2018-04-29 Philippians 1: 12-18 God Always Wins (1): Turning Lead Into Gold

GOD ALWAYS WINS (1): TURNING LEAD INTO GOLD (Philippians 1:12-18) April 29, 2018 Read Phil 1:12-18 – This is a real-life example of II Cor 2:14) But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.” Not sometimes; not occasionally; not rarely, but always! A profound truth in three words: God Always Wins! God always wins. He’s the winning side. BUT there is a corollary to that principle – another truth that further explains the larger truth! God always wins = large truth. The corollary is Isa 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” So while God always wins – it doesn’t always happen the way we want or the way we think best. It’s not always clear to see; it’s not always done in this life. But it’s always true. God always leads us in triumph. God always wins! Matthew Henry says Paul means God is the only alchemist. Alchemists were people who sought the secret of turning lead into gold. Lead was considered worthless. And the thought was, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could find a way to turn this utterly useless thing into something exquisite, beautiful and priceless?” Of course, no one ever could. But Matthew Henry says that Paul is saying, “God does that all the time with the circumstances of your life.” Remember Joseph? His brothers hate him because Dad loves him and he keeps dreaming they will one day bow down to him. So they sell him into slavery in Egypt. “There, we’re rid of that pest.” Joseph begged them not to, and prayed, “God, why is this happening?” It was God turning lead into gold. He drained Joseph of every last drop of pride, made him PM of Egypt, saved his family through Joseph and – oh, yes, saved the Messianic line of Judah! Lead into gold. Golden results aren’t always seen immediately, but God always comes out on top – as do those who trust Him. So, here’s Paul, longing to take the gospel to the center of his universe – Rome. He wanted the world’s power brokers to know Jesus lived, died, was buried and rose again for them. He wanted to go as a preacher. Instead God sent him as a prisoner! God’s ways are not our ways. But He’s turning lead into gold. It didn’t happen Paul’s way – but thru his persecution, the gospel went forward. Not even close to the way he’d have done it – but better. 1 It’s been 4 years since he’s seen the Philippians. He was their father in the faith. They thrived under his brief ministry among them. But now he’s in jail, and they’re worried – enough to send one of their most trusted leaders, Epaphroditus, to check up on Paul. But then Epaphroditus nearly dies. It’s like hearing Billy Graham’s been jailed on false charges – so we send Mike Hungenberg to check up and he gets deathly sick. It seems like piling on. Realizing how they feel, Paul is anxious to set the record straight. He’s not rotting away in some God-forsaken jail cell, discouraged and waiting for his day in court while all ministry grinds to a halt. Far from it. He’s down, but the gospel marches forward! So Paul rejoices – in jail – waiting for trial! Crazy Paul has his eternal priorities straight. If the gospel advances, he’s happy! So he writes: 12) I want you to know, brothers.” Know what, Paul? Know the harshness with which you have been treated – 3 years in jail in Caesarea surrounded by people who tried to kill you -- and now a year in Rome? Know your pain? Do you want them to know how disappointed you are to arrive in Rome as a prisoner rather than as a preacher? Do you want them to know how tough it is to be chained to a guard 24/7 – no privacy – ever! Do you want their prayers? What do you want them to know!! 12) I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” “Let’s just summarize my personal hardship in one phrase “what has happened to me.” That’s enough for that. But what I want you to know is all of it has advanced the gospel; that’s what matters.” Whether that happens by me being preacher or prisoner is really irrelevant. What matters is – the gospel is advancing. Paul’s got a single-minded focus. “Advance” -- a military term referring to the army engineers who go before the troops to open new territory by clearing away trees and brush and building bridges. Paul is saying, “That’s what my imprisonment has done. It’s opened doors that might otherwise have never have been opened. Not the way I’d have done it, but God’s way. And so (v. 18) ‘in that I rejoice.’” That’s a man you can’t defeat, right? In prison, chained to a keeper, on trial for his life – but all he’s thinking is advance! Why? He knows what God is up to – turning lead into gold. I see six ways in this passage that God is turning lead into gold. He won’t do it the same way in our lives, necessarily. But He will do it. So, let’s look at these and take encouragement at God’s creativity thru Paul. Just when all seemed lost, here’s what was really going on. I. Paul’s Captors Are Evangelized 2 Paul went to Rome as a prisoner instead of a preacher. But guess what? He still preached! If you keep your head up and discouragement down you can always preach – share Christ, like Paul. Tough circumstances were no match for his faith. v. 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” Paul’s captors were evangelized. Paul was single-minded in his dedication to the gospel. Acts 16:30 He lived there (Rome) two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” Paul is actually under house-arrest in this first imprisonment; a second one a couple of years later found him in the despised Mamertine prison beneath the streets of Rome. But for now he can choose any housing he can afford. Still, it’s no picnic. Paul was shackled by an 18” chain to a guard 24/7. He could not eat in privacy, sleep in privacy or even use the privy in privacy! You can bet the guards weren’t thrilled with the arrangement either! ESV says the “whole imperial guard” – literally the Praetorian guard. That was 10,000 handpicked soldiers, established by Caesar Augustus for special duty at court and in Rome – to keep the peace and protect the emperor. They got double pay and special privileges – the crème de la crème. They lived a high profile life within Rome – were allowed to retire with generous severance after 12-16 years. They became so powerful they were considered “king-makers” who not only protected emperors, but eventually had a major hand in choosing them. So, here’s Paul, chained to the Praetorian guard who served in shifts. Over 2 years in prison, he was up close and personal with many of them. So with that captive audience, Paul groaned about his misfortune, and bemoaned his unjust fate, right? Not Paul. He acted like no one they had never seen before. They listened as he talked to friends, dictated letters, prayed to God and conversed with all who would listen, including themselves. These hardened, crude soldiers found themselves moved by his patience, gentleness, courage and trust in God. Skeptical at first, over time they became inquisitive, then interested – and then many became believers in Jesus Christ. So much so that by the end of the letter Paul could say in 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.” Who were those? The Praetorian guard – those who trusted Christ after having heard Paul’s words and seen his conduct. 