{"id":26722,"date":"2023-06-11T22:00:20","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T05:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/philippians_1_1-11-copy\/"},"modified":"2023-05-30T12:04:49","modified_gmt":"2023-05-30T19:04:49","slug":"philippians_1_12-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/philippians_1_12-21\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Turn Your Setback Into A Step Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

Philippians 1:12-21 \u00a0 Click here for Bible Verses<\/a><\/p>\n

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Hi GAMErs!<\/p>\n

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Today\u2019s passage is Philippians 1:12-21.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:12\u00a0(NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n12\u00a0<\/sup>Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse\u00a012: \u00a0Paul’s imprisonment could easily have been seen by him, his church and his critics as a setback. But Paul chose to see it as a step forward, something “to advance the gospel”.\u00a0 Paul points to 4 ways that this “setback” was actually a step forward.<\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:13\u00a0(NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n13\u00a0<\/sup>As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 13: \u00a0Here’s the first benefit Paul identifies from his imprisonment: \u00a0everyone in the palace guard and everyone who heard about Paul’s imprisonment now knew that Paul was there because of his faith and ministry in Jesus Christ (v13).\u00a0 This would stir the curiosity of many people and give Paul more opportunities to share about his hope in Jesus.<\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:14\u00a0(NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n14\u00a0<\/sup>Because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 14: \u00a0The second benefit Paul identifies from his imprisonment: \u00a0seeing the way Paul was suffering for the Lord, many of Paul’s brothers and sisters in Christ were encouraged to speak the word of God courageously to others. \u00a0 Paul’s imprisonment became an inspiration to other Christians.<\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:15-18 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n15\u00a0<\/sup>It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
\n16\u00a0<\/sup>The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
\n17\u00a0<\/sup>The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
\n18\u00a0<\/sup>But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice…<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 15-18a: \u00a0Paul identifies a third benefit to his imprisonment: even some of Paul’s critics were starting to preach the gospel.\u00a0 Paul notices that there were a number of Christians who, while doctrinally sound, just did not like Paul and used this as an opportunity to start new ministries themselves.\u00a0 But Paul chose not to feel threatened by them; rather he thanked God that they were preaching the gospel, even if they were fueled by false or selfish motives.\u00a0 As Paul says in verse 18, “because of this I rejoice”.<\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:18-19 (NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n18\u00a0<\/sup>…Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
\n19\u00a0<\/sup>for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

On verses 18b-19: \u00a0A fourth benefit Paul identifies from his imprisonment: \u00a0it’s an opportunity for Paul to step further into his destiny as a servant of God.\u00a0 It’s also an opportunity for him to experience God’s power through the Holy Spirit and through the prayers of his Philippian church.<\/p>\n

What can we learn from all this? \u00a0Whenever you face what seems like a setback, focus on the opportunities and blessings that come from it.\u00a0 See every problem as an opportunity.\u00a0 For example:<\/strong>
\n– Every problem you face is an opportunity to experience God’s power working through your weakness.
\n– Every problem you face is an opportunity for you and others to learn and grow.
\n– Every problem you face is an opportunity for you to better sympathize with others who are going through a similar problem.
\n– Every problem you face is an opportunity for you to draw near to God, to deepen your relationship with Him, and to know Him better.
\n– Every problem you face is an opportunity for God to work things out for your good and for His glory.<\/p>\n

Praise God.\u00a0 Like Paul,\u00a0when you choose an attitude of gratitude you can turn every setback into a step forward. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:20\u00a0(NIV)<\/strong><\/em>
\n20\u00a0<\/sup>I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 20: \u00a0Paul was well aware that his future was uncertain, that he could eventually be executed for his faith.\u00a0 Being a couple steps away from death’s door, Paul kept hanging onto the resolve that no matter what he would exalt Christ “whether by life or by death” (v20).<\/p>\n

Paul was facing the ultimate test of his faith: was he willing to die for his faith?\u00a0 His answer as yes.\u00a0 How about you? \u00a0Are you willing to die for your faith like Paul?\u00a0 The Lord Jesus gave his life for you.\u00a0 Are you willing to give your life for Him?<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0May we arm ourselves every day with the same attitude as Paul: “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (v21).\u00a0 What does that mean exactly?\u00a0 See below.<\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:21\u00a0(NIV)<\/em><\/strong>
\n21\u00a0<\/sup>For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.<\/em><\/p>\n

On verse 21: \u00a0Here Paul makes one of the most powerful statements ever written: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (v21) \u00a0What does it mean?\u00a0 It means that for as long as God chose to let Paul keep on living, his life would be all about following Jesus and glorifying Him with his life — “to live is Christ”.\u00a0 And if God chose to let Paul die, he was happier still because it meant he would go to heaven to be with Him — “to die is gain”.<\/p>\n

May we have a similar attitude as Paul: that for as long as we have life on earth, let’s consider it a blessing and live it for God’s glory.\u00a0 And on the day we die, consider it an even greater blessing because we finally get to be with Jesus in heaven.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Holy Spirit, please teach us to turn our setbacks into steps forward.\u00a0 No matter what challenge we may face today, may we choose an attitude of gratitude.\u00a0 May we focus on all the blessings and opportunities that You bring because of that challenge.\u00a0 Thank You that to live is Christ and to die is gain.\u00a0 For as long as we have breath in our lungs, may we breathe each breath for You; and on that day when we go to heaven, we will be even more blessed because we finally get to be with You.\u00a0 Thank You!\u00a0 In Jesus’ name, AMEN!<\/em><\/p>\n

Verses Worth Memorizing<\/u><\/strong>
\nI mentioned yesterday that\u00a0Philippians\u00a0is full of helpful verses that are worth memorizing.\u00a0 Below are just some of them. \u00a0Want to take your relationship with God and your spiritual growth to the next level?\u00a0 Memorize these verses and get them into your heart<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:6 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n6\u00a0<\/sup>being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.<\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:9-10 (NIV)<\/strong>
\n9\u00a0<\/sup>And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
\n10\u00a0<\/sup>so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ<\/p>\n

Philippians\u00a01:21\u00a0(NIV)<\/strong>
\n21\u00a0<\/sup>For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.<\/p>\n

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Copyright \u00a9 2021 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hi GAMErs!<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s passage is Philippians 1:12-21.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go!
\n\u00a0
\nPhilippians\u00a01:12\u00a0(NIV)
\n12\u00a0Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nOn verse\u00a012: \u00a0Paul’s imprisonment could easily have been seen by him, his church and his critics as a setback. But Paul chose to see it as a step forward, something “to advance the gospel”.\u00a0 Paul points to 4 ways that this “setback” was actually a step forward.
\n\u00a0
\nPhilippians\u00a01:13\u00a0(NIV)
\n13\u00a0As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
\n\u00a0
\nOn verse 13: \u00a0Here’s the first benefit Paul identifies from his imprisonment: \u00a0everyone in the palace guard and everyone who heard about Paul’s imprisonment now knew that Paul was there because of his faith and ministry in Jesus Christ (v13).\u00a0 This would stir the curiosity of many people and give Paul more opportunities to share about his hope in Jesus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gametime-sharing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26722"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26725,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26722\/revisions\/26725"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ocbf.ca\/2019\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}