What Trials and Tribulations Can and Cannot Do

Series: Preacher: Date: October 22, 2000 Scripture Reference: Philippians 1:12-26

Victor Frankl was a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during World War II, and as such was well-acquainted with suffering and deprivation. For years he saw life at its worst. He observed that some of his fellow prisoners survived the horrors of prison camp while others did not and he became curious as to why this was so. In his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Frankl shared the conclusions he came to after carefully studying his fellow captives. He wrote,

“Everything can be taken from men but one thing: the last of human freedoms-the ability to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

And Frankl was right in his deduction, for attitude really is a choice. It is a conscious decision.

Some people choose to embrace an attitude of OPTIMISM…like the ninety-year-old man who married a twenty-four-year-old girl. For the wedding, he bought a new suit with two pairs of pants. Then he financed a new house with a thirty-year mortgage, located next to an elementary school so their future children wouldn’t have far to walk. Others, for whatever reason, choose instead to look at life from a PESSIMISTIC perspective, like the little boy who was preparing for a test. He told his dad, “I’m going to fail this test because I don’t understand the material.”

His father responded, “Son, you have to be positive!” “Okay,” the boy replied, “I’m positive I’m going to fail this test!”

As I said, last Sunday, Paul was an individual who chose the only path that leads to joy. He decided to look at life through optimistic eyes. Now, when I say optimism I’m not referring to wishful thinking or naivete. No-for maturing believers like Paul, optimism is based on faith. It is a conscious decision to look at life from the perspective that confidence in God provides. It’s a commitment to put our trust not in the ever-changing circumstances of life, but rather in our God, Who as James says, “…does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17 )

And, one of the wonderful blessings of choosing this attitude-one of the benefits of deciding to put our who faith in God-is that we are able to notice…to SEE…things that other, more pessimistic people miss. Paul referred to this in II Corinthians 10:7 when he said that people who don’t put their confidence in Christ, “…are looking only on the surface of things.”

Several years ago one of the most popular gimmicks for sale in kiosks all over local malls were Magic Eye Illustrations. Remember them? At first glance each illustration appeared to be nothing more than a multi-colored pattern on a poster like a design that might appear on a psychedelic bed sheet of the 60’s. At least that’s all that the casual mall shopper saw. Others though would stop and stand around these odd illustrations peering into their depths with cross-eyed looks of intense concentration on their faces. Shortly thereafter you’d hear “ooh’s” and “ah’s” coming from their mouths. This is because these popular prints were not really nonsensical blobs of colorful patterns but rather detailed computer generated three-dimensional illusions. And, if you looked at them with just the right perspective you could see things that passers by would miss: pictures of dolphins and sharks swimming over open treasure chests, dinosaurs locked in mortal combat, space ships rocketing to the stars, the soaring towers and battlements of Arthurian castles. But in order to detect these hidden images you had to do just as the designer of this technology instructed. You see, built into each of these prints was a repeating pattern…and to see the images hidden within you had to focus one of your eyes at a point in the image, while the other eye looked at the same point in the next pattern. If you held your eyes in that position long enough, your own brain would be able to decode the 3D information and the picture would suddenly appear. But, if you chose to ignore these guidelines you missed seeing things that others saw and enjoyed.

Well, as I said a moment ago, Paul was an individual who decided to look at his life through the eyes of faith. He faithfully obeyed the instructions of His Designer and when we follow his example and make this choice to embrace a faith-based optimism, well, our mind’s eyes are opened; our vision clears and we are able to see amazing things that we would miss otherwise.

In Isaiah 60:4-5 our Designer-our Creator-promises us this when He says, “Lift up your eyes and [really] look about you…then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will throb and swell with joy.”

This morning we’re continuing our study of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi and I want us to look very hard — with both eyes fixed intently on the content of verses 12-26 of chapter 1 for, if we do I think we’ll see and understand two wonderful principles that this faith perspective taught Paul. Take your Bibles then, and turn to Philippians, chapter one and follow along as I read.

12 – Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

13 – As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

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.

15 – It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will.

16 – The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

17 – The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.

18 – 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. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

19 – for, I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

20 – 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.

