The Message)

There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting.

“For it has been granted...”

charizomai (χαρίζομαι, 5483), “to show favor, grant, bestow,” is rendered “bestowed” in , RV, for KJV, “gave.” Here and in , the verb might be translated “graciously conferred. See DELIVER, FORGIVE, GIVE, GRANT.

Note: For “freely bestowed” see ACCEPT, A, Note.

Both believing and suffering are present infinitives in Greek, thus indicating that the privilege of believing Christ and suffering for him is not a once for all action but is continuous, it’s in progress.

Believing is a continuous action! Struggling is also not a one time deal. Why? In order for faith to be alive and growing, it has to be exercised! Your faith has to shift and adjust based on the happenings in your life. A struggle is a dumbbell for faith. When faith can only work at peak operation if it is being fueled and exercised! Believing and suffering are like Batman and Robin. Faith and Fight are like the wonder twins, they work together.

A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians Philippians 1:29

Both believing and suffering are present infinitives in Greek, thus indicating that the privilege of believing Christ and suffering for him is not a once for all action but is continuous.

Because faith is alive! Your faith shifting, moving, adjusting all the time based on what’s happening at a given time! The struggle or fight makes my faith respond! When faith responds it is growing. Believing and suffering… or Faith and Fight go together!

Struggles, fights, contest, exercise faith!

Paul lived with persecution, and he realized its redemptive value.

The New American Commentary: Philippians, Colossians, Philemon The Nature of Christian Suffering (1:29)

Struggles, fights, contest, exercise faith!

The phrase does point out that Paul had in mind the specific suffering that comes to Christians as they serve Christ.

The fact that suffering was connected with believing reinforces Paul’s claim that it is a grace gift. Paul lived with persecution, and he realized its redemptive value.

We see this redemptive value addressed in where Paul revealed his deepest desire of knowing Christ.

PP- (NIV)

The key to this phrase “on behalf of Christ” is where Paul revealed his deepest desire of knowing Christ. That knowledge involved knowing resurrection power and the fellowship of suffering. Suffering confirms Christians’ faith, brings them into closer contact with the Lord, and provides a vehicle for making commitment real and tangible.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

This knowledge Paul discusses involved knowing resurrection power and the fellowship of suffering. Suffering confirms Christians’ faith, brings them into closer contact with the Lord, and provides a vehicle for making commitment real and tangible.

where Paul revealed his deepest desire of knowing Christ. That knowledge involved knowing resurrection power and the fellowship of suffering. Suffering confirms Christians’ faith, brings them into closer contact with the Lord, and provides a vehicle for making commitment real and tangible.

brings them into closer contact with the Lord, and provides a vehicle for making commitment real and tangible.

That knowledge involved knowing resurrection power and the fellowship of suffering. Suffering confirms Christians’ faith, brings them into closer contact with the Lord, and provides a vehicle for making commitment real and tangible.

In order to have the power you must have the press!

It is one thing to accept suffering and resign oneself to it. It is another to realize the privileges that come through it.

The fact that we have to fight that we have truly received the first. While suffering is never pleasant, it is a privilege and honour to suffer for the Christ who suffered so very much to save his people.

Here are some:

Opening Up Philippians Standing and Striving without Fear (vv. 28–30)

The fact that our adversaries cause us to experience the second gift indicates that we have truly received the first. While suffering is never pleasant, it is a privilege and honour to suffer for the Christ who suffered so very much to save his people.

(The Message)

The New American Commentary: Philippians, Colossians, Philemon The Nature of Christian Suffering (1:29)

The phrase does point out that Paul had in mind the specific suffering that comes to Christians as they serve Christ.

The fact that suffering was connected with believing reinforces Paul’s claim that it is a grace gift. Paul lived with persecution, and he realized its redemptive value, but here he did not address that. The key to this phrase “on behalf of Christ” is Phil 3:10 where Paul revealed his deepest desire of knowing Christ. That knowledge involved knowing resurrection power and the fellowship of suffering. Suffering confirms Christians’ faith, brings them into closer contact with the Lord, and provides a vehicle for making commitment real and tangible. It is one thing to accept suffering and resign oneself to it. It is another to realize the privileges that come through it.

8) It was all laid out beforehand in Scripture that God would set things right with non-Jews by faith. Scripture anticipated this in the promise to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed in you.”

