DON'T WASTE YOUR SUFFERING

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Philippians 1:18-26 CSB

 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, 

…Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 

19 because I know this will lead to my salvation

through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 

20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, 

but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, 

whether by life or by death.

21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; 

and I don’t know which one I should choose. 

23 I am torn between the two. 

I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 

24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 

25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain 

and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 

26 so that, because of my coming to you again, 

your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.

Philippians 1:18-26 CSB

 18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, 

…Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. 

• Paul is suffering. 

• He is choosing to rejoice.

• This is true, Christian JOY.

• Am I willing to suffer to bring more glory to Jesus?

• Don’t waste your suffering.

Psalm 91:14-16 ESV

14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

    I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble;

    I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”

• Jesus said, “Not my will…but Yours be done.”

• Proclaim → announce, declare, official statement

• Are we looking for opportunities to speak the name of Jesus?

• Are we asking Jesus to give us opportunities to represent Him?

• Imaging God is what we were made for.

• Life with Jesus

ASSIGNMENT + CHALLENGE

• Pray for opportunities to:

  • Speak the name of Jesus

  • Pray for people in public

  • Share Bible verses

  • Invite people to church

Philippians 1:18-19 CSB

18 …Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. 

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 

19 because I know this will lead to my salvation [vindication]

through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 

• Sounds like JOY

• Sounds like HOPE

• How?

• How will this lead to salvation?

• Through what 2 things?

  • Prayers of the saints

  • Help from the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:26-28 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, 

but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 

27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, 

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h]

for those who are called according to his purpose.

• Even in suffering, we can take comfort in the reality that:

• “God works all things together for the good of those who love God, and are called according to His purpose.”

Philippians 1:18-19 CSB

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 

19 because I know this will lead to my salvation

through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 

• How does Paul know that this will lead to his salvation?

• He knows the promises of God.

• He knows the Scriptures.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom[a] you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

• 2 things the devil does not want us to do:

  • Study God’s Word

  • Prayer

20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, 

• Is there anything in your life that you are ashamed of?

• Repent

• We will all stand before God & give an account

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 ESV

7 …when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction [that comes from] the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed...

20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, 

but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, 

whether by life or by death.

• You have been given this body to bring honor & glory to Jesus.

• To reflect Him.

• To image Him.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV

27 …I discipline my body and keep it under control…

[I pummel my body and make it a slave],

lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Romans 12:1 ESV

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

• May God give us courage so that Jesus would be highly honored in our bodies.

• Through Jesus, we’ve been given this life.

• Life with Jesus

21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

• To live is Christ.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

• Jesus wants to live His life through you

• To live is Christ

21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

• To die is gain.

• When we die we get to be with Jesus.

• It’s great gain.

• It’s the greatest gain!

• And not only do we get to be with Jesus, but all the evil is gone.

• To die is gain.

22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; 

• Fruitful work.

• Productive labor.

• To live is to present my body as a living sacrifice

and I don’t know which one I should choose. 

23 I am torn between the two. 

I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—  

• To be with Jesus will be far better than even the best life you can possibly imagine here on earth in this flesh.

• How do you feel about spending eternity with Jesus?

I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 

24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 

• As long as Paul remains alive, he still has work to do for Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:6-11 ESV

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.

• Paul knows that his work is not yet complete.

• He reassures the Philippians.

25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain 

and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 

26 so that, because of my coming to you again, 

your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.

• Paul was convinced that he was going to be released.

• Nero did eventually release Paul.

• Paul had more work to do.

• He existed for the progress & joy of others.

• So that others would boast in Christ Jesus.

• This is why we are all still here.

• Be strong & very courageous.

• Endure. Persevere.

• There is hope.

• Rejoice.

Romans 5:3-4 ESV

3 …we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,

Philippians 4:4-7 CSB

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. 

I will say it again: Rejoice! 

5 Let your graciousness [patient spirit] be known to everyone. 

The Lord is near. 

6 Don’t worry about anything, 

but in everything, 

through prayer and petition 

with thanksgiving, 

present your requests to God. 

7 And the peace of God, 

which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.