Transcript

What Would Paul Say?

Philippians 4:9
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Pastor Randy Smith

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Many have asked me how I have processed during this recent trial and what God has taught me in the midst of suffering - those are good questions. Allow me to say upfront that apart from the grace of God, fueled by your prayers and buoyed by your support, I would not be up here this morning. I praise the Lord and thank you! I could not imagine going through the difficulties of life apart from a loving church family and a personal relationship with the living God and the promises He provides on the pages of Scripture. And it has been these promises that have spoken to me and have given me comfort, direction, strength and hope. Once again, it has been the teaching of Paul, the man himself who said we are to be "nourished on the words of the faith" (1 Ti. 4:6), who God used to minister to my heart.

This morning I would like to share with you what Paul, who I believe to be the greatest pastor who ever lived save our Lord, Jesus Christ, has taught me this week. But instead of serving as a mediator, I'd like to do something completely different and invite Paul to speak directly to you this morning off the pages of the Bible.

And let's remember that even though these are the words of Paul, they are ultimately the words of God as God is the primary author of divinely inspired Scripture. And please note upfront that although you may not detect all the references, this sermon contains over 150 quotations or direct allusions to verses in the Bible. I will attempt to use Scripture to exposit Scripture. And since this sermon is so saturated with Paul's writings, I felt the clearest and easiest way to present the material is to deliver it in the first person. May God's Word minister to your heart as it did mine.

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Well, it is a pleasure to be with you this morning. I have no greater joy (Phil. 2:17) than to serve the God who has called me to Himself (1 Ti. 1:12). "I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Ti. 1:13).

Oh there was a time in my life when I hated everything about Christianity. I was "a persecutor of the church" (Phil. 3:6). "When (Christians) were being put to death I cast my vote against them" (Ac. 26:10).

So there I was heading for Damascus, seeking to bind Christians and bring them to Jerusalem (Ac. 9:2). But "suddenly a light from heaven flashed around (me)" (Ac. 9:3). I "fell to the ground and heard a voice saying… 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me'" (Ac. 9:4). "And (I) said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting'" (Ac. 9:5).

Shortly after this encounter I received my commission. The Lord called me to be "a chosen instrument…to bear (His) name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel" (Ac. 9:15; 22:21). And for this purpose God would work through me "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive (the) forgiveness of sins (through) faith in (Christ Jesus)" (Ac. 26:18; cf. 9:19-20).

Well, immediately after being "sent out" by the Holy Spirit with Barnabas from Antioch (Ac. 13:1-4), I began to see the power of God on display. God fulfilled His word by drawing men and women to Himself just as He promised.

I witnessed the salvation of people from all walks of life, "for there is no partiality with God" (Rom. 2:11): A slave-girl with a spirit of divination (Ac. 16:16), a proconsul named Sergius Paullus (Ac. 13:7, 12), a Philippian jailer (Ac. 16:34), a wealthy woman named Lydia (Ac. 16:14-15), a leader of the synagogue named Crispus (Ac. 18:8) and many occult magicians in Ephesus (Ac. 19:19). Generally speaking countless souls have been "rescued…from the domain of darkness, and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Col. 1:13-14). I observed it with my own eyes. "The word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing" (Ac. 19:20; cf. 13:49; 2 Thes. 3:1).

Then suddenly I was behind bars for proclaiming Christ (Eph. 3:1; Phil. 1:14; Col. 4:3; Phile. 1:9). But even while imprisoned, the gospel went forth and "my circumstances…(actually) turned out for the greater progress of the gospel" (Phil. 1:12). I learned that although "I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal…the word of God is not imprisoned" (2 Ti. 2:9). His plan will always prevail. "Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57).

Oh what an honor it is to see "the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Ti. 6:15) use me, as He uses you, as a vessel to accomplish His divine purposes.

I have received good reports regarding the Lord's work here at the Grace Tabernacle. "(I) always (offer) prayer with joy…in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now (Phil. 1:4-5). I have learned about your spiritual growth (1 Cor. 3:6-7) and commitment to service and discipleship (1 Cor. 12:7; Col. 1:28-29). I know of your "love (for) the brethren" (1 Thes. 4:9) and sincere desire to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Ti. 4:5). It is evident that God is working in your midst. Don't become complacent (Phil. 3:13-14). I encourage you "to excel still more" (1 Thes. 4:1, 10).

I also find it necessary to warn you that because of your spiritual success, Satan will seek to hinder you with all of his might (1 Thes. 2:18). Christian ministry is not a game. Be prepared for intense spiritual warfare not against "flesh and blood," but "against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12).

You remember how Satan "demanded permission (from our Lord) to sift (Peter) like wheat" (Lk. 22:31). Peter himself even told us in his epistle "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). And the more influence you exert, the more your adversary will seek to bring you down (Ac. 13:8; 1 Cor. 16:9).

Do not be deceived as to his presence and his power. Do not underestimate his craftiness (2 Cor. 11:3). Do not be "ignorant of His schemes" (2 Cor. 2:11). I reminded the Corinthians, "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14). I told the Ephesian elders; "from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Ac. 20:30). Let's remember that Satan deals in gross deception (2 Thes. 2:10). I've seen him destroy churches deceiving some of the godliest saints without their knowing.

But I am confident of better things for you, beloved. Therefore "stand firm," continually wearing "the full armor of God" (Eph. 6:13). "(Gird) your loins with truth." "Put on the breastplate of righteousness." "Shod your feet with the…gospel of peace." "(Take) up the shield of faith" and "the helmet of salvation" and "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:14-17; cf. 1 Thes. 5:8).

Take courage, our Lord, through His death and resurrection, "disarmed" Satan and his demonic forces (Col. 2:15). And while Satan fights as a defeated enemy, remember "the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (2 Thes. 3:3). Be encouraged! Keep your ground. For the day is coming when "the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" (Rom. 16:20).

I must admit this intense warfare between good and evil has caused tremendous pain in my life. I can recall the "affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves" (2 Cor. 8-9). I told the Corinthians we commend "ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness (and) in hunger" (2 Cor. 6:4-5). Our Lord promised us these things would come to all Christians (Jn. 15:20). So I find myself continually "serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials" (Ac. 20:19).

My external tribulations for the gospel are well documented in Scripture. I have faced continual conflicts with the Jews (Ac. 13:45, 50; 14:2, 19; 17:5, 13; 20:19; 21:27; 23:12) and also with the Gentiles (Ac. 13:7-8; 14:5; 16:19; 19:26-28). I was stoned in Lystra and left for dead on a garbage heap (Ac. 14:19; cf. 2 Ti. 3:11). I was pummeled with rods and then placed in the stocks in Philippi (Ac. 16:22-24; cf. 1 Thes. 2:2). I was beaten by an angry mob in Jerusalem (Ac. 21:32). I was forced to tell the rebellious Galatians, "I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus" (Gal. 6:17).

This suffering, as difficult as it is comes as no surprise to me. I recall God's words to Ananias shortly after my conversion, when our Lord said, "For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake" (Ac. 9:16). "Therefore I ask you (Grace Tabernacle) not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory" (Eph. 3:13). For we all know "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Ac. 14:22; cf. Rom. 8:17; Phil. 1:29; 2 Ti. 3:12).

The external suffering is painful enough, but I was not prepared for the internal suffering within (2 Cor. 7:5). After I vindicated my Apostleship to the Corinthians by pointing to my sufferings (2 Cor. 11:23-27), I told them the greatest pain comes from "the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches" (2 Cor. 11:28). I can honestly admit that my deep concern for the well being of God's people brings forth greater pain than any whip across my back. Just as "Christ…loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Eph. 5:25), I follow in His footsteps (1 Cor. 11:1).

It breaks my heart to see the many harmful individuals who have infiltrated the churches. False teachers have brought "destructive heresies" (2 Pet. 2:1; cf. Tit. 1:10-11) and the "doctrines of demons" (1 Ti. 4:1; cf. 1:3). I say with "weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil. 3:18). Other men are "perverse and evil" (2 Thes. 3:2). "Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme" (1 Ti. 1:20; cf. 2 Ti. 4:14). Still others are self-willed (Tit. 1:7; 2 Pet. 2:10), lording their authority over the flock (1 Pet. 5:3), seeking a following for themselves (Gal. 4:17). Our friend John had his Diotrephes, the one "who loves to be first" (3 Jn. 1:9), and I had my "Alexander the coppersmith (who) did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds" (2 Ti. 4:14). All these men "profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him" (Tit. 1:16). "The sins of some men are quite evident" (1 Ti. 5:24). Because of their potential for great damage, those who seek to destroy the church weigh heavily on my heart.

