Philippians 1 vs 12-18

Philippians Chapter 1 Verses 12 – 14

 For the follower of Jesus Christ, there is purpose, depth of purpose, in

everything. We covered last week that Paul was obviously a man of

gratitude. He was thankful for what Jesus had already done for Him, and

so that made him naturally grateful in each day following, even though his

outward circumstance wasn’t ideal. And there in a Roman prison, because

of his perspective, his decisive approach to his own situation, he is able to

see the hand of God in it.

 Depending on where you are, what you’re going through, hearing that God

has a purpose in your pain may or may not help too much. So let me say it

perhaps a different way. It is a promise of God, that for the people of

God, He can bring good out of anything, even pain, even tragedy,

hardship and difficulty. Romans 8:28 is one of the most beloved verses in

the Bible, one of the most hopeful and helpful verses in all of scripture,

but it’s also one of the most misquoted or maybe better said,

misunderstood.

 It does not say, “All things that happen to us are good.” That is not true.

There is plenty that happens to us in this world that is not good, and it is

not your fault. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt me or you from suffering

or from bad things, wrong things happening to us in our lives. Instead,

scripture actually tells us to expect it. 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not

think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though

some strange thing happened to you.” In John 16:33, Jesus said, “In the

world you will have tribulation…”

 All things that happen to us are not good. All things that happen to us

don’t end up with a happy ending. Not every injustice is corrected; not

every disease is healed; not every pain is removed; and not every wound

heals. Romans 8:28 actually says, “And we know,” we don’t have to hope,

guess or wonder; we can be certain. “And we know that all things.” All

things, including our hurts, mistakes, sins, family histories, experiences,

even what others do to us…, all things…

 “And we know that all things work together for good.” Not everything IS

good, but God is always working for our good in everything. Anyone can

bring good out of good, but God can bring good out of evil. He turns

crucifixions into resurrections.

 “And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love

God.” This is not a blanket promise to everyone experiencing pain. If I’m

living in rebellion against my Creator’s plan for me, or if I reject God’s

love, everything will work toward my destruction. Proverbs 16:18 says,

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

 Have you ever heard someone say, “Everything happens for a reason?”

True and not true. What if that reason is to destroy you? So, the phrase is

correct but the worldly comfort is false in that statement. Proverbs 16:25

says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of

death.”

 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love

God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” The key to my

confidence is choosing to see and understand that God has a purpose for

my life, and that includes, must include, pain. If Jesus, perfect in all ways,

was not immune Himself from pain on this earth and in this life, really? I

really expect I should be?

 Paul’s confession, his encouragement, his hopeful and confidence-

boosting gratitude-filled-decision to have eyes open, he is able to discern

that God is working good even in his chains. Now, two more quick points.

Was the good to the benefit of Paul? That’s debatable. The furtherance of

the gospel. How does that physically benefit, tangibly benefit Paul

personally? You could argue that it doesn’t. Here’s the point, and I accept

this, sometimes the good or the purpose for my life is bigger than my

life… And that’s ok.

 Second, notice Paul says that most of the brethren in the Lord have

become confident. Some benefit and some do not. Interesting. I tend to

personalize that and believe that the issue is not that benefit was there or

wasn’t, but rather those believers missed the benefit somehow. I don’t like

that, and I don’t want that to be me. I don’t know the brethren spoken of

here, I know nothing of them, but I know Paul and I know he is benefiting

from this pain and so that’s the model I will force myself to conform to…,

humble, grateful, expecting, hopeful and praying and in fellowship…

Philippians Chapter 1 Verses 15 – 16

 This is the preaching of Christ without care to being like Christ. I mean, I

don’t know how else to sum this up. Yes, this is to preach for some sort of

personal gain. Name notoriety. Popularity. To make money, to build a

personal empire and place yourself on top of it. Yes, its all those things.

But envy and strife in no way describe Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit.

 So, this is doing church, ministering, preaching, teaching and thinking that

you are serving others but in truth, because you aren’t doing it in heart-

submission to Jesus Christ, the ministry is not sincere. It’s not authentic.

Have you ever bought something online and when it arrived it’s not right?

Perhaps got it on Wish.com!? HA! Don’t have a Wish.com ministry unto

the Lord! HA!

 And odd, Paul takes it personally…, “supposing to add affliction to my

chains.” Did these people have some sort of personal dig or vendetta

against Paul? “You’re in chains, we’re in Benzes…, who do you think God

loves?” Maybe… That kind of competition exists all over the place in the

church and its rank sin!

Philippians Chapter 1 Verse 17

 So, check that out…, well, perhaps better said, check out your heart for a

moment. Are you serving, ministering, preaching, whatever to get

something from them, something from someone or something for

yourself? Or is your motivation simply and only and purely and

wonderfully GOODWILL? I love that. Search your heart. You know…

 If goodwill then your preaching, teaching, ministering, serving, its out of

love. And Who is love? Yup. So, you are serving straight out of the power

of God. IN the Holy Spirit. To the Glory of Jesus! And you’re awesome!

Doesn’t matter what the ministry does or doesn’t look like. Makes money

or makes nothing. Huge platform or tiny platform. 10 people or 1,000

people. You are doing an awesome work…, well, actually, GOD is doing

an awesome work through you and you should know that!

Philippians Chapter 1 Verse 18

 But at any rate, come donkey or noble steed, the horse the gospel is riding

doesn’t even matter to Paul just as long as the gospel is going out. And in

that he rejoices and so should we!

 It’s a focus thing. A decision thing. We worry so much what this other

person is doing or how they are doing it and that conveniently (for the

enemy) takes/diverts our attention off of what God is wanting to do in us.

Which is really all that matters. One of the most powerful statements for

me personally is found in the end of the book of John. Look with me at

this as we close…

 John Chapter 21 verses 20 – 22, “Then Peter, turning around, saw the

disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at

the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter,

seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” It’s an

interesting scene, a mysterious question…

 Was Peter asking Jesus to make John the lead? I mean Peter did outright

deny Jesus while it was John whose faith did not fail. Who now had the

honor of caring for Mary, the mother of Jesus.

 Was Peter asking Jesus to examine John…? Perhaps Peter knew John’s

personal weaknesses and thought maybe John was getting too much credit.

Was Peter asking Jesus to counsel him in how he could minister to John or

be more like John? There’s a case for all of these questions…

 “Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to

you? YOU follow Me.” Yes Lord…, yes.