| Teacher: Rusty Kennedy Series: Philippians |
Rusty's Notes | |
I am so stuck on this truth… that I come across as this is what you would expect the pastor to say…
This is not a message about who has suffered the most…
Paul –
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 - We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and he will deliver us.[1]
2 Corinthians 11:23-30 - I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.
24 Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; 27 toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing. 28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses.[2]
2 Corinthians 12:6-9 - For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.[3]
Paul in prison in 62 AD in Rome.
- Epaphroditus was sent to deliver an offering to Paul and care for him.
- Epaphroditus got sick on the way.
ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL
PHILIPPIANS 1
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word, fearlessly.
I am begging you not to waste your suffering!!!
1) Suffering is not avoided by you having a lot of faith.
2) Suffering does not automatically make you a victim.
3) Suffering is not necessarily a result of sin.
4) Suffering is not to be pursued. (It makes us holy…)
5) Suffering is not to be avoided.
6) Suffering is not to be excused because God uses it. (Because God uses it doesn’t justify the sin)
7) Suffering is no excuse to allow injustice and evil. (We must still be just and avoid evil)
8) Suffering is for us… not an act of atonement… but for sanctification. (We aren’t paying God back for sin… don’t believe in karma… penance… purgatory)
9) Suffering is not to be fully understood in this life.
10) Suffering is not beyond the sovereign goodness of God.
15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.
- Some Bible teachers teach from very corrupt motivations.
- It is about producing numbers…
- It is about controlling the behavior of their congregation
18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.[4]
- Paul… are you sure that is what you meant to say!?!
Jesus is the perfect example of suffering…
I pray that you go deeper in Christ by each blow of suffering that you receive!
[1] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 1:8–10). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 11:23–30). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 12:6–9). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Php 1:12–18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
- Theology in suffering must replace the therapy of suffering in the church today.
- Bible tells us that suffering is the result of sin
- We enter and leave the world by causing others to suffer
- Throughout life we deal with suffering… Psalm (1/3), Lamentations, every prophet (except Haggai) include a lament in their book, Jesus lamented over Israel.
- 4 Families in Idaho who lost their college students
- Hospitals are full with RSV patients
- Homicide rate in Indianapolis is setting records
- We’ve all got friends who are going through relationship issues
- There is grief for loss in this room as we are in the holiday season
- Financial issues for many
This is not a message about who has suffered the most…
Paul –
2 Corinthians 1:8-10 - We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and he will deliver us.[1]
2 Corinthians 11:23-30 - I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.
24 Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. 26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; 27 toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing. 28 Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses.[2]
2 Corinthians 12:6-9 - For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.[3]
Paul in prison in 62 AD in Rome.
- Epaphroditus was sent to deliver an offering to Paul and care for him.
- Epaphroditus got sick on the way.
ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL
PHILIPPIANS 1
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. 14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word, fearlessly.
- It is not a question of “if you will suffer”… it is “when will you suffer”
- It is going to happen… why do you think you can avoid suffering even for a day?
- Will you suffer with purpose or without purpose?
- Will suffering compel you to love Jesus more?
- Will suffering purify your motives?
- Will your suffering reorient your focus on Jesus and the Good News?
I am begging you not to waste your suffering!!!
- Will your chains of suffering be an opportunity for you to share about the sufferings of Jesus and how He has triumphed?
- You ask the question… “Why are chained here?”
- You are not “chained here”… you are free!
- You are free to tell others of the Truth! - Will the other Christians benefit from watching you suffer? WE WATCH!!!
- Will non-Christians become Christians because of your suffering?
-People are watching you suffer!!! - Will you suffer with purpose or will you waste your suffering?
1) Suffering is not avoided by you having a lot of faith.
2) Suffering does not automatically make you a victim.
3) Suffering is not necessarily a result of sin.
4) Suffering is not to be pursued. (It makes us holy…)
5) Suffering is not to be avoided.
6) Suffering is not to be excused because God uses it. (Because God uses it doesn’t justify the sin)
7) Suffering is no excuse to allow injustice and evil. (We must still be just and avoid evil)
8) Suffering is for us… not an act of atonement… but for sanctification. (We aren’t paying God back for sin… don’t believe in karma… penance… purgatory)
9) Suffering is not to be fully understood in this life.
10) Suffering is not beyond the sovereign goodness of God.
15 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. 16 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.
- Some Bible teachers teach from very corrupt motivations.
- It is about producing numbers…
- It is about controlling the behavior of their congregation
18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.[4]
- Paul… are you sure that is what you meant to say!?!
- Paul tells us that in suffering… the key is to rejoice.
- You wrongly identify joy with an emotion… and you can’t command an emotion!
- I couldn’t command Sam and Chloe to mourn last weekend!
- Roughly 18 times in the NT… Joy and suffering are mentioned together.
Jesus is the perfect example of suffering…
- Jesus took our sin and purchased our salvation through His suffering
- Jesus suffered for us
- Jesus continues to suffer with us (“Saul, why do you persecute me?”)
- Jesus will put an end to all suffering… this world comes to an end.
- John 16:33 – In this world… you will have tribulation… you will suffer!
- You will suffer… suffer well… suffer with Jesus… let Jesus use the suffering!
- Don’t waste any of your suffering… It cost you much!
- Invest in the people who know Jesus and the people who need to know Jesus!
I pray that you go deeper in Christ by each blow of suffering that you receive!
[1] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 1:8–10). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 11:23–30). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 12:6–9). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Php 1:12–18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
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