After being on the planet fifty years, I have come to the conclusion that I hate last minute directions. Did you ever come to a fork in the road and not know which way to go? I am a guy who wants to know which way I am to go WELL IN ADVANCE of a necessary turn. I am nervous about missing an exit or a turn when I on the road. I take special comfort in the voice of a GPS that says, “Right turn in five hundred feet!” I love that advanced warning.
Choosing the right path in life is as important as choosing the right road on a trip. The wrong path will get you to the wrong destination, and may even make the way unbearably rough. Because life is all about choices, we need to ask some questions: “What if we make the wrong turn? Where will the road take us? Will I have a way to come back if we are mistaken about our choices?” These are real concerns on the path of life.
Paul offered specific directives from the Spirit of God, helping believers know how to discern the best path in following Jesus. He demonstrated an important truth – that when we pray consistently, God exposes the problem and offers direction. Paul shared that when we seek God we get answers that are consistent with His truth and dependent on His priorities. Those exposed truths are like a healing balm in the believer who will take heed. At the very least they will understand the problems they are facing. More than likely, they saw God’s power through some of those problems. In all of it, the believers at Philippi learned to put the problems and their solutions in the order that God has them.
Key Principle: Careful attention to choosing the right path is essential to getting you to your desired destination!
Paul offered a series of treatments for their problems.
Treatment #1: He offered Vision – He helped people see that God was doing things on a broader plain:
Paul said: “I must share that the Gospel is pushing forward first to my guards and second, through other brothers who are emboldened now and sharing. Some speak out to cause me harm and some speak honestly of Jesus both raise the Gospel’s profile – either way I am happy about the Gospel going forward.” (1:12-18a).
1:12 “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. 15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.”
Paul made his inconvenience a platform for greater ministry and focused on the bigger picture of what God was doing – not what he could not do.
- He saw that people were moving ahead in their boldness, and that was a good outcome of his house arrest.
- He saw that guards were considering the Gospel and that message was spreading throughout their ranks, and that was a good thing.
- He saw that even those who were emboldened for reasons he thought were incorrect, yet the Gospel moved forward.
Paul recognized that he wasn’t able to everything he normally would do in ministry. No doubt, if asked, he felt a bit thwarted. At the same time HE USED WHAT HE HAD!
Paul Harvey: One summer morning as Ray Blankenship was preparing his breakfast, he gazed out the window, and saw a small girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his Andover, Ohio, home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath a road and then emptied into the main culvert. Ray dashed out the door and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the foundering child. Then he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. Blankenship surfaced and was able to grab the child’s arm. They tumbled end over end. Within about three feet of the yawning culvert, Ray’s free hand felt something–possibly a rock– protruding from one bank. He clung desperately, but the tremendous force of the water tried to tear him and the child away. “If I can just hang on until help comes,” he thought. He did better than that. By the time fire-department rescuers arrived, Blankenship had pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. On April 12, 1989, Ray Blankenship was awarded the Coast Guard’s Silver Lifesaving Medal. The award is fitting, for this selfless person was at even greater risk to himself than most people knew. Ray Blankenship can’t swim.
Vision is about seeing what others do not see, and then DOING WHAT OTHERS DO NOT DO. It is about asking God to take you above the problem so that you can see where the path leads to His glory.
Lynn Anderson wrote this one the “Necessity of a Real Vision” : About 350 years ago a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of America. The first year they established a town site. The next year they elected a town government. The third year the town government planned to build a road five miles westward into the wilderness. In the fourth year the people tried to impeach their town government because they thought it was a waste of public funds to build a road five miles westward into a wilderness. Who needed to go there anyway? Here were people who had the vision to see three thousand miles across an ocean and overcome great hardships to get there. But in just a few years they were not able to see even five miles out of town. They had lost their pioneering vision. With a clear vision of what we can become in Christ, no ocean of difficulty is too great. Without it, we rarely move beyond our current boundaries.
American Heritage Dictionary defines VISION as an “unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight“. John Maxwell, the leadership guru defines vision in three parts:
- The ability to see – Awareness
- The faith to believe – Attitude
- The courage to do – Action
Whatever your definition, Paul had it – and he shared it with others. The people of Philippi saw his imprisonment – Paul saw the Gospel advance. The people of Philippi saw men of selfish ambition advancing in a few – Paul saw their boldness changing many new people for Jesus. The same situation that brought pain to others brought hope to Paul – because he saw things differently! At the same time, it wasn’t enough for Paul to recognize what God was doing- he wanted them to KNOW (1:12). He saw his imprisonment as God’s plan –not some unfortunate accident.
Steve Goodier says: “Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation’s deserts. All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.”
Treatment #2: He demonstrated transparency – Paul shared with his spiritual family the struggles he faced, and that with honestly:
Paul said: “I have confidence that my work with you is not completed – I will return to you. My struggle is that I don’t want to shame Jesus in anything I do. I want to faithfully proclaim the Gospel to others in my life or even in my death. I prefer escaping into Jesus’ arms! Yet it seems that there is much more to do here – so I am convinced He is bidding me to remain here and eventually return to you – so your confidence built in prayer will be confirmed when we see each other again.” (1:18b-26).
