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We don’t like adversity do we? We don’t like situations that make us uncomfortable, or cause problems, or complications - we don’t like suffering or struggle, we don’t like inconvenience and so on. And I think it’s safe to say that most of us do what we can to avoid trials and adversity …. Life is extremely messy, dangerous and unpredictable, and we do our best to avoid all that. We can spend an enormous amount of time, energy and money trying to avoid anything that can cause discomfort or burdens. Bottom line – we would prefer a smooth ride in life.
We don’t like adversity do we? We don’t like situations that make us uncomfortable, or cause problems, or complications - we don’t like suffering or struggle, we don’t like inconvenience and so on. And I think it’s safe to say that most of us do what we can to avoid trials and adversity …. Life is extremely messy, dangerous and unpredictable, and we do our best to avoid all that. We can spend an enormous amount of time, energy and money trying to avoid anything that can cause discomfort or burdens. Bottom line – we would prefer a smooth ride in life.
We want the Christian life to lead to a place that doesn’t exist on earth. It will exist some day, but right now, “Life is difficult,” and the sooner we accept that, the better off we’ll be. If we spend a lot of our time running from adversities – we will run past the people God has put along our way that need us and need Jesus.
Ever wonder why church attendance in America is decreasing? Ever wonder why it seems that less people are coming to salvation in Christ? We can blame a particular generation, the liberal theology, evolution – we can find our scapegoat, right. The reality is, we can’t blame anyone on the outside (except the Devil), so we must look on the inside.
I suggest that one possibility for a serious decline in the advancement of the Kingdom of God in America is this - many in the Church have separated from our lives the message of the cross, that Jesus Christ was crucified, died for our sins and rose again for new life. Many Christians have so compartmentalized their lives that the gospel and faith are separate categories, apart from everything else.
For instance, here’s work, here’s family, here are hobbies or entertainment, … here’s vacation, then church and faith … it’s all separate. For some reason, the Gospel, as our motivation and reason for living has been disconnected from much of what we do and how we live. It seems that the Gospel has little to no connection to our daily routines - going out to eat, taking a walk, going to work or whatever else we do. It’s not gospel time.
And somewhere in there, we’ve made the purpose of Christianity more about comfort, and Jesus just wants to make your life better … that’s not the gospel.
Jesus’ death on the cross was never intended to remove us from the messiness, and suffering and trials of life, but rather Jesus died to reconcile sinners to God, and then help us to become like Jesus in holiness and in love, and then empower us to reengage the world in its messiness.
If we pull away from the world too much, and pull away from the suffering and from the downtrodden … - then we separate the gospel from every component of our lives and we leave an ever widening gap between the Church and those who need the Church.
Now as we discover God’s mission and vision for our church, how do we re-embrace the cross so we can reengage the world and face together whatever trials may come?
I want to give you a couple things to think about this week, so let’s turn to . It is critical to know the context of the passage so we can know the application. Let’s read verse 12 then I’ll give some background.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
- Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
Paul wrote this letter from prison. Most likely, he was under house arrest in Rome around 62 A.D. But what led to his arrest and imprisonment? For that, we must go back to the book of Acts. FYI - the gospels cover the life of Christ - around a 34-year period. The Book of Acts is roughly another 30-year period and most of the rest of the NT fits into Acts.
Paul wrote this letter from prison. Most likely, he was under house arrest in Rome around 62 A.D. But what led to his arrest and imprisonment? For that, we must go back to the book of Acts. FYI - the gospels cover the life of Christ - around a 34-year period. The Book of Acts is roughly another 30-year period and most of the rest of the NT fits into Acts.
In , Paul completed his 3rd missionary journey and headed back to Jerusalem. About a week after arriving in Jerusalem, the Jews that hated Paul caused a riot, which is par for Paul’s life, they seized him, beat the tar out of him, he was arrested by the Romans, went to multiple trials, there’s a secret plot to ambush the Roman soldiers and kill Paul, he then appealed to Caesar heads to Rome. On the way there is a massive storm, they’re lost at sea for 14 days, run out of food, they get shipwrecked on an island. While there, he gets bit by a poisonous snake and supposed to die but he doesn’t and then he finally ends up in Rome under house arrest.
But we also know from 2 Corinthians that Paul, throughout his ministry was beaten, flogged, stoned, hungry, cold sleepless nights, left for dead, was constantly in danger etc. etc.
To many of us, these events would seem like setbacks, or hindrances to ministry or signs that God had abandoned us. And we would probably say, “Where’s God when I need Him!” But for Paul, it was just another day at the office. So with all that in mind, we can better understand verse 12 -
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
Once Paul became a believer in Christ, he never disconnected the gospel from any part of his life. The thread of the gospel wove through every trial, every challenge and every joy. He never lost that connection.
Once Paul became a believer in Christ, he never disconnected the gospel from any part of his life. The thread of the gospel wove through every trial, every challenge and every joy. He never lost that connection.
