Living The Jesus Life

This series is a part of our annual practice of spending time focusing on one book of the Bible. In this case, the study is of Philippians – the letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison to the church at Philippi, the first church Paul started in Eastern Europe (see Acts 16). The people at Philippi were facing the resistance of Rome but remained a vibrant community of faith.

Philippians is a letter that speaks to living life as a disciple of Jesus in 2023. That's why we've entitled the series, 'Living the Jesus Life'.

Today's focus is Philippians 1:27-30.

-While most of us do not enjoy pain, the truth is, it's not pain in and of itself that we hate. It's pain without purpose.
-Paul's words 'whatever happens' is a clear indication that he has experienced joys of sorrows, blessings and suffering.
-"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him" (verse 29).
-It isn’t enough to simply believe in Jesus, living the Jesus life means that we are to “suffer for him".
-The suffering Paul speaks of here is given to us, it is granted, like a gift.

While it's true that there is pain and heartache and suffering in this world because of the presence of sin, it is a mistake to say that God has nothing to do with suffering.

We are sometimes surprised by the suffering in our life.
But we really shouldn’t be based on what we read in our Bibles and on the experiences of those who have followed Christ.

“Those who understand God's sovereignty have joy even in the midst of suffering, a joy reflected on their very faces, for they see that their suffering is not without purpose.” R.C. Sproul

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?"
"Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it."

3 Reasons We Suffer:
1. The consequences of our actions
Humanity ultimately brought suffering into the world by rejecting God's authority. When we choose to sin, God honors the free will He has given us, and allows us to experience consequences.
2. The consequences of others' actions
The choices others make impacts us. Just like we can face the consequences of our actions, we can certainly face the consequences of others' as well.
3. Because we need to grow
Growth involves resistance, and God sometimes allows suffering so we can be mature.

Verses for further study/reflection:
2 Timothy 2:12
1 Peter 4:1-2
1 Peter 5:10
Romans 8:18
James 1:2-4
Psalm 34:19
2 Corinthians 4:16-18