21 – For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

22 – 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!

23 – I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

24 – but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

25 – 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,

26 – so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”

Okay, according to these verses what did Paul’s faith-filled perspective in life enable him to see that other, people, blinded by their faith-less pessimism, might miss?

1. Well, first of all…this attitude made it possible for Paul to see what tough times…trials and tribulations…could DO.

Now, that may not sound like that startling of a revelation. I mean, we’ve all experienced the bumps and bruises that are caused by tough times. We’re not blind. All of us clearly SEE the consequences of hardships. But do we really? I think not, for we tend to FOCUS only on the surface so we see only the BAD that comes from BAD whereas faith made Paul able to look deeper and see that afflictions, such as his being chained to a Roman soldier while he waited trial and possible death. Trials like this could also do GOOD. God used Paul’s faith to shed light on the fact that there were unique advantages that could be found in the midst of his current difficulties.

You know, Paul had always wanted to come to Rome so that he could preach and do missionary work in this, the capitol of the known world. Acts 19:21 records that while he was in Ephesus, Paul had outlined the places he wanted to go and spread the good news of the salvation that could be found in Jesus. Listen to what he said. “After I have been [to Jerusalem, Macedonia, and Achaia] I must visit Rome also.” In Romans 1:15 he said, “…I am eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.” Well, sitting in that cell Paul could NOW SEE that, thanks to his arrest in Jerusalem on false charges and his appeal to the emperor, he had been given an all expenses paid cruise to Rome.

And not only had his trouble in Jerusalem brought him to this city; with His FAITH-EMPOWERED EYES he was able to see that this trip and his imprisonment that followed made many WONDERFUL things possible. For example in verse 12. Paul says, “I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to ADVANCE the gospel.”

A. Paul could see that far from ENDING his missionary activity his imprisonment had actually expanded it.

In fact his BONDS had destroyed barriers, freeing him to share his faith in places he would not otherwise have been able to. The word, “ADVANCE,” here which is translated, “FURTHERANCE” in some Bible versions comes from the Greek word, “prokopen” which literally means, “to cut before.” This was the word that was used in Paul’s day to describe the activity of a detachment of special woodcutters, who always preceded the regular army and cut a roads through an otherwise impenetrable forest. Thanks to their work, the army would be able to ADVANCE FURTHER into areas it could not have gone. And Paul SAW that his suffering, opened the way…blazed a trail…over which the gospel could extend where it would not have been able to in any other means.

When he arrived at Rome he had at first been put in prison, but eventually he was given his own private apartment. And, in this apartment he was constantly under guard, chained with a short length of chain to a soldier — a member of the Praetorian Guard. Now, understand…the Praetorian Guard were not just any run of the mill soldiers. They were the very elite, Imperial Guard of Rome. Their unit had been founded by the Emperor Augustus himself and were made up of a body of ten thousand handpicked troops…the best of the best. They were literally the power behind the throne of Rome. It was to the Prefect of the Praetorian Guard…the commanding officer of this crack unit…to whom Paul was handed over to when he first arrived in Rome.

Do you begin to see the picture here? Twenty-four hours a day, in six hour shifts each, one after another of these select soldiers was chained to the Apostle Paul and forced to be with him. They heard the conversations Paul had with his visitors as they discussed spiritual things. They listened as he dictated his epistles. They were constantly bound to this man who prayed without ceasing. Talk about a captive audience! Warren Wiersbe writes, “Little did the Romans realize that the chains they affixed to his wrists would release Paul instead of binding him!”

Paul’s faith enabled him to see that his imprisonment provided the opportunity for the gospel of Christ to penetrate into the ranks of the most powerful men in the empire, and from them into the city of Rome and from Rome to soldiers stationed all over the world. He would never have had that kind of opportunity if he had not been imprisoned. In verse 14 he writes, “…it has become clear through out the whole palace guard that I am in chains because of Christ.”

This reminds me of something I learned in last year’s international mission study. In the Muslim nation of Saudi Arabia it is illegal to be a professing Christian. They allow no Christian missionaries within their borders but the wealthy rulers of this oil rich nation import Filipino women to serve as nannies for their children. And the vast majority of these Filipino women are Christians. So the future kings, queens, and statesmen of this nation are sitting on the laps of these Christian women. Think of the impact of their nurturing witness!

