The Right Perspective

Introduction

When things don’t go your way how do you normally feel?

Do you feel frustrated? Disappointed?

When people speak badly of you or say things to try to hurt you. How do you feel?

Does it discourage you? Does it hurt your feelings?

Why? Why do you get frustrated when things don’t go your way? Why does it hurt your feelings when people try to hurt you? Why does it discourage you when people speak badly of you?

What’s the reason?

When your offended, when your discouraged, when your disappointed it tells us somethings about ourselves.

It probably says more than this but when you are discouraged, offended, disappointed, when your feelings are hurt it tells you what you are putting your hope in, what you want to see happen, and where you are finding your identity.

Our feelings are great indicators but they are a terrible compass.

What do you think that means?

Some people in our circles will essentially tell you to ignore your feelings. That’s not helpful. The world will tell you to follow your feelings. That’s dangerous.

We should treat our feelings like an indicator. They are telling us something about ourselves. They are telling us what we value, where our hope is, what are identity is in, or for me that I’m hungry or need to take a nap....

Now that doesn't mean our feelings are always accurate. Sometimes they are just wrong. But that doesn't mean we just always ignore them. They should be studied and understood.

Our feelings make a better caboose than an engine. This means that they are typically the last thing to change direction. Explain this better!

As we read Phil. 1:12-18 I want you to look for reasons why Paul can rejoice in the middle of his difficult circumstances. Look for why he feels the way he does. What are his feelings indicating.

Look for what these verses tell us about who Paul is putting his hope in, what he what’s to see happen, and where Paul is finding His identity.

Philippians 1:12–18 (ESV): 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 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.

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Paul’s Situation

In verses 12 Paul says what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. What had happened to Paul?

Why was Paul put in prison?

Paul was put in prison for preaching the gospel. That sounds like something that would slow the gospel down. But in God's plan it actually served to advance the gospel

What could be something to be learned from that?

I'm sure that Paul was tempted to water down his message in order to not be put in prison. He could have have reasoned with himself that watering down the message would make his life easy and also allow him to reach more people with the gospel. But instead Paul did what he knew was right and let God take care of the result. Even if it ended with prison.

This is a problem we all have to wrestle with and it plays itself out in a bunch of different circumstances.

Let me give a vague example that happened last week with myself and Pastor Tim.

There is a person who has been coming to church and we have enjoyed having them. God seemed to be working in that individual’s life and it honestly had been very encouraging to see. However, there was some sin in that person’s life and Pastor Tim and I both agreed that this person needed to be lovingly confronted.

Pastor Tim went to the person lovingly told them what they were doing was wrong gave advice on how to change and offered his assistance. This person did not take kindly to what Pastor Tim said got angry and has now left the church.

As you can imagine this was frustrating to Pastor TIm. He was disappointed. There were even moments when he seconded guessed if he did the right thing. Maybe we could have let this thing slide maybe if we watered down the message a little it would be a little more attractive and the person would stay. But Pastor Tim knew that he had to do what was right and let God take care of the results.

Now we don’t know how this particular situation will play out in the long run. But we do know that if we water down our message to make it more attractive in the long run it will be devastating to this church and the souls of its member's. We have to do what is right even when in the short term it seems like an undesirable outcome will be the result.

When you guys graduate and move out find a church with a Senior Pastor who does what he knows is right even when it makes his message “unattractive.” There are a lot of churches out there that water down the gospel because they want to get people in the doors. Do not go to church there. Find a church that will unashamedly preach an offensive gospel regardless of how many people show up to hear it.

What would this look like in your life?

When have you been tempted to do what is wrong because one, it would just make your life easier or two because you think in the long wrong doing something wrong now will actually be better in the future.

When we do what we know is right and let God take care of the results not only is God glorified in the long run it is also more effective.

But let’s back up and not miss the point here.

How was Paul able to have Joy? It seemed like his plans were ruined. His very good and Godly plans had been ruined. How was he able to have joy?

His confidence and his hope were not in his plans. He trusted that God’s plans were better than his plans so he did what he knew was right and when everything seemed to fall apart he continued to trust that God knew what was best.

What was the result? The gospel was advanced. His plan had been accomplished but in a way that he never would have expected or even wanted.

But how was the gospel advanced?

Philippians 1:13 ESV

13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.

Who was the imperial guard?

They were Caesars own guard. They were kind of like the secret service. These were the best of the best and they had access to the most powerful people in the world and because of Paul’s imprisonment he was able to share the gospel with some of the most influential people in the Roman Empire.

How do you think he was able to do that?

The word “imprisonment” comes from a root word (desmon) that means “bonds that are made with chains.” Paul elsewhere identifies himself as “an ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:20; see also Acts 28:20). For two years, Paul was fastened in chains that were probably extended handcuffs about 18 inches long. These chains were always attached to his wrist and restricted his every movement. The praetorian guard were rotated through his rented quarters, and his chains were never removed. Day and night, Paul was only 18 inches away from a Roman soldier. In this changing of the guards, there were probably several dozen soldiers who were circulating through his room and were attached to him at various times.

It’s safe to say this was not Paul’s preferred message of sharing the gospel and definitely not what he was used to. Paul was used to speaking to large crowds. That was his typical approach to evangelism. However, in his imprisonment he was confined to more one-one conservations. However, God can use any method for his glory. What's important is that we do what we can with where we are placed.

When things don’t go the way we want we typically get discouraged and focus on all the negatives.

