WEBVTT 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:03.250 Go ahead and turn to the book of Philippians chapter one. 00:00:03.460 --> 00:00:08.280 We're on the story, the, excuse me, new series together on Joy in the broken. 00:00:08.880 --> 00:00:16.720 And the interesting thing about Joy in the broken is that the apostle Paul writes the book of Philippians in prison, and 00:00:16.720 --> 00:00:23.780 he mentions joy some 19 times, joy and rejoicing in the Lord some 19 times in this book, 00:00:24.040 --> 00:00:31.120 as he is enduring the hardships of prison, saying to us that regardless of circumstances, to 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:36.900 those who know the Lord, there is a joy that outlives the trials that we may go through in life. 00:00:38.340 --> 00:00:45.600 What we know about circumstances is that circumstances change, and the reason we know we can have joy in Jesus is that joy in Jesus remains 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:48.220 consistent because Jesus stays the same. 00:00:49.160 --> 00:00:56.380 It's not a matter of if you're going to go through trials, but when you go through trials and the encouragement that Paul 00:00:56.380 --> 00:01:04.340 gives is not to allow your circumstance to sway your faith in Christ, but rather let 00:01:04.340 --> 00:01:07.380 truth lead your walk in Jesus. 00:01:09.220 --> 00:01:10.080 The beginning of chapter one. 00:01:10.080 --> 00:01:14.520 We studied this together, talking about grace being messy, but God giving his grace to us. 00:01:14.520 --> 00:01:21.840 And through the birth of the church of in Philippi in Acts chapter 16, we saw that God took some individuals of some difficult 00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:29.020 backgrounds and circumstances, and God grew within them his spirit, his desire for them in this world. 00:01:30.820 --> 00:01:32.700 And let their truth lead them. 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:41.020 And Paul gets to chapter one and verse 12, and he begins to describe circumstances, more specifically circumstances in his life. 00:01:41.880 --> 00:01:45.680 And he's recognizing for us that just because you know the Lord doesn't mean life goes easy. 00:01:46.660 --> 00:01:49.600 There are trials that we will endure. 00:01:51.240 --> 00:01:58.280 We all have varying things that we will experience that will challenge us in our trust in Jesus. 00:02:00.800 --> 00:02:07.120 What am I, one of the classics, I guess in the movie world for us would be the Story of The Wizard of Oz, right? 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:10.139 If you haven't seen that, then you are un-American. 00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:14.600 I don't know what that means, but if you haven't seen it, the story goes like this. 00:02:14.660 --> 00:02:18.340 There's Dorothy who gets caught in Never Never Land. 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:22.980 I'm combining two stories in a giant tornado lands on a yellow brick road. 00:02:22.980 --> 00:02:23.080 Right. 00:02:23.160 --> 00:02:23.760 She follows it. 00:02:23.760 --> 00:02:25.140 She gathers some friends along the way. 00:02:25.440 --> 00:02:31.440 But, along this journey, they're outlining the course that has laid out for them this yellow brick road that they're supposed to follow. 00:02:31.440 --> 00:02:38.520 And on the way they encounter some things, they recognize that circumstances might challenge them from the journey that they are called to walk on. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:39.940 And it goes like this. 00:02:40.980 --> 00:02:42.640 Lions and tigers and bears. 00:02:43.100 --> 00:02:45.280 Oh my right, you know it. 00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:46.380 You're even saying it in your head right now. 00:02:46.820 --> 00:02:48.640 You're picturing them skipping down the yellow brick road, aren't you? 00:02:49.300 --> 00:02:50.560 Lions and tigers and bears. 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:51.000 Oh, my. 00:02:51.660 --> 00:02:51.820 Right. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:57.340 And Paul thought of that coming to this passage of Scripture as he wants you to look at the thought and say it this way. 00:02:57.580 --> 00:02:58.580 Lions and tigers and bears. 00:02:58.880 --> 00:02:59.360 Who cares? 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:02.820 Because there's joy to come in. 00:03:02.860 --> 00:03:04.540 Jesus. 00:03:05.200 --> 00:03:06.380 The circumstances are always going to change. 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:10.150 But Christ will always be consistent in your life. 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:16.420 And the reason that you can have joy in the areas that you are is that Jesus walks with you. 00:03:17.880 --> 00:03:24.220 My son is at that age where he likes Disney, and so he picks one movie and 3000 times later we have. 00:03:24.220 --> 00:03:26.140 We know every word that exists in that movie. 00:03:26.140 --> 00:03:27.720 You know what I'm talking about, right? 00:03:27.720 --> 00:03:30.420 As a parent, if Walt Disney were alive, we'd line up and still strangle him, right? 00:03:30.440 --> 00:03:31.080 Okay, okay. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:31.680 Just watch that. 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:32.280 Right. 00:03:32.420 --> 00:03:34.100 My kid watches the Croods. 00:03:34.180 --> 00:03:36.870 We're into the Croods now in our house, and they are crude. 00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:39.320 And they have this one phrase. 00:03:39.320 --> 00:03:42.020 The dad always says it's about he always. 00:03:42.200 --> 00:03:55.060 He's a caveman, and 00:03:55.060 --> 00:04:08.560 he always comes out of the cave, and he's 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:08.780 afraid. 00:04:10.320 --> 00:04:27.560 And he always tells his kids, 00:04:28.320 --> 00:04:46.500 never not be afraid, right? 00:04:46.580 --> 00:04:56.720 And then he sends 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.180 them all out into the world to do whatever they need to do. 00:04:59.180 --> 00:05:00.580 But the entire time, he just wants them to be afraid of everything around them. 00:05:02.760 --> 00:05:28.000 Can I tell 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:40.620 you the 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:49.040 best way to get where you don't need to be, or where to avoid? 