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.