from verse 12 through to verse 26. So we're in Philippians chapter 1, we're starting in verse 12 and we're reading through to verse 26.
And just as you're turning that up, just to reinforce what Connor was saying,
we do have a busy week this week in the life of our churches and I do encourage you to come along to Summer Bible Week
and just a little bit more detail, a Summer Bible Week in the mornings, it's in Middleton in a new venue.
It's now in the My Place community building, which is, if you know Middleton, it's right in the middle of town
where the big oval roundabout is, opposite the Super Value entrance. And as you come, if you use the public car park,
which is just parallel with the oval, it's the tree-lined car park, you'll see it. And if you park there and come over for 10 o'clock,
it'll be lovely to see you there. And then in the evening, it's in Court Baptist.
And then just to say again, just to remind you of this, revision event. Revision, making the church your lifetime career,
no matter what your job is. So the purpose of that evening is not just for people who are thinking of going into full-time ministry,
but how all of us minister throughout our lives in the context of the local church, as followers of Jesus,
no matter what we do. So I encourage you to consider coming along to that, anyone from 16 and up, on Friday, at Joy's.
But let's just read Philippians chapter 1 and we'll read from verse 12.
Paul writes,
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
And because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God
more courageously and fearlessly.
It's true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel.
And the former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely,
supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
But what does it matter?
The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true,
Christ is preached.
And because of this, I rejoice.
Yes, and I'll continue to rejoice,
for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
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'm to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me.
Yet, what shall I choose? I don't know.
I'm torn between the two.
I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far,
but it's more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you
for your progress and joy in the faith,
so that through my being with you again,
your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
May God bless reading of his word this morning.
What I want us to think about, as you keep your Bibles open,
I don't have any visual aids or anything like that on the PowerPoint,
so maybe that's maybe a bit more demanding this morning if you're used to them,
but just keep looking in the scriptures and we'll be fine.
That will drive us through.
We're going to just look through this passage bit by bit this morning.
But what we want to think about is Paul's perspective on suffering.
Alex and Connor have already referred to this reality of suffering in all life,
in all human existence in this world,
and we want to think about Paul's perspective as a believer on this reality of suffering.
The man who drove me around Ethiopia about 10 years ago,
when I went over with SIM,
we just did a couple of weeks of teaching there amongst the Sudanese,
who were over the border and who were there in Ethiopia because of the war in Sudan,
and we did a two-week talk there.
The guy who drove me around saw his dad taken away by the authorities when he was six.
His dad was a pastor,
and he described to me, actually through tears as he was driving,
that he didn't see his father for two years from the ages of six to eight.
And it was simply because his father was a man who preached Christ.
And that was an affront to the regime in Ethiopia at that time,
and so he suffered.
I don't know if you heard in the news this week,
but there are now proposed anti-terror laws in Russia,
which we hear about a lot, especially in the UK and other parts,
this anti-terror legislation.
Well, Russia is introducing anti-terror laws,
which will come into effect on the 20th of July,
unless Putin can be persuaded otherwise.
And part of his anti-terror legislation in Russia
will be to prohibit any activity
designed to recruit people into a religious group.
That means that from the 20th of July,
if you are sharing your faith as a Christian in Russia,
unless it is in an official church building,
you are breaking the law,
and you will be subject to the punishment of the law.
It means that you cannot invite people to religious events.
It means that you cannot hold meetings,
as so many of the evangelical churches do,
in people's homes anymore.
It is against the law.
Evangelicals in Russia are preparing themselves
for persecution again by the state.
So it does raise the question,
as we can never assume that that won't happen in Ireland
at some point as well,
is it worth it
to come to know Jesus personally,
to begin to talk publicly
about what you know to be true in your heart,
and then not only to end up maybe unpopular
amongst your peers,
but maybe end up imprisoned,
cut off from family,
friends, and society,
all because of a public faith in Jesus.
Surely this is going to break our faith,
if it happens to little old us.
Surely we are going to be crushed,
and we will ask that repeated question perhaps,
why did I become a Christian anyway?
