Introduction

How’s life going at the moment? Are you happy? Do you have zest for life? While each of us has a somewhat consistent outlook in life—we’re naturally optimistic, pessimistic, or somewhere in between—our circumstances play a big role in how satisfied we are. When things are easy or pleasant, we’re happy; when they’re difficult or chaotic, we’re not.

Our spiritual lives are no exception. When life is going well, when work feel rewarding, when our marriage is peaceful, when we feel like God is close, then we feel like our faith is working. But when we feel frustrated with our work, anxious about our marriage, and distant from God we can quickly become discouraged.

Yet if we believe that God is always faithful, how can we make sense of hard stuff when we face it? In today’s reading in Philippians, Paul models what it looks like to hold on to God’s faithfulness when things aren’t going as well as we might hope. While we often interpret our life’s events from a me-centred perspective, Paul recognizes that he is a smaller character in a bigger story, and in that big story, he can see how God is faithful, even if he’s facing hardship. Paul models this because he knows a heavenly perspective on earthly suffering is important in the life of the believers in Philippi. And it’s also important for us too.

As people who are shaped in an individualistic culture, we interpret the world around us from our personal perspective more than the people in the Bible did. The variability of life—good days and bad days—leaves us open to constantly seesawing perception of God. He seems like he’s faithful one day and out to get us the next. But when we step back and see our lives from heaven’s perspective, we can see God at work in the larger story, and we come to a new conclusion: that God works through every situation to bring salvation to his people. As a result, we can choose to be hopeful no matter how bleak our present situation may seem.

I. Rejoicing in God’s Faithfulness

The church in Philippi has heard reports of Paul’s difficulties. Several years before, Paul had made a stop in Jerusalem that seemed to go badly wrong. He was arrested on trumped-up charges and then left to rot in a prison. To get his case moving, he eventually decided to appeal his case to the Emperor in Rome.

Paul had long had an ambition to go to Rome, but as a missionary, not as a prisoner. But when he’s writing this letter, he’s living under house arrest in Rome awaiting his appeal. Things aren’t going to the way that he had hoped, and yet, he is not complaining or despairing, but rather he maintains faith in God.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 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. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Philippians 1:12-18a, NIV)

With earthly eyes, most people would conclude that Paul’s ministry has gone horribly wrong. But Paul demonstrates an unshakable trust in God’s faithfulness in the midst of his trials. After all, Paul realizes, its not about him, his comfort or his reputation, but about how God’s saving message is advancing despite the opposition to Jesus’ kingdom.

A. The Roman Guards Hear the Good News

The first promising sign that Paul looks to is the opportunity his imprisonment gives him to share the good news with the palace guard. If it weren’t for Paul’s imprisonment, these people would likely not have a chance to hear about how God’s kingdom was inaugurated on earth through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.

Paul’s message would be a very unusual one to Roman ears. Paul, a prisoner of the Roman Emperor, serves a more powerful king. While he doesn’t use the term here, elsewhere (In Ep.3:1) he refers to himself as a prisoner of Christ. He’s basically telling everyone who will listen that even though he is presently enjoying the hospitality of the Roman justice system he’s not there because of the will of Caesar, but because it’s the will of his king—the crucified and risen Messiah, Jesus. No doubt, some of the guards who heard Paul scoffed. “You’re Caesar’s prisoner. If your King were more powerful, why doesn’t he spring you from jail.” Some of the guards might conclude that Paul is mad. But perhaps some of them might wonder about what Paul told them. Paul knows that his job is to plant the seed. It is God who brings the increase (See 1 Co. 3:5-9). God can raise the questions in the hearts of the guards, Questions where Jesus is the answer. Paul’s job is to tell what Jesus has done, and then to live in a way that reinforces the message he preaches.

This is true for us as well. Sometimes, the situations we face in our lives give us opportunities to show and tell about Jesus to new people who might otherwise not have a Christian witness in their lives. Maybe we doubt that those people will be receptive to the message, but remember, that’s God’s problem. But when we go through difficult times, it changes our perspective on them when we remember that God can be accomplishing his will through us. So our troubles aren’t a sign that God is unfaithful, but are the outworking of God’s faithfulness as he uses us to bring that message of salvation to more people.

B. The Malicious Teachers are Still Preaching Christ

The second thing that appears to have gone wrong for Paul is that there are other Christians who are preaching out of competition with Paul. What this might mean specifically is a matter of some debate. Perhaps some people are preaching the good news, but badmouthing Paul (if he is pleasing to God, why is he in prison?). Maybe Paul had built up a network of followers earlier in his stay in Rome and these preachers are luring away ‘Paul’s’ people. It seems that they’re trying to hurt Paul and their motives are wrong.

We might expect Paul to become defensive about these people. But instead, he’s not. He sees that even if these people aren’t wholly motivated by pure motives, the information about Jesus is getting out. For Paul, the spread of the gospel is more important than his reputation, so he’s unbothered by what they’re doing. People are trying to hurt him, and yet God can use even that to advance his kingdom.

