The Lord who called us did not leave us without proper instruction. The problem is sometimes we miss it even when regularly studying, preaching and teaching God's Word.
I. Many times the troubles and difficulty 'we experience are a part of God's plan for our lives and ministry.
A. Paul tells us that it was in God's plan.
(Phil 1:12) "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;"
1. That verse is saying the difficulty and suffering Paul was experiencing resulted in the Gospel being furthered.
2. That means it resulted in good!
3. Much like Romans 8:28. "All things work together for good..."
4. He doesn't say that all things are good, but they work together for good in the life of the believer ... or in our case ... the pastor. : )
5. Paul was in prison ... in chains ... in Rome ... but the Gospel was going forward!
B. How many of us would think things were right on schedule, on course, going according to God's plan if our missionary (or one of us) writes and says he is a prisoner in jail.
1. Our first response would be, "We've got to do something! We've got to get him out!"
2. How often we misunderstand God, and how He chooses sometimes to work.
3. As we study the Bible ... we find that most of the time, God's man found himself in some kind of trouble or difficulty.
a. Look at the stormy ministry of Moses.
b. In f act of most of the prophets of God in the OT were hated for being and doing what God had called them to do and say. cf. Heb. 11:36-40.
c. Christ's ministry ... was one of great opposition.
d. They tried to kill Him on many occasions and though clearly they knew Him to be the Messiah ... they rejected Him and crucified Him on the cross.
e. They killed John the Baptist and Stephen. They sought to kill Peter, John ... they were beaten and thrown in prison.
f. History reveals that all of the Apostles except John were put to death for their faith.
g. Paul's ministry was filled with conflict and trouble.
1) I'm not referring to the problems caused by us!
2) We need to make absolutely sure of what is the true cause of our difficulties.
4. Paul writes to the Philippians and says, "My being in prison is working to the furtherance of the Gospel."
5. This had been Paul's desire for some time ... to go to Rome and preach the Gospel.
(Acts 19:21) "After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
(Rom 1:15) "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also."
(Acts 23:11) "And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."
a. Not only was it Paul's desire, it was God's plan as well.
b. This verse (Acts 23:11) says God was standing with Paul!
c. Note when it was that God told him this ... right after he was arrested, and placed in custody.
6. V10 says the Jewish religious leaders were so mad that the soldiers had to take Paul by force from these people to protect him from their tearing him to pieces!
(Acts 23:12-13) "And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. {13} And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy."
7. Forty men, bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink till Paul was dead. Yet .... everything was right on schedule ... he was in God's will .... where God wanted him to be .... doing what God wanted him to do!!
8. Paul's plan was to preach in Rome, but I doubt he had any idea he would be going shackled to a Roman guard, as a prisoner under guard, to be tried for his life!
9. Yet, he was right where God wanted him to be.
10. If we are true to the Word of God ... trouble will come!
II. It is all part of the 'Job'.
2 Timothy 3:12, "Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, will "ESCAPE" persecution and trouble?" Is that what it says? : )
A. When God called us to preach ... persecution and opposition just goes with the job!
Note: Plumber fixing our solid waste lift pump in new building. ($$$$ and smiles)
1. The Mechanic has to contend with grease and grime, the plumber must deal with sewage, the farmer - dirt, the carpenter - splinters, and the preacher - opposition!
2. The Gospel went around the world in adversity.
3. We have the message of Truth today because others paid the price.
4. Why should we think we should be able to minister in ease?
B. There are many 'perks' for the pastor.
1. I don't need to go into detail here, but we all know what I'm talking about.
2. The some is true for missionaries.
3. Serving the Lord is wonderful and rewarding in so many ways.
4. But along with the benefits come some very unique characteristics of the 'job'.
C. God desires that we will love Him, love the Truth, and love the folks He has sent us to shepherd.
(1 Cor 16:13-14) "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. {14} Let all your things be done with charity."
III. Paul's Concern Was Not Over Persecution
A. He knew that persecution was a part of serving the Lord.
B. He had been on the other side of that, and I am sure that he never forgot the events that day when Stephen was stoned to death.
(Acts 7:58b) "…and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul."
C. Paul's concern is found in V20.
1. "My earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed..."
2. Ashamed, before whom? The Lord!
3. What could he be ashamed of? Paul the great man of God, what?
4. Of not preaching the Gospel .... of not preaching in boldness and magnifying Jesus Christ our Lord.
D. Paul's encouragement. v28?29
1. And in nothing be terrified of your adversaries..."
a. To them it is evidence of their perdition!
b. But to you ... opposition is a sign of your serving God and doing His will.
2. "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ... to suffer for his sake;
a. Circumstances do not cause one to be spiritual or unspiritual.
b. It is how we respond to them will indicate our level of maturity, though.
c. To have opposition is normal; to have no opposition is abnormal!
Take heart if you are finding serving the Lord difficult. Take your encouragement from God's Word, be encouraged in the promises of God and of His ability to see you through any circumstance and use it for His glory. Remember, it is all part of the 'Job' that God has called us to do.