Dave’s Monday Blast – February 1, 2021

In our Sunday Services this past month we have been challenged to make an INTENTIONAL shift in how we process our circumstances. We need to change our perspective. If we are to live joyfully, we must embrace God’s perspective. We must learn to process our circumstances through His eyes. The Apostle Paul shares his theology on this conversation in Philippians 1:12 : “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.”

For the 4 years prior to the writing of the letter to the Church in Philippi, Paul was living in miserable conditions: 2 years in prison in Caesarea; put on a ship in chains to go on trial before Nero; shipwrecked and then marooned on a island; bitten by a poisonous snake; spent 2 years chained to a Roman guard 24 hours each day while awaiting execution; no privacy and suffering illness. In light of these circumstances…I am amazed by his comments mentioned above. How was he able to remain on mission and to do so joyfully?

1 He lived with GOD’S PERSPECTIVE. (vs.12 – 18) That perspective allowed him to rejoice in spite of all the difficult circumstances. What happens when you and I face our problems with joy:

• The GOSPEL IS  ADVANCED  (v. 13) “As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” (4,380 Praetorian guards)
• BELIEVERS ARE ENCOURAGED. (v.14) “…have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” (Stay on mission)
• I CLEARLY SEE WHAT IS IMPORTANT. (v.18) Your priorities OR your problems will drive your personal life. “…whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice, yes, I will rejoice.”

2. He lived on GOD’S POWER. (vs.19 & 20). There are two sources of spiritual strength:

• Your prayers
• The Spirit of God

3. He lived for GOD’S PURPOSE. (vs. 20 – 26) “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (v.21) This is Paul’s reason for living.
Translation:

• “For to me, to live is for my career, and to die is to leave it all behind.”
• “For to me, to live is for popularity, and to die is to be forgotten.”
• “For to me, to live is for power, and to die is to lose it all.”
• “For to me, to live is for possessions, and to die is to take none of them with me.”

Philosopher William James comments: “The most important thing in life is to live your life for something more important than your life.”

Next week I want to tie this conversation together by unpacking Philippians 1:27; three essential steps to live with His perspective, power and purpose.