By putting God’s kingdom ahead of his personal ambition, Paul is able to keep the would-be rivals’ actions in perspective. We could learn a lesson from Paul. There are times when we might be provoked to jealousy where we can avoid falling into that trap by prioritizing heaven’s priorities.

Let’s say someone starts coming to this church. We start to build friendships with them, and they start to serve in some way. And then a pastor from another church invites them to start attending their church (The other pastors and town and I don’t do this to each other, but let’s say someone is less scrupulous). I could be upset because this person was coming to church here. But maybe the new church is actually a better fit. Maybe the worship style is something they find more to their liking. Maybe their family members have friends at that church, and so they’re willing to go to church with the former member. It might not be in the best interest of our congregation for the person to leave, but if the kingdom and that person are better served by them leaving for another congregation then we should rejoice. If we prioritize God’s kingdom, we can still see God’s faithfulness in the parting.

So Paul sees God’s faithfulness in his challenging circumstances. His imprisonment means that the Roman palace guards get to hear about Jesus. The other preachers are preaching out of rivalry, but the message is being spread. If Paul were looking at his situation with natural eyes, he might drown in self-pity but because he trusts in God’s faithfulness, he is able to detect silver-linings in the clouds of his situation and rejoice.

II. Rejoicing in God’s Deliverance

Paul isn’t just able to rejoice that his situation isn’t as dire as it seems, he also has hope that God will deliver him from it. He understands that this is a season of suffering for him, so that he can bear fruit, but that eventually God will deliver him. At the same time, his Christian perspective allows him to see how that deliverance could be either being freed from prison, or dying and going to be with the Lord. Looking ahead to the next section of the text:

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. (Philippians 1:18b–26, NIV)

When Paul says that he knows that what has happened will turn out for his deliverance, we likely jump to the conclusion that Paul is expressing confidence his legal proceedings will go his way, and he’ll be freed. But Paul’s view of what deliverance means is more nuanced. If Paul is freed from jail, he can get back to work planting and nurturing churches. And that counts as a win. If, instead, Paul is condemned for his faith and put to death, he will be following in the footsteps of his Lord who was also condemned. His death will mean an end to the suffering his work often required, and he will finally be able to enter his reward. Paul wants that reward, but he is also so deeply invested in the work that God is doing through him, that he’s concluded that God will probably free him to continue it.

We don’t really know for sure how this ended. There are church traditions that say that Paul was successful in his legal appeal, that he was freed and travelled to Spain to plant churches there but we don’t know for sure. The evidence is quite solid that he was eventually executed during Nero’s great persecution (between AD 64-67), but whether he was freed for a while prior to this or not, we can know that God delivered him in some way.

If we maintain our hope in God’s faithfulness, then we will also maintain our hope in God’s deliverance. Maybe you’re going through something stressful at work. Sometimes God is faithful to bring us through difficult times. At other times, he is faithful to sustain us in the midst of difficult times. And, of course, barring the Lord’s return in the next hundred years, we’ll all eventually die. But in all of this, we can recognize God’s faithfulness, culminating in our being with him.

III. Rejoicing in God’s Transformation

So Paul has demonstrated how he’s able to rejoice when times are hard. He keeps his suffering in perspective by choosing to focus on the big picture of what God is doing rather than on the difficulties he’s facing. He maintains his hope in God’s deliverance by reminding himself that God’s faithfulness isn’t about him getting an easy solution to his problem, but ultimately in allowing Paul to be united with him, even after death. Now he’s moving his emphasis on to his listeners. Equipped with this renewed perspective on their hardship, the Philippians can live a life consistent with who God called them to be. Paul concludes:

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, Csince you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have (Philippians 1:27–30, NIV).

Paul can rejoice in God in any situation because his trust is unshakable. He doesn’t despair that God has given up on him, and neither should the Philippians, even if, like Paul, they find themselves in a difficult spot. If they hold on to their hope in good times and in bad times, Paul knows they will make him proud. What that hope looks like in a practical sense? Boldness, Unity, and Hope in Suffering.

A. Boldness

First: Boldness: Paul tells them to stand firm without being frightened. The message about Jesus isn’t yet formally illegal (though it would soon become so), but even so, it was widely reviled by people whose financial interests were bound up in paganism (like the silversmiths who rioted against Paul in Ephesus) or by people who scorn the idea that someone could be raised from the dead (like the people Paul met at the Areopagus in Athens). The message was often unpopular. But God doesn’t save the world by doing what’s popular. He saves it by giving us Jesus.

Faithfully following God then, means speaking the truth to an audience that often doesn’t want to hear what they have to say. Like when we stand up for the despised and powerless in our community, or when model holiness in a world where nothing is considered sacred.

For most people, peer pressure or, in extreme cases, legal sanction would be enough to stop people from speaking out. But since the believers can trust that God will faithfully deliver them (even if its through death) they can stand up to the authorities that seek to silence them. Their boldness would be shocking in a world where the threat of violence cowed people.