Maybe this morning as you come in here,
you are carrying, even now,
some personal weight of suffering
that is connected to your faith,
as well as suffering that is just connected to being human.
Well, Paul gives us a perspective on our suffering
in this passage.
It shows how a person
who is alive in Christ,
despite terrible consequences
for confessing Jesus as Lord,
can understand the suffering
they may be under.
Indeed, what we find in this letter
is that Paul expresses
consistently joy,
even as a man
who is sitting in chains
because of his faith.
And so Philippians gives us
reasons why Paul
and why we
can even be joyful
as we face,
like Paul did
in this letter,
also,
sorrow upon sorrow,
he writes.
Because he was struggling
as a prisoner,
and yet he was full of joy.
How could that be?
How can he be like that
as he suffers?
Paul is in prison.
It's around AD 61.
And the reason for the letter
very possibly rests
on the shoulders
of the messenger
from the Philippian church
who brings this letter back
to the Philippian church.
That is Epaphroditus,
the elder,
who comes
and brings a gift
to Paul
as the Philippians
hear that
he is in prison
for the gospel.
So it's very possibly
motivated
as a letter
of thanks,
a thank you letter
to the Philippian church.
But as a pastor,
Paul can't help
but shepherd
the people
that he's writing to.
And so from prison,
he encourages the church
to continue
in Christian unity
and love
following the example
of Christ's humility.
we get that very famous
passage in verses 5 to 11
which is possibly
the quote of an ancient hymn
in chapter 2.
But what we see
in Philippians
is that Paul knew
these people very well
that he writes to.
And so as well as
visiting this church
which is right on the top
of the Aegean Sea
between Turkey
and Greece
right at the top
on the coast,
this is where Philippi is.
We read about it
actually in the beginning
of Acts 16
or throughout Acts 16
we get an account
by Luke
of how Paul
was involved
in the planting
of that church
and how the Lord
established the church
there.
But what we see
is
throughout this letter
is this key theme
of joy.
The word is found
16 times
throughout the letter.
There's other words
as well like
fellowship
and partnership
and gospel
that are repeated
all the way.
But in all of this joy
we have no doubt
that even as this letter
is being penned
Paul is suffering.
He's languishing
in prison.
He was attacked
by those who opposed
his message about Jesus
whilst he was in prison.
We know in other parts
of the New Testament
that he was beaten
he was imprisoned
he was shipwrecked
throughout his ministry
all because of this
grand motivation
of his
to communicate
the gospel
of the Lord Jesus.
And yet we read
of a man
who had
the capacity
to look beyond
this very real
suffering
in his life.
His focus
did not rest
on the pain
that comes
from being a Christian
and a witness
to the gospel.
He was looking
beyond it.
He was looking
beyond his
difficult circumstances.
And so
what does Paul
tell us
about his
understanding
of his
very real
suffering?
Let's just go
through the text.
First of all
verses 12 to 14.
Remember the heading
for this sermon
this morning
is Paul's
perspective
on suffering.
And the first thing
we see is
he explains
to the Philippians
in verses
12 to 14
that his
suffering
was firstly
advancing
the gospel.
Paul could
see
that his
difficult
circumstances
meant
that Jesus
was being
discussed
and gossiped
about
when if Paul
hadn't been
in prison
that wouldn't
have happened.
Look at
verse 12.
I want you
to know
brothers
that what
has happened
to me
has really
served to
advance the
gospel.
You see
the good
news
to all
people
that everyone
needs to hear
the truth
concerning
people
and the truth
concerning
God
as revealed
through his
son
Paul was
passionate
about that
good news.
So much
so
that it
relieved
his pain
as he
remained
locked up
to know
that the
gospel was
being advanced
even through
his circumstance
that he was
in.
And wherever
he was
we don't
know exactly
he was either
on the coast
in Caesarea
Philippi
or he may
have been
at Rome
and we're
not sure
or even
Ephesus
in prison.
But what we
know is
that he
is delighted
to know
that the
local
Roman
guard
around
that prison
and everyone
around it
knew that
Paul was
in prison
in front
of them
there
because of
what he
said about
Jesus.
Jesus
was being
proclaimed
as alive
and glorified
by Paul.
