HOW TO BE HAPPY IN CHAINS Phil 1:3-11 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God HOW TO BE HAPPY IN CHAINS Philippians 1:3-11

As Paul wrote Philippians he was imprisoned in chains in Rome (1:13) He could have spent his time in self-pity and complaint - but he didn’t Instead, he spent his time encouraging others: “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4) You and I may not be physically bound, but most of us wear “chains” of varying sizes and lengths: Failing health or a serious medical problem An unhappy marriage or children who break our hearts Job-related stresses Financial struggles How could the apostle Paul be happy in his chains? How can we be happy in our chains? Philippians 1:3-11 tells us to… Phil 1:13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,

LOOK AT THE PAST WITH THANKSGIVING TO GOD (1:3-5) Paul was able to be happy in chains because, when he looked at the past, he did so with thanksgiving Paul had probably been associated with the church at Philippi for 10 years, and he only had fond memories of that association The double use of the “all” makes these verses amazing Paul looked for the good in all things - even though he had suffered mistreatment in Philippi (1st Thessalonians 2:2) Phil 1:3-5 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. Phil 1:3-5 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 1 Thess 2:2 but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.

LOOK AT THE PAST WITH THANKSGIVING TO GOD (1:3-5) Acts 16:27-34 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!" 29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They said, " Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. Paul was able to be happy in chains because, when he looked at the past, he did so with thanksgiving Perhaps, when he looked back on the unpleasant events he saw the good that came from them Romans 8:28 His wrongful imprisonment resulted in the conversion of the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:27-34), His being forced to leave town resulted in the preaching of the gospel in other places Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose

LOOK AT THE PAST WITH THANKSGIVING TO GOD (1:3-5) Paul was able to be happy in chains because, when he looked at the past, he did so with thanksgiving Perhaps, when he looked back on the unpleasant events he saw the good that came from them Paul’s pleasant memories were focused on the Christians in Philippi They faithfully supported his work (Philippians 1:5) “Fellowship” - κοινονια - to have in common The word embraces the concepts of sharing and joint participation They supported Paul in work in various ways: They prayed for him (Philippians 1:19) Financial support (Philippians 4:15-16) Phil 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; KJV Phil 4:15-16 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs Phil 1:19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

LOOK AT THE PAST WITH THANKSGIVING TO GOD (1:3-5) Paul was able to be happy in chains because, when he looked at the past, he did so with thanksgiving Perhaps, when he looked back on the unpleasant events he saw the good that came from them Paul’s pleasant memories were focused on the Christians in Philippi Paul could be happy in chains because he looked at the past with thanksgiving to God You and I can concentrate on the bad things that happen in our lives and end up bitter, or we can remember the good things, gives thanks to the Lord, and be happy Happiness is a choice

LOOK AT THE PRESENT WITH CONFIDENCE IN GOD (1:6-8) As Paul thought about the Christians in Philippi, he was flooded with emotions: “Love” was one of these emotions Paul longs for them with all of his heart Paul loved them with the love that characterized the Lord Phil 1:6-8 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus

LOOK AT THE PRESENT WITH CONFIDENCE IN GOD (1:6-8) As Paul thought about the Christians in Philippi, he was flooded with emotions: “Love” was one of these emotions As Paul remembered his brothers and sisters in Christ, he was also filled with “confidence” Paul was happy in chains because he was able to look at the present with confidence in God He was not self-confident as much as he was God-confident (Philippians 2:13) Paul had seen God at work in Philippi, and he believed that the Lord deserved praise for every good thing that had been accomplished The confidence expressed by Paul was primarily because of who God was (and is), but his confidence was bolstered by who the Philippian Christians were - the kind of people in whom God could work. God does not look for perfect people in whom to work; if He did, He would never work in anyone Rather, He looks for those who will allow Him to work in their lives How does God work in our lives? Through His word (Hebrews 4:12) Through events in our lives (James 1:2-3) Through people (2nd Corinthians 7:6) Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart James 1:2-3 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Phil 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 2 Cor 7:6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

LOOK AT THE PRESENT WITH CONFIDENCE IN GOD (1:6-8) Phil 1:7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me As Paul thought about the Christians in Philippi, he was flooded with emotions: “Love” was one of these emotions As Paul remembered his brothers and sisters in Christ, he was also filled with “confidence” What qualities permitted God to work in the lives of the Christians at Philippi? Philippians 1:7 Again, Paul uses the Greek work κοινονια, but this time it is translated “partaker” They did not turn their back on him as other had when he was imprisoned They defended and confirmed the gospel when it was attacked “Defense” - απολογια - meaning a verbal defense “Confirmation” - has to do teaching and exhorting Regarding their fellowship “of grace,” Paul used “grace” (unmerited favor) to encompass all that he was and did

LOOK AT THE PRESENT WITH CONFIDENCE IN GOD (1:6-8) As Paul thought about the Christians in Philippi, he was flooded with emotions: “Love” was one of these emotions As Paul remembered his brothers and sisters in Christ, he was also filled with “confidence” What qualities permitted God to work in the lives of the Christians at Philippi? What ever our challenge is in life, we need to remember that, if we are faithful children of God, we do not have to face those challenges alone. Paul had confidence in his brethren Paul had confidence in the Almighty (Ephesians 3:20) Eph 3:20 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,

LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH PRAYER TO GOD Regarding what was ahead, he did not ignore the realities of life, he knew that the Philippians would continue to face challenges, as would he. (Philippians 1:9-11) Paul prayed that they would grow in love (αγαπη) That it would abound Always seek the best of another Phil 1:9-11 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God

LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH PRAYER TO GOD Regarding what was ahead, he did not ignore the realities of life, he knew that the Philippians would continue to face challenges, as would he. (Philippians 1:9-11) Paul prayed that they would grow in love (αγαπη) Paul prayed that they would grow in knowledge Spiritual knowledge Study is the key

LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH PRAYER TO GOD Regarding what was ahead, he did not ignore the realities of life, he knew that the Philippians would continue to face challenges, as would he. (Philippians 1:9-11) Paul prayed that they would grow in love (αγαπη) Paul prayed that they would grow in knowledge He prayed that they would grow in the ability to discern between right and wrong This is closely connected to knowledge It means perception and understanding

LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH PRAYER TO GOD Regarding what was ahead, he did not ignore the realities of life, he knew that the Philippians would continue to face challenges, as would he. (Philippians 1:9-11) Paul prayed that they would grow in love (αγαπη) Paul prayed that they would grow in knowledge He prayed that they would grow in the ability to discern between right and wrong Paul prayed that they would grow in Christian character “Sincere and blameless” Sincere means judged by the sunlight

LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH PRAYER TO GOD Regarding what was ahead, he did not ignore the realities of life, he knew that the Philippians would continue to face challenges, as would he. (Philippians 1:9-11) Paul prayed that they would grow in love (αγαπη) Paul prayed that they would grow in knowledge He prayed that they would grow in the ability to discern between right and wrong Paul prayed that they would grow in Christian character Paul prayed that would grow in living fruitful lives “Fruits of righteousness” To bear the fruit of good works To face the future with confidence we must live closer to the Lord each day and glorify Him in all things Prayer is a main component in this There is no better advice for those who are “in chains” than to take their eyes off themselves and fasten them on the Lord

What will your reaction be to the “chains of life”? We can look at the past with misgiving or thanksgiving We can look at the present with cowardice or confidence We can look at the future with apprehension or prayer We can rely on our strength, or we can rely on the strength of the Lord Which will be true of you?