3 And they spread the word: “You wouldn’t believe this guy we’re guarding. He’s unbelievable. Never complains, just talks about this Jesus all the time.” The word spread – among the guards, among their families, among the whole royal establishment. Paul was the talk of the town in a way he’d never have been as an itinerant preacher. God always wins – not always so spectacularly. But in the end, every device of Satan is overruled, and God always wins. Ever notice, God often puts His children in chains to magnify His name. Life seldom goes according to plan. Ever notice that? So, you find yourself a young mother – chained to a bunch of rowdy kids. Not exactly how you’d planned to use that Marketing degree. But your chains are God’s opportunity, right? Your mission for this phase of life is right in front of you. Like Susanna Wesley who had 19 kids and an irresponsible husband in the days before automatic washers, disposable diapers and take-out pizza. But she poured her life into those kids. And two of them – John and Charles revolutionized the British Isles with the gospel message they learned from Mom. Lead into gold! Perhaps your chains are a physical disability or the limitations that age is imposing. We’d all like to live a full and healthy life and die in our sleep, right? But few do. The pains come, the hearing goes, the speed decreases and the light dims. The chains tighten. But God has a purpose, Beloved. God always wins. The question is, will we cooperate our way to eternal reward, or complain our way to loss? That’s the question for us. I think of Fanny Crosby – blind from birth. Yet she refused to let the chains of darkness define her. She became a mighty force for God thru her hymns and gospel songs. Our society has this all backwards. We see victory in all the wrong places. Brennan Manning says this: “An attractive twenty-year-old accepts Jesus and becomes Miss America; a foundering lawyer conquers alcoholism and whips F. Lee Bailey in court; a tenth-round draft choice for the Green Bay Packers goes to the Pro Bowl. Miracles occur, conversions abound, church attendance skyrockets, ruptured relationships get healed, shy people become gregarious, and the Atlanta Braves win the World Series. Idyllic descriptions of victory in Jesus are more often colored by cultural and personal expectations than by Christ and the ragamuffin gospel. The NT depicts another picture of the victorious life: Jesus on Calvary.” Didn’t look like a win – but it was the greatest win of all time. And He will win through our chains and limitations as well. Only question is will it benefit us? Will we cooperate with His plan or complain our way to loss of reward? Paul chose to win with Him. I pray we will as well. 4 II. Paul’s Colleagues Are Emboldened Another win. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Who are these brothers? Well, by the time Paul got to Rome, the gospel had already arrived and there was a church to which he had already written the letter to the Romans. So, the church already existed there – mostly Gentiles. But on his arrival, Paul did as usual. He appealed first to local Jews. He called them to his place of house-arrest, told them how the Romans found no case against him in Palestine. Acts 28:19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel [Jesus] that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.” Thus – not long after Paul’s arrival there are preestablished Gentile churches, new Jewish converts, and soon, converts from within the Praetorian guard. All are emboldened to speak the gospel more openly as a result of seeing Paul do it under great pressure. Who would have ever guessed that a Xn arriving in prison would spur others to greater boldness. You’d expect the opposite, but with God things are often upside down. History abounds with examples. Most of you know of the 5 young missionaries who were martyred by the Auca Indians in Ecuador in 1956. Speared to death in a frenzy of fear by the Indians they were trying to reach. But what you may not know is that the wife of one (Elizabeth Elliott) and the sister of another (Rachel Saint) went back into the jungles of Ecuador to share the gospel with that tribe and almost all came to faith in Christ over time. The son of one, Nate Saint, was baptized by the same man who killed his father. 5 Those five young men were graduates of Wheaton College. Another largely overlooked result of their martyrdom was that for the next couple of decades a proportionately large number of Wheaton graduates offered themselves for missionary service because of the “Auca five.” Many were made “much more bold to speak the word without fear.” God – turning lead into gold. Conc – God always wins, Beloved – different ways at different times, but He always comes out on top. Isn’t it better to join Him than to grouse and complain our way to loss? Be encouraged. Take heart. Be faithful to the end. Circumstances are irrelevant when you are with an omnipotent God. A gung-ho Marine commander was promoted and assigned to desk duty. He arrived to find typical IN and OUT trays on his desk. He told his supply sergeant, “Get rid of those. I don’t want them on my desk.” But the supply sergeant knew a lot of clerks relied on those trays to process work so he offered an alternative which the commander quickly accepted. His new trays read, CHALLENGES and CONQUESTS. That’s what Paul saw. He didn’t see IN and OUT. He didn’t see DEFEAT and VICTORY. He just saw CHALLENGES and CONQUESTS. He knew II Cor 2:14) But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.” He knew that God is busy turning lead into gold and he wanted to be part of that process. Don’t you? God always wins. If we want to win, too, we must drop the negativity, doubt and despair of the circumstances and get our eyes on Him. Let’s pray. 6