No More Silver Linings
More To Life – A Study in Philippians
Phil 1:12-18 – Better Than a Silver Lining
No More Silver Linings
Knowing what really matters
Intro:
o When we are in the middle of things, we want them to end. Then we will see how God is working.
o Just teach me what I need to learn so I can get out of this.
I hate silver linings – it is just a sliver of silver in a dark cloud.
As if we can only find joy when we get to the end!
Control – we like it, but we cannot grasp it.
Control is an illusion
We get frustrated. Like looking at your 401k this week
Keep what is important important
Phil 1:12-18 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really 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. 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.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Background:
Paul in prison – can’t be traveling, starting churches – not his plan
Paul wanted to Go to Rome to preach the gospel
Acts 19:21 After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”
Rom 1:15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
Bet let’s read how Paul is doing. Start at verse 18
But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Kept his mind on what is important
Joy of ministering or the gospel in spite of . . . Joy of focusing on what is important in spite of. . .
Joy comes as we focus on what God is doing and how we can be a part of it. His work, His glory
All other pursuits are trivial
Christ is to be our goal and our purpose
Mark at Al’s Restauraunt – staring at TV.
In spite of difficult circumstances and in spite of difficult people.
1. Focus In spite of difficult circumstances (12-14) Chains
First paragraph – 12-14 all one sentence.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel
Change your perspective of the storm – see it as part of the work of God
· Remember that Paul is writing in the hearing of guards
· Now I want you to know – responding to their concern through Epaphroditus
o Disclosure formula
o Here is what is really going on.
o This is where he would tell about himself – what is going on – instead it is how he views what is going on.
o They were worried that his ministry had been seriously impaired and that he might die a martyr.
o Case was coming up for hearing soon in Rome.
· What has happened to me – arrest – under house arrest
o My circumstances – literally the things pertaining or relating to me.
o Paul determined to go to Jerusalem with special collection
o Arrested
o Murder plot, so taken to Roman garrison at Caesarea for 2 years.
o Appealed to Caesar, on way to Rome, shipwrecked at Malta.
o 2 years of house arrest in Rome
o Philippians feeling down about Paul – he is sharing the unexpected!
· Advance – move forward through obstacles. – to cut towards –
§ Army engineers that open the way for the troops - road through rocks and trees.
§ pioneers
o When believers view adverse circumstances from the divine perspective, they will use them for spiritual advantage.
o To – for the greater progress of the gospel – purpose, goal, result
o Israelites at Red Sea – oh no!!!! Opportunity for God’s deliverance.
o A change in thinking.
o Misfortunes often serve to advance the things that really matter rather than thwarting them
· Paul’s life so wrapped up in the gospel that it wasn’t about his imprisonment!
· Paul is not the victim or throwing a pity party for himself
o We tend to do that!
Gen 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
God uses Satan and his evil schemes to accomplish His purpose – just as He did at calvary!
A. Who will I have contact with in this storm?
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
· Result 1 – Paul has been able to share the gospel – contact with the lost.
· Divine appointments
· Hardship can enhance your reputation and give credibility to your message.
· Paul’s who!
· Palace guard, the praetorian guard – the emperor’s elite body guard – the only ones in the capital!!!!
o How else would they have heard?
o 9 or 10 thousand hand picked soldiers to serve Caesar personally.
o Double pay and special privileges.
o Not just what Paul said, but how he talked, wrote, acted, LIVED!
o His message and his character. They would know if he blew it. For two years, consistent, faithful. Wow! The least divergence would have been caught and passed on.
o Chained to someone praying without ceasing – preaching to whomever came – writing letters which sometimes were dictated.
o Guards changed every 6 hours. If never repeated, over 3000 soldiers.
o As each new one came – “Thank you Lord, here’s another one to tell about Jesus”
§ Fresh ears!!!!
· And to everyone else.
o Officials, court officials, etc.
· Some in Ceasar’s household became belivers. (Phil 4:22)
All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
Sense of a mild triumph from Paul
· Paul’s message
o His charges – apostate Jew who is impious and temple defiler (Ac 18:13; 21:21, 28)
§ 2nd a rabble-rouser intent on causing social unrest as enemy of Roman law and order (Ac 16:20; 17:7; 18:12-17)
o Those that came in contact with him though realized that He was in chains for his devotion to Christ, not civil crimes.
In chains for Christ – or in Christ
Paul understood that the nature of discipleship is to participate in Christ’s sufferings. (3:10)
· When physical trials come – will the Dr. and nurses see Christ? What about the guy in the bed next to you
· When you are talking to your investment advisor, what will he see? Oh No? Or, I know who holds my future.
· When you’ve lost a job is it the end of the world, or an opportunity to influence more people for Christ?
· You don’t have money for college.
B. Who will be encouraged by watching me in this storm?
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.
· Phil 1:14 NASV and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.
·
· Result 2 – Others have found boldness to be able to share the gospel
· Most of the brothers and sisters – Christian community in Rome – Think about Nero
· Enduring hardship often helps you be an example and motivation to others.
· It might not be about you!
· Gospel as talking point with Paul’s presence in Rome – Christians took advantage and bore witness with greater confidence and vigor.
· Better – have been encouraged in the Lord – have confidence in the Lord, persuaded.
o Rather than other things.
o Brothers already implies in the Lord
o So, being confident in the Lord is the better translation
· More courageously and fearlessly.
· All of these are examples of choosing the best instead of the good
· Elliotts Jim and Elizabeth.
o He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.