What do you think kept Paul from that kind of attitude?

He found his identity in Christ.

It’s interesting to how Paul address himself in Eph.

Ephesians 4:1 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

He doesn’t consider himself a prisoner of Rome. He is a prisoner of Christ. In Philippians he urges the people not to consider themselves citizens of Rome but citizens of heaven.

Why? Because where we find identity makes a dramatic impact on how we view the world and our circumstances.

In fact it is because he found his identity in Christ that he says in verse 13 that his imprisonment is for Christ.

His horrible circumstance is for Christ.

That outlook on life completely changed how he behaved. Instead of being frustrated and disappointed about his circumstance. He said this is for Christ and he went to share the gospel with any guard who would listen.

Two things to take away from that.

What’s your “imprisonment?” What’s your difficult circumstance? Is it for Christ?

God places us exactly where he wants us to be so we can share the gospel. God is completely sovereign. Nothing happens to you on accident. He has you where he wants you so you can share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Are you missing it? Are you to disappointed? To frustrated to see that God has perfectly placed you right where he wants you to share the gospel? IS your identity wrapped up in your circumstances or is it fully in Christ.

Don’t miss what God is doing. Take full advantage of it.

I wish I would have believed this more all of last year. I become frustrated and disappointed. I didn’t take advantage of where God had me.

I don’t want to make that mistake again.

Look at verse 14. What happened as a result of Paul’s example?

Philippians 1:14 ESV

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.

Because of Paul’s example the people began to preach the gospel without fear.

Why do you think that happened? Paul was put in prison for preaching the gospel. How would that inspire confidence. Wouldn’t the opposite be true?

They saw that from Paul’s example that when you find your identity in Christ there is nothing the world can do to you. They saw the way Paul responded to being put in prison how it didn’t detour him and they wanted to do the same.

But this is important. What did Paul’s example inspire? Was it awe and admiration of Paul?

No it was confidence in Christ. I’m sure they respected Paul more because of what he did. But what was really important was that people were inspired to put more confidence in Christ.

What can we learn from this?

You guys have no idea what your example could spark in your peers. Sometimes it just takes the first step from someone.

Maybe it’s being willing to answer a question even when you don’t know for sure if your right. Being willing to be wrong and make a fool of yourself but not letting that deter your willingness to try again the next time because your identity is in Christ will give confidence to your fellow teens. Not confidence in you but confidence in Christ. When our identity is in Christ being wrong isn’t a big deal.

Maybe it’s confessing sin. What if you were so secure in your identity in Christ that you were willing to confess sin. Do you have any idea how much of an impact that could have on those around you. They would have so much more confidence to do what is right even if people make fun of them because there identity is in Christ.

Or sharing how God has been speaking to you from His word

Or really the context from these verses is about sharing the gospel. It would be so inspiring to share with your friends how you shared the gospel with someone.

I think it’s safe to say we are all a little shy. None of us are really good at getting out of our comfort zone and sharing the gospel. But when one of us does it it gives us confidence that in the Lord we can do it too.

Philippians for You Questions for Reflection

1. List out the difficulties you are facing right now in life. How might they be used by Christ to further his kingdom work?

2. Who do you know who, like Paul, is willing to suffer for the gospel and rejoice in adversity? How will you let them be an example and challenge to you?

3. “One believer on fire for God can embolden thousands … to bear witness for Christ.” Would you pray for such Spirit-given fire for yourself?

Now very briefly let’s look at the next few verses.

Philippians 1:15–18 ESV

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

What seems to be going on in these verses?

Because of Paul’s example people were preaching the gospel. But not all of their motivations were honorable. Some of course were preaching because they loved Paul and they wanted people to know about Christ.

However, some were preaching because they wanted to make things worse for Paul.

That word....

Philippians for You Motives Matter

“Selfish ambition” literally means “one working for hire.” It was used of someone who could be bought with money in order to carry out a devious deed. These Christians are evidently in it for what they can personally get out of it, and not for what they can sacrificially give to others. Though they exalt Christ in their words, they use their ministry to promote themselves. They lift Christ up only in order to lift themselves up.

They are trying to lift themselves up by tearing Paul down.

But how does Paul respond?

Why?

Again Paul seems so unconcerned with what happens to me only that people would know Christ.

What an example!

What else could be learned from these last few verses?

God uses people for his good despite wrong motivations.

Ravi Zaccurius…

God used this incredibly sinful man to convince people of Christ. If God can use them he can use us. That doesn’t mean that our motivations will always be perfect but I don’t know about you I’ve found it almost impossible to have pure motivations. I am s sinful to my core that even in proclaiming Christ my motivations can be screwed up. I am so grateful that God can still use me.

It’s not the purity of the messenger that matters but rather the purity of the message.

Conclusion

At the beginning of the lesson I asked you to look for reasons why Paul can rejoice in the middle of his difficult circumstances. Look for why he feels the way he does. What are his feelings indicating.

Look for what these verses tell us about who Paul is putting his hope in, what he what’s to see happen, and where Paul is finding His identity.

What was Paul’s hope in?

What did he wish to see happen?

Where did Paul find his identity?

What was the result?

He had hope, the gospel was advanced, he had identity, and...

Philippians 1:18 (ESV)

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

You want joy?

Put your hope and confidence in Jesus. Proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Find your identity in Him.

That doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen but it does mean you can find joy in a hopeless place.