Paul and Persecutiion -- 11/11/07

Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007

PAUL AND PERSECUTION

Perhaps the most intense persecutor the church has ever faced was a man named Saul of Tarsus. Referring to his own past activities, Saul said that he persecuted the church beyond measure and wasted it (Gal. 1:13). But praise God for the day when the persecutor was turned around. You will remember that it happened on the Damascus Road, as Saul was journeying far from home to arrest Christians. A blinding light struck him down and the Lord Jesus spoke to him. After being blind for three days, Saul was visited by a God-sent man named Ananias.

Ananias, who was one of those Christians for whom Saul was searching, was a bit reluctant to go to Saul, but the Lord spoke these words to Ananias… (Acts 9:15-16)
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

What wonderful news that this Saul would take the name of Jesus to Gentiles and Jews, even to kings. However, there was another side to the message; Saul would also suffer greatly for the sake of Jesus. Yes, the persecutor would become the persecuted.

As we have been going through Acts, we have seen the truth of the words which the Lord spoke to Saul through Ananias. Saul, who became known as Paul, did indeed bear the name Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles. Of course, that isn’t the end of the story. We have also seen that Paul suffered greatly for the sake of Jesus his Lord. Bearing testimony for Jesus and suffering on His behalf went hand in hand in the life of Paul.

Let’s take a moment to be reminded of the sufferings that Paul endured… (use the map)
… On the island of Cyprus, Paul was opposed by Elymas, the sorcerer
… In Antioch of Pisidia, Paul preached a long sermon in the synagogue, which we have recorded in Acts 13. In verse 45, we see that he encountered opposition. And then we see the persecution
in verse 50 "But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts."
… In Iconium, Paul faced more persecution, as we read in Acts 14:2-5…
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 3. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them…
… In Lystra, the Lord healed a man through Paul and Barnabas. The people were so amazed that they tried to worship these men as gods. But not long afterwards, those same people stoned Paul and left him for dead (Acts 14:19).
… In Derbe, there is no record of persecution. Praise God!
… On the second missionary journey, Paul and Silas journeyed through Syria and Lystra and then returned to the disciples in Derbe and Lystra. There work consisted of encouraging and strengthening the brothers and sisters, as well as delivering the decree from the Jerusalem Conference. While there is no record of persecution, that is likely because of the summary fashion in which this information is related. It is most likely that the work in these situations was much like what we have just read; the details simply aren’t given.
… In Philippi, Paul and Silas were imprisoned for preaching the gospel.
… In Thessalonica, the persecution stirred up by the unbelieving Jews was serious enough that the disciples sent Paul and Silas away during the night.
… In Berea, the Jews from Thessalonica came over and stirred up the people. Again, Paul was forced to leave town quickly.
… In Athens, there is no record of physical persecution, but it seems that Paul encountered a certain intellectual intimidation in this city which was noted for its wisdom.

So we see that Paul experienced opposition, persecution, and suffering, as he traveled around sharing the gospel.

As we all know, Paul also wrote letters. In the New Testament, we have preserved for us 13 those letters. While four of them are written to individuals, the other nine are addressed to churches. Paul didn’t abandon the people in these churches. Rather, he kept in contact with them, urging them to continue following the Lord Jesus.

One of his letters was written to the Philippians. Yes, it is the very same Philippi where he and Silas were put in jail. Paul loved the believers there and wrote to them from his heart. Anyone who has taken time to read and consider this letter cannot escape the fact that the letter is filled with joy. He doesn’t want them to be discouraged because he is in prison (in Rome, from where he penned the letter). He assures them that the things which have happened to him are for the furtherance of the gospel (1:12). Toward the end of the letter, he gives the Philippians a command that stands out: "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again, I say rejoice" (Ph. 4:4). Isn’t that a beautiful command!

Though the letter to the Philippians is filled with joy, the theme of suffering is never far from the surface. This theme surfaces in every chapter. Let’s take a few minutes to look at it.

I. Privileged to Suffer for Christ (Phil. 1:29)

After a touching introduction to the letter, Paul gets down to very serious business in verse 12 of chapter 1. Let’s read some of it. Because it is so difficult to leave any of it out, let’s just read all of
Phil. 1:12-30…
But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13. So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14. And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16. The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17. But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20. According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 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. 27. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30. Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Focus on verse 29, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." When we read those words, "For unto you it is given on behalf of Christ," we are prepared to hear Paul speak of some great blessing the Lord has given us. "For unto you it is given on behalf of Christ, that you should be shielded from all harm. Nothing shall be able to hurt you." But in reality, Paul does tell us of a great blessing the Lord has given us, but it’s not the blessing we are expecting. Rather than protection from suffering, it is the suffering that is the blessing.

Actually, Paul mentions two gifts or blessings in this verse, putting them together with "not only…but also." We consider it a great privilege to be able to believe in Christ, to trust Jesus. What greater blessing could there be? But now Paul tells us of the companion blessing. I get the sense that Paul is saying, "Not only do you have the gift of faith in Christ, but there is something even greater – the privilege of suffering on His behalf.

