Philippians 1:12-30

Philippians 1:29-30(NIV): For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

The Apostle Paul suffered greatly for Christ during his ministry. He saw his suffering as an expected and necessary part of his Christian walk. We can learn from Paul’s example how to endure suffering without giving up. He suffered:

· Outwardly - Philippians 1:12-14

· Inwardly - Philippians 1:15-18

· Upwardly - Philippians 1:19-26

Over the next 3 weeks we will look at what Paul suffered, and how he was able to persevere. At the end of Paul’s life, he was able to make the following statement, one which every follower of Jesus can aspire to:

2 Timothy 4:7-8(NIV): I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.

Philippians 1:12-30

Philippians 1:29-30(NIV): For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

The Apostle Paul suffered greatly for Christ during his ministry. He saw his suffering as an expected and necessary part of his Christian walk. We can learn from Paul’s example how to endure suffering without giving up. He suffered outwardly, inwardly, and upwardly. Today we look at Paul’s outer suffering. The outer world we live in:

• Opposes us - Philippians 1:12-14, Matthew 5:11-12
• Tempts us - Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 7:13-14, Hebrews 11:13-16

“We follow a different leader down a different path to a different destination.”  ~ Richard A Swenson

Jesus’ prayer for the disciples in the world was:

John 17:14-17(NIV): 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians was:

Philippians 1:6(NIV): being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.