The one
that Jerusalem
wanted dead
was alive
and would
save people
from their
sins
right in
that circumstance
where Paul
was imprisoned.
And Paul
found that
a source
of joy
in his
suffering
that some
more people
had the
opportunity
to hear
the good
news
of Jesus
Christ.
That's
massive
isn't it?
As I
contemplated
this again
recently
this week
there's a
whole
revolution
going on
in Paul's
psyche
as it
must in
all of
our
psyches
as
Christians.
He's not
saying
what about
me?
There's a
selflessness
here in
Paul
just in
verses 12
to 14
there's a
kindness
for people
there's a
humility
where Paul
is no
longer at
the center
of Paul
Christ
is.
The good
news
is.
The gospel
is.
Paul no
longer
worships
himself.
He
worships
the living
Jesus.
And that's
why he can
say in
verse 12
guess what
guys?
what's
happened to
me?
It's
advancing
the
gospel.
Isn't
that amazing?
Look at
verse 14.
Because of
my chains
most of
the brothers
in the
Lord have
been
encouraged
to speak
the word
of God
more
courageously
and more
fearlessly.
You see
Paul's
present
pain
was also
doing
something
else.
Not only
was it
advancing
the gospel
but it
was also
how it
was happening
was it
was opening
up the
message of
the gospel
in this
very specific
way.
In this
bad situation
Paul
was encouraging
those younger
in the faith
to speak up
not by him
telling them
but by them
hearing of
his situation.
His example
was an
inspiration
to those
who partnered
with him
in the
gospel.
There was
a fearlessness
to witness
to the
living
Christ.
And we
can become
more confident
in the gospel
fearless
dare I say
especially
as we're
inspired by
those who
have gone
before us.
And how
can we be
inspired by
those who
have gone
before us?
Well we read
about the
apostles,
we read
about Paul
as we
get into
the word,
as we
get into
the example
of Paul's
life.
That can
be an
inspiration
for us
to be
fearless
Christians
today.
But also
as we
look around
us in
the church
and we
hear
accounts
of people
witnessing
to Christ.
Maybe even
at cost,
great cost,
within a
family that
is opposed
to the
gospel and
yet there
is one
light,
there is
one Christian
there in
that family.
It can be
an encouragement
to us,
can't it?
And in
our day
and our
age,
we need
Christians
to inspire
us to
continue on
in our
witness.
Verse 14,
it reminds
us,
doesn't it,
that we
need good
examples of
evangelists,
people who
are willing
to speak
up for
Christ.
And our
fearlessness
for Christ
can be
encouraged
through
these
examples
of
others
and
that's
why
we
need
Christian
biographies
to read
as well.
Are you
going on
holiday?
Have you
been on
holiday yet?
Just seek
out,
bring a
Christian
biography,
an account
of somebody
who at
the cost
of everything
went and
served
Christ,
maybe
cross-cultural,
read something
like that
because it
can inspire
us to be
fearless as
we come
back home
again and
serve in
our local
churches.
I don't
know if
you've
watched
Show Me
Age
now,
Spartacus,
that film
from the
early 60s
by Kirk
Douglas,
and you
know the
line,
don't you,
when the
centurion
catches all
of the
men in
chains and
wants to
know which
one is
Spartacus.
And one
stands up
and says,
well,
I'm
Spartacus,
and then
somebody else
says,
well,
I'm
Spartacus,
and before
you know it,
they're all
saying,
I'm
Spartacus.
It's that
powerful moment
in the film
where everybody
is confident
enough to
identify with
the one the
Romans actually
want to
imprison.
And this
is what's
happening,
this is the
dynamic of
what's happening
as Paul
languishes
in prison.
we know
that he
was suffering.
We see
that in
other parts
of the
letter.
He refers
to this
fear of
sorrow
upon
sorrow
if the
elder
who came
from
Philippi,
Epaphroditus,
had died
because he'd
taken very
ill when
he visited
Paul.
And at
times we
know that
Paul felt
alone as
this pioneer
missionary of
the gospel
of God
to the
world.