00:05:50.760 --> 00:05:56.400 Where you should be, is to start worrying about everywhere you shouldn't be. 00:05:56.400 --> 00:05:57.560 The lions and tigers and bears are everywhere. 00:05:57.560 --> 00:05:59.420 But Jesus is with you. 00:05:59.420 --> 00:06:02.600 When Jesus calls you. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:03.300 It's not about what you're avoiding. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:04.880 It's about who you're becoming in him. 00:06:05.200 --> 00:06:09.820 Sometimes we have the tendency to treat Jesus religiously as labeling ourselves. 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:34.960 You know, I'm a good person because 00:06:34.960 --> 00:06:51.880 I don't do this, and 00:06:51.880 --> 00:07:03.060 I don't do this, and I don't do this, 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:05.660 and that's not that. 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:24.360 That may be in your mind what makes a good person, but 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:28.860 it's not according to God's mind. 00:08:02.530 --> 00:08:04.600 What makes a godly person? 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:04.720 Godliness is demonstrated through our relationship in Christ. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:04.720 It's not about never not being afraid. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:07.130 But about recognizing there are lions and tigers and bears. 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:17.100 And there's also Jesus. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:21.060 And circumstances come and go. 00:09:15.540 --> 00:09:23.360 But the strength that Jesus provides endures 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:23.360 them all. 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:45.620 And the hope that Jesus 00:09:58.780 --> 00:09:59.860 gives. 00:10:00.400 --> 00:10:07.860 What could steer you from your walk 00:10:07.860 --> 00:10:08.600 with Christ? 00:10:24.540 --> 00:10:24.660 Where? 00:12:18.790 --> 00:12:18.950 Where are your pitfalls? 00:12:18.950 --> 00:12:18.950 What could deter you? 00:12:18.950 --> 00:12:20.230 How bad do you want the finish line? 00:12:22.930 --> 00:12:32.370 What are the chains that 00:12:32.390 --> 00:12:32.870 imprison you that might stop you? 00:12:36.130 --> 00:12:36.690 That's what Paul is discussing in this, this section of scripture from Philippians one, verses 12 on into the end. 00:12:36.690 --> 00:12:40.770 And then he gets to the very end. 00:12:40.770 --> 00:12:47.370 He describes his life and the circumstances he's experiencing, the trials that he's having at the very end. 00:12:48.490 --> 00:12:49.430 In light of what he's going through in life. 00:12:51.390 --> 00:12:53.650 He encourages us as believers through the trials that we may endure as well, starting in verse 27. 00:13:59.150 --> 00:14:42.750 I've titled this message. 00:14:46.090 --> 00:14:50.850 You'll probably see in your notes in a van down by the river. 00:15:11.590 --> 00:15:13.570 Right. 00:15:13.570 --> 00:15:14.310 And what I mean by that is, none of us want to spiritually live in a van down by the river. 00:15:14.310 --> 00:15:22.550 God has called us for so much more, and Paul 00:15:22.550 --> 00:15:30.810 uses his example 00:15:30.810 --> 00:15:31.550 as a way of encouraging the life of the believers and understanding what Jesus has for them. 00:15:32.230 --> 00:15:42.150 And so in verse 12, he begins to describe 00:15:42.150 --> 00:15:47.150 his circumstance as one who is in prison. 00:15:48.690 --> 00:16:03.430 And he says, now, 00:16:05.430 --> 00:16:14.170 I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the 00:16:14.170 --> 00:16:15.710 greater progress of the gospel. 00:16:15.710 --> 00:16:21.690 So that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole Praetorian Guard, and to everyone else that the most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the Word of God without fear. 00:16:24.170 --> 00:16:24.470 In verse 12. 00:16:24.470 --> 00:16:37.890 I love the way 00:16:37.890 --> 00:17:29.490 that Paul sums up his circumstance, 00:17:29.490 --> 00:17:41.510 because he reminds me of how much of a pity party I can throw sometimes, 00:17:41.510 --> 00:17:42.290 right? 00:17:42.390 --> 00:17:49.650 I mean, if you read in verse 21 he says 00:17:49.650 --> 00:17:56.790 that my circumstances has turned out for the greater 00:17:56.790 --> 00:17:57.370 good. 00:18:00.690 --> 00:18:17.410 This circumstance, this one word that 00:18:17.410 --> 00:18:26.010 Paul describes his entire life under is described in acts chapter 00:18:26.010 --> 00:18:26.750 21 to the end of the book. 00:18:41.350 --> 00:18:51.030 And then when the book ends, his 00:18:51.030 --> 00:19:11.890 circumstance still continues as one being imprisoned. 00:19:12.490 --> 00:19:19.990 Now, I don't know 00:19:19.990 --> 00:19:20.110 about you. 00:19:21.070 --> 00:19:34.690 But me in 00:19:34.690 --> 00:19:35.670 prison writing a letter, I'm probably going to sum it up with more than. 00:19:35.730 --> 00:19:39.350 And that was my circumstance, right? 00:19:39.470 --> 00:19:39.530 You know that this kind of happened to me. 00:19:39.530 --> 00:19:39.570 But. 00:19:39.630 --> 00:19:42.610 And Paul begins to describe the joy that he has in Jesus. 00:19:42.610 --> 00:19:48.630 When Paul talks about this circumstance, the reason that he sums it up so specifically and so short, is because of this word that's found in verse 12. 00:19:48.630 --> 00:19:56.110 It describes and gives us 00:19:56.230 --> 00:19:56.710 insight to how Paul is perceiving his situation. 00:19:56.710 --> 00:22:06.990 He says in verse 12, 00:22:11.130 --> 00:22:27.350 it's for the greater 00:22:27.350 --> 00:22:32.750 good of the progress of the gospel. 00:22:39.270 --> 00:22:49.790 This word progress 00:22:49.790 --> 00:22:56.830 that Paul is using to describe his circumstances, one that 00:22:57.030 --> 00:23:00.090 he borrowed from a Roman military as a Roman military firm. 00:23:01.350 --> 00:23:18.750 In the military. 