Unity Through Suffering

Introduction

I am so happy that I get to be speaking tonight!

Usually I open up my sermons with a funny story or an anecdote of some kind. Trust me, there is plenty of things that have happened in my life that you could laugh at.

Tonight though, I want to just hop into the word. We are picking up where Pastor Scott left off a few weeks. Starting out in Philippians 1:20

But before we hop in some background that you have probably already heard, but to bad, I’m gonna say it now.

Main Points

We have the victory

We should not fear death

Paul was facing some pretty bad circumstances at the time. He was under house arrest in Rome at the time of writing this. He was awaiting a trial that would decide this fate. Would he live or would he die? Paul wasn’t so sure. yet he wrote this:

Philippians 1:20–23 NIV

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

Vs. 20

Paul says that he knows that regardless of if he lives or if he dies, he knows that Christ will be lifted up. Whether Paul lives as a teacher or dies a martyr. He hopes that when his time comes that he has the courage to not back down on his faith in life or in death.

In life he knows he can tell more people about Christ, but in death, people would see the love that Paul had for Christ. They would see that Paul, the Christian killer had loved Christ so much that he was willing to lay his life down. People would see through Paul’s convictions that he truly loved Chris.

Vs. 21

You see for Paul to live meant to live for Christ. Mirroring what he wrote in Galatians 2:19-20:

Galatians 2:19–20 NIV

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

He lives his life for Christ. Through suffering, through difficulty, through everything, Paul lives for Christ. So if we think about it as Paul did, dying is really a net gain for Paul. He isn’t imprisoned if he is dead. He won’t struggle.

Vs. 22-23

This struggle pulls at Paul. He knows that living life will be fruitful. That more people get to know about Christ through him. However, his selfish desire, is to be with Christ in heaven. Not because he hates life on earth but because he values his relationship with Christ that much.

Personal

We as believers should not fear death. Death is positive for us. It is something we should look forward to. Getting to live in eternity with Christ is a privilege available to all believers.

I think of this quote from Charles Spurgeon that says “When men fear death it is not certain that they are wicked, but it is quite certain that if they have faith it is in a very weak and sickly condition”

Paul didn’t have a desire for death, he had a desire for Christ. This is the desire that we should share.

However, this doesn’t mean that we as Christians are supposed to waste our lives waiting for the day that it is over. No, we are supposed to follow God in our life. Not squander the life God has given us.

We shouldn’t squander life

Phil 1:24

Philippians 1:24 NIV

but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Vs. 24

Paul’s desire was to be with Christ. However, Paul was willing to lay that huge desire if God wills that to happen. Paul knows that God has a plan for him. He know that the importance that he played to God as he remained faithful to Him.

Even if, selfishly, death is a net gain to Paul, God still gives life meaning. There is a purpose to life. A purpose to share the Good News of Christ so that more people can know Christ. So that more people can have freedom. So that more fruit is present in the Kingdom of Heaven. And Paul understood this.

Phil 1:25-26

Philippians 1:25–26 NIV

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Vs. 25-26

Paul was confident that his life wasn’t over yet. And he was right. He didn’t die here in prison. He was eventually set free and he went right back to ministry. Sharing with people the Good News of Christ.

Paul’s willingness to lay down the desires of his heart and follow God shows his faith. His attitude toward it, shows God’s mercy.

Paul loved the Philippian church. He knew that though Paul surviving there would be great joy. A joy that doesn’t come from Paul, but instead comes from the Lord.

Personal

God has a plan for everyone. While yes there will still be suffering in life. Life will never be perfect on this side of eternity. However, that does not down play the importance that we serve here and now.

I know many Christians that are really focused on the end times right now. Checking news feeds for the signs. However, I think that misses the point. We shouldn’t be focused on when the end is, we should be focused on doing all we can while we are here.

Paul focused on his ministry here and now. Not his comfort upon his death.

While suffering will happen, we do not have to fear. We do not have to live life alone. Instead, we can find unity. Unity with Christ and unity together.

But how?

