Standing Firm in the Face of Persecution and Trials

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.” PHILIPPIANS 1:12

WHAT WERE PAUL’S CIRCUMSTANCES?

For the 4 years prior to writing this letter, Paul has been in miserable circumstances:

• 2 YEARS in prison in Caesarea
• Put on a ship in chains to go to Rome for trial before NERO
• Shipwrecked
• Stranded on an island
• Bitten by a poisonous snake
• 2 MORE YEARS in a Roman prison awaiting execution
• CHAINED to a Roman guard 24 hours a day – which gave him No Privacy • New guard every 4 HOURS
• Constant illness

WHAT WAS PAUL’S RESPONSE?

“I rejoice…and I will continue to rejoice!” PHILIPPIANS 1:18

PHILIPPIANS 1:27- 30

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents – which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

ESSENTIALS for DEFEATING DISCOURAGEMENT!

3 ESSENTIAL STEPS

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves…” (v. 27)

1.  Stand

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that 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.” (v. 27)

        2. Stick ! How? Don’t Go It Alone!

“I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” (v. 27)

     3.  Stay !

“…In no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you, it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” (vv. 28-30)

2 GREAT RESULTS

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“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really 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.” (vv. 12-13)

“Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” (v. 14)