The Purpose of Hurts

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

phil 1.

key verse :

Philippians 1:12 KJV 1900

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

AS a native Floridian I grew up just north of the citrus belt.

When traveling south I would often see entire orange groves that would be pruned and out of commission for while.

Why they prune

Pruning - Say farewell to dead, broken or damaged branches.

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Save your property from potential damage from fallen branches.

When you remove old branches, you give trees the green light to put out healthy, new growth.

Train trees to grow on your terms so that branches won’t hang over the roof or stretch into power lines.

Give trees a clean, polished look that elevates your whole landscape.

Set the tree up with a good foundation for long-term health.

To beautify your yard

As mentioned above, pruning affects the appearance of a tree. By cutting off dead limbs or removing sections of the tree that are growing faster than others, you're giving your tree a whole new look.

Basically, it's like a haircut for your tree. Good grooming is beneficial to trees, since it enhances the shape of the tree. This is especially important for trees that you've planted for the sole purpose of adding aesthetic appeal.

To help the tree grow

That juniper tree in your yard will be able to withstand harsh weather better after it has been pruned. When a professional tree service uses the proper technique, tree pruning has the ability to make the roots stronger, which ultimately means that the tree is healthier and can hold up better in a storm. Moreover, pruning can help the new branches to grow.

To encourage fruit production

Any type of tree that produces fruit benefits from pruning. By removing dead limbs, you're promoting better health in the tree, since dead wood makes the tree more susceptible to insect infestation and disease.

Additionally, pruning a fruit tree you may have encourages the growth of spurs, which will produce fruit the following year. Ultimately, pruning promotes an increase in fruit production.

By far, this is the most imperative reason to hire someone to prune your tree. The dead branches fall very easily during high winds or a severe storm. Even when weather conditions are ideal, these branches may fall. Other hazardous branches include ones hanging over the roof of your home and ones growing into electric lines.

Additionally, cracks in the tree, decay, cankers and poor root growth are all able to cause safety issues.

To treat disease

Just like human beings, trees may contract disease. Through pruning, the disease may be treated and prevented from spreading. Therefore, pruning not only prevents disease, it also helps treat it.

To improve a vista

Vista pruning is a term that describes a type of pruning used for the purpose of enhancing a view of a valley, lake or other natural structure. Hiring someone for vista pruning entails removal of trees and branches that block the view of these naturally occurring splendors.

Generally, a view of these structures may be lost within 15 years of tree growth.

Paul next rehearses his blessings, that is, the benefits that have resulted from his imprisonment. Jowett calls this section “The Fortune of Misfortune.”

The prayer is ended. Paul next rehearses his blessings, that is, the benefits that have resulted from his imprisonment. Jowett calls this section “The Fortune of Misfortune.”

The apostle would have the brethren know that the things which happened to him, that is, his trial and imprisonment, have resulted in the furtherance of the gospel rather than its hindrance, as might have been expected.

This is another wonderful illustration of how God overrules the wicked plans of demons and men and brings triumph out of seeming tragedy and beauty from ashes. “Man has his wickedness, but God has His way.”[1]

Paul was a prisoner in chains. His liberty ended where the chains ended. He had been used to the widest freedom. He had been driven by an overwhelming compulsion to travel to earth’s remotest bounds to make Christ known, and he had been astonishingly successful.

Years ago he had made plans to take Rome by storm. In all the fullness of the blessing of Christ, he would go there and lead the church to new and glorious victories. Roman roads would throb to the beat of marching men—armies of young men marching out of Rome to take the gospel to the globe. Paul would fire up his soldiers by filling them with new knowledge, new enthusiasm, new courage, and new vision.

People from all over the world would flock down those same highways to visit Paul at Rome.

It was the strategic center, the most important city in the world. Paul would turn the city into such a center of evangelism, missions, and Bible teaching that when people thought of Rome, they would not think of caesar; they would think of Christ. The apostle would visit all the synagogues and reap a new harvest from among the Jews. He would preach in the forum. He would visit every house in Rome. He would stir up the saints, galvanize the church, win souls, inspire Christians, take the city and thence the world for the Lord from Heaven.

But Paul was in chains. A lesser man would have questioned God’s ways, fretted over his enforced inaction, and perhaps become embittered.

Not Paul! He knew his chains were divinely planned and God made no mistakes; he knew God had not lost control. Paul viewed his chains as a challenge.

If he could not go, he would write and he would pray.