But we
see that
in this
prison cell
he is
joyful
because
others are
inspired to
speak out
with Paul's
message
courageously
no matter
what the
cost.
You see
the gospel
was propagating
itself
through the
Holy Spirit
as Paul
expressed
this joy
of knowing
the gospel
was advancing
through him
being there
and through
others being
inspired to
speak up
for Christ
because they
knew he
was there.
Maybe just
turn quickly
to Romans
8 to
get the
real rich
perspective
of where
Paul's coming
from in
all of
this.
Romans 8
just verses
17 and
18.
Here's
what can
drive us
to have
the same
perspective
as Paul
in our
suffering.
Or maybe
just verse
18 of
Romans 8.
Paul just
says as
he thinks
about the
future glory
to come
that is
reserved for
him as a
Christian.
He says
I consider
that our
present
sufferings are
not worth
comparing with
the glory
that will be
revealed in
us.
That's
Paul's
perspective
and it's
what keeps
him faithful
to his
gospel
proclamation
even as
it results
in him
being in
chains.
Can we
have that
perspective?
Considering
our present
sufferings
even if
they're
connected
to our
witness as
Christians
as not
worth comparing
to what is
reserved for
us as
Christians.
So we
see that
Paul's
perspective
on suffering
means that
he understands
that the
gospel is
advanced in
verses 12
to 14.
What about
verses 15
to 18?
We also
see something
interesting
that even
Paul's own
assassination of
character
advances the
gospel.
In verses
15 to 18
we read
that there's
a lot of
argy-bargy
going on
as Paul
is in
prison as
well.
You see
Paul was
also aware
of those
opposed to
him as
a leader
or just
as Paul.
And he
describes
these people
as those
who were
publicly
proclaiming
Jesus
but maybe
for the
wrong reasons.
Some of
them he
refers to
preaching
the gospel
maybe or
proclaiming
the gospel
in some
way out
of envy
and rivalry
with Paul.
There was
some bad
blood.
There was
some opposition.
There were
those who
were competing
with Paul
and seeking
to undermine
his ministry.
They were
maybe even
in the church
proclaiming
Jesus
for the
wrong reasons
out of a
selfish ambition
with insincere
hearts
thinking that
they would
make more
trouble for
Paul whilst
he was in
prison even.
And of
course
can you
imagine how
that would
feel when
you're in
that powerless
place in
a cell.
That's when
those things
can really
get to you
and you
really do
suffer
psychologically
perhaps as
you feel
let down
and abused
by those
outside the
cell.
There's no doubt
that Paul must
have been
deeply hurt
and there's
no doubt
we can see
that sin
was prevalent
even in the
church as
Paul was
languishing in
prison.
And also
there would
have been
those who
were belittling
the gospel
that Paul
was in
prison for.
There were
the Judaizers
Paul's
constant thorn
in his
side who
kept saying
and he
keeps dealing
with in his
letters there
were this
group who
kept saying
that yes
it's great
to be a
Christian but
you need to
add all of
our Old
Testament
traditions as
well really
to believe in
the gospel.
And they kept
saying this to
the Greeks who
were coming from
a pagan background
coming into
the church and
they were
saying oh it's
great that you
know Jesus but
have you been
circumcised?
Have you gone
through this?
Are you making
sure that you're
ceremonially clean?
They were a real
pain in the neck to
Paul and his
ministry because
their practice and
their teaching was
undermining the
gospel of Christ.
And they were
jumping up as well
at this time.
Paul writes about
them in chapter 3
of the letter.
They were taking
the opportunity to
say well you see
this proves that
what Paul says
is wrong.
They were
preaching this
Jewish tradition
was needed for
a person to be
saved.
But in verse 18
here is Paul's
conclusion to
all of the
argy-bargy.
To all of the
trouble that's
connected as well
to him being in
prison.
What does he
say?
He has come to
a position in his
mind hasn't he?
In verse 18
despite all the
sinful motives and
the fallen rhetoric
of people he's
saying that Christ
is being preached.
Christ is being
put on the map.
Christ is being
referred to.
And so even as
he is being hurt,
even as he is
being publicly
slighted and
receiving this
character assassination
as a person,
Paul is saying
yeah, it's
okay.