(The Message)

Baker New Testament Commentary: Philippians What Paul Expects of the Philippians but Also What God Expects of His Children

Now suffering is not a privilege in itself. One should not court suffering. But suffering in behalf of Christ, in the interest of him and his gospel is different. Such suffering is indeed a blessing, a gracious privilege (Acts 5:41)

Now suffering is not a privilege in itself. One should not go looking for suffering. But suffering in behalf of Christ, in the interest of him and his gospel is different. Such suffering is indeed a blessing, a gracious privilege the response of the Apostles teach us this in ()

9) So those now who live by faith are blessed along with Abraham, who lived by faith—this is no new doctrine!

(The Message)

(NIV)

14) And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that Abraham’s blessing is present and available for non-Jews, too. We are all able to receive God’s life, his Spirit, in and with us by believing—just the way Abraham received it.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

(NIV)

10) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

We must embrace the fact that portions of our life will involve struggle! God will not short cut the process!

I begin to pray and appropriate scriptures of blessings and prosperity over my life.

We must embrace the fact that a portions of our life will involve struggle!

Paul’s shares with the saints in Thessalonica of his horrid experience in Philippi.

PP- (NIV)

We had previously suffered (agōn) and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.

He had to go through it!

Our word agony evolved from agon.

Paul gives us his testimony of the power of a struggle in

PP- 1. Struggles Have Divine Purpose!

Never being broke, never being sick, always having everything I need all the time was what I defined as good! Because I only read certain portions of scripture that I believed fit the category of blessings!

(NIV)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

(NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

(NIV)

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

God doesn’t need the perfect situation in order to produce a blessing. God doesn’t have to have a sterile laboratory in order to create a flawless outcome! He is the master of taking the broken, busted, irregular, abnormal, weird, even contaminated

t need the perfect situation in order to produce a blessing.

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

(The Message)

There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting.

“For it has been granted...”

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Bestow

charizomai (χαρίζομαι, 5483), “to show favor, grant, bestow,” is rendered “bestowed” in , RV, for KJV, “gave.” Here and in , the verb might be translated “graciously conferred. See DELIVER, FORGIVE, GIVE, GRANT.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Bestow

charizomai (χαρίζομαι, 5483), “to show favor, grant, bestow,” is rendered “bestowed” in Luke 7:21, RV, for KJV, “gave.” Here and in Gal. 3:18, the verb might be translated “graciously conferred. See DELIVER, FORGIVE, GIVE, GRANT.

Note: For “freely bestowed” see ACCEPT, A, Note.

Struggles Birth Strength!

(NIV)

12) Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

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

12) Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

14) And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

God doesn’t haphazardly do anything in your life. There is purpose behind every thing from the Good to the crazy! Who would have ever though that his imprisonment would cause many in the palace guard, to become believers!

PP- Struggles Produce Divine Promotion

vs. 12 “… what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”

Paul was promoted but not before men. He was doing the great commision

vs. 12 “… what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”

(NIV)

19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Divine promotion will often come without fan fare! If you’re looking for people to sing your praises, then you need to question why you do what you do!

The songwriter said, “Only what you do for Christ will last.”

Paul’s incarceration had another effect: it encouraged those who had been reluctant about speaking for Christ (v. 14). Large numbers of believers became bold for Christ when they saw how God was spreading the gospel through Paul. The positive response Paul received in the face of opposition caused others to speak more courageously and fearlessly for Christ.

Paul’s confinement was doing what his circumstances outside of prison could never do.

His imprisonment fueled the Christian movement in Rome of all places. One of the most pagan societies of its day!

Struggles Make Credible

PP- Struggles Give Credible

They became confident because Paul was credible!

14) And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Encouragement is really encouragement, when you getting it from someone who had to walk out tough experiences! This is why this letter was so compelling to the Christians in Philippi. They understood what Paul had gone through and that he was still in a trial. It’s easier to follow a person who has walked out or is walking out what they’re telling me to walk out!

Paul’s confinement did what his freedom couldn’t do!

Paul’s incarceration had another effect: it encouraged those who had been reluctant about speaking for Christ (v. 14). Large numbers of believers became bold for Christ when they saw how God was spreading the gospel through Paul. The positive response Paul received in the face of opposition caused others to speak more courageously and fearlessly for Christ.

Paul’s confinement was doing what his circumstances outside of prison could never do.

His imprisonment fueled the Christian movement in Rome of all places. One of the most pagan societies of its day!

Even A Seed Has to Fight!

Even a seed has to fight. Forced into the prison of the earth by a farmer, having to endure darkness. Then it has to rip itself apart. Still deeply under the earth, the seedling struggles to find light, water, and nutrients for life. It keeps on pressing! And one day, it pierces through the soil into light, unrecognizable! It becomes something entirely different from when it was put into prison!

