Sermon Tone Analysis

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.