Possibly the most difficult thing for me to see is the church disunified. Nothing bears greater on the shepherd's heart than to see factions amongst the flock.

When I wrote my first epistle to the Corinthians, I initially glossed over their gross immorality, to present the issue I was most eager to address. I asked them to "all agree (so) there be no divisions among (them)" (1 Cor. 1:10). When I wrote to the Philippians, I publicly needed to "urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord" (Phil. 4:2). My friends, if you wish to ease my pain, "make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose" (Phil. 2:2). "Keep your eye on those who cause dissensions" (Rom. 16:17) and if necessary, "reject a factious man after a first and second warning" (Tit. 3:10).

Other issues in the churches have brought much internal grief to my life as well. I told three different churches, at times I fear as if I had "labored…(over them) in vain" (Gal. 4:11; cf. 1 Thes. 3:5; Phil. 2:16).

The Galatian church were some of my biggest supporters. They blessed me tremendously in the past (Gal. 4:15). But the moment I corrected their error, they painfully rejected me and shunned my presence. I said to them in my letter, "So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth" (Gal. 4:16)?

After founding the Corinthian church and laboring amongst them for a year and a half (Ac. 18:11), they too rejected me on more than one occasion (1 Cor. 4:7-8; 2 Cor. 2:1-4; 6:11-13; 11:20-21; 12:13). I received "sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice" (2 Cor. 2:3). Through the tears I wrote to them, "Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one" (2 Cor. 7:2).

I was in fear of losing the Thessalonian church. In my first letter to them I refreshed their memory how I served them and loved them as a spiritual parent. I wrote, "We proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us" (1 Thes. 2:7-8). I continued, "Just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children (1 Thes. 2:11; cf. 1 Cor. 4:15).

I pray most earnestly for these churches night and day (1 Thes. 3:10). I continually desire to "see (their) face" (1 Thes. 2:17-18). They are "my joy and crown" (Phil. 4:1; cf. 1 Thes. 2:19-20). They are "in my heart" (Phil. 1:7). And just as "Christ…loved (them) and gave Himself up for (them) (Eph. 5:2), I too am willing to "gladly spend and be expended for (their) souls" (2 Cor. 12:15). Grace Tabernacle, "I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen" (2 Ti. 2:10).

Also hurtful are the individual partners in ministry who have let me down - Men and women who I trusted as my closest companions, have either abandoned me or shipwrecked their Christian faith (1 Ti. 1:19). I had my Demas, the one who "having loved this present world, has deserted me" (2 Ti. 4:10; cf. Phile. 1:24). Folks, "You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes" (2 Ti. 1:15). And how can I forget my Roman imprisonment. "At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them" (2 Ti. 4:16).

But even though many have left, some have faithfully stood by my side. Among them are Timothy "my beloved son" (1 Ti. 1:2) and Luke who remained when others departed (2 Ti. 4:11; cf. Col. 4:14) and Phoebe a helper of many and myself (Rom. 16:1-2) and Titus who comforted me in a time of depression (2 Cor. 7:6) and Priscilla and Aquila "my fellow workers in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 16:3) and Epaphroditus "my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier" (Phil. 2:25).

I have learned that God "stood with me and strengthened me" (2 Ti. 4:17). He "will not allow (me) to be tempted beyond what (I am) able" (1 Cor. 10:13). I can remember a time when He preserved the life of Epaphroditus "so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow" (Phil. 2:27). My suffering is contained in the hands of a loving and sovereign God, and "even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all" (Phil. 2:17). For God has destined us for these afflictions (1 Thes. 3:3) and I am confident "that (he) causes all things (even suffering) to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). And I have personally witnessed this good over and over that God brings forth from these trials.

For example, I am able to give comfort to others with the comfort I have received from God in all my afflictions (2 Cor. 1:4). Therefore "if (I) am afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation" (2 Cor. 1:6). "And not only this, but (secondly) we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance and perseverance, proven character" (Rom. 5:3-4). Suffering conforms us to Christ like no other means. Additionally, suffering provides the most powerful display of the gospel. When we cling to Christ even in the midst of suffering, the message of salvation is adorned (Tit. 2:10). I wrote to the Colossians, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions" (Col. 1:24). Suffering also brings humility. You know full well I was given a "thorn in the flesh…to keep me from exalting myself" (2 Cor. 12:7). And finally, these trials are the greatest means to keep us forever trusting in the Lord. I told the Corinthians, "Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:9).

"Therefore (Grace Tabernacle) do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God" (2 Ti. 1:8; cf. 2:3).

I exhort the elders among you to "shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Ac. 20:28). "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock" (Ac. 20:28). "Savage wolves will come in among you" (Ac. 20:29). Therefore be vigilant. "Be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints" (Eph. 6:18; cf. Ac. 20:31). Be jealous with a "godly jealousy" for all the sheep (2 Cor. 11:2-4).

Furthermore, "I solemnly charge (your leaders) in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths" (2 Ti. 4:1-4; cf. Ac. 20:20-21; 1 Thes. 2:3-6; 1 Cor. 2:1-5; 9:16, 23; 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2).

Men, "Do not preach (yourselves) but Christ Jesus as Lord, and (yourselves) as…bond-servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Cor. 4:5). "Cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ" (1 Cor. 9:12; cf. 2 Cor. 6:3) by anything in your lifestyle. May your character always remain "above reproach" (1 Ti. 3:2; Tit. 1:6, 7; cf. 1 Cor. 9:26-27; 1 Ti. 3:1-7; 6:11; 2 Ti. 2:22-26; Tit. 1:6-9). Do "nothing in a spirit of partiality" (1 Ti. 5:21). "Speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine" (Tit. 2:1; cf. 1 Ti. 4:6; 6:3; Tit. 1:9; 2:7). "Show yourself an example of those who believe" (1 Ti. 4:12). And "the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:9; cf. 1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 1 Thes. 1:6; 2 Thes. 3:7, 9; 2 Ti. 3:10-11).

Most importantly, elders and all who profess Christ at the Grace Tabernacle - Be humble! I have learned over and over again that the ministry is not about me. Therefore, I die to self daily (1 Cor. 15:31). As our dear brothers James and Peter once said, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5). Remember, "For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends" (2 Cor. 10:18).

Therefore I have learned to see myself as "the very least of all saints" (Eph. 3:8), the foremost of sinners (1 Ti. 1:15), a fool for Christ's sake (1 Cor. 4:10) and inadequate for the ministry to which I have been called (2 Cor. 2:16; 3:5-6). I am only a servant to whom the Lord gives opportunity (1 Cor. 3:5). I am only a clay jar containing the treasure of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:7). And I never seek "my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved" (1 Cor. 10:33).

For instance, I can recall one time in Lystra when the crowds thought Barnabas and I were gods (Ac. 14:11)! "The priest of Zeus…brought oxen…and wanted to offer sacrifice" (Ac. 14:13). But the moment we heard of it we "tore our robes and rushed out into the crowd…crying, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God'" (Ac. 14:14-15).

Another time the Corinthian church tried to place me on a pedestal. They were running around saying, "'I am of Paul' and…'I am of Apollos'" (1 Cor. 3:4). I asked them if they were baptized in my name (1 Cor. 1:14-15). Then I told them, "What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth" (1 Cor. 3:5-7).

Another time I was on my way to Jerusalem (Ac. 20:22) knowing "that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifie(d) to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me" (Ac. 20:23). "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God" (Ac. 20:24). But Agabus with many others concerned for my well being came forward and tried to prevent me from going (Ac. 21:12). Yet I replied, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Ac. 21:13).

All of this is to say that I am not serving the Lord out of any self-will or desire for personal gratification. I conduct my ministry without partiality (1 Ti. 5:21). And my intentions are ultimately to please the Lord, even if it brings an offense to man - which it often does. Because "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ" (Gal. 1:10). I have had to take some tough stances. You will recall in Antioch how I rebuked even the Apostle Peter publicly (Gal. 2:11).

It is the Lord to whom I will give account. For He is the One who examines the heart (1 Thes. 2:4; 1 Cor. 4:3-4) and judges my motives (1 Cor. 4:5). He is the One that I am ultimately seeking to please (2 Cor. 5:9; Eph. 5:10), honor (1 Ti. 1:17) and glorify (1 Cor. 10:31).

Well, my time has come to an end. I encourage you Grace Tabernacle: To "walk by faith (and) not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7), to "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58) and to "fight the good fight" (1 Ti. 1:18; 6:12). For "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Ti. 4:7-8).

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all" (2 Cor. 13:14). Amen.

Benediction: "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen" (Eph. 3:20-21).