Not My Choice

Introduction

When Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, it was the result of his brother’s envy, pride, and hatred of their brother. And Yet God was at work and gave him an influential position in Potiphar’s house. When Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of attempted rape, he was thrown in jail, and Yet God used his position there to influence the King’s Cup-bearer who later refered the King to Joseph as an interpreter of dreams. We know that we was eventually put into place as the ruler of all Egypt, second only to the King. Later he

. would recount his brothers actions with the words of

Genesis 50:20 ESV

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Though this is a difficult concept, and though there are times when we see evil in the world and wonder “What possible purpose could God have in these evil circumstances?” the reality is that God has consistently used the evil actions of mankind to accomplish His purposes in the world. We see that in the case of Joseph, and there may be no more salient example than that of Jesus Christ.

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was like most wicked act ever perpetrated in history. The sinless Son of God, accused of conjured crimes, treated like he was less than human even though he was more, beaten, spat upon, hung on a cross, mocked.

Evil. Wickedness. There is no evil that compares to the murder of the God-man.

At yet without that death, you and I would still be dead in our sins. We would still be lost, without God and without hope in the world. But because of the great mercy of God, He used the evil actions of evil men to accomplish his good purposes. Listen to the Words of Peter on the day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:22–24 ESV

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Acts 2:32–33 ESV

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

Acts 2:36 ESV

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Such it has been throughout history. Though mankind intends evil with their actions, God is able to use those same actions to accomplish his good purposes. We don’t always see the result, but we can rest knowing it is true.

In our passage today, we are going to see another tangible example of God using what are negative circumstances to accomplish His good purposes. If you haven’t already, open to Philippians 1. We will read vv 12-18

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. Yes, and I will rejoice,

First, notice that God uses

God Uses Negative Circumstances

Philippians 1:12 ESV

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,

This would have been a surprising thing to hear. Paul, the man who has traveled the world bringing the Gospel to many, the most celebrated, most prolific, and greatest church planter the world has ever seen, the great evangelist and apostle, this Paul was cooped up in a prison cell. By any human standard, this ought to have been considered a detriment to the Gospel.

He can’t preach. He can’t teach. He can’t hold church meetings. He can’t reason with Jews in the synagogue. He can’t debate with the pagans in the temple. He’s in jail.

From a human perspective, this ought to be have been considered a negative thing.

It seems the Philippians certainly thought so. They were aware of his imprisonment and sent Epaphroditus to Paul in order to bring some needed funding and encourage him and express their love and concern for him, and from this Paul felt the need to reassure the church that God was at work.

I am sure that, given the choice, Paul would not have chosen to be locked up in prison. I mean, who would, right? Joseph would have preferred to NOT be sold into slavery. He would have preferred that that he was NOT falsely accused of sexual immorality.

Even our Lord in the garden, in His humanity, cried out to the Lord “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not my will, but yours be done”

No one would actively choose to embrace hardship. No volunteers for cancer, a job layoff, a miscarriage, or a car accident. No one asks to be sinned against in a variety of ways by others.

But can and does God work through these things? Yes! Yes he does! We don’t always see it, but we can be confident of that reality.

How was this the case in Paul’s situation?

He says that his circumstance have actually served to advance the Gospel! There has been Gospel progress, or furtherance because of the things he is enduring.

This is another reminder that what Jesus said during his earthly ministry is true: He will build His church, and the gates of hades will not prevail against it. Christ’s church will not fail.

Now, there are some who take that as a promise that the church will

He gives two positive results of how he is aware that God is working

First, New Opportunities.

Second, New Boldness.

New Opportunities for the Gospel

Verse 13:

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.

This is the first of two results that Paul sees as things that advance the Gospel.

Not preferred situation. But he never would have had the opportunity to cross paths with these people.

Rotation of Guards

His imprisonment is for Christ....It’s because of Christ, its on account of the Gospel.

He’s not a murderer, thief, etc.

Not just the guards, but everyone associated with the prison. It seems that the guards has become missionaries of their own for Paul, telling others who did not have direct contact with Paul about the things he was saying.

Paul has seemed to embrace his role in a prison cell.