Still deeply under the earth, the seedling struggles to find light, water, and nutrients for life. And one day, it pierces through the soil into light, unrecognizable! It becomes something entirely different from when it was put into prison!

On the other side of every struggle, is a better version of yourself! It’s you 2.0!

(NIV)

21) When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

22) I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

Frustration can turn to bitterness and hopelessness, making us completely ineffective.

Paul was challenging them to have a God perspective. He wanted them to understand that God was purposeful even in this situation, and that he (Paul) understood this. He had a good perspective on the events of his imprisonment.

When God is Growing YOU, He will not cut the cocoon!

Paul’s shares with the saints in Thessalonica of his horrid experience in Philippi.

(NIV)

We had previously suffered (agōn) and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.

He had to go through it!

Paul’s incarceration had another effect: it encouraged those who had been reluctant about speaking for Christ (v. 14). Large numbers of believers became bold for Christ when they saw how God was spreading the gospel through Paul. The positive response Paul received in the face of opposition caused others to speak more courageously and fearlessly for Christ.

Gold is refined by fire. Diamonds are crystals of pure carbon that have formed under high temperatures and extreme pressure!

Paul’s confinement was doing what his circumstances outside of prison could never do.

His imprisonment fueled the Christian movement.

On the other side of every struggle, is a better version of yourself! It’s you 2.0!

Even babies have to struggle to get out of the womb.

Struggle Of The Bee

A beekeeper told me a story of a hive—how, when the little bee is in the first stage, it is put into a hexagonal cell, and enough honey is stored there for its use until it reaches maturity. The honey is sealed with a capsule of wax, and when the tiny bee has fed itself on the honey and exhausted the supply, the time has come for it to emerge into the open. But, oh, the wrestle, the tussle, the straining to get through that wax! It is the straight gate for the bee, so straight that in the agony of exit the bee rubs off the membrane that hid its wings, and on the other side is able to fly!

—F. B. Meyer

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 6905 Struggle of the Bee

Struggle Of The Bee

A beekeeper told me a story of a hive—how, when the little bee is in the first stage, it is put into a hexagonal cell, and enough honey is stored there for its use until it reaches maturity. The honey is sealed with a capsule of wax, and when the tiny bee has fed itself on the honey and exhausted the supply, the time has come for it to emerge into the open. But, oh, the wrestle, the tussle, the straining to get through that wax! It is the straight gate for the bee, so straight that in the agony of exit the bee rubs off the membrane that hid its wings, and on the other side is able to fly!

—F. B. Meyer

The Honey that you eat, the times of refreshing is the preparatory for the next level.

Salmon must protect themselves from predators. They are particularly susceptible to predators when migrating so they seek deep pools for protection. In the ocean, some salmon stay together in a school, confusing predators with their flashy sides and causing them to be mistaken for a single large predator. A salmon’s predators change at different stages of its lifecycle, because of the salmon’s change in size and environment. Salmon fry are eaten by other fishes, members of their own species, snakes and birds. Once in the ocean, salmon are prey to killer whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, other fish and, of course, humans. A spawning salmon is at risk of being scooped up by bears and birds.

And being in anguish (agōnia), he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Paul talks frequently about the “struggle” we as Christians have to endure

(NIV)

We had previously suffered (agōn) and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.

Paul tells his understudy Timothy what to do when you experience the struggle!

(NIV)

Fight the good fight (agōn) of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Jesus teaches us a lesson on what to do, when the struggle is so great, and you are ordained to have to endure it!

(NIV)

And being in anguish (agōnia), he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Perception

Our perception of God’s blessings are skewed by my idea of what goodness is and what it is not!

Never being broke, never being sick, always having everything I need all the time was what I defined as good! Because I only read certain portions of scripture that I believed fit the category of blessings!

Paul is eloquently sharing with the Philippians that a right attitude is quite important within our Christian walk. If we allow negative perspective toward the circumstances to prevail, it can make us utterly useless to God (see ).

(NIV)

21) When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

22) I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

Frustration can turn to bitterness and hopelessness, making us completely ineffective.

Paul was challenging them to have a God perspective. He wanted them to understand that God was purposeful even in this situation, and that he (Paul) understood this. He had a good perspective on the events of his imprisonment.

But when I got into more serious bible study, it wasn’t long before I ran into paradoxical statements:

(NIV)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

(NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

(NIV)

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

God doesn’t need the perfect situation in order to produce a blessing. God doesn’t have to have a sterile laboratory in order to create a flawless outcome! He is the master of taking the broken, busted, irregular, abnormal, weird, even contaminated