Because Christ
is being
referred to.
That means
even as the
gospel is being
explained by
those who
reject it.
Well you see
this is what
Paul believes
back in prison
and they may
have been
explaining.
Paul is saying
it doesn't
matter.
Christ is
being preached.
preached.
The Spirit of God
can only have
helped Paul to
have this joyful
perspective whilst
in prison.
Even though there
were those attacking
him as they preached
Christ or as they
referred to Christ.
And Paul's
perspective on his
pain is to look
beyond the immediate
experience of that
pain in the
present, in his
circumstance, the
way people were
hurting him.
And he looks
beyond it again.
He keeps looking
at the horizon of
glory.
He is not dwelling
in the present
suffering.
He is looking
beyond it.
He could see that
the kingdom of
Christ was being
advanced no matter
what and that was
the source of his
joy.
And so we
must acknowledge
that in all
circumstances for
us this morning,
if we are
Christians, all
our circumstances
can be good
if we believe
in the sovereign
God of the
Bible.
Paul's
circumstance as a
follower of Christ
was God's
sovereign means
of saving
Paul from
death and
from hell.
And so Paul
rejoiced because
his imprisonment
meant that the
gospel was being
gossiped around.
And now we
read in verses
15 to 18 that
Paul was joyful
because he knew
that his present
suffering was
actually part of
this process of
being Christ's
disciples.
His suffering
were reinforcing
his new identity
in Jesus.
They proved that
he was actually
like Jesus,
being led to
future glory.
And he knew
it.
He knew that
his pain was
somehow empathizing
to some degree
with the pain that
Christ went
through when
he, the creator
of the heavens and
the earth,
suffered pain for
him.
Look at verse
19.
For I know
that through
your prayers
and the help
given by the
spirit of
Jesus Christ,
what has
happened to
me will turn
out for my
deliverance.
So we've got
to reflect on
this now,
won't we,
for a sec,
before we move
on?
What are
you doing
with your
circumstances?
What are
you doing
in your
circumstance
that you've
carried in
here this
morning?
The one
that's with
you all the
time.
The new
one that has
arrived and
you don't
want.
Are you
trying to run
away from
it?
Do you
perceive it as
some kind of
punishment from
God?
Do you see
it as a
reason to
sulk with
God and
sulk with
God's
people and
maybe disobey
him?
Back in
Romans 8,
Paul says,
doesn't he,
in verse 28,
that in
all things
God is
working out
his purposes
for those
who love
him.
Paul's
perspective on
suffering is
that God is
leading him
leading him to
glory through
his suffering
and therefore
he's looking
beyond it
and so
should we.
Keeping
perspective.
Lastly,
verses 19
to 26,
we see that
even the
prospect of
death
secures us
in the gospel
and this is
what Paul saw
as he has
this perspective
on suffering
suffering in
his life.
Look at
verse 20.
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.
Do you see
how positive
Paul is?
Paul knew
that his
pain was
as a result
of his
witness to
Christ and
to the good
news and
so he
knew that
Jesus was
being exalted
through the
suffering in
his life and
so then there
is this
overconfident
if you like
eager expectation
and future
hope in
his life
as a servant
of Jesus.
He was
confident that
he would be
able to stand
before Jesus
in the future
as one who
fought for the
cause of
Christ in
his life.
he was
looking forward
to the
reward from
Jesus as
he hid in
Christ in
the present
and represented
him.
He was
convinced and
he was
delighted in
Jesus his
savior and
he was
privileged even
to know that
he was Jesus
was being
exalted in
his body as
a prisoner of
the Lord
Jesus.
us.
But the
truth is
as Paul was
probably wrestling
with this in
his cell
pain and
suffering and
dislike and
unpopularity and
disdain as a
Christian we
don't want it
do we?
We avoid putting
ourselves into
that situation.
We maybe fear
the pain we can
receive because of
what we think
it means to
us.
But here's the
true perspective.
For Paul he
is rejoicing
knowing that
that pain of
the present
experienced because
of his public
faith in
Jesus is
leading him to
future glory.
