TEXT: Philippians 1:12-18 (CSB) – “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly. To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.”
Paul, in the account of his circumstances, is challenging us to have joy in our times of trouble, to know joy in spite of the adversity or tribulation in our life. Yesterday we said that we have been trained in 3 false assumptions:
1. We believe that there is something inherently bad about problems because they often involve us in unpleasant pressures, conflict, or inconvenient interruptions of our plans for a smooth life.
2. We think that a lack of problems should be our reward for hard work, careful planning, and clear thinking. We are owed a life free of problems.
3. And, we think that if we love God, commit our lives to Him and diligently serve Him, He will work things out for us so that everything will run smoothly and be free from problems.
Today we will address the final truth –
IF WE KNOW GOD IS IN CONTROL, AND THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT PUNISHMENT, WE MUST REALIZE THE PURPOSE BEHIND THEM.
Paul wrote to the believers in Rome in his letter, Romans 8: 28-29 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Paul is sure that God’s divine purposes cannot fail. Notice how he says, “Works for the good” (emphasis added). What exactly is that? Is everything that happens good? (Rhetorical question with the resounding answer of NO!) What is the good that God is working toward? Paul answers it here - “To be conformed to the likeness of His Son.”
To be like Jesus. Am I like Jesus? Are you like Jesus? Are we mature and completely what we should be? Again, honesty makes us answer – no. So, God is continually working in our lives (if we let Him) to shape us, mold is, complete us to be like Jesus.
My Dad was an excellent cabinet-maker. He would take a piece of wood and make a beautiful table out of it. Did it just happen? No, he had to cut the wood, shape the wood, sand the wood, chisel away what wasn’t needed and finish the wood. Then, he had a beautiful table.
God in a like manner, uses the problems, the trials, and the afflictions in our lives – to chisel off the sharp edges. To sand down the rough spots to form us into the creation that He is making. We need to look at the ultimate conclusion to see the “good” that He is doing – His Masterpiece.
Jesus gave us this example. He showed us what we can be like if we truly surrender to the Master Craftsman. Consider –
Heb. 12:2,3 – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Take our eyes off the immediate and look for the ending. Wait patiently with Joy during the process – pray to see the purpose and the final beauty from the problem.
As we go through trials and problems – grounded in His Word and His promises – we will be a beacon to a world seeking the secret to joy.
Having joy in the midst of trials and suffering comes from:
1. Knowing God is in control
2. That we are not out of God’s Will
3. That the purpose of these problems is to mold me into the likeness of my Savior.
Problems will make us better – or bitter. How we respond decides which one we become. John Bainbridge is quoted as saying – “If you haven’t got problems, you should get down on your knees and ask, ‘Lord, don’t you trust me anymore?”
As we continue in Paul’s thoughts to the Philippians, we will begin to look at the idea of “To Live Christ” tomorrow.
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