Sunday, 8th May 2011
Steve Graham
Below are the notes I took from Steve’s message:
Paul had a stressful life, full of traumatic events. He was shipwrecked 3 times, beaten, put in jail, suffered from lack of food/water/clothing, and had his life threatened many times.
How did Paul make it through?
I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)
So how could Paul say the following after all he had been through?
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:12)
“I have learned the secret of being content”…
When we start to look through the scriptures we find keys to Paul’s mindset:
10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:10-15)
“my teaching, my way of life, my purpose” – you know these things about me
“faith, patience, love, endurance” – the framework for Paul’s life
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. (Philippians 1:12)
“advance the gospel”, Paul’s ultimate purpose in life was that he & others would know Christ.
You can “know of God”, but life is much different when you “know God”.
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)
“to know Christ”, to walk this path, not seeing obstacles, but seeing a means to transform me, so I know Christ.
You will be carrying scars of life, you will know “the power of his resurrection”, when you meet Christ.
God is going to use these things, your struggles/obstacles to transform you.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2)
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27)
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. (Romans 13:3)
Paul’s “way of life” reflected his “faith, patience, love, endurance”.
Paul knew his “purpose” was to “advance the gospel”.
No matter what Paul went through, he knew his purpose, he knew his God.
Paul could say “I have learned the secret of being content”.
(Steve read some of the lyrics from “Complete” by Parachute Band. This message also reminded me of the lyrics from “This Is The Stuff” by Francesca Battistelli.)