And so he's
looking forward
to that.
He knew his
time in prison
wasn't
embarrassing.
He knew that
his suffering
wasn't
pointless.
He knew that
it was leading
him to
Christ.
Today,
do we,
the Lord's
people,
share Paul's
clear conviction
on suffering?
does our
suffering
actually
increase
our focus
and worship
on the
Lord?
Or are we
just bad
tempered
Christians?
We need
him.
And we need
Paul's
perspective
or we
cannot be
active,
vital
believers
in our
churches.
others.
Much of
our lives
can be
about
focusing
on what's
most
comfortable
in the
West.
Isn't
that true?
What's
the easiest,
most lucrative
way for
me to
proceed
through life
while I'm
still here?
And of
course,
we don't
want to be
irresponsible.
We need
wisdom,
especially if
we're bringing
up children.
We need
to know
how we're
to progress
and plan
through life.
But for
Paul the
Apostle,
he has
this grand
perspective
that we
all should
own this
morning.
He
realised that
the circumstance
of his
life,
even if it
meant
chains,
was part
of this
investment
for the
future
reality
of seeing
Jesus.
His
journeys
from town
to town,
confronting
people with
the truth
in the
synagogues
of the
day,
were
confirming
the power
of the
gospel
in his
own
life.
His
future
was being
secured
as he
lived out
the gospel
even in
a prison
cell.
He was
looking
beyond
the
present.
And it
helped him
to put
his present
suffering
in
perspective.
in the
evangelical
world,
the
common
assumption
and the
common
false
doctrine
is that
if anything
bad is
happening
to us,
we must
pray it
away,
and if it
doesn't
go away,
our faith
obviously
isn't
strong
enough.
How do
we square
that common
presented
teaching in
churches
with what
Paul says
here?
Because what
Paul is
saying is
the polar
opposite to
the health,
wealth,
prosperity
gospel that
is so
common on
our TVs
and in
our churches
even in
Cork.
we can
be lifted
like
Paul's
word,
like
Paul's
life
through
the reality
of future
glory in
Christ in
our present
sufferings.
As
Christ's
subject,
Paul was
certain that
his suffering
was not in
vain.
it was
God's
route
for Paul
to enter
glory.
And because
of that
perspective,
Paul had
on his
present
pain,
I want
us to
see that
something's
happening.
Look at
verse 21.
Because
Paul didn't
just,
he's not
focusing on
the present.
Oh,
life's
tough.
How are
you getting
on?
Oh,
I'm really
struggling with
this.
He wasn't
focusing
completely on
the present
suffering.
He was
focusing on
the future,
verse 21.
For to me,
you know,
look,
this is the
sum up of
my life,
says Paul.
For me,
well,
you know,
it's either
to live,
live is
Christ,
and whatever
that means,
including
prison,
and to
die is
gravy.
To die
is gain.
here's the
great
summarizing
verse of
the suffering
Christian.
Here's the
glorious
context in
which Paul
places his
sufferings in
prison.
And so for
us,
friends,
it reminds
us that
we are
in a
victorious
life.
Not
because of
us,
but because
our life
is in
Christ.
And that's
what we
can say
this morning
if we're
in Christ
this morning.
If we're
identifying
with his
death as
our death,
his resurrection
as our
resurrection,
as his
defeat over
our sins,
as something
we understand
and believe
in,
if we
understand
that,
his life
is our
life.
And so as
you go on
into verses
22 to
36,
we read
this wonderful
bubbling
debate that
Paul has
in the
cell between
toying in
his own
mind with
what's best,
I'm not
sure,
all hinging
on verse
21.
To paraphrase,
he's going,
well look,
on the one
hand,
if I stay
alive,
that means
serving Jesus,
and that
means being
fruitful for
God,
which is
going to
be rewarded.
Or on
the other
hand,
well maybe
if I die
tomorrow,
if they
execute me,
I'm
immediately
caught up
into the
presence of
the Lord
Jesus,
which is
going to
be wonderful.
Which one
will I
choose?
I don't
really
know.
I tell
you what,
I'd like
to stay
alive,
because it
means I
can be a
blessing to
you,
says Paul.
