07.12.09 Paul-courageous Faith

Paul: Courageous Faith

zarahlim7/12/2009

Paul: Courageous Faith - How faith works as we face the challenges of these times Scripture:

Philippians 1:12-30 (cf. Acts 16:16-40; 28:11-31)

Objective:

To encourage congregation to be courageous in living out their faith, especially during difficult times in life.

INTRODUCTION: I was told that your theme for this series is F4: Fantastic Four. I loved that movie! I especially liked Human Torch (Johnny), the guy who spews out fire. He just looked so cool as he used his ability (actually, he’s hot. Haha), and naturally, being the youngest in the group, he personifies the do-or-die character. Most young people are like that. Once they find their passion, they’d do anything to pursue it. Of course, it’s another topic altogether as to what those passions are (music, fashion, art, sports, or even the opposite sex). It’s do-or-die for them; no matter how tired they get. Today, we’re going to talk about Paul. Like you and me, he is passionate about something. And again, like us, he has this do-or-die attitude about it. What is he passionate about? Living for Christ. Read scripture text:

Philippians 1:21

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Paul - Background: -

Jewish scholar under Gamaliel Former Pharisee who was one of the foremost persecutors of Christians Intercepted by Christ on the road going to Damascus as he was on his way to persecute (imprison and kill) more Christians. Was saved and baptized. From persecutor to persecutee.

So from being the one who made the lives of the Christ-followers difficult, he actually became one of them. In fact, he experienced first-hand the things that he used to do to the Christians (life in danger, plotted and threatened to be killed, imprisoned, etc.). Question:

If you can use only one word to describe Paul, what would it be? (let crowd answer) Wise?

Intelligent?

Passionate?

Yes, all of these describe our man for the day. But today we will focus on Paul’s courageousness. Encarta Dictionary defines courage as: Courage (noun)

quality of being brave: the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being

overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action Microsoft® Encarta® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Paul: Courageous Faith

zarahlim7/12/2009

Paul was definitely courageous – courageous enough to speak up about his faith no matter what situation he was in.

POINT #1:

COURAGE TO RISE UP FOR CHRIST

Philippians 1:12-13

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.”

Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian church while he was in in prison / house arrest (cf. Acts 28:16, 3031). He was arrested because of he was accused of inciting the Jews against obeying their laws / customs and traditions in preference to the Way. (cf. Acts 21 – 28) Imagine that. Paul was already in prison because of his faith and yet, he refused to be discouraged about it. He did not let a bad situation rob him of the opportunity of speaking up for Christ. Paul realized that his current circumstances weren’t as important as what he did with them. Turning a bad situation into a good one, he reached out to the Roman soldiers and encouraged those Christians who were afraid of persecution. - LASB notes (Phil 1:12) Discouragement is one of the most tried-and-tested tools of the devil. Vincent N. Paul on his book Don’t Be Discouraged! shares this story:

Paul: Courageous Faith

zarahlim7/12/2009

It’s easy to get discouraged, especially when everything seems to be going wrong all at the same time – ex. You are having a financial problem, you are stressed because of so many deadlines to meet, you fought with your parents, your friends do not understand what you’re going through, etc. Most of the time, especially when you’re feeling really low, you want to just sink deeper and deeper into isolation. RISE UP! Take Paul’s example. He did not let discouragement get to him. Instead, he was courageous enough to rise up and let his faith be heard. In another story, we find Paul in a similar situation – this time in a jail cell with Silas. They had lots of reasons to be discouraged; instead, they started to sing hymns and praises to God! (Acts 16) Instead of sinking lower and lower into depression, they rose higher and higher as their spirit worshipped God. And all this in the midst of imprisonment. That’s courage! Reflection Question: When was the last time I let my faith show in the midst of a bad situation? Application: The next time I am in a bad situation, I will look for ways to let my faith be known. Remember: How we react in bad situations reflect greatly on what we believe.

