THINK POSITIVELY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE TO MOVE
FORWARD IN THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD
Philippians 4:13–16 "I can
do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have
well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know
also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no
church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity."
INTRODUCTION:
The
Apostle Paul is a prime example of maintaining a faith-filled, positive mindset
when facing trials and challenges in the work of the Lord.
1. PAUL WAS POSITIVE WHEN ENCOUNTERING TRIALS AND
TROUBLES IN MINISTRY.
For
Paul, facing troubles and trials in Christ served as vital opportunities to
approach God in great faith and seek Him through earnest prayer.
Hebrews 4:16 – "Let
us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need."
Romans 8:28 – "And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose."
Paul
faced constant life-threatening danger during his missionary journeys. Instead
of stopping, his positive, faith-filled perspective compelled him to finish his
ministry with joy.
Acts 20:19–24 – "Serving
the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which
befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that
was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly,
and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks,
repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold,
I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall
befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that
bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count
I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the
ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the
grace of God."
2. PAUL WAS POSITIVE ABOUT HIS GOAL TO WIN THE LOST AT
ALL COSTS.
Paul
willingly lowered himself to serve all people so he could lead them to Jesus
Christ. His adaptable approach made his soul-winning ministry highly effective
and fruitful.
1 Corinthians 9:19–22 – "For
though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I
might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the
Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them
that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being
not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them
that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak:
I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
The
Church at Antioch also maintained a positive, forward-moving focus on
fulfilling the Great Commission despite facing intense persecution.
Acts 11:19–24 – "Now
they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen
travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to
none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene,
which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the
Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number
believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the
ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that
he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of
God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would
cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of
faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."
3.
PAUL WAS POSITIVE EVEN WHEN FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL SUPPORT WAS LACKING.
Paul
gave a powerful testimony of contentment, learning to remain steadfast even
when support failed to arrive from churches that had pledged to help.
Philippians 4:10–14 – "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now
at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also
careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I
have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both
how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am
instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have
well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction."
Paul
always remained confident in God’s abundant provision.
Philippians 4:19 – "But
my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ
Jesus."
4. PAUL WAS POSITIVE WHEN FACING SEVERE SICKNESS,
TRUSTING IN GOD'S SUFFICIENT GRACE.
Paul
believed that God's grace was entirely sufficient to sustain him, even when
facing physical suffering so severe that it felt like a sentence of death.
Rather than trusting in himself, he relied on God’s power to deliver him.
2 Corinthians 1:4–10 – "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort
wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ
abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be
afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the
enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be
comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is
stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be
also of the consolation. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our
trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength,
insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in
ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the
dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we
trust that he will yet deliver us;"
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 – "And
lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the
revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan
to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought
the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am
weak, then am I strong."
5.
PAUL WAS POSITIVE BECAUSE HE EXPECTED GOD'S ETERNAL REWARD FOR FAITHFUL
SERVICE.
God is
faithful to reward every Christian who serves Him devotedly.
1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 – "For
what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and
joy."
Paul
viewed his Christian ministry as a good fight of faith that carries guaranteed
eternal rewards.
2 Timothy 4:7–8 – "I
have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto
all them also that love his appearing."
6. PAUL WAS POSITIVE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST'S SECOND COMING.
The
promise of Christ’s return provides Christians with abiding hope, comfort, and
a joyful outlook on life and ministry.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 – "And to wait for his Son
from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from
the wrath to come."
1 Thessalonians 4:13, 18 – "But I
would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,
that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope... Wherefore comfort one
another with these words."
God
bless you always!
No comments:
Post a Comment