Unity is found in Christ

Live our lives according to God

Philippians 1:27 NIV

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

Vs. 27

Paul knew that the church of Philippi had a unity problem. The church was pretty much entirely made up of Gentiles. In case you don’t know, a Gentile is anyone who isn’t Jewish. This was a melting pot of a church. There were Romans, Greeks even Native Thracian people who’s bloodline had been there since the city of Philippi had been founded.

It was because of this that there was slight unity problem

His solution applied to the Philippian church, however, it truly applies to all believers.

Personal

If we as believers truly acted as Christ commanded us to, than we would find unity. We would find unity with Christ and the church would find unity together.

How exactly does Christ call us to live? Matthew 22:34-40

Matthew 22:34–40 NIV

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

When Paul says for us to “conduct” he used he word “pol-le-to-oh-my” literally meaning to be a citizen. Paul asks us to have a sort patriotism to Christ. To live out these tenets. To practice what we preach.

Not in a legalistic way. Not checking off the boxes to say how good we are. Instead it is to show love to Christ and show love to each other.

Through this we find unity. The unity the church should share should show the glory of God.

With unity, everyone sees the glory of God

Philippians 1:28 NIV

without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

Vs. 28

When the church is going through difficulties or oppression and is still able to be unified in Christ together, everyone sees the glory of God.

Personal

We should be able to unified as a church, as a body of Christ, because we should have the same goal. To love God and to love people.

Not just the people we like. Not just the people that agree with us politically. Not just the people that show us kindness.

If we want to truly show the love and grace of God we should live out God’s commands to everyone. To the oppressor. To the sinner. Why? Because it shows them what they are missing. Unity with each other and a unity with God.

Literally showing them that even in the face of adversity that we stand together united.

We do not find unity by fearing suffering, but by living in freedom through faith.

But how can we do that?

Even in suffering, God still gave us the victory

Philippians 1:29–30 NIV

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Vs. 29-30

Paul knew that the church of Philippi was going to go through difficulty. In fact, Paul knew that they were experiencing persecution very similar to what he himself was going through.

He was reminding them that they shouldn’t be surprised by suffering. In fact, that God was so big that He could use the suffering they were experiencing as a tool.

That through difficulties the church of Philippi could have the same level of faith, hope and joy that Paul felt.

Personal

Paul wasn’t an idiot and he wan’t ignorant. Though regardless of if you believe in God or not there will be suffering in life. What Paul is arguing is that it is better to suffer with God than without Him. That when we have faith through suffering, together, we find unity.

Romans 12:15 NIV

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

We should be unified as a Body of Christ.

We do not find unity by fearing suffering, but by living in freedom through faith.

It is through Christ and Christ alone that we have victory. It is through Him that life has meaning and that death has no foothold on us.

Conclusion

Paul knew a lot about suffering. Not only had he experienced suffering in his life, throughout his ministry. He himself inflicted suffering before he was saved.

You could call Paul an expert on suffering.

Though Paul wanted the believers of Philippi and for you to know, that We do not find unity by fearing suffering, but by living in freedom through faith.

We as believers are supposed to be as one body. Moving together, helping together, going through life together.

We need to remember that God already has the victory. That death is nothing to fear, but neither is life. Because we get to have a relationship with the one true God.

For the believer:

We need to be united. We shouldn’t be fighting and bickering, we should be honoring God. Loving God and loving people. Sharing with them the Good News that we know.

We do not find unity by fearing suffering, but by living in freedom through faith.

Even in the hard times we need to remember who we can lean on. Keeping our perspective on God, in spite of present circumstances.

Through this unity with each other and with God we find peace. Paul was facing death row, and he had peace. He had freedom through his faith.

For the non-believer:

Jesus is bigger than your difficulties.

Jesus saw the difficult things that go on in your life. He came down on earth, lived a perfect life and died for you. All he asks is that you believe in your heart and confess in your mouth that He is lord.

Lets go out of this place today with a better understanding of unity. Not living in fear of life or death. But being free knowing that Christ has given purpose to life and has given us freedom from death. In this we find unity.