River of Life Church
Pastor Greg Temke
www.rolfamily.com
“THE JOY OF MINISTRY”
Text: Philippians 1:12-18
John 16:33 “In this world you will have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
James 1:2-3 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”
Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
I. PAUL’S CHAINS. Vs. 12-13
[Paul’s liabilities became assets, his frustrations brought fulfillment, his adversity an advantage, and his difficulties became doors. His trials turned into victories.]
I Corinthians 16:9, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”
Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation.”
Paul took on tough assignments.
II Corinthians 11:23-28, “Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.”
Paul was in prison for something he had done right. His hardships were not the
chastening of God, but the world.
Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Acts 28:30-31, “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”
Philippians 4:22 –“All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.”
2. PAUL’S CRITICS. Vs.14-17
II Corinthians 1:8-9,” For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our [a]trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,”
Acts 16:25, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”
Paul was no stranger to friends letting him down and tearing him down.
2 Timothy 4:16 –“At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.”
Your real Christianity shows when your allies desert you.
3. PAUL’S CHOICE. Vs.18
II Corinthians 1:8-9, “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,”
Paul was neither bitter against God for being in prison nor bitter against his church friends for what they were doing and saying about him.