00:23:18.750 --> 00:23:20.170 They would send these engineer soldiers ahead of the Roman army, and their purpose was to pave the way for the battle that would ensue. 00:23:20.170 --> 00:23:20.170 As the army now has safe passage to the journey they need to take. 00:23:20.170 --> 00:23:27.830 Paul is looking at the chains of his moment, his circumstance of lions and tigers and bears, and he's saying, I 00:23:27.830 --> 00:23:50.550 could I could complain 00:23:50.550 --> 00:23:54.790 about this moment. 00:23:54.790 --> 00:23:56.590 But I have no reason to. 00:23:56.650 --> 00:24:06.990 Because there's 00:24:34.990 --> 00:24:35.690 progress. 00:24:44.430 --> 00:24:47.050 God has allowed me to be in a circumstance that we have prayed for as a body of believers that no one has been able to reach. 00:24:47.050 --> 00:24:50.410 I'm in the Praetorian Guard, he says. 00:25:02.410 --> 00:25:40.390 The leadership of Rome. 00:26:35.110 --> 00:26:39.050 I found my way through prison next to the leadership of Rome. 00:26:41.150 --> 00:26:48.810 Bible tells us the way that Paul was chained as there was a there was a soldier who would have been locked up to Paul, and 00:26:48.810 --> 00:26:49.170 they would have switched out every six hours. 00:26:49.170 --> 00:26:56.450 A new soldier would have came in, come in and been chained to Paul 00:26:56.450 --> 00:27:05.490 as a prisoner, and they would kept guard of him. 00:27:14.270 --> 00:27:57.690 And Paul, 00:27:57.690 --> 00:28:08.590 when you're chained 00:28:08.590 --> 00:28:14.070 to the Apostle Paul for six hours, guess what the Apostle Paul is going to talk about? 00:28:14.950 --> 00:28:22.050 And so he finds himself, person after person, 00:28:23.330 --> 00:28:26.790 sharing in Caesar's household under his leadership, the gospel. 00:28:26.790 --> 00:28:29.970 And now the gospel is penetrating Rome. 00:28:29.970 --> 00:28:29.970 It's hit the capital and God is being glorified. 00:28:29.970 --> 00:28:31.910 And he's looking at his chains and his circumstances. 00:28:31.910 --> 00:28:40.030 He's saying, this is just the circumstance that I happen to find myself in 00:28:40.030 --> 00:28:40.630 a moment. 00:28:41.990 --> 00:28:49.030 But rather than complain about it, if I just open my eyes, I begin 00:28:49.030 --> 00:28:56.610 to recognize that 00:28:56.610 --> 00:29:06.070 the place that God has me is a special place where none of us have been with the 00:29:06.070 --> 00:29:07.190 gospel yet. 00:29:10.170 --> 00:29:22.570 In Rome. 00:29:25.530 --> 00:29:32.890 Statistics say that at the height of the empire, about 50% of the people who were in the Roman Empire became believers. 00:29:32.910 --> 00:29:33.410 How did that happen? 00:29:33.410 --> 00:29:37.280 Well, I think the body of Christ prayed for it. 00:29:39.410 --> 00:29:42.590 And I think Jesus answered by providing circumstances that we may maybe not even looking for the hand of God in it to use for the progress of the gospel. 00:29:47.690 --> 00:30:04.750 Circumstances are always going to waver. 00:30:06.490 --> 00:30:08.010 But when your faith is in circumstances and your joy is in circumstances, that joy will be fleeting. 00:30:08.010 --> 00:30:12.570 But when it rests in Jesus and what he desires for eternity, and your hope is in that, and you see the progress taking place and saying in your life, God has you in a position. 00:30:12.570 --> 00:30:12.570 And it may not be the position you want, and it may not be ideal, but you're in a place where there is now a believer to share his truth for his gospel. 00:30:12.570 --> 00:30:12.590 There is reason to rejoice. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 rejoice. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 If real, genuine change takes place. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It happens through Christ in the gospel. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And God puts us in positions to do that. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And Paul writes in Second Timothy chapter two and verse nine, I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even unto bonds. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But the word of God is not bound. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I was reading about some Christians who have endured hardship, some recently in history. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 When I was reading was about Fanny Crosby, who she was blinded at six years old or six weeks old, and she came to write some of the greatest hymns in Christianity. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I don't I don't know about you, but when you come to that place in your life where you realize you're blind, maybe, maybe music and being able to read music and understand how to play that, you would look at that as an obstacle. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But Fanny Crosby looked at it as an opportunity to sing God's praise even more. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And through her circumstance, when people know her story and come to sing the hymns of praise that she offers, souls are encouraged through that. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, who whose ministry took over the British Isles for the Lord. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Susanna Wesley is one of those unsung heroes in Christianity, because she had before, before there existed the technology and labor saving devices in hospitals now and before long before disposable diapers and washing machines. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 This lady had 19 children. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Wait a minute. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Did you guys hear me? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 This lady had 19 kids. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 She had 19 kids and only she had 19 kids. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 She raised them in the Lord. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I mean, you think of lions and tigers and bears when I consider my household and two kids, I'm like looking at her thinking, man, if she were around standing ovation, we would roll the red carpet out every Sunday for this lady. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 How does she do it? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 To raise them in Jesus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And things weren't always easy. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 She was faithful. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Lions and tigers and bears. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Who cares? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 We have Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And I sit here today knowing that I'm going to go through circumstances and lives that are going to be up and down. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But I can stare at the face of adversity and say. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 You've already been defeated. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I'm just waiting for the party to start when Jesus returns. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Jesus has victory over sin and Satan and death. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Circumstances don't own me. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 In the moment, I begin to look at my circumstances rather than Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I give it power over me. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But they don't own me. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Jesus does. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Paul looks at his chains. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And he says there is reason to rejoice because God is still at work. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And he goes on and he talks about his critics. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And he says in verse 15, some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from goodwill. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress and my imprisonment. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 What then? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And in this I rejoice. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Paul says in this passage. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He says in verse 14, the way he's continuing, he's outlining the way some people have proclaimed God's Word. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 In verse 14 he says, the way that he proclaimed God's word, that he teaches God's Word or he speaks. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It says at the very end of verse 14 to speak the Word of God without fear. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 This word speak is not one for preach, but rather to simply share in conversation. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And we saw this in acts 16 when Paul got into Philippi. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Just the people he encountered, he talked to with Jesus when he was in prison, when he was chained to a Roman guard, as they were chained to him, they had to listen to him. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And so Paul would share and he says, but there are critics whose interest in the way they share Jesus isn't really solely about Jesus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He calls them critics. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 You know, I've been in I've been in Christian circles enough to know. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 The reason some people refuse to go to church is because of the way they were treated by other people in church. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And can I tell you? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 You're too good. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 To allow someone else to have the power to control you and your relationship with Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Jesus has called us for so much more than the circumstance that someone else might bring on us through a dissatisfying attitude. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And Paul is looking at this criticism and he's saying, you know what? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I have to rejoice in these moments is the fact that at least the gospel is being preached. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But do you know what these people are doing in the midst of preaching the gospel? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Is that who's better? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He uses this word in this passage that refers to selfish ambition. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It's like it's like the way that you recognize a critic is the way they canvas. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It's a political terme. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 They're canvassing for position. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It's like this war whose church is cooler. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And scholarly people will come to passes like this and say, I don't care. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 What I care about is Jesus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Now. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I would love to see churches throughout this valley. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 In fact, on men's group on Sunday we had another pastor come and share of a new church that's just starting next town over from us. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 When we moved here, it was for the purpose of seeing just, mainstream Christian churches throughout this valley proclaiming his truth that we may rejoice in him. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 We don't care. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Don't care what label you put on yourself, don't care what background you come from. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 What we care about is you knowing Jesus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And so whatever it is that we need to do to knock down those defensive walls within your life, that you can just sit in the simplicity of your seat this morning and just worship and praise and seek Jesus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 That's what we're after. