(Phil 2:19-20) "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. {20} For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state."
Paul, in using the word "state", is not inquiring concerning their place or location of dwelling. He is not referring to a certain geographical boundary on a map. He is asking about their well-being.
(Phil 4:11) "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
He tells us here that he has learned to be satisfied in whatever state God places him. What he is saying is, he has accepted whatever place or position or maybe disposition that God has assigned him. He says, "I am going to be happy with whatever God deals me in this life."
In these scriptures we can see a great lesson for each of us to learn for this day. Many people are not satisfied with the place, or maybe we could say, the seat in life that God has assigned them to occupy. They want to change.
In 2 Corinthians 12:6-9, Paul said that he asked God three times to let him change, but God would not permit it, so he went on with life as it was assigned him. Let me draw your attention to a few thoughts that will help us to see that God has a certain place for us to occupy in this life.
I. Accept The Fact That God Is In Control
A. Perhaps we are faced with a hard assignment in life.
1. We need to acknowledge that God is God.
2. He can deliver us, but He may not choose to do so in the manner that we think He should.
3. We can complain to God or others and make our lives miserable, or….
4. We can go on and live our lives to honor God for His great love to us.
5. We can choose to
B. In January of 1986 my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in advanced stage.
1. Our family would never be the same.
2. She died about a year later.
3. It was a very painful and difficult time for her and the rest of us.
4. The one thing that made the ordeal easier to bear was that she accepted the fact that God was in control.
C. Several years later, in 1991, my father was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.
1. How could this be happening?
2. Why did I have to go through this again so soon?
3. He died on Father's day and was buried on my 40th birthday.
4. But my father accepted the fact that God was Sovereign.
D. It is popular now to blame all of our troubles on someone or something else.
1. Deprived childhood…
2. School friends made fun of me…
3. Parents were too strict…
4. Parents were not strict enough…
5. We need to get out of the past, quit worrying about the future, and start living for God right now!
E. We can either accept the place in life that God has given us, or we can rebel against it and be miserable for the entire journey.
1. I have learned that the assignment may not be easy.
a. It may be very hard.
b. It may be very painful.
c. It may be very discouraging.
d. It may be very lonely.
2. We may not understand the complete assignment.
3. But the one thing we can do is to accept what He has given us and go on serving Him.
(Job 13:15) "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."
II. Be Willing To Follow His Decision Whatever It Be
A. Paul was great man of God.
1. Paul prayed and asked God to take away the hardship, but God didn't do it.
2. Paul had a choice to make.
a. Give up or …
b. Go on!
B. If God does not answer our prayer the way we think He should … Follow Him anyway!
1. Do we trust Him? or are we just giving lip service?
2. Go on or quit.
3. I choose to go on.
C. For some of us, He will not change our place or our seat in this life.
(Luke 19:13) "And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come."
1. It may be the position of hardships.
2. It may be the position of loneliness.
3. It may be the position of poor health.
4. It may be the position of old age.
5. God may have chosen for us to occupy that place the rest of our life.
6. If so, we have only two choices: accept, and look forward to going to heaven, or reject and live a miserable life that is ahead of us.
III. Lose Ourselves In Doing For Others
A. If we are lonely - Be a friend to someone who is also lonely.
1. We need to take the initiative.
2. Get involved in the lives of others.
3. Do something to help others enjoy life.
4. As we lose ourselves in their cares and problems, we will forget about our own.
B. If we are discouraged - Cheer someone else up who is also discouraged.
1. Be a friend to someone who has no friend.
2. God calls us to a ministry of reconciliation and encouragement.
(Eccl 4:9-10) "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. {10} For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up."
C. Whatever our need or hardship…
1. Instead of withdrawing within ourselves…
2. We need to reach out to others, understanding that we are where we are because God has brought us to this place.
IV. Let the grace of God run its full course in our life.
(2 Cor 12:9) "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
A. May we all be willing to serve in whatever capacity that God places us.
1. It may not be enjoyable.
2. It may not be pleasant.
3. It may be lonely.
4. It may be painful.
5. It may not be understood…
B. But the choice we need to make is to give Him our best.
1. Go on, and make this life count for Him.
2. There is a God in heaven who has control of this life and your position in this life.
3. May each of us realize that if we belong to Him, and that He may do with us as He pleases.
(Phil 4:11) "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
C. Do you know the grace of God in your life today?
1. God's grace will save us.
a. If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior, make that decision today.
b. The Bible tells us that God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance.
c. Faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ is what is necessary for salvation.
(Rom 10:13) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
2. God's grace will sustain us.
a. Paul reminds us that God is able.
b. Whatever our need might be, He will supply.
c. Trust in His grace today.
3. God's grace will satisfy us.
a. All of us need a sense of fulfillment in our lives.
b. Jesus said He came to give us life, but not just an existence…He came to give us an abundant and full life.
c. Only Jesus can bring true satisfaction and fulfillment to our lives..
What state are we in this morning? Are we content? Not self-satisfied, but content that God is in control. Are we following Him? Are we ministering to others? Are we experiencing the Grace of God in our lives? Whatever the need, the invitation is for you to come.