One commentator noted that “upon hearing this letter one can imagine a certain Philippian jailer smiling as he recalled his own conversion as result of Paul sharing the gospel during his brief incarceration in philipi. Paul consistently used his various imprisonments as opportunities to preach the gospel and even asked for others to pray for God to open doors so that he might preach the gospel while in chains.”

Though Paul found himself in less than desirable circumstances, he took advantage of the situation to proclaim Christ. Not feeling sorry for himself. Rejoicing.

I have seen similar things play out in the lives of those around me. Difficult circumstances are thrust upon us, circumstances we would not choose. Not my choice.

No one chooses something like cancer. But I have friends who have spread the gospel to an entire hospital ward during their stay and battle with what was an eventually life-claiming disease.

In every hardship there is opportunity. We can allow ourselves to get wrapped up in the circumstances of the moment, or we can look for new ways that we can minister to others, people we never would have had the opportunity to interact with otherwise.

New Boldness for the Gospel

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.

It wasn’t effecting everyone, but most of the brothers are much more bold. Notice It says “having become confident in the Lord” This is the same Greek word we found back in verse since when Paul says “I am sure of this” it speaks of having been persuaded I am now confident and sure.” Their confidence has been boosted because of what Paul is enduring. They see his suffering and it strengthens them.

Friends, Courage is contagious.

When we see others standing for what is right, it strengthens the resolve of others.

James Coates

John MacArthur

Subscribe to the Voice of the Martyrs Magazine and read of what others have endured. If they can do that, then surely I can open my mouth with friends, coworkers, etc.

Courage is Contagious.

Sadly not all had pure motives

Philippians 1:15–17 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.

Positive Motives: goodwill, love

The word for good will speaks of delight. They delight to proclaim Christ. There is no selfishness, it’s just their honor and joy. Same word as

Philippians 2:13 ESV

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Love. It’s not clear if Paul means love for God, love for others, or love for Paul. But in any case, love is their motivation.

Negative Motives: Envy, strife, selfish ambition, spite

But then there are others, preaching with negative motives. Sinful motives.

What is going on here?

I think there were particular individuals Paul had in mind in Rome who were preaching Christ. In that culture, factions formed quickly and easily. Paul had to battle that numerous times. 1 Cor

They preached a true gospel.

What is going on? How is preaching a true gospel going to afflict Paul?

In the Greek mindset of those days, the concept of two competing individuals succeeding side by side was not accepted. If one advanced, it meant the detriment of the other.

They seek Paul and think its an opportunity for them to advance. They think their advancement means the downfall of Paul. So they thing they are afflicting him.

But they preach a true Gospel.

Paul in other contexts addressed those who preach a false Gospel

Paul in other contexts addresses those who preach with false motives.

Here, those people are not in his intedned audience. So he just says “I can’t control their motives, but I can control mine. Even if they have their weird factional mindset, they are preaching true gospel, the true Christ, they have orthodox theology. I rejoice.

I think of

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Or

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

and

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

God is at work. Therefore we can rejoice. Paul seemed resolved to rejoice in all circumstances, knowing that God was at work.

That’s something we can learn from. We don’t rejoice in the hardship itself, but rejoice in what God is doing.

May we be therefore resolved to rejoice in all our circumstances, knowing that God is at work, even when we cannot see it.

Resolved: To rejoice in all circumstances knowing that God is at work, even when I cannot see it.

See, Paul has made a conscious choice about how to respond to his circumstances. He chooses to find reasons for joy. Not because of the undesirable circumstances themselves, but because he identifies how God is working, not just in spite of, but through those circumstances to bring about the salvation of souls.

The focus was not on Paul, but on what God was doing in the world. He didn’t choose his circumstances, but he did choose how he was going to respond to them.

Even though there were preacher who were preaching with sinful motives and were intentionally seeking to harm Paul, Paul seems to have come to the conclusion that He could not change the motives of the people who were preaching. He can’t undo the hurt they’ve caused him. But instead of making it about him, he looks at the effect of the Gospel and says “I will rejoice in that.”

In hard circumstances that I would not have chosen for myself, God is at work, therefore I can rejoice.

Let’s pray