Picture a family a couple of centuries ago, the kind of thing you might see in "Little House on the Prairie." They raise all their own food and sell a little in order to buy their other necessities. That means work. The fields must be plowed, planted, and harvested. The cows have to be fenced, fed, milked, and butchered. The list could go on and on. But then one day dad is hurt in an accident and is laid up in bed for three months. What will the family do? There are four children – a boy thirteen, and three girls, the oldest of whom is only 8. Brad, the 13-year-old boy, realizes what is happening and immediately steps up to fill in for his dad. Of course, Mom helps too, but the burden falls on Brad. Dad after day, he works from sun-up to sun-down. His muscles ache; his hands bleed. It is almost too much for him. There are plenty of times when he just wants to quit. Nevertheless, he endures and the day finally comes when his dad is able to work again.

Now think about Brad’s attitude. Does he resent the hard work he had to do while his dad was laid up? Is he angry at his dad because of it? Of course not. Through this ordeal of suffering and pain, Brad has gained something that can never be taken away. The smile on his dad’s face, the "well done" from his lips are more than enough to compensate him for all his suffering. Through it all, he has gained a new appreciation for his dad and counts it a great privilege that he was able to stand in for him.

So it is with us. It is our privilege not only to trust Christ, but also to suffer for Him. We will see more of this when we come to chapter 3.

II. Pursuing the Example of Our Lord (2:5-8)

Now come to chapter 2 and let’s read that classic passage in 2:5-8…
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Here is the root of all Christian suffering. Notice who took the initiative in this suffering. It was Jesus Himself. We might say, "No, Jesus didn’t ask to be persecuted. They had no reason to oppose Him, but they did it anyway." No, look closer. Jesus made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant. Jesus volunteered to be made in the likeness of men. Jesus could have avoided all suffering and persecution by remaining in heaven with His Father. And even if He came to this earth, He could have protected Himself. Or, He could have asked the Father to protect Him from all suffering. Instead, He became a servant. Yes, He actually became obedient unto death. The issue was – "Am I willing to die?" The issue was not – "Did men have the power to kill Him?"

So there is a real sense in which Jesus volunteered for suffering and persecution. He made Himself available. How fitting are those words from Is. 53:3-7…
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Notice especially the words of verse 7, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth." Jesus understood that the will of God was that He suffer and die. He could have escaped it in a moment, but He deliberately chose not to do so.
But that was Jesus. Surely we can’t be expected to have that same attitude. And yet this is exactly what Paul says in Phil. 2:5, "Let this attitude be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." As Jesus made Himself of no reputation, you do the same. As Jesus took upon Himself the form of a servant, you do the same. As Jesus humbled Himself, so humble yourselves. As Jesus became obedient unto death, you take on that same attitude. No, surely that can’t be. Jesus died for our sins, but we can’t do that. But can’t we see that it is this attitude of becoming obedient unto death that sets us free. When we don’t have to cling to our own life, then humility can reign in us and we are set free to serve others in His name.

Was not this the attitude of Paul himself? We read it in Phil. 1:20, "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." Paul humbled himself and became obedient unto death. It didn’t matter when or how he died; the key was his attitude. There is a sense in which he had already died. He died to his own desires. His great concern was that he be used as a magnifying glass, so that anyone who looked at him would see right through him and look upon a greatly enlarged Christ. Whether that came through his life or through his death made no difference to Paul. He was pursuing the example of his Lord, and that is the same example that we pursue.

III. Partaking of the Fellowship of His Suffering (3:10)

Now let’s read Paul’s words in Phil. 3:7-10…
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Through the years you have probably heard me refer to verse 10 as much as any verse in the Bible. I don’t apologize; I wish I had time to bring our attention to it twice as much as I do. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" – that was the great desire of Paul’s life. And it goes hand in hand with Paul’s desire that Christ be magnified through him, whether by life or by death.

We have no trouble understanding Paul’s desire to know Christ and have the power of His resurrection. Praise God that He used Paul in a might way, that Paul did indeed experience the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus. When we look at what God did through Paul, we marvel at the resurrection power in his life. But what do we do with his longing to know the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings? The word "fellowship" simply speaks of a sharing. In the New Testament, it is a sharing of the life of Christ. John speaks of this fellowship in 1 John 1:3, "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."

We can certainly understand Paul’s desire to have fellowship with His Lord. Isn’t that what every believer desires? If a person doesn’t have a strong desire for fellowship with Jesus, there is every reason for him to question whether he really knows Jesus at all. When we love someone, we long to share our life with that person. So we would certainly expect the apostle Paul to rejoice in such fellowship. But what we read here in Phil. 3:10 goes beyond what we might expect. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings…" Paul says that he longs to share the sufferings of Christ. Doesn’t he know that Jesus died on the cross? Doesn’t he know that Jesus was hated by this world? Of course, he knows those things. So why on earth would Paul want to be a part of those sufferings? Because he wanted to know Christ. He wanted to know Christ in every aspect, even in His sufferings.
There is a special closeness that comes to those who share suffering. Just go and talk to war veterans. Those men have a closeness that endures through the years. That is the closeness that Paul desired with his Lord.

