Our Pain Gives Us A Platform

06/29/2020 Our Pain Gives Us A Platform

Series: Philippians - Know Jesus, Know Joy  

https://vimeo.com/427601925

What Does The Bible Say?

Philippians 1

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. (Philippians 1:12–14 NLT)

Our pain gives us a platform.

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. (Philippians 1:18–26 NLT)

Do you live to be fruitful for Christ?  

27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. (Philippians 1:27–30 NLT)

Lean into your pain.

How Can You Obey?

Know: The purpose of my life is to bring glory to Christ.

Do: Live each day in a way that is worthy of Christ and His Gospel 

Additional Notes:

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The Epistle to the Philippians, along with Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, comprise a section of the New Testament known as the Prison Epistles. These were letters written by Paul to specific churches, or in the case of Philemon, to a specific individual. They were written during Paul’s first Ro- man imprisonment between approximately 60 and 62 A.D. Together, they comprise 15 of the New Testament’s 260 chapters. Reflected throughout these letters is the love of a pastor for his congregation and the concern of a spiritual shepherd for his flock. 

The imprisonment of which Paul spoke was likely that referred to in Acts 28. This imprisonment would have been much different from what is typically experienced in today’s world as the apostle was free to receive guests, have co-workers at his side, and even write letters such as Philippians. 

Hearing about Paul’s imprisonment, the Philippian believers determined to send a financial contribution to their beloved friend, mentor, and spiritual leader (Philippians 4:10-20). This gift was delivered by Epaphroditus, a possible pastor or leader within the church. While in Rome, he became severely ill and nearly died. In writing this letter to the Philippians, Paul would accomplish at least three objectives. First, he could provide an update on the condition of Epahroditus. Second, Paul could thank the church for their sacrificial contribution. Third, from a place typically absent of joy, he could encourage the Philippians to be joyful in all circumstances. 

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In the first chapter Paul wanted to assure the Philippians that his ministry had not ceased simply because he was in prison. He wrote: “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel” (1:12). How could this be? This imprisonment gave Paul time to write four canonical books. During his second Roman imprisonment, he wrote Second Timothy; thus five of his thirteen books were written during a time of restricted movement. In prison Paul could still carry on a ministry of intercessory prayer; although he could not physically be in Philippi, he could pray and God could answer prayer in Philippi. Paul also wanted to assure the Philippians that the work of God within the lives of believers is not stopped by prison walls (1:6). He looked upon the defense of the gospel as being just as necessary as the propagation of the gospel; they are the positive and negative sides of declaring the whole counsel of God (cf. Acts 20:17–38). In prison Paul maintained a personal witness to the praetorium guard, the soldiers assigned to his house arrest, and to Caesar’s household (1:13; 4:22). Just as God used Paul’s imprisonment to save the Philippian jailor and his family, so God was using this experience to save soldiers and servants at Rome. Paul’s steadfast stand also encouraged other preachers to take up the slack and to evangelize in his absence (1:14–18). Finally, the trial of Paul stimulated the Philippians to undertake a new ministry of prayer in behalf of the apostle (1:19). Often Christians do not pray fervently until one of their loved ones is in desperate need.

Gromacki, R. G. (1974). New Testament survey (p. 262). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.

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PHILIPPIANS: A Snapshot

Audience- The Philippian believers were the first European Christians (Acts 16:11–40)

Philippi in Acts:

Led to the city by divine intervention (Acts 16:6–10), Paul founded the church on his second missionary journey. Lydia, a proselyte or God-fearer (16:13–15), and the Philippian jailor (Acts 16:25–34) are among the first converts. After exorcizing a slave girl, Paul and Silas are imprisoned on charges of anti-Roman activities, but later released. Luke emphasizes the city’s Roman character:

• Only here in Acts is Paul charged with anti-Roman behavior (Acts 16:21)

• Luke calls only Philippi a “colony” (Acts 16:12)

• Only for Philippi did Luke mention titles of city officials such as the “chief magistrates” (Acts 16:20, στρατηγοί) and the “policemen” (16:35, ῥαβδοῦχοι)

Opposition mentioned:

Paul’s imprisonment (1:13, 17); Christian opponents of Paul (1:15–17); suffering of Philippians (1:29–30); Judaizers (3:2–3); see also 1:28; 3:18–21

Special Features:

• So-called “Christ hymn” (2:6–11; Latin Carmen Christi); only in this letter does Paul call Jesus a “slave” (2:7, NRS μορφὴν δούλου)

• Only in Philippians and Romans does Paul call himself a “slave” in the prescript (1:1, HCSB; Rom. 1:1, HCSB)

• Paul’s many self-references (1:12–26; 2:16–19, 23, 3:4–14; 4:12–13)

• Only in Philippians and 1-2 Thessalonians does Paul not call himself an “apostle”

• Only in Philippians does Paul address “overseers and deacons” (1:1)

• Only in Philippians does Paul list his social honors as a Pharisaic Jew (3:5–6)

• Paul uses the Roman term “conduct yourselves” (πολιτεύομαι 1:27; cf. 3:20) for his more common term “to walk” (περιπατέω, e.g., Gal. 5:16) when describing Christian behavior.

• Women play an instrumental part in the church (Acts 16; Phil. 4:2–3)

Purpose(s):

1. Apologetics: to defend (shameful) suffering as a pattern of Christian life.

2. Pastoral: to strengthen faith and fellowship of believers who disagree in their definition of honor and, because of that, are discouraged because of suffering and sickness.

Kierspel, L. (2012). Charts on the Life, Letters, and Theology of Paul (p. 125). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic.

Question 1 of 5

What is one negative life situation that you have personally experienced? How did you get through this time?  

Question 2 of 5

What does it look like to be partners in the gospel with other believers?  

Question 3 of 5

How can a believer prevent bitterness and anger from being present during difficult seasons of life?   

Question 4 of 5

In what ways can a person live in the world but not be living for the world? Be specific. 

Question 5 of 5

What are some of the difficult circumstances we face in the world we live in? How can we respond to these kinds of circumstances in ways that glorify God and point people to Christ?