Well, Paul’s chains gave him contact not just with the Praetorian Guard but also with another group of people: the officials in the emperor’s court. Paul was in Rome as an official prisoner, and his case was an important one. You see, the Roman government had to determine the official status of this new “Christian sect.” They wondered…was it merely another sect of the Jews? Or was it something new and possibly dangerous? Imagine how pleased Paul must have been knowing that, thanks to his imprisonment, the court officials themselves were forced to study the doctrines of the Christian faith?!

So Paul could see that his troubles had been good for the spread of the gospel. And in verse 14 we can see another thing that Paul’s optimism enabled him to see. Look at what he writes, “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” The word, “brethren” would refer not to pastors and church leaders but to the laity…men and women in the local churches of Rome. And the word “speak” does not mean to preach but rather refers to everyday conversation.

B. In other words, the way Paul had responded to his unpleasant circumstances…was an inspiration to the other Christians in Rome.

Before his imprisonment, they had been fearful to share their faith. But, now they were boldly sharing Christ in their everyday conversation. His circumstances invoked courage in the Roman Christians. They decided that if God could use Paul IN prison, He certainly could use them OUTSIDE of prison. Paul’s courage gave them courage to share their faith throughout the capitol city. So, because of Paul’s imprisonment Jesus was literally the talk of the town. Even Paul’s enemies were motivated by his example to spread the good news of Jesus more boldly. Now, their motives were not pure. They were jealous of Paul and wanted to undermine his authority, so they preached to compete with Paul but this didn’t bother him because he had chosen a joyful attitude. He had pulled back and looked at their activity from God’s perspective and he saw that the MOTIVE in their preaching didn’t really matter — MINISTRY did! As he wrote in verse 18, “..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.”

So, Paul could see that his imprisonment helped the spreading of the gospel.It strengthened the local Christians in their evangelistic efforts…

C. …and he could also see that it benefitted him personally.

In verse 19 he writes, “…what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” Now this word, “deliverance” does not mean “personal safety.” So, Paul was not saying that he knew he would be released from prison and be safe in that sense. And, neither was he saying that his suffering made him more secure somehow in his hope of heaven. Paul knew and regularly preached that we are saved not by what WE ENDURE but rather by what CHRIST ENDURED…not because of OUR suffering but because of HIS. NO, the word here for “deliverance” literally means, “personal well being.” Paul was saying that he could see that God was going to work in this suffering to mold him into a better person.

The motto of one of the Scottish Clans is “sub pondere cresco” which is Latin for, “I grow under the burden.” And Paul could see from his optimistic perspective that all his current trials and tribulations would benefit him. He would grow and mature under this burden. In II Corinthians 4:17-18 Paul writes about this principle and says, “All this [suffering] is for your benefit. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

So often you and I cry when suffering comes. We strike out at God when the circumstances of our lives are unpleasant. Something happens and we moan, “Why me?” and we wallow in self-pity. But the lesson history has taught us is that truly great souls graduate from the school of conflict, never from the school of convenience. Tough times ARE good for us. Brian Harbour writes, “When there is no calamity, there is no courage…no hardship, no hardiness…no stress, no strength…no suffering, no sympathy…no cross, no crown.”

Well, thanks to his chosen OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE, Paul did not complain about his chains; he consecrated them. He saw that just as God had used Moses’ rod and David’s sling, He was just as surely using these pieces of metal links for his benefit. Paul saw what his trials could DO!

And we must learn from Paul to back off and look at our problems from this angle so that we too can envision the benefits of bad times. Richard Baxter who lived in the 17th century England was one of history’s most memorable preachers. But throughout his life, he was plagued by one illness after another. For years he entered the pulpit in the fear that he might not leave it alive. But, his biographer pointed to his illness as the source of his greatness for it weakened temptation, kept him from valuing the world too highly, and taught him the importance of every moment. John Bunyan, another English Christian of the 17th century, spent twelve years in prison. But later he referred to his prison as a, “hill from which he could see great things.” When Corrie Ten Boom was living in a German concentration camp during WWII, her entire body became infested with lice, making a bad situation even worse. She was complaining about it one day, and her sister reminded her of the Bible verse that says, “In everything give thanks,” and she challenged Corrie to give thanks for the lice. Corrie’s response was, “How can I give thanks to God for lice?” But she made a choice to do it anyway. Later she found out that the lice had actually protected her from the sexual assaults of the German soldiers.