People could come to him. He would still rule from Rome in the affections of God’s people and have an impact on God’s plans and purposes in this world. Though his palace was a prison, his throne a wooden stool, and his scepter an iron chain, Paul would have power greater than any caesar’s.[1]

The Purpose of Hurts

I We get an Audience

Philippians 1:12 KJV 1900

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

Understanding - Pual is telling the Church at Philippi that you must discern why I am here...

God has a plan let me tell you .....

The things - bad things , hurtful things

Beaten

Misrepresented

Lied about

What I though God wanted me to do is being totally disrupted ...

Some may have a misunderstanding of what has happened ....

Wow- God is not in this .....

If he was in God’s will he would not be in prison ......

Proverbs 16:9 KJV 1900

9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: But the Lord directeth his steps.

Romans 8:28 KJV 1900

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Paul went on to say these things gave me an audience to tell of Christ

i have a testimony

I have people in my presence that I never would have had before

What are your things:

A job that went south

A injury that stopped you

A relationship gone bad

A financial crisis

A issue of trusting by faith

maybe God has and is using these things to give you and audience

2 Corinthians 11:25–28 KJV 1900

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

2 cor 11.25-

The Purpose of Hurts

II We get Followers

Philippians 1:13–15 KJV 1900

13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

Exploring Ephesians & Philippians: An Expository Commentary (2) His Chains Were Distinctly Productive (1:13)

Praitoriōn, the word translated “palace” here, has several meanings. In Matthew 27:27 it is translated “common hall” and in John 18:28 “judgment hall.” In Jerusalem the word was used to refer to the magnificent palace built by Herod the Great; it seems that the Roman procurators took over this palace whenever they came to Rome on public business. In Philippians 1:13 praitoriōn probably refers to the headquarters built by Tiberius for the powerful and prestigious praetorian guard or more likely to the guard itself.

When Paul arrived in Rome, he was turned over to the custody of the praetorian prefect, the commander of this elite guard. Daily the apostle was chained to soldiers from this influential force of some nine thousand men. We can picture Paul making friends with his jailers—we can see him winning many of them to Christ and leaving an indelible impression on others. Thus his bonds did indeed further the gospel.

How else could Paul have been able to witness personally to these proud members of the emperor’s bodyguard? Would they have listened to a Jewish missionary if as an ordinary visitor to Rome he had tried to approach them? Would they have flocked to his meetings? Not likely! But for months on end, for long hours at a time, the guards were forced into his company. They fell under the spell of his personal courtesy and charm as they watched him under the most trying circumstances, listened to him pray, heard him dictate letters, and attended his conferences with groups and individuals who thronged to the jail from all parts of the city and the world. Thus the gospel permeated this elite guard and we can imagine opinions of Paul and his message being bandied about in many a lively discussion in the barrack rooms.

News of the spread of the gospel to the praetorian guard must have delighted the old army men in the church at Philippi! But the witness extended beyond the guards. A wide circle of people in Rome, including members of the palace staff (“Caesar’s household,” Philippians 4:22) were won to Christ. By the time Nero turned on the Christian community in A.D. 64 (less than five years after Paul wrote this letter) Tacitus could bear witness to the fact that there were a vast multitude of converts in the capital.

Phil 1.13-

vs 13 - Praitoriōn, the word translated “palace” here, has several meanings. In praitoriōn probably refers to the headquarters built by Tiberius for the powerful and prestigious praetorian guard or more likely to the guard itself.

When Paul arrived in Rome, he was turned over to the custody of the praetorian prefect, the commander of this elite guard.

Daily the apostle was chained to soldiers from this influential force of some nine thousand men. We can picture Paul making friends with his jailers—we can see him winning many of them to Christ and leaving an indelible impression on others. Thus his bonds did indeed further the gospel.

How else could Paul have been able to witness personally to these proud members of the emperor’s bodyguard?

Would they have listened to a Jewish missionary if as an ordinary visitor to Rome he had tried to approach them?

Would they have flocked to his meetings? Not likely! But for months on end, for long hours at a time, the guards were forced into his company.

They fell under the spell of his personal courtesy and charm as they watched him under the most trying circumstances, listened to him pray, heard him dictate letters, and attended his conferences with groups and individuals who thronged to the jail from all parts of the city and the world.

hus the gospel permeated this elite guard and we can imagine opinions of Paul and his message being bandied about in many a lively discussion in the barrack rooms.