1:18b…“Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”
Paul opened his heart’s struggle to others. Any mature believer knows this divided heart. This is the heart of one who has come to believe so certainly that God is waiting for us at the end of this short life, that they live with an anticipation of worshipping Heaven’s King in His throne room. With eyes fixed on the time after time, things of this world fade into the background. Paul wanted to please Jesus with unflinching loyalty while in this body, but to shed this life as soon as Jesus would allow him.
Love of this life is a natural thing. We are designed to live, and to want to live. At the same time, the longer we grow in Jesus, the more we see that this life is only a PART of life. This short time on earth is a walk on frame of God’s larger movie, and we do not desire to become the central figure – for we know the One who is at its center.
In Phil. 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” we can identify at least four things that we gain in death.
- First, we gain a new and better body: In death we say goodbye to a body created from the elements of the ground subject to age, sickness, tears and sorrows. We await the resurrection for a new and better body that does not age, experience disease or suffer pain. Not only do we rid our vocabulary of arthritis, migraines, diabetes, and cancer… but we rid ourselves of Medicare, Medicaid, HMOs, health care savings accounts, deductibles and co-pays. What a blessing to drop some words from the new dictionary of the world to come. Today, the Bible describes our departed believing loved ones as “absent from the body” and “present with the Lord.” At the same time, they have shaken off their earthly body, and wait for the perfect one God always intended for them to have at the resurection. One of the most clearly taught doctrines of Scripture is that of the resurrection. The Word reminds us: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body…” (Philippians 3:20-21)
- Second, we gain a new and permanent home: Gone is roofing repair, plumbing leaks and electrical fixes. The pool people won’t charge you there, and there are no condo fees. John 14:1-3 promises a “dwelling place” designed for us by the Lord Himself.
- Third, we obtain the full measure of our vast inheritance: Our Father has decided to shower us with abundance “out of His riches”. Some we begin to get while on earth – but most of it comes after this life! There is a bumper sticker that says: We’re spending our Children’s inheritance” – but you haven’t even dented the inheritance God has waiting for you. It comes after the words: “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of your Lord” (Matt 25:21).
- Fourth, We gain a lasting, living and rich fellowship: In this cursed world we live in our family circle is dissolving. Grandma and Grandpa die. Mother and Father die. Friends, loved ones and siblings pass away, one by one. The circle is unbroken in heaven forever – there is Perpetual Reunion. There will be no isolation in Heaven… we will not be separated from each other. Heaven, for us, will be a place of intimacy with God and joyful sharing with one another. It isn’t a dream – it is the truth as shared by the Creator of man.
But there is more – there is no death in that place. There is no sorrow, no crying, no pain. Regrets will be laid to rest, and all the former struggles have passed away. Far beyond the great reunion with our families and friends, we shall see our Savior face to face. We will chat with the likes of Abraham, Isaac ,and Jacob in the Kingdom of God and celebrate Our Lord’s goodness for eternity.
- If for me to live is money, in death I lose all of it – for I cannot take it with me in any meaningful way.
- If for me to live is fame, in death I lose it all, for the crowds will stop their adulation. The lights will go dim, and I will be remembered for ever so short a time.
- If for me to live is ambition, to die is a loss – for the climbing of my ladder will come to an abrupt halt. Death will cast down all my aspirations and take away all my earthly goals.
- If for me to live is pleasure, to die is a loss – for earthly pleasures only last while my journey on earth lasts.
- If for me to live is Christ – Messiah has been my focus, my companion, my surety, my safety, my refuge, my quiet crying place – and into His arms I will run from beyond the veil of death’s door. His love will finish my journey. His voice will complete my walk. To die, certainly, is gain.
What snapped Paul back into the positive side of remaining in this life, was the reality that more could be done in his life to serve his Savior and the Body of Christ. He would not choose them over Heaven, but he would choose them for Heaven’s sake. He could choose to live longer on earth – even in a suffering condition – if it served Heaven’s purposes and call.
Our lives must reflect Heaven’s call and values, or they have little lasting value. After spending months writing his book The French Revolution, Thomas Carlyle took his manuscript to his friend John Stuart Mill for his comments. Mill passed the manuscript on to a lady named Mrs. Chapman, who read it by the fireplace on the evening of March 5, 1834. Before she went to bed that night she laid the manuscript on the mantel. Early the next morning the servant girl came to clean the room and to start the fire in the fireplace. Not knowing what the papers were, the servant used the manuscript as fuel to kindle the fire. The work of months was burned up in a matter of seconds. Some Christians spend their entire lives on earth building with wood, hay, and straw. At the judgment seat of Christ, many people’s work will go up in flames. They will be admitted into heaven, but will be saved “as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:15). (Kent Crockett, Making Today Count for Eternity, Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2001, p. 85)
Treatment #3: He drew them together – He let the team know that standing together was the secret to standing strong:
Paul said: “Stand together with one spirit, striving as one team – that is the secret to holding the line when the opponents seem to be many and their power overwhelming. In pain remember God has counted you worthy to face struggles that will show you truly believe in His goodness.”