And he
shares this
loving decision
as a
pastor to
this church
that he
saw formed.
He says,
look I want
to stay on
earth,
I want to
minister to
you,
I want
to see
you encouraged
through my
ministry to
you,
so that
your faith
progresses in
joy.
And when we
see each
other in
the flesh
again,
I can
witness your
joy.
But either
way,
I'm a
winner.
Do you
see,
friends,
how even
in the
worst
circumstances
that you
may have
brought in
here this
morning,
we are
in a
victorious
position as
Christ's
eternal
friends.
Even in
the pit of
despair,
even in
the depth
of sickness,
when we
are rejected
because of
our faith,
even as we
face death.
We are in
Christ,
and Christ
is in us,
meeting us
on either
side of
eternity.
He's meeting
us now in
the present
of his
children.
He meets
us when we
pass into
his presence
in eternity.
we are
with him.
And so
it's all
about him.
And it's
all about
where we
have placed
him in
our lives.
And so
this morning,
if you
have resolved
to be a
worshipper of
the Lord
Jesus Christ,
if we
resolve to
make him
our focus
rather than
ourselves,
he gives
us this
glorious
perspective
in our
present pain.
And through
this passage
that Paul
was inspired
to write
as he sat
in chains,
he's actually
living out
this teaching.
He's not
just preaching
it from a
pulpit.
And it's
one of his
more joyful
letters.
so
what
does
this
give us
in the
present,
in the
face of
whatever we
face in
this life?
Friends,
I want to
encourage you
this morning
as we
go that
you can
go out
of here
joyful.
And that's
a huge
thing to
say because
I don't
know about
you,
but I
know for
me I
can very
easily be
joyless
because of
present
circumstances
and whatever
else.
But actually
we ought
to leave
here joyful
if we
worship the
Lord Jesus
Christ.
We ought
to leave
here full
of hope
and even
dignity
as a
child of
the living
God.
We can
suffer with
joy,
with hope
and with
dignity
and that
in itself
is pointing
others to
Jesus for
those who
know maybe
the bad
stuff that's
going on in
our lives.
things.
But like
Paul in
the face
of our
hardships we
can be
secure in
our sufferings
safe in
the knowledge
that the
Lord who
allows us
to experience
hardships as
well as
pleasure he is
using it all
to guide us
home to
him.
So may
we all
share in
Paul's
perspective on
suffering whether
it's suffering
for our
witness to
him or
even because
it's just
suffering because
we're human
beings.
May it all
contribute to
our progressing
faith in
him that
leads us to
glory.
Amen.
Can I pray
and then hand
over?
Yeah.
Let's pray.
To live is
Christ.
To die is
gain.
Heavenly Father
we thank you
for your word
to us this
morning.
We pray that
it would reach
the very depth
of our souls
the very depth
of our hearts
and minds.
Lord we
come here
with real
problems and
with real
causes for
concern and
varying degrees
of suffering.
But we pray
Lord that you
would help us
to gain a
right perspective
on those
things so
that you may
continue that
great work in
us as we
trust in you
despite it all.
help us to
be confident
Christians
in these
days.
Help us to
continue witnessing
to you no
matter what the
cost.
And bless us
Lord as your
people in this
part of the
world.
Bless Tim
Week and
Summer Bible
Week and
Lord we just
pray that you
would continue
to protect us
and grow us
as a family
of churches
in this
area.
Thank you for
all that you're
doing and
thank you that
you are speaking
to us as
individuals even
now through
your word.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
Thanks very
much Andy.
I don't know
about you but
it was a great
encouragement for
me to hear about
Paul even
through his
suffering.
The gospel was
advanced.
Even because he
was in prison
people were
as Andy put it
gossiping
about Jesus.
It was a great
encouragement for
me anyway to
take from today
that no matter
what you're going
through God
will ensure that
his gospel is
being proclaimed.
So we're going
to finish with
our final song
it's Knowing
You.
So thanks Mary.
This song is
actually based
on a passage
in Philippines
Philippians chapter
three.
So if you flick
to the last
verse of the
of the song.