But the witness extended beyond the guards. A wide circle of people in Rome, including members of the palace staff (“Caesar’s household,” ) were won to Christ.

By the time Nero turned on the Christian community in A.D. 64 (less than five years after Paul wrote this letter) Tacitus could bear witness to the fact that there were a vast multitude of converts in the capital.[1]

vs 14 - The people needed an example ....

Enthusiasm begets enthusiasm; zeal inspires zeal. Paul’s tireless commitment to the cause of Christ motivated others to get going with the gospel. People need a leader. They need an inspiring example, someone who will get out front and set the pace.[1]

The Roman Christians saw Paul in his bonds fearlessly witnessing for Christ, and they caught fire. If Paul could win so many souls for Christ while he was chained to a Roman soldier and restricted to the four walls of a hired house, they who were free surely ought to be able to work for God.[1]

How you handle hurts determines who will follow...

How do you children see your handling hurts:

Illustration Rodger/Peggy - bitter complaining

Paul had the same explosive quality. People drew confidence from the sight of him carrying on with his evangelistic efforts in spite of his chains. Paul was unafraid of the Roman authorities, unintimidated by the charges lodged against him, and completely uninhibited by the presence of a soldier who might also be a spy.[1]

Be an example others will follow

Philippians 4:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Pastor Riddell - follower

Church splits - he was my example ...

The Purpose of Hurts

III We get a Perspective

Philippians 1:16–18 KJV 1900

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Philippians 1:15–18 KJV 1900

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

phil 1.16-18

The Apollo astronauts blast of from Florida.

The clouds and cold day in February

they deal with winds for trajectory

The humidity

All the details of the Florida environment are in play

But after the blastoff

they see the big picture

The beautiful earth

all the details of getting there are now not that important.

They see the big picture

The contentious crowd were not preaching a false gospel. Paul would not have taken any pleasure in doctrinal error.

Perspective - seeing the overall big picture .

perspective - seeing the overall big picture .

now I see ......

The big picture is not who get the credit but the Gospel is preached.....

Hurts cause us to look beyond our-self and get the bigger picture .....

Praise God the message is going out....

To preach the gospel out of good will, then, is to preach it out of a sincere desire for the well-being of others. refers not only to the desire to see men saved, but also to the desire to encourage and bless Paul’s heart.

But not all preachers were motivated by such desires. Some were preaching Christ out of envy. They were jealous of Paul—envious of his success and resentful of his influence in the Roman church, which someone else had founded.

Some were preaching out of strife. The word translated “strife” means “factious rivalry.” Nowadays we sometimes refer to denominational rivalry as strife.

That kind of church - not like us

That kind of church - music is not like ours

That kind of church - standards not like ours

Praise God they are preaching Christ ......

Paul Discussed the Difference (1:16–17)

perspective - seeing the overall big picture .

“The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”

Those who were preaching from an insincere motive were hoping to add affliction to Paul’s bonds.

The words translated “not sincerely” here carry the idea of a precious metal mixed with a base alloy—these preachers were mixing the pure gold of the gospel with the alloy of their jealousy.

The word “affliction” alludes to the painful friction of a prisoner’s chains against his ankles and wrists—these preachers were hoping their success would irritate Paul. They hoped that thoughts of their freedom (compared to his incarceration) would gall him.

It is hard to imagine how anyone could be so mean-spirited, but there are people who take pleasure in other people’s reverses.

How little Paul’s rivals knew him! He was much bigger than they were. He ignored them—or perhaps it would be more correct to say that he prayed for them. He took his pleasure from those who hoped to encourage him by helping him spread the gospel. If Paul had his small-minded foes, he had his greathearted friends as well.

Paul Dismissed the Difference (1:18a)

“What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached.”

The contentious crowd were not preaching a false gospel. Paul would not have taken any pleasure in doctrinal error.

But since they were preaching the truth, they were delighting Paul instead of discouraging him. He could not applaud their motives—God would have to attend to those—but he could and did rejoice that the gospel was going forth.

2. Paul Rejoiced That the Gospel Was Spreading (1:18b)

“I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”

Paul magnanimously overlooked the mean spirit of jealous men and rejoiced that the gospel was being preached. He was irrepressible. No one could get him down. He was a man with a single passion: it was the gospel that mattered. He focused his attention on the preaching, not on the preachers. When anyone exalted Christ and won souls, he could only say, “Hallelujah[1]