Of course, In Canada today, we don’t face legal sanction over our beliefs, but we can be cowed and cajoled into accepting our culture’s view on things. For instance, in our world, war is acceptable in ways that are contrary to Jesus’ command to love our enemies. So we must call for peace at times when people around us want war. Much of our culture rejects that sex should be reserved for marriage. But we hang on to what seems like outdated ideas even in the face of derision. Sometimes the pressure we face is intimidation, but more often it’s seduction: we are saturated with advertising to the point that we start to believe that buying this or that widget will take away that feeling of incompleteness.

But the church that is living worthy of its calling must be willing to be counter-cultural. Jesus calls us to be different. Not different for its own sake, but different in a way that demonstrates in our lives together the upside down wisdom of a kingdom with a crucified king. Paul knows that the Philippian Christians have been equipped to live this way, so he’s cheering them on, “You can do it!” He’s also cheering us on. Don’t timidly follow Jesus, but boldly embrace his cross-shaped counterculture of love.

B. Unity

Another important part of our calling is unity. Being unified will help us hang on to hope when things get tough. There’s something about suffering that is altered when we go through the hard time with people we love. For the church, their boldness was only possible because each believer knew the church had their back. If someone were arrested, they knew the community would rally around their family to support them. If someone was flogged, they knew their brothers and sisters in Christ would recognize it was honourable to suffer for the sake of the good news. On our own, we can be easily discouraged, but as a unified family, we can stand up in the face of opposition.

This all sounds good, but we must remember that real Christian unity isn’t easy. In much of the west, Christians have set up churches of people that are the same. Maybe our actions make people who are different than the majority feel unwelcome, so they leave. Or maybe we focus our church growth strategy on a target demographic, communicating that we prioritize certain people over others. Unity in the church requires that we go out of our way to make the church accessible to all, even though having a diverse church is always going to be more work than having a homogeneous church.

Unity is hard work, but it’s essential to our witness. Jesus isn’t just the king of people of European heritage. Jesus is king of Jews, Greeks, Italians, Nigerians, Chinese, Pilipinos, Peruvians, Egyptians, Kurds, Algonquins, Uzbeks, Tamils, Swedes and all the rest of the world’s people. But churches often segregate into congregations that divide along racial and ethnic lines and then we treat other churches as competitors. This sets us against one another, when Paul tells us that we must strive together as one for the faith of the gospel. Its only when we lay down our own interest to seek the kingdom in which authority is about love and humble service, that we will live worthy of our calling. Then we’ll see God’s transforming work and rejoice at what he has done in us.

C. Hope in Suffering

The third characteristic of living a life worthy of the call is that we have hope in suffering. I know that no one is signing up to be a Christian because they get to suffer. But suffering is an unavoidable reality of life, and when we trust in Jesus, our suffering is different. In life we’re all going to experience suffering. Often that suffering feels arbitrary and senseless. But an abiding faith in Jesus can temper our experience of suffering. Why? To people in cultures that treat suffering as a sign of God’s anger, the Christian faith says, Jesus suffered, so suffering is not a sign of God’s disapproval. To people in cultures that see suffering as pointless, we can understand that God is at work in our suffering, transforming it, even if at our present moment we can’t understand how.

Just as God used Jesus’ suffering to save, he uses our suffering to save. I’m not saying I suffered to save you from your sins, but that God incorporates my suffering into his great plan of redemption. Sometimes I suffer as a consequence of my sin, so that I can learn that the way I’ve been doing things isn’t a way that leads to life. Sometimes I suffer not because I’ve done wrong, but so that I can be transformed by learning to trust God. Sometimes, I may suffer so that God can transform someone else, as I show God’s forgiveness to the one who sins against me. Even when the reason is hidden from me, though, I can trust that God is working through it. It still hurts. But when we hurt for a reason, it’s much more bearable than when we hurt for no reason. If suffering is unavoidable in this world, knowing that it has redemptive possibility is certainly preferable. So our trust in God helps us to stand under the weight of pain life brings our way, even allowing us to rejoice when things are hard. Paul has experienced peace and even joy in his suffering, so he knows it’s possible for the Philippians too.

Conclusion

So what have we learned? Despite what people often hope for, the life of faith doesn’t spare us from difficulty. God is not working to eliminate pain, frustration or inconvenience from our lives. But as we learn to trust God more deeply, we learn to see our world from heaven’s perspective, rather than from our own, limited and self-referential perspective. Then we can find hope, peace and especially joy even while we’re experiencing hard times. Paul serves as our role model. He trusts that God is working in the trials he faces. He trusts that God will ultimately deliver him. Because he trusts God, he knows that God is at work transforming the Philippian believers so that they can experience the same joy in hard times. While we live in different times, but that same grace is also available to us, if we will chose to accept it. When things are hard it hurts. But you can find joy even in the times of pain because God’s faithfulness means that your hurt isn’t for nothing and your deliverance is on the way. So let’s challenge ourselves not to see our struggles with human eyes, but to learn to see them with heaven’s eyes.