You see, every problem has benefits, we just need to look to see them. It isn’t easy…our natural tendency is to focus on the problem itself but the more we look at the problem, the bigger it gets until our perception becomes completely distorted. Only when in faith we can step back and look beyond the problem do we see, as Paul did, all the GOOD that trials and tribulations can bring.

What’s your handicap this morning? What’s your unpleasant circumstance? What is it that binds your life? What causes you to suffer? Don’t’ complain about these things. Rejoice in them because God can use them to DO great things for you, in your life and in the lives of others. Every experience of suffering is a great crossroads in our lives. We can respond in anger and become bitter. Or we can learn with Paul to look at suffering as the chisel God uses to sculpt marred sinners into saints. Then, we can see as Paul did that “In all things God works for the GOOD of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” So Paul’s perspective enabled him to see some amazingly wonderful things that his trials and tribulations had DONE. He learned what tough times can DO…but this perspective also enabled him to see something else.

2. He could see what problems can NOT do.

You see, as Paul had discovered, there is a limit to how much trials and tribulations can impact our lives.

They can’t separate us from God’s love. In Romans 8:38-39 Paul says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

They can never truly defeat us. As Paul wrote in II Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are handicapped on all sides, but we are never frustrated; we are puzzled, but never in despair. We are persecuted but we never have to stand it alone: we may be knocked down but we are never knocked out!” (Phillips)

In short, God is bigger than any problem you and I will ever face…which includes death itself. Look at what Paul says in verse 21 of today’s text, “I eagerly expect and hope 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.” I love the way the Living Bible puts it when it says, “For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying….well, that’s better yet.”

The word Paul uses for “gain” in verse 21 is “kerdos.” It’s an old Greek word for any gain or profit made on an investment. We might translate it as “dividend.” Paul was saying, “If I die, I will cash in all my investments and will receive both principal and interest so I will have more of Christ even than when I was living!” So…from Paul’s perspective he could go on living and serving God while in his chains….or he could die and go to be with Him. EITHER WAY HE WON! In this text He reminds us that the Christian who chooses to look at life from a faith perspective can see that even the worst that can happen…death itself…is really the best that can happen.

When I was a kid I loved to read SUPERMAN comic books…and I admired all of Superman’s powers: he could fly, he had limitless strength…He had incredible vision powers. He could emit heat rays from his Kryptonian eyes. With them he could see the smallest atom or turn his gaze out into the stars and see planets at incredible distances. But my favorite one of Superman’s powers was his invulnerability. Nothing…not bullets…not even nuclear bombs could hurt him. Well, there is a very real sense that Paul here is saying that, as believers, you and I have the same power because nothing can REALLY harm us…thanks to the power of God. For, even death only brings us to eternity in God’s presence. Since Jesus has defeated death for us, we are literally untouchable. Nothing can REALLY hurt us.

This reminds me of the story of a the driver of a limousine who was stopped for speeding. The policeman walked up to his window and said, “Sir, did you know you were going 45 miles over the speed limit? I’m going to have to give you a ticket!” The driver very nonchalantly said, “Fine, give me two tickets if you want!” The policeman was offended by his attitude so he said, “I could also take your license and throw you in jail!” The driver again, very calmly said, “Go right ahead.” Well, the policeman pretty much lost it and took him up on his word. He read him his rights and then handcuffed him and drove him to the local jail. In a few hours the driver was taken before a judge and the judge said, “I understand you have a very sarcastic attitude…do you realize you are in a lot of trouble. I can put you away for this.” The driver again said, “Go right ahead.” This time the judge became angry and said, “I could throw the book at you for your obvious contempt of this court….you could be behind bars for some time!” The driver said, “Go right ahead….give me all the time you want. You see I’m the driver for the warden at the state penitentiary. I’m a convicted felon and have already been sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of parole.” This sarcastic chauffeur was pretty much invulnerable to anything the judge could do to him. And, thanks to the gift of eternal life that Jesus gives, in a very real sense we are just as invincible.