· Courage is contageous
· God works not merely in spite of trials, but through adverse circumstances.
· It is about discerning what God is doing rather than what we are feeling.
Look at bad circumstances as God given opportunities to share Him. Be single minded. Rejoice at what God is going to do rather than complaining about what God didn’t do.
o Not saying to love the trial
o Focus in spite of difficult circumstances by realizing that God is working through difficult circumstances
o No silver lining. The storm is silver.
Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over.
The problems began when Chippie's owner decided to clean Chippie's cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. She'd barely said "hello" when "ssssopp!" Chippie got sucked in.
The bird owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie -- still alive, but stunned.
Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do . . . she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air.
Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.
A few days after the trauma, the reporter who'd initially written about the event contacted Chippie's owner to see how the bird was recovering. "Well," she replied, "Chippie doesn't sing much anymore -- he just sits and stares."
It's hard not to see why. Sucked in, washed up, and blown over . . . That's enough to steal the song from the stoutest heart.
2. Focus In spite of difficult people - Critics
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
o Perhaps they saw Paul’s imprisonment as a disgrace.
o Paul was discrediting the gospel.
o God’s validating hand was removed from Paul
o Upset about the attention he had brought on the church.
o The fact they were free and God hadn’t released Paul was proof to them. See, God is judging Him.
§ It is dangerous to expect God to work in specific ways.
o One of the most discouraging experiences is to serve God and be falsely accused by fellow believers.
o These were not Judaizers or false prophets, but believers!
o Paul is setting up the church for their own internal conflicts.
o The difficult people
o Envy (desire to take something that is rightfully someone elses)
o Rivalry - Strife – outward
§ includes concept of active ill will – trying to hurt the person
§ Plotting against, gloating over misfortune, and vexing over good fortune
o Selfish ambition – lack of humility
§ Selfish ambition – factions, political maneuvering, election intrigue
· Perhaps following another leader.
· Perhaps offended by some things in Romans.
§ Mercenary spirit – looking for personal gain.
o Not sincerely, or pure motives – not pure or undefiled.
o They intended to aggravate Paul – stir up trouble. Supposing vs. knowing
§ More galling to know those that were against him were going forward with the gospel.
§ Supposing – they think in terms of Paul, his imprisonment, and his affliction; he thinks in terms of the gospel.
o Pretense (false motives in 18) – sailors who lowered lifeboat for self while pretending to cast out anchors.
Chiasm
Those that had good motives
o Out of goodwill
o Out of love
o Knowing Paul and the defense of the gospel
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
So how did Paul maintain his Joy in the storm of difficult people?
A. Keeps the important things in mind.
o But what does it matter? Good translation
o Message was true still – he was not allowing heresy or improper content!
o Accurately proclaimed! Brings fruit.
o Personal issues didn’t matter!!!!
o Gets Philippians hooked, but later will bring it home to their situation.
o Paul’s imprisonment is spreading the gospel through those that don’t like him!
o Paul is a man of single passion.
B. Doesn’t lose focus and joy by defending self – defends gospel
o His prestige, reputation, feelings were secondary to the task at hand.
o He was expendable; the gospel was not. His privacy and freedom were incidental. He cared not for personal recognition or credit.
o Let God handle the defense
C. Doesn’t lose focus by being bitter – love them
We start making things up.
Yes it hurts, but you are not the most important thing.
o Believers must always return good for evil. Luke 6:27-29; Rom 12:17-21
2 great English evangelists – John Wesley and George Whitefield disagreed on doctrinal issues
Wesley was asked, do you expect to see Whitefield in heaven. “No, I do not.” “Then do you not think Whitefield is a converted man?”
“Of course he is a converted man!” “But I do not expect to see him in heaven because he will be so close to the throne of God and I so far away that I will not be able to see him!”
D. Remembers his partners in the gospel
Does not mean approving of their motives.
God can use unscrupulous televangelists and money-grubbing radio preachers. - Thielman
Why not rather be wronged or cheated?
Why do we get upset at each other? Self centeredness.
Ignore bruised feelings, misunderstood motives.
So what! Some may be full of themselves, some may be gossips, some may take unfair shots at me. Is the gospel being preached. Preach it!
His response is to subordinate his personal agenda to God’s.
Concl:
Because of this I rejoice!
Why do Christians suffer depression? They see the storm instead of the rain that God brings
Joy in the storm / rain
Leave your comfort and aspirations to center on the gospel. The gospel is our aspiration
Not money, success, getting married, seeing grandchildren
These are good, but not the best – what gets squeezed out?
The gospel is your first calling.
As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend: "It's a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret. They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are the Christians--and I am one of them."
Philippians going through same struggles. Opposition from Rome & within church.
More To Life – A Study in Philippians
No More Silver Linings – Phil 1:12-18
Main Idea! Joy comes as we ________________________________
________________________________________________________
1. Joy in spite of ______________________(12-14)
A. Who will I have ________________________________? (13)
B. Who will be encouraged by ______________________? (14)
2. Joy in spite of ______________________(15-18)
chaism
A
B
B’
A’
How did Paul not let critics discourage?
More To Life – A Study in Philippians
No More Silver Linings – Phil 1:12-18
Main Idea! Joy comes as we ________________________________
________________________________________________________
1. Joy in spite of ______________________(12-14)
A. Who will I have ________________________________? (13)
B. Who will be encouraged by ______________________? (14)
2. Joy in spite of ______________________(15-18)
chaism
A
B
B’
A’
How did Paul not let critics discourage?