Untitled Sermon (7)

Philippians, Chapter One

Living As If God Is In Control

I’m very excited about this new series we begin today. We will look at Paul’s letter to the Philippians and discover a joyful community living together in some real tough times of testing.

This letter shows us a community learning how to live together with one another — and in God’s presence — during difficult times. Throughout history, Paul’s letter to the Philippians has brought comfort and direction to God’s people.

And this is a great place to start, recognizing that God’s people will always face times of trials and testing. Whether it was the early church, which faced times of trial and testing during the Roman Empire, or whether it is the church today in places like China and Iran; wherever Christians are persecuted,

2 Timothy 3:11-12 (PassionNTPsa And the same persecutions and difficulties I have endured, you have also endured. Yes, you know all about what I had to suffer while in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. You’re aware of all the persecution I endured there; yet the Lord delivered me from every single one of them! For all who choose to live passionately and faithfully as worshipers of Jesus, the Anointed One, will also experience persecution.

In part -- Paul learned this lesson during his time in Philippi and years later when the Philippians came to his aid while he was in prison. That’s what the Book of Philippians helps us understand.

The Book of Acts (in chapter 16) records the roots of the church in Philippi. The Roman city of Philippi is a long way from Jerusalem -- where Jesus walked, or Antioch, the city where Paul attended church.

In the first decades of this new Philippian church, they experienced both success and difficulties. Have you ever thought about that possibility?

WE CAN EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES EVEN DURING TIMES OF SUCCESS.

Some Christians Might Be Tempted To Think That The Presence Of Difficulties Means They Are Somehow Living Outside Of The Will Of God. But That’s Not Necessarily True.

Sometimes Christians can be right where God puts them -- doing exactly what God has asked them to do and still face persecution, opposition, misunderstanding, and suspicion.

Acts 16:22-28 (GW) The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas. Then the officials tore the clothes off Paul and Silas and ordered {the guards} to beat them with sticks. After they had hit Paul and Silas many times, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them under tight security. So the jailer followed these orders and put Paul and Silas into solitary confinement with their feet in leg irons. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the foundations of the jail. All the doors immediately flew open, and all the prisoners’ chains came loose. The jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open. Thinking the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul shouted as loudly as he could, “Don’t hurt yourself! We’re all here!”

Perhaps you are facing some sort of personal trial today.

It could be at work, or in a relationship, or have something to do with your finances, or illness

Part of the good news is that even as we experience trials -- we can have the confidence that we will pass through the trouble.

God will not abandon us and leave us stuck in our difficulties. In fact -- one type of Christian maturity is our ability to rejoice even when things are NOT going our way.

We can rejoice merely in the fact that we are in the center of God’s LOVE.

Even if the trouble is of our own making because we’ve acted foolishly, it’s still true: trials were made to go through — not to remain in!

I CAN REST ASSURED THAT I’M THE CENTER OF HIS LOVE. GOD DOESN’T ABANDON HIS PEOPLE IN TROUBLE.

So the church in Philippi -- which was born out of persecution -- takes root in this Roman town hundreds of miles away from where Jesus lived, and ministered, and was resurrected. This tells us that the good news of THE GOSPEL CAN GROW IN ANY SOIL.

Now, when we get to Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi -- 10 years have transpired since the account in Acts 16.

AND Some things have definitely changed.

The church in Philippi is prospering and healthy.

They are not only a thriving community in their home city, they are a community that looks after the welfare of others -- people far away who may be in some kind of need.

And Paul is one of those other people!

Paul finds himself imprisoned again, this time in Rome. The Philippian church has sent a gift of money and a member of their church to help him -- because prisoners had to provide for their own means even though they were in prison. And there, from his chains -- Paul writes a letter to acknowledge their gift -- to send back the brother they had sent to minister to his needs, and to teach them about the connection between Christian joy and suffering.

Paul is writing this letter from inside prison. He is encouraging those outside of prison! This letter is a model for how to live during tough times.

Let’s look today at the first chapter of Philippians, and learn to live as if God is in control.

1. Prayer and Persecution

Early on in chapter 1, Paul prays for his friends back in Philippi. Isn’t this amazing and wonderful?

Someone far away, who is in difficult circumstances like prison, can still pray for others. Don’t be fooled: whatever difficulties or trials you face cannot keep you from thinking of others and praying for others!