By the way, this was according to the Lord’s plan. Remember what Jesus said in John 15:18-21…
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

Jesus made it clear that the world will treat His followers as it treated Him. And as we share in His sufferings, we are drawn close to Him. We understand His heart more completely, as we experience what He experienced. This is what Paul longed for.

Just in case we think this was fine for Paul but not for ordinary believers like us, I remind you again of what we read in Phil. 1:29, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Sharing the sufferings of Christ is an important avenue of fellowship for all believers. Remember what David Witt was sharing with us about the testimony of Richard Wurmbrand. He was imprisoned in Romania for 14 years, spending three of those years in solitary confinement. Nevertheless, he testified that those were some of the sweetest hours he ever spent in fellowship with his Lord, as he shared in the sufferings of Christ.

IV. Praising God for His Rich Supply in Time of Need (Phil. 4:10-19)

So we see this theme of suffering running throughout Paul’s letter to the Philippians. And now we come to the end of his letter. Let’s read Phil. 4:10-19…
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Do you hear what Paul is saying? From prison in Rome, he is rejoicing that the Philippian believers are once again meeting his needs. It’s not as thought they had ever ceased their concern for Paul, but there was a time when they didn’t have the opportunity to help him. But now that the opportunity has presented itself, they have sent Epaphroditus to minister to him. Paul makes it clear that he is not writing because he really needs anything, because he has learned to be content with little or with an abundance. So why is he so thrilled that the Philippians have sent these things to him? It’s not because he needs anything, but because he knows that the Philippians will be richly blessed by sharing with him. After all, it is more blessed to give than to receive, according to our Lord Jesus Himself (Acts 10:35). His concern is not for himself, but for his brothers and sisters in Philippi.

Now come back to that statement in verse 11, "Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." He then goes on to say that he knows how to get along with very little (be abased) and he knows how to get along when he has plenty (abound). Through Christ who strengthens him, he can rejoice in the Lord in either case.
Let me ask you a simple question. At this time, was Paul being abased? Or, was he abounding? In other words, was this one of those times when he could get along with a little? Or, was it a time when he was enjoying an abundance? We would generally sat that this is why Paul is such an encouragement to us. Even when he had little, sitting in prison in Rome, he could rejoice in the Lord. He had no resentment because of his lack.

But wait a minute – is that what Paul says in this passage? Read verse 18, "But I have all, and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God." Did you hear that? Paul said that he had all, that he was abounding, that he was full. According to Paul’s own testimony, this was not one of those times when he had to get along with little; this was one of the times when he had more than enough. But how could Paul say that? Was it because Epaphroditus had brought from the Philippians a wagon load of supplies? Not likely. Paul doesn’t even name any of the things they sent to him. Why not? Because the identity of those things was not important. On the other hand, Paul does tell us what things they sent to him. What were they? They were an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. The value of the gift was not in its material worth or how much it did for Paul physically. Its value was in what it was to God, and the kind of hearts that sent it.

Do you see it? This is why Paul could say he was full. He was not full because they sent him meat to eat and things to care for his body, though there were no doubt some of those things. Paul was full because he could rejoice that his dear children in the faith were flourishing in their relationship to God. In the midst of deep suffering, Paul was not thinking about himself, but about others and their relationship to his Lord. Isn’t that beautiful.

So he could finally say to them, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." We often take this verse as a general promise. In doing so, we often do great violence to the meaning of God’s Word. This promise is not for every person, not even for every Christian. This promise is given to those who give sacrificially and joyfully in the service of the Lord, even as the Philippians did. "Even though you have sent to me so generously, rest assured that God will supply your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Even if you have shorted yourself, your faithful and mighty Lord will meet all of your needs." Praise God!

Do you see his joy in the midst of suffering? This is a testimony we need to hear.

Conclusion

Do you see why persecution and suffering did not stop Paul, or even slow him down? Putting it in terms of Joseph’s reassurance to his brothers, Satan intended Paul’s suffering and persecution for evil, but God meant it for good! As Paul shared in the sufferings of his Lord, he came to know him more intimately. And as he came to know Jesus better, he was able to serve him more powerfully and effectively.

So what implications does this have for us?

1. Our perception of the gospel. We must understand that suffering and persecution is a way of life for God’s people. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. As we have read in Acts 14:22, "…we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." We must also understand that such tribulation is not only to be endured, but we can rejoice in the midst of it because God is using it to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Rom. 5:3-5, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

2. Our prayers for the body of Christ. Paul’s great concern for the Philippians and the other churches he loved was that they might grow in their fellowship with the Lord. That dominated his thinking and praying. So it must be with us. Our great desire for our brothers and sisters, both here and around the world, is not that they live a life of ease, but that Christ be magnified in them. Of course, we can’t sincerely pray that for others until it is truly our prayer for ourselves.

3. Our preparation for the future. Jesus said, "If they have hated me, they will hate you also." Writing to Timothy, Paul said, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (II Tim. 3:12). Literally, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." May we allow the testimony of our brother Paul to prepare us for a future of suffering in this world. But praise God that is only a small part of the story, because "…if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:17b-18).