Life is Not Fair, But Joy Can Be Found
Series: Life In a Great Community
May 25, 2008 Pastor Bill Bump
Review: Paul wants us to understand as we read his letter that we are participants in the gospel.
As participants, we have been given tremendous promise that no matter what, God will continue to work in our life.
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Today: Paul’s experience of being under house arrest without cause when he wrote this letter reminds us that life is not fair.
Because life is not fair, we must live with a purpose that will give us a proper perspective in life. This purpose comes from our understanding that being a participant in the gospel leads to our ownership concerning its advancement.
Paul’s purpose in life is that in every circumstance, he would be able to spread the good news.
IMPACT OF LIVING WITH A PURPOSE
1. We understand that regardless of what is happening in our life, we can know that our purpose is being fulfilled.
Philippians 1:12 (NLT)
And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
Paul declares that the things that have happened to him have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.
2. We realize that our purpose can be lived out anywhere.
Philippians 1:13, 14 (NLT)
For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
When discussing his imprisonment, Paul’s desire is not that we focus on his chains, but rather on the effect these chains had on others.
3. We realize that our purpose will impact our future.
Philippians 1:20 (NLT)
For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
Paul’s confidence concerning the future was that God would use all the circumstances in his life to honor Christ.
CONCLUSION:
Paul had a single purpose as a participant in the gospel and that was to honor Christ. So even though life is not fair, joy can be found.