Paul Continues His Effective Ministry Even Though His Body Is Held Captive. He Prays For The People In Philippi, And He Instructs The Church In Philippi.

What does he pray?

Philippians 1:9-11 (GW) I pray that your love will keep on growing because of your knowledge and insight. That way you will be able to determine what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. Jesus Christ will fill your lives with everything that God’s approval produces. Your lives will then bring glory and praise to God.

2. God’s Priorities

In chapter 1, after praying for the well-being of the people in Philippi, Paul sets to the task of teaching in verses 12 through 18. He wants us to learn how to live knowing that God is in control.

Philippians 1:12-18 (GW) I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what happened to me has helped to spread the Good News. As a result, it has become clear to all the soldiers who guard the emperor and to everyone else that I am in prison because of Christ. So through my being in prison, the Lord has given most of our brothers and sisters confidence to speak God’s word more boldly and fearlessly than ever. Some people tell the message about Christ because of their jealousy and envy. Others tell the message about him because of their good will. Those who tell the message about Christ out of love know that God has put me here to defend the Good News. But the others are insincere. They tell the message about Christ out of selfish ambition in order to stir up trouble for me while I’m in prison. But what does it matter? Nothing matters except that, in one way or another, people are told the message about Christ, whether with honest or dishonest motives, and I’m happy about that. Yes, I will continue to be happy

The gospel is more important than his reputation or his personal comfort. He understands his imprisonment is for the sake of the gospel and does not ask, “WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?”

INSTEAD HE UNDERSTANDS THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL.

Now, it’s easy to agree with a simple statement like “GOD IS IN CONTROL.” But the result of saying God is in control is that I am NOT in control. It’s actually liberating to realize that we are not in control.

ILLUSTRATION

Sometimes we are surrounded by people who operate from ill motives or just plain ol’ meanness. I think our natural reaction would be to cry out to God and ask Him to intervene. “God,” we might pray. “Stop these people from trying to harm me!”

But Paul shows us that we need to

3. Trust God for the Outcome

Philippians 1:19-26 (GW) for another reason. I know that I will be set free through your prayers and through the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of. I will speak very boldly and honor Christ in my body, now as always, whether I live or die. Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more. If I continue to live in this life, my work will produce more results. I don’t know which I would prefer. I find it hard to choose between the two. I would like to leave this life and be with Christ. That’s by far the better choice. But for your sake it’s better that I remain in this life. Since I’m convinced of this, I know that I will continue to live and be with all of you. This will help you to grow and be joyful in your faith. So by coming to you again, I want to give you even more reason to have pride in Christ Jesus with me.

Paul’s faith that God is in control is expressed in terms of OUTCOMES -- not events. The events did not look promising for Paul. But Paul Looks Beyond The Events Toward The Outcome. And He Concludes That The Outcome Will Be Glorious.

Whether in his day or in ours -- here are the verifiable facts:

sorrow, sickness, and suffering are at large in the world.

But God Shows His Glory By Bringing Outcomes That Are Greater Than Any Sorrow, Any Sickness, Or Any Suffering.

In this first chapter of Philippians -- Paul was not even concerned about his own personal outcome.

He says,

“I can die and be with Jesus or I can live, which will mean even more fruitful ministry later in my life.”

Paul does not see his life is something to be preserved -- but rather as something to be spent in the service of God’s kingdom.

WE are living in a world full of opportunities to share and live out JESUS !!!

Philippians 1:27-29 (GW) Live as citizens who reflect the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I’ll hear all about you. I’ll hear that you are firmly united in spirit, united in fighting for the faith that the Good News brings. So don’t let your opponents intimidate you in any way. This is God’s way of showing them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved. God has given you the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him.

Maybe we should ask ourselves -- why wait until tough times to draw together?

Why wait until tragedy strikes to show our love and care for those around us?

Why wait until things are bad in order to show the love of God?

We can be a church that lives in the community and demonstrates THE LOVE OF GOD right now -- even in the moments of peace and prosperity

This is the great lesson of Philippians chapter 1: individually — and as a community — we can demonstrate that God is in control by living as if God is in control.

Our actions become the message.

Our lives — indiviually and corporately — become the Good News.