So let me ask this – is there any part of your life, any situation or circumstance where the Gospel is disconnected? Have you compartmentalized your life, so that thoughts of Jesus, and faith and God’s Word and the gospel don’t even register on your radar?
Remember what I have been saying about God’s vision (His Word) – gives us the best purpose (why we exist), the best boundaries (how we exist) and the best perspective (how we view existence) – The best perspective is to learn to filter everything that happens through the God’s Word and through the gospel.
Here’s my first suggestion:
1) Reconnect the Gospel to Life
Doesn’t matter what it is, get the Gospel in there. We cannot look at life as random events that have no meaning. Where we often see tragedy, misfortune, and trials as being separate from God’s plan or avenues to proclaim Christ - Paul saw opportunities for the gospel. He saw every event, good or bad as a platform to expose Christ to the world.
When Paul wrote to the church, he focused on the progress of the gospel, not his personal experiences. He didn’t say, “Oh poor me, get me out of this.” He said, “Praise God the Gospel is on the move!”
What do we do? Much of our prayers are for God to fix our problems. Not Paul – he prayed that no matter what happened, he would live a life worthy of the Gospel, that he would never be ashamed and always have sufficient courage to share the truth about Jesus.
So my challenge to all of us is to intentionally connect the gospel into every area of our lives – good or bad. I’m not sure what that means … but pray it ….
When do you and I usually have the greatest opportunity to share the transforming power of the Gospel? Typically, when there are tough times. If we are the recipients, people watch us and see if we will respond to the trials just like anyone else – anger, frustration, fear, self medication … or will we respond like Jesus Christ is really in charge of my life – in faith, trust and peace. And if someone else is the recipient of a tragedy or whatever, it’s a great opportunity to love and to assist … again, a platform to expose Christ.
As we connect the Gospel to every part of our lives, and respond to trials in Christlikeness, then …
As we connect the Gospel to every part of our lives, and respond to trials in Christlikeness, then …
Look at verse 13 -
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 and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
- 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 and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
When you read the book of Acts and pay attention to the trials and adversities of Paul’s life, you will notice that in nearly every situation, Paul shared his testimony. From top to bottom, from kings to peasants, from soldiers to church leaders – a lot of people heard Paul’s story of transformation from a killer of Christians and to a disciple of Jesus Christ.
When you read the book of Acts and pay attention to the trials and adversities of Paul’s life, you will notice that in nearly every situation, Paul shared his testimony. From top to bottom, from kings to peasants, from soldiers to church leaders – a lot of people heard Paul’s story of transformation from a killer of Christians and to a disciple of Jesus Christ.
And as a result, whether they came to Christ or not, they all heard about Jesus and his fellow Christian brothers and sisters were encouraged. One commentary said this - “The chained inspired the unchained.”
Do your chains to Christ inspire?
“I can’t do that because I’m a Christian. I have to go to church on Sunday”
So here’s another suggestion:
2) Share Your Testimony Often
What do testimonies do? Testimonies implant seeds and inspire saints.
We are to sow seeds of the gospel in the hearts and minds of sinners and encourage and inspire our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Do not underestimate the power of your testimony. Whether it’s about how you came to salvation and faith in Christ or how God brought you through a particular difficult time - your testimony has power that is beyond you, and has the power to plant seeds and inspire saints – why? Because your testimony is not about you – it’s about God.
If your testimony is about you and how bad you had it and how bad you were and how rough life was – your testimony will be weak and powerless. But if your testimony is about how a righteous and holy God who loved you when you were unlovable and how He saved a dirty rotten sinner, there’s going to be a supernatural power behind it that will implant seeds and inspire saints.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed ….
If your testimony, no matter how epic or boring it may be, if you reveal the righteousness and grace and love of God … it’ll be powerful! And you need to share it often.
If your testimony, no matter how epic or boring it may be, if you reveal the righteousness and grace and love of God … it’ll be powerful! And you need to share it often.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect ….
When do we prepare our testimony? In advance. Do you know the number one reason Christians don’t share Jesus with others? Fear. Why are so many Christians fearful? Because they don’t prepare. They don’t write it down and they don’t prepare to share it. Period.
When do we prepare our testimony? In advance. Do you know the number one reason Christians don’t share Jesus with others? Fear. Why are so many Christians fearful? Because they don’t prepare. They don’t write it down and they don’t prepare to share it. Period.
If you have never done so – write it down this week.
To whom should we be prepared to give our testimony to? To anyone who asks – only non-Christians, right. Non-Christian and Christian.
We need more seeds planted and more inspiration – especially as the last Day approaches
We’ll finish this up next week
1) Reconnect the Gospel to Life
2) Share Your Testimony Often
As we close, what is the Holy Spirit saying to you?
Some of you may have disconnected the gospel from a couple or a lot of areas in your life. Ask the Spirit to identify where find any gaps might be.
Some of you may be disconnected from Jesus right now – whether you’ve never received Jesus as your Savior or you’ve walked away and you simply need to connect right now.
Some of you have never seriously considered your testimony and how powerful it is. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal ….