Paul’s priority as a missionary was to take the Gospel to Rome. The hub of the great Empire, Rome was the key city of its day. If Paul could conquer it for Christ, it would mean reaching hundreds of thousands with the message of salvation. Paul planned to go to Rome as a preacher, but instead went as a prisoner!
Paul could have written a long letter and whined about his situation—but he sums up his perspective of what happened to him in one verse: Philippians 1:12 (NIV) “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”
Today, I want us to consider the things that have "happened to us" It is my hope that we will clearly see how God uses the things that have happened to us to glorify His son, Jesus Christ. Hopefully this blog will help put whatever has happened to you into PERSPECTIVE.
#1 How we view our SITUATION can make Christ known.
The record of “WHAT HAPPENED TO" Paul is recorded in Acts 21-28 but here is a quick overview:
• It began with Paul’s illegal arrest in Jerusalem for bringing gentiles to the Temple.
• Then the Romans mistook him for an Egyptian Renegade who was on their most wanted list.
• Paul became the focal point of both political and religious plotting and remained a prisoner in Caesarea for 2 years!
• When he finally appealed to Caesar (his right as a Roman citizen) he was sent to Rome.
• In route to Rome his ship wrecked! (Acts 27)
• After 3 months on an island of Malta, Paul finally embarked for Rome and the trial he had requested before Caesar.
How Paul handled WHAT HAPPENED to him says a lot about him. Paul did not find his joy in ideal circumstances (because circumstances seldom are); Paul found his joy in winning others to Christ.
Paul says, in Philippians 1:13–14, “As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”
Notice that Paul’s conditions connected him to the lost. (Vs. 13)
The same God that used David’s sling used Paul’s chains. The handcuffs used to bind Paul actually released him. Paul did not complain about his chains; he offered them to God for the advancement of the Gospel.
Had Paul been free he could not have reached some of the people he reached—Paul was chained to a Roman soldier 24/7 (shifts changed every 6 hours—4 soldiers a day). Imagine being attached to a guy that prayed w/o ceasing and wrote letters to churches. The soldiers who guarded the Apostle were not just ordinary soldiers. They were the Praetorian Guard—A. T. Robertson sheds some light on them: “During the reign of Emperor Tiberius there were 10,000 of these handpicked soldiers. They had double pay and special privileges and became so powerful that the emperors had to court their favor. Paul had contact with one after another of these soldiers.”
Because of his chains, Paul was able to argue the case for Christ to the officials in Caesar’s court—his case was an important one! The Roman government was going to determine the status of the new “Christian” sect.
Paul was where he needed to be even though it might not have appeared that way initially.
Notice also that Paul’s conditions encouraged those who were saved. (Vs. 14)…"Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."
#2 How we view our CRITICS can make Christ known.
We all have our critics and so did Paul. Philippians 1:15–17 (NIV) “It is 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 defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.”
Paul was not worried about himself! Philippians 1:18-19 (NIV) “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 will 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.”
How we react to attack matters. The best way to put out our critic’s flame is to not stoke it.
Some people want only to get a rise out of you—and if they can, they win. However, like Paul, we ought to be more concerned that Christ wins.
Paul was able to sift through the personal attacks and focus on what was really going on. Ultimately he figured that it was just not worth it to get upset. If a little more trouble for him glorified the Lord Jesus, then he was fine with that. As a matter of fact it made him happy! Paul trusted that God would balance the scales and eventually deliver him.
#3 How we view our FUTURE can make Christ known.
Philippians 1:20–26 (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; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 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 joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”
• Paul was courageous in the face of death. (Vss. 20-24)
• Paul was convinced that his work was not done. (Vss. 25-26)
Philippians 1:27–30 (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 one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 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. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on 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.”
One of the best pieces of advice that we can glean from this passage of Scripture is to settle where we are going and then get busy living! LIfe is too short to take our cues from our circumstances or our critics.
Choose Joy.
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