1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. 29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Offering vision and sharing of his personal struggles centered their attention on Paul’s abilities, but that wasn’t the point. It is possible that some will get their focus on some “great leader” that can come and solve the problems of the struggling local church. Many a church has secretly wished for some “savior” to drop in and fix their brokenness. It is true that leadership is central to positive change, but it is equally true that hopes for a leader can distract the body from doing what it can with what God has already provided.
In this third “treatment” Paul offered them a simple but important step they needed to take in order to become the healthy church God intended them to be. They were to begin to build one another up in love. They were to be devoted to one another. They were to deliberately attempt to minister in step with one another. This was a manner of work worthy of the price of the Gospel – the precious blood of Jesus. This was necessary in Paul’s absence or his presence.
We need to cherish one another. We need to value one another’s giftedness. We need to love each other for what we are, and help each other become what God has called us to be. We are not all at the same stage of life – and we need to recognize that we all have differing needs, desires and dreams. “Two old fellows were walking along the shoreline of a lake when a frog came hopping up to them. Creaking with age, one of the old-timers slowly bent down and scooped up the frog in his hands. As he stood there gazing at the frog, fascinated by its ugliness, the frog croaked, “Hey, mister! I’m not really a frog. If you kiss me, I’ll turn into a beautiful princess who will do anything your heart desires.” Startled, the old man slipped the frog into his pocket and headed on down the shoreline. For a while the two continued on in silence. “Well?” his buddy finally blurted out. “You gonna kiss it?” “Naw, I guess not,” the first man replied. “At my age, I think I’ll have more fun with a talking frog.” [PreachingToday.com]
What was stopping them from standing together? One apparent reason was fear of those who opposed their message and work. Another obstacle appears to have been fear of coming suffering or trouble. Paul set both aside and assured them that opposition would continue and suffering would come. That seems like no way to LIFT the people! Yet, Paul’s confidence amid his own house arrest was offered as a help to those who feared the future.
Should the forecast be sunny to keep people encouraged? No, not necessarily. The most important thing to maturing believers is that you keep them aware that any troubles are sent by Heaven’s approval for Heaven’s purpose. The enemy can’t sneak CANCER in without God knowing it. If you’ve got it – it is because that is what Heaven has for your assignment to serve Him well.
We must be able to see the future as more than an individual reality – but as a shared reality. Failure to see the importance of EACH OTHER and see the bigger picture will lead to disillusionment when things don’t GO WELL today. We must be able to see how our work fits the body and whole plan of God – and that was something Paul stressed as he kept them striving together into the future – suffering or no.
In “Finding Common Ground”, author Tim Downs notes: “The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, is a monument to the Industrial Revolution in America. Created by Henry Ford himself, it chronicles Ford’s innovations that changed forever the nature of work in America. Ironically, next door to the Ford Museum is a different kind of monument – also created by Ford – called Greenfield Village. Named after Mrs. Ford’s childhood community, Greenfield Village is an exact replica of a typical small town of the late nineteenth century. It was Ford’s memorial to the simple, pre-industrial world that the automobile helped destroy forever. No one knew better than Henry Ford that the mass production assembly line had done far more than create a new product; it had changed the nature of life itself. Ford’s assembly line shortened the time needed to construct an automobile from 12.5 hours to just 1.5 hours, but this technical efficiency came at a high human price. As worker boredom increased so did absenteeism. As production quotas continually increased, workers began to suffer stress-related ailments, and the incidence of alcoholism increased. In a short time, Ford found it difficult to keep enough workers on his assembly lines to meet the production schedule. What went wrong? To put it simply, the Industrial Revolution completed the process that began at the Fall – the corruption of work. In the Garden man was separated from his Creator; on an assembly line man was separated from his work. Once, work was the deepest expression of who a person was; now, there was nothing of the person in his work – he had become little more than an extension of the machine he operated. Laborers often had little idea what their monotonous task contributed to the final product – in fact, from where most of them stood, they couldn’t even see the end of the assembly line. Once, a worker might have felt esteemed as a respected craftsman in a field that required years of training and experience. Now, almost anyone could do almost any job. For the sake of productivity, something terrible had been sacrificed – the meaning of work. Ford’s solution to the lack of worker motivation was to more than double the average salary, from $2.34 for a nine-hour day to $5 for an eight-hour day. Ford’s audacious offer more than solved his manpower problem. It made employment in his factory a sought-after prize. But even as he solved one problem, he created another. Ford’s workers, through their boredom, stress, alcoholism, and absenteeism, were expressing their struggle with a single question: What does my work mean? Ford’s answer: Work means money. And though the Model T has long since disappeared, Ford’s simplistic answer to the meaning of work still torments many of us today.” Tim Downs, Finding Common Ground (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 167-168
Paul told them, trouble is coming – but stand together. See the whole of the body. Know that your faithfulness, your love, your striving together – all has great reward in the cause of Heaven! Remember, careful attention to choosing the right path is essential to getting you to your desired destination!
