Happiness over Circumstances  EBC

 Rom. 8:28, Phil. 1:12-19    4/23/06

  The truth of Rom. 8:28 still holds true today. Not only is it a real true but a relevant truth. It is nowhere better exemplified than in out text today with the happenings of Paul. What a wonderful truth for us to live by today, there are no accidents only HIS appointments.

I. The Situation of Paul (1:12a) things that happened unto me

  A. The bonds that held him – when Paul wrote the book of Philippians he was in prison

    1. Serving God had not been an easy road for Paul.

      a. 2 Cor. 11:23-28 -

    2. Paul wasn’t in prison for doing something wrong he was there for doing something right – for serving God. Sometimes we find our bonds are physical, marital, material or mental. Life has its setbacks.

  B. The brethren that hurt him (15-16) some of his brethren had added to what he was going thru.

    1. Envy – idea of jealously

    2. Strife – wrangling

      a. There were those who were jealous of Paul and this caused much contention and strife.

    3. Contention – political word, someone who was seeking office for what he could get out of it.

    4. 2 Tim. 4:6 – Paul was no stranger to friends letting him down.

II. The Service of Paul (1:12b)

  What appeared to stop his ministry was actually an acceleration of his ministry. The things that had happened instead of shutting the doors would open then.

  A. The work of evangelism (13) since Paul now couldn’t go to churches God had given him a prison ministry.

    1. Palace – refers to the Praetorian Guard. The elite of the Roman army. A handpicked group of 10,000 men of Italian birth. They served a term of 12-16 years and received double pay and special privileges.

    2. Bonds – the shackles of a prisoner. Paul was shackled to one of these guards 24 hours a day

      a. Acts 28:30-31 -

    3. During this house arrest the guards would change shifts every 6 hours. In 24 hours Paul had 4 different guards bond to him.

      a. T.W Drury – These guards thought they were guarding a prisoner of Rome but soon found that they had enrolled in a course in Systematic Theology.

    4. And in other places - Paul found these bonds were opening doors there he would never have opened and in places he couldn’t imagine.

  B. The work of encouragement (14)

    1. The people saw what Paul went thru and it encouraged them to get involved. They stepped out from the shadows and became bold for the Lord.

    2. God has many ways to train His children. Often the circumstances of life

III. The Spirit of Paul (1:18

  A. There was an absence of resentment

    1. Many in bad times get bitter. We have a choice do I get bitter or better. We can use bad times either way.

    2. Statement of S.I. McMillan –“None of these diseases”

  B. There was a rejoicing –

 How are you reacting to the things that have happened to you?