Attraction of faith, reverse (Philippians 1:12-18)
Attraction of faith, reverse (Philippians 1:12-18)
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of 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,
Intro)
1. The reason why many like sport is because there is attraction of reverse. If there is no reverse it’s not that exciting to watch the sport. In this world cup there was match where people all thought we will lose to German, but Korea beat German by 2:0 and cause quite of interesting attraction into Korea.
2. Early 70s there was a soccer match between Korea and Israel. Second half of the game, 5mins left Korea was losing by 1:0. But, in last 5 minutes Cha Bum Kun made 2 scores and beat them, and Cha became a hero to the nation.
3. Late 70s there was boxing match there was Korean boxer name Su Hwan Hong. He was fighting against Champion named Karasaki. Hong got downed by Karasaki after 4 punches, but he got up and beat Karasaki with Knockout punch and he became a legend.
4. When there is a flood no matter how big the tree is often whole tree is pulled out by flood and it goes into water stream. Sometimes, with flood if there is tiny minnow in it that minnow could survive. Likewise church member who has no faith will join the stream, but church member who has faith will go through the hardships
Body)
A) Things that take our Pleasants away.
1. What takes your Pleasants away?
Saint Paul says in 3 ways.
First, changes in our environment.
Second, people who are surrounding us
Third, we all die at one point.
Saint Paul says in these he rather find full of life and joy.
Biblical scholars said Philippians is book of pleasant. It short with 4 chapters but has 19 of word ‘rejoice’
His comfort and rejoice does not come from environment nor people. It was nothing physical.
Philippians is book that was written when Saint Paul was locked up in prison. Although he was in prison he had pleasant mind. He says we can be pleasant in this environment, and he encourages being pleasant.
B) Reverse environment
1. First, Saint Paul reversed his environment.
Verse 12 says “12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”
This means when he was imprisoned. Normally people fall into despair, but Saint Paul didn’t.
How come he maintained his calm and his state of mind? It is because his purpose of life was spreading gospel and his life was owned by God.
2. everything that was environmental did not matter to Saint Paul like eating good food, or income etc. he only cared for if there are people that he can spread gospel.
He loved God and he answer for his call. So in any environment to him did not bother. It had no effect either negative or positive.
3. There was a Japanese author, Oi Kenzaburo who received novel prize once. His speech was like this “I have earned name in Literature world early, so my life had no problem, but there was big hit on my life. My wife gave a birth to a child who was mentally challenged.
Our couple was in pain. However, this kid brightened my literature life, because through him I have discovered mystery of life, and God who was the center of life. My kid became a teacher of my literature. The life in my literature was from my kid.” When we think we are in unfortunate moment people of God will found a way and God’s will.
C) Reverse people.
1. St Paul said second thing that threats our pleasantness is people. Relationship between people is more complicate and complex thank environment. When the relationship twist it takes away our pleasant and make us depressed.
In verse 16 and 17 there was a people who were with St Paul but leaves him although they are people who are spreading gospel, but they had different purpose and didn’t understand St Paul and leave him. However, St Paul says, “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.”
St Paul felt pleasant in everything that is God’s work and even through other person. He had a different view, not just as individual but Christ. This is maturity of faith.
3. There are 2 big values to people, which divide into negative and positive. Positive value sees everything positive and finds happiness. on the other hand, people with negative value will always see things dark and make themselves unfortunate.
4. There was a case that two people were pen pal and start relationship and decide to get married. Guy had only 1 eye, and lady was mad about not telling her. She says “I’m not mad because of fact that you only have 1 eye, but not telling me all these time.”
Guy replies, “What are you talking about? I told you with my first letter, saying I fall in love with you at first sight (in Korean language it uses an eye for sight).” Lady accepts positively and married.
Key of success in children education is in positive compliment. So, when they introduce themselves they train them to say things that are positive. Laughing by force enhances health. This life is positive but also faithful.
Yes healthy Christian is person who can establish healthy relationship. Accept who are opposing you and make them friend, and do not lose happiness due to your enemy.
D) Reverse death
1. Third thing that take our pleasant away is human’s limit, death. But we Christians can reverse death to eternal life
We have money but it does not last forever or power or health. It does not last forever.
2. However, St Paul didn’t fear death. He was in the situation that he could lose his life at any time, but he didn’t fear at all. ‘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.’ What a brave faith isn’t it?
Many people would want to reverse the situation by giving everything or do anything before they die. Death is scary and painful.
However, true Christian would say like ‘later on we meet each other in heaven. I’ll go first. My lord is calling. My life was happy.’
We can all become like this reverse death to eternal life. We can just follow Jesus, live life as disciple of Jesus. Jesus reversed death and resurrected, because he has eternal life, so with Jesus nothing to be afraid of.
3. there is a book called thank you Jyoong Ko. Author is mother of Jyoong ko. Jyoong ko was born with c section and after that Jyoong ko mother could not give birth anymore. So mother had extreme love towards Jyoong ko.
Later on Jyoong ko grew up and met a guy and get married. After having first child husband and Jyoong ko got cancer. Couple are in despair.
Jyoong ko was so lost, but she accept Jesus and so does her family. Later on they pray days and night. Couple is taking care of each other because they are both sick. They are sharing letters to each other and pray for each other please save my husband or wife.
But later on, they both died having 6 months gap between. Their last prayer was about Jesus that Jesus is everything that they have, and it’s Jesus’ will to either stay on earth or leave this world and go to heaven. Both died listening praise and singing.
Con)
Did environment, someone, or death took your Pleasants away?
We are Christian and God’s children. We have ability to reverse everything. That is attraction of true faith.
With God’s power, and ability achieve victory. Recover the prayer and faith. When you are weak, rely on God, and then he will give us wisdom, strength, and miracle. Let’s experience attraction of reverse in faith. Hallelujah!
070818 Ik Sun Ahn