Living Through Your Circumstances

Philippians 1:23-26

Philippians 1:23-26

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

I. IntroductionIf you had the chance to change

your financial, physical, spiritual, or social circumstances, would you?

Many would say “yes” without hesitation.

While we can’t change some of our circumstances, we can choose to live above rather than under them.

The apostle Paul learned how to be content in every situation and gives us a powerful example of how to live victoriously through difficult circumstances

Philippians 4:11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content

II. Paul learned throughout his trials that there were three things he should do in order to live

above his circumstances and gain peace and joy.

1st Focus on Christ rather than the circumstances

2nd Dwell on the sovereignty of God, not the will of man

3rd Consider the positive results rather than the pain and loss

I. Focus on Christ Rather than the Circumstances

When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he had many reasons to complain.

He was wrongfully imprisoned, chained to a Roman soldier at all times, and threatened with execution.

However, Paul rejoiced in the Lord and continued to spread the gospel.

The entire book of Philippians is only 104 verses long, and in them, the name of Jesus (or Christ) is mentioned fifty-five times.

Despite his hardships, Paul chose to focus on Jesus and to rejoice.

His troubles allowed him to reach people who might otherwise never hear the Word—the Praetorian Guard, the Roman soldiers who guarded the emperor—and to do so with “all openness, unhindered” (Acts 28:30-31).

Acts 28:30-3130 And Paul dwelt two whole years

in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God,

and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ,

with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

In Philippians 1:21, Paul states, “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

He had learned that, whatever the result, he would win.

If they released him, he could continue to preach, and if he died, he would go to be with Christ. Either way, he would rejoice!

Paul could have chosen self-pity and complaint, but he focused on Jesus Christ instead.

No matter how difficult our circumstances, we can make that same decision.

II. Dwell in the sovereignty of God not on the will of menPaul didn’t focus on Nero, the emperor

who could call for his death, or the laws of Rome. Instead, he remembered the truth that God is sovereign;

His throne is in the heavens and He rules over all

Psalms 103:19The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Paul understood “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him” (Rom. 8:28).

It doesn’t mean the Lord causes negative circumstances;

He allows them so we can grow closer to Him and learn to rely on our heavenly Father for strength and guidance.

We may not understand why God allows certain things to happen in our lives, but we must remember.

He knows our needs before we ask

Matthew 6:8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

we can always trust He is working in our lives for good.

Philippians 2:13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure

Instead of asking the Father why something happened, we should ask what we should learn.

Pain, difficulty, and hardship gives God a way to plow up our old hearts, to till them like soil, and prepare them for something good to grow.

III. Consider the Positive Results rather than the Pain and Loss

Paul’s circumstances gave him a ready audience for the gospel, the soldiers who were with him every moment of the day.

Phililippians 1:13So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

His wrongful imprisonment also served a purpose for other believers who gained “courage to speak the word of God without fear”.

Philippians 1:14And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul could see the hand of God at work in his circumstances, and it led to an amazing season of fruitfulness in his ministry.

We should always remember God is still in control, working things out according to His will.

Paul’s struggles, and his reaction to them, allowed the gospel to be spread in the heart of the Roman Empire.

It also provided us with the letters that serve as the foundation of Christian theology we study today.

ConclusionFocusing on your situation only

causes pain and heartache Are you willing to let go and live above your circumstances?

You can start by raising your eyes and focusing on the One who loves you and controls the universe.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that

was set before him endured the cross, despising the

shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne

of God.