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And I hope, regardless of whatever circumstance you've ever had, whatever critic you've ever faced, whatever someone has ever said to you that's hurt you, deterred you, and distracted you and lions and tigers and bears from Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I hope that we can just let it aside us, as Paul's describing here and just simply say, at least Jesus is being proclaimed. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 There was an argument that would often take place or not much. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It was tension that took place between the ministry of John Wesley and George Whitfield, and someone came to John Wesley once and they asked him. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Somebody asked John Wesley, do they think that they will see, George Whitfield in heaven? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He says, no, I don't I don't think I'm going to see him in heaven. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 So they said, then you don't think George Whitfield is a is a converted man? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He says, of course he's a converted man, Wesley said. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But I do not expect to see him in heaven because he he'll be so close to the throne of God, and I'll be so far away. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Even in their tension together. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 The beauty of Jesus was being made known. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And Paul says. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And this a rejoice. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He tells them in verse 19, he's thankful for the prayers, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Paul uses this interesting thought about the spirit that's supplying him in these moments. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 This word supply is the same word that we used in English, where we get the English word for chorus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 So Paul takes this word supply. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And for us today it means chorus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 How in the world does that happen? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Well, this word supply is describing a Greek event that would take place at a festival or an activity within the city. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 When a city wanted to rejoice over something that they were going through, or some festivity that they had, someone in the city would fit the bill very lavishly, extravagantly, to pay for singers and dancers and the whole party supplies. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And so, through the lavish provision of that individual, the town would literally rejoice in celebration. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And what Paul is saying in this moment is that in his circumstance, in being faithful to God, God in his grace, supplied him with what he needed, literally rejoicing. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Enjoy over the Lord. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And sometimes we look at that thinking, man, how could I do that in that circumstance? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But can I tell you? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Jesus supplies sufficiently for what you need for the day. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Sometimes we think of hardships and we think, man, I could never do that. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I could never go through that. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I could never endure that. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But we don't consider as we're making those statements is that Jesus meets you in those moments, and he supplies for you as you need. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 In fact, the provision that he gives gives opportunity for your soul to sing, regardless of circumstance, as you faithfully trust in him beyond the circumstance. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Paul wasn't reacting to his critics because Paul was focused on Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Because Paul knew Jesus was the one that supplied. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 So then Paul describes as he describes his chains and his critics. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He then describes his crisis in verse 20. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 According to my servant, expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me, and I do not know which to choose. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 So that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 My coming to you again. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 God. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 This is glorious today, as he was yesterday. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And this is glorious. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Today's will be tomorrow. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 We by our actions, don't make God more glorious. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He is glorious. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 What Paul is saying in this verse. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Is that his life is used to radiate that glory. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 At some point in your life, you've been outside at night and you've paused within those moments to stare up at the sky. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And you looked at the beauty of the stars and the brightness of the moon. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And you admired it. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And you gloried in it. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Maybe you worship the Lord through it. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But as people, there's a desire within us for more. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 One of the things that we've created to draw the nearness of the stars is a telescope. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 We just want to examine the beauty more than what we see today. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And while Paul is saying about his life in Philippians chapter one, verses 20 and on, he's saying to the believers, there, listen, there's nothing more I'd rather be than with Jesus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I really just want to be with Jesus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But I'm recognizing what Jesus is going to do through me, and God is using me as a telescope. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He isn't more glorious. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But as I point the spotlight to him, the beauty of who he is can radiate more through me so that you can see him in your own life. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And he's saying to the body of believers, because my choice is to be a telescope for Jesus, that you are then encouraged. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He says, through my story, it's becoming your story in Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 For us as believers. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 The encouragement then becomes Let God use your story. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 When you look at the church in Philippi, as Paul planted, they were people that were just messy in the grace of God. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And God grew them in a church came out of that because they allowed the Lord to use their story as a telescope to his glory. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And sometimes we think about our circumstances and say, I wish this was a little bit different than I could serve Jesus this way, or I want to change this, and then I'll start serving God. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But Paul is saying in this passage, the moment where you have the progress that you've made, you're in a position maybe no one else has ever been into to proclaim his gospel. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And yes, you may want to change circumstances, but Jesus has you right where he wants you. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Use your story to encourage others. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I look at this passage of Scripture and I say to myself, why are you such a wimp? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Trust in Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I mean, in these moments, Paul's gone through chains and criticism and this crisis in his life. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And if he's doing this and he's seeing God be faithful, what in the world am I screaming about? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Lions and tigers and bears. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Make it count. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Maybe if I were to say to you this morning on the theme of Philippians chapter one, the verse that we typically point out is verse one and verse, excuse me, chapter one and verse 21, for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Can I tell you? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 The expression of Paul's joy in Jesus is rooted in that verse. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 If you stop and you ask the question, why is Paul so joyful in his in his circumstance? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It's because of what Paul shares in this passage. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 He's given everything to Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Why do I have joy in Jesus? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 How would you answer the question? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 For me to live as what? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Dice game. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 For me to live as white and to die as what? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I know sometimes we like to trick ourselves as Christians. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I know the answer is Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 For me to live as Christ to die is gain. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Yes, but maybe we should ask ourselves if we give someone else the opportunity to fill it out. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 What would they say? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 By my life. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 For me to live as white and to die as white. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Paul describes his life the way it's encouraging believers, and he gets to the very end of verse 27 and he says this. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Only conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 So whether I come and I see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, in no way alarmed by your opponents, which is a sign of destruction for them. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But if your salvation for you, and that too from God for to you, and has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me and now here to be in me. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 The greatest weapon that you have. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 In the midst of adversity. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Is the consistency of your own life. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It's not the power of a sermon, but rather the consistency of living for Jesus. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Paul says in Second Corinthians chapter three, you are a letter written in our hearts, known and read by all men. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 This word of striving together that comes in verse 27, is the same place where we get the Greek word for athlete today. