Philippians: Gospel Perspective Philippians 1:12-26

Philippians Series Living Joyfully For Jesus Series

From Pastor Keith Dollar, City Church Northside

God has a way of making the gospel advance even in the face of opposition. Sunday, we explored Paul’s perspective, which viewed life and this world through a gospel lens, and fueled his joy, hope, and courage. Two other examples were given of godly saints whose perspective fueled their joy in hardships.

Forrest Frank, who broke his back and wrote three songs to honor the Lord in express trust and joy in the Lord through unfortunate circumstances. Through the prayers of other Christians, it appears that his back was healed in just two weeks. Here is more of his story.

“Martyn Lloyd-Jones was one of the most influential preachers of the century. A few weeks before he died, someone asked him how, after decades of fruitful ministry and extraordinary activity, he was coping now that he was suffering such serious weakness that it took much of his energy to move from his bed to his armchair and back. He replied in the words of Luke 10:20: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In other words,

Do not tie your joy, your sense of well-being, to power in ministry. Your ministry can be taken from you. Tie your joy to the fact that you are known and loved by God; tie it to your salvation; tie it to the sublime truth that your name is written in heaven. That can never be taken from you. Lloyd-Jones added: “I am perfectly content.” Here then is a practical test of whether the excellence I pursue is really for the glory and praise of God or for my own self-image. If the things I value are taken away, is my joy in the Lord undiminished? Or am I so tied to my dreams that the destruction of my dreams means I am destroyed as well?”

- D.A. Carson, Praying With Paul

May we, like Paul see ourselves in a win-win situations viewing ourselves as “more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). And may we be convinced that nothing (death, life, angels, powers, rulers) “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39).

Sermon Notes/Slides From Sunday

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