Paul: Courageous Faith

zarahlim7/12/2009

POINT #2:

COURAGE TO RAISE UP FOR CHRIST

Philippians 1:14

Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Paul did not only rise up for Christ; he also raised up people (in and) for Christ. In the midst of a situation where most people would feel discouraged, Paul did just the opposite – he encouraged the people around him. And when fellow believers saw how he acted despite being imprisoned for the gospel, they were encouraged to all the more share God’s word more courageously and fearlessly. Paul’s example just proves that when you are courageous enough to refrain from wallowing in discouragement and self-pity, you serve as an encouragement to the people around you. Let’s go back to the story of Paul and Silas. (Acts 16) There they were, shackled and in prison, but still singing hymns and praising God. And in verse 25, it says that the other prisoners were listening to them as they sang. …Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. You may think, “So what? It must have been a small cell. They might be singing so loud that the other prisoners didn’t have a choice but to listen to them.” But take note of what Paul said in v.28 after the earthquake came and opened up all the prison doors: “But Paul shouted to him (jailer), ‘Don’t do it! We are all here!” The other prisoners had the perfect chance to escape. But they didn’t. Why do you think?

Ver 28 We are all here The prisoners we are especially told had been listening to the sweet solemn Hebrew hymns of Paul and Silas when the earthquake and its accompanying marvels took place I hen feeling that what had happened was supernatural and in some measure connected with those eastern strangers voices they had been listening to that solemn night with such rapt attention they made no effort to escape - “A Popular Commentary” Marilyn Magallanes - http://canwetalkaboutthat.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/can-you-sing-at-midnight/

As Paul and Silas sang despite their situation, they were also ministering to the other prisoners, sending encouragement to them, allowing God to minister to all of them as they filled the place with His presence. It takes courage to raise up other people, to encourage them in the Lord, just when you aren’t feeling too great yourself.

Paul: Courageous Faith

zarahlim7/12/2009

I have experienced this myself too many times. I struggle with discouragement every now and then. And it’s especially hard to go and minister to my cellgroup just when I am in a very bad state. But as a leader, you learn to put aside your emotions and stick to your faith. And it never fails; each time we wrap up the session for the day, I find myself perked up and encouraged. So you see, as you minister to others especially in your darkest hour, you’ll find God there with you, ministering to you as well. You just have to make sure that you are plugged into the Source of encouragement through it all. Reflection Question: Application:

When was the last time I encouraged someone just as I am in the midst of a personal struggle? Encourage the people around you, no matter what situation you are going through.

Remember: How we relate to people in bad situations reflect greatly on what we believe.

POINT #3:

COURAGE TO STAND FIRM FOR CHRIST

The Christian life is not a bed of roses. In fact, Jesus warned us that “in this world (we) will have troubles….” (John 16:33). Paul knew this so he reminded the believers in Philippi of what they have gotten themselves into: “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him…” (v.29) Let’s back up a few verses and take a closer look at Paul’s own struggle. “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 death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21) When Paul wrote these words, he was in house arrest as he awaited trial. He may be released, or he may be executed. But his prayer was that when the time comes for him to speak, he would do so with courage and that he may exalt Christ. No matter what happened to him after the trial, all he wanted was for Christ to be exalted. He knew who he was living for and he was ready to die for Him. “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil.1:21) That’s courage! * It takes courage to stand firm in the midst of trials. It’s much like being soldiers fighting in a war. They cannot just give up right in the middle of a battle; they have to fight to the end for their cause’s victory. In the same way, we who call ourselves followers of Christ must stand firm in our allegiance to him no matter what trials come our way.

Paul: Courageous Faith

True story:

zarahlim7/12/2009

A friend was sharing to us one time during our cellgroup that she was scared of not making it to the end – that a time may come when she might return to her old ways and turn her back on Christ. I told her I feel that way sometimes. But then I also told her to take her faith one day at a time. Decide each morning that no matter what happens that day, you will stand firm in your faith. Then pray about it. Ask God to deliver you from that moment. Remember that Jesus is interceding for you and that nothing can separate you from the love of God.

Reflection Question: When was the last time I felt like giving up on my faith? Application: I will keep my spirit strong by immersing myself in the Word and prayer. In that way, I am preparing myself to stand firm for Christ in the midst of trials.

Conclusion On Generations in Christianity: I once read somewhere (forgot where) that second-generation Christians (meaning Christians who are born and raised into a Christian household) have the tendency to wander away from their faith unlike first generation Christians. I’m not sure if I can agree with this because as I observe the people around me, there are just as many first-generation Christians who turn away from God and revert to their old ways as there are secondgeneration Christians who follow in their parents’ footsteps and are themselves in an intimate relationship with God. So I guess it doesn’t matter which generation of believer you are. At the end, it still boils down to your personal relationship with God. What matters most is whether you will have the courage to rise up, raise up, and stand firm for Christ until the end of your life.

If you claim to be a Christian, heed this verse:

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27