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It's this picture. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 As Paul is writing in verse 27, he says, it's not. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It's not an individual, but it's us working and striving together and encouraging each other, exerting towards the goal that we may have victory in Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 As long as you live for Jesus, nothing will keep you from walking where God has called you. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 We have confidence. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It says in verse 28. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Not alarmed by our opponents. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 We're alarmed by our opponents. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Paul's using another military word here, where a horse is prepared for battle. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 They take the horse in the battle, and as a horse approaches the battle, it gets scared, tucks tail and runs. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But Paul says in this passage in no way alarmed by your opponents, which is a sign of destruction for them. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 When your lions and tigers and bears come, you look back at your circumstance and just profess to it that it's already been defeated in Christ, and you desire to walk with him through it. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Here's why. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Because verse 30 says. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me and now here to be in me. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 The reason I stand in Christ becomes so powerful is because we're not doing it alone. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 If Satan could get you to believe one thing this morning. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I think it would be that you were alone in your battles. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 You want you to think the fight isn't worth it. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 That it would be best if he just take a seat on the sideline and just settle for good. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 You know, one of the dangers, I think, that we have in American Christianity today is this thought of apathy. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 We just look around at things physically and things look okay physically. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And so we just assume they're okay spiritually. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And I believe the reason that we do that is as people is because in our culture, we've trained us, not ourselves, not to think spiritually, academically, we're trained and athletically we're trained and artistically we're trained. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But when it comes to the spiritual life, we're just left wanting because there's separation between church and state. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Talking about religion is taboo. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Why? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Why express such interest in things? 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 It's a personal thing. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Leave people to themselves to figure it out when in when. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 In fact, what you believe is the most important thing about you. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Because what you believe determines why you do what you do. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And Paul's looking at this circumstance and he's saying, don't be apathetic. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 For to say the nice thing about apathy is that you don't have to exert yourself to show that you're sincere about it. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 That was a joke. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Guys, laugh. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Laugh. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 I'm just kidding. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And what Jesus wants to do through you, in you is by far more important. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 There's progress. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 There is a place that he has you, that he has no other. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And there is a way that he desires to move in those moments by your trust in him. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And he's already defeated lions and tigers and bears. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Or we're waiting for a return to just celebrate with him in it. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 You're not alone. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 And the fight battles alone are different than what the Apostle Paul calls us to, because in verse 27 he says, we are athletes in this together in Christ. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 That God, just as God used his story. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 God would use your story to encourage the body of Christ to continue to do what he has called us to do that when we walk the yellow brick road, we don't stop at the van by the river, but we keep on going. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Don't never not be afraid. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 But know that regardless of the circumstance, Jesus is already declared victory over it and you belong to him. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 As you trusted in Christ and what he's accomplished for you on the cross. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Rather than look at your adversity and giving it the power over you. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 The encouragement is to stare down your adversity and let it see Christ through you. 00:30:12.608 --> 00:30:12.608 Because Jesus has made us all his telescopes.