Introduction
- Philippians 1:3 – Paul in prison at Rome. This, no doubt, put a lot of stress on Paul, yet he writes to encourage others!
- Acts 16:19 – Paul started the church in Philippi, and it started in the midst of persecution and difficulty.
Paul had stress from at least four areas:
- A former life of persecuting the church – I Timothy 1:13; Philippians 3:6
- The persecutors who followed him from place to place, as he preached the gospel – Philippians 3:2, 18; 1:15-17, 23
- Responsibility to preach the gospel – I Corinthians 9:16; James 3:1
- Concern for all the churches – II Corinthians 11:28
We want to learn from Paul’s example and go from stress to success in God’s eyes.
- Paul says to think about others instead of self – Philippians 2:1-8; 1:23-24, 3-11
- Paul says to forget – Philippians 3:4-15
- Set the proper goal – Philippians 3:14-15; 1:20; Colossians 3:1-2; I Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:31
- The goal is not the same thing as the prize. Don’t get them confused!
- Paul says to rejoice – Philippians 4:4, 10; 2:17-18; 3:1; 1:18; Psalms 32:11; 33:1
- Paul says to pray – Philippians 4:5-6; James 1:5-8; 4:2-3; I John 5:14-15
- Pray with thanksgiving
- Paul says to think (about proper things) – Philippians 4:8
- Paul says to do – Philippians 4:9; 2:12-16; James 2:19-20
- Paul says to have the peace of God – Philippians 4:7; I John 4:18; Hebrews 13:3-6; Philippians 4:9
- Paul says to be satisfied – Philippians 4:11-12; 2:14
- The success of Paul is “in Christ” – Philippians 4:13; 3:3, 14, 17-21; Ephesians 1:3
Conclusion
- Will you turn stress into success as Paul did or will stress be your spiritual downfall?