This is why it is so hard for me to understand when, because of trials, some Christians decide to give up their faith in God. My mental response is, “Give it up for what?” What else is there? Everything else in life comes up short…there is nothing else to help you and protect you when tough times come. In his book Laugh Again Charles Swindoll rephrases Paul’s bold faith statement in verse 21 to say:

  • “For me to live is MONEY…and to die is to leave it all behind.”
  • “For me to live is FAME…and to dies is to be quickly forgotten.”
  • “For me to live is POWER AND INFLUENCE…and to die is to lose both.”
  • “For me to live is POSSESSIONS…and to die is to depart with nothing in my hands.”

Somehow, they all fall flat don’t they? When money is our objective, we must live in fear of losing it, which makes us paranoid and suspicious. When fame is our aim, we become competitive lest others, upstage us, which makes us envious. When power and influence drive us, we become self-serving and strong-willed, which makes us arrogant. And when possessions become our god, we become materialistic, thinking enough is never enough, which makes us greedy. Only CHRIST can satisfy, whether we have or don’t’ have, whether we are known or unknown, whether we live or die.

In the 8th chapter of John’s gospel there is the record of an incident early in Jesus’ ministry where He began to teach His followers about the cost of following Him. As a result many of Jesus’ early disciples left Him. When this happened Jesus turned to the twelve and said, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” (John 8:67 ) And Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 8:68 ) Even impulsive Peter realized how foolish it would be to ever turn your back on Jesus.

This past week at prayer meeting Cathy Sternfeld shared with us that in coming years she will need both a kidney and a liver transplant. She told us of her prayer need so calmly that I called her to ask her more about her situation. I learned that Cathy has always had a genetic abnormality so she has always known that eventually she would need these transplants and she commented that her faith in God has given her the strength to face this extreme crisis with a calmness. She said, “I know that no matter what happens, I am a winner either way. I don’t know how people face life without a faith in God.” Cathy knows that you have to put your trust in something in this life…and only Jesus is worthy of that trust because only He provides a way for us to defeat death.

As Paul taunted in I Corinthians 15:55-57, “O grave, where is your victory? O death where is your sting? Thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

I love the lyrics to that old Gaither song: “There’s a room filled with sad ashen faces. Without hope death has wrapped them in gloom. But at the side of a saint there’s rejoicing. For death can’t be sealed in a tomb. For the old rugged cross made the difference. In a life bound for heartache and defeat. I will praise Him forever and ever. For the cross made the difference for me.”

Now,this morning think of the problems that you’re facing right now. What is it that you are focusing on? Do you keep reminding yourself about all the damage this problem can cause? Do you catch yourself saying, “This will be the end of me, I’ll be ruined, I’ll never be able to bounce back?” Try this. Instead of focusing on what the problem can do, focus on all it can’t do. If you are a Christian it can’t defeat you. Our problems aren’t all powerful. But our God is! And He has promised to put that power at our disposal…taking care of us no matter what happens in life.

So, Paul’s faith-based optimism enabled him to see some things that most people miss. Trials-hardships-can DO a lot for us…they can actually benefit us. But Paul could also see from his vantage point that there are limitations to the harm trials can cause. There are things they can NOT do as well.

This morning I invite you to pray with the Psalmist and say, “God, open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.” (Psalm 119:18 ) Let’s all ask God to help us choose to look at life with an optimism that comes from our faith in Him. If you are here today and are not a Christian, then I hope and pray that today’s worship has opened your eyes to see your need to follow Jesus as your Savior and Lord. God promised way back in Deuteronomy 4:29 that, “If you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you LOOK for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” If you have never made the commitment to follow Jesus I urge you to seek Him today. There may be other decisions that you see the need to make public today…to join this church…to rededicate your life to God in some way. And we invite you to make share those decisions with us now by walking an aisle and sharing them with me or Steve as we stand now and sing.

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