Seeing God in Your Circumstances
The sermon emphasizes the importance of glorifying Christ in all circumstances, drawing inspiration from Paul's unwavering faith during his imprisonment.
Theodore Epp emphasizes that the indwelling Christ empowered Paul to remain untroubled and focused on glorifying Christ even in the face of imprisonment and potential death. Epp encourages believers to recognize that the same Christ who enabled Paul also dwells within them, providing the desire and boldness to honor Him in their lives. Paul's unwavering commitment to magnifying Christ, whether in life or death, serves as a model for Christians today to evaluate their own actions and motivations. The sermon highlights the importance of living a life centered on Christ, as Paul declared, 'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' Ultimately, Epp calls for self-reflection on whether our pursuits truly glorify Christ or serve our own interests.
Text
Philippians 1: 12-21
The life of the indwelling Christ enabled Paul to be free from worry and self-care during his imprisonment, which could have led to death. Paul was bold and unashamed and was concerned only that Christ would be magnified in his body regardless of what awaited him--life or death. There was no wavering on his part.
We tend to think that these tremendous qualities were true only of the great men of God, such as the Apostle Paul, but that it is impossible for us to attain them. Somehow Satan blinds our eyes to the fact that we can have the same determination to glorify Christ in our lives that Paul had in his. The same Christ indwells us, not only to give us the desire to glorify Him but also to enable us to have the boldness to carry out that desire.
Having told of his desire to please Christ in everything, whether through life or through death, Paul said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). This was the basis for Paul's being able to live victoriously in Christ. He was not concerned about drawing attention to himself; rather, he wanted to glorify Jesus Christ in everything. All of Paul's life was focused on Jesus Christ.
It is good for each of us to weigh his or her activities and ask, "Are the things I am doing all done to further my own interests, or are they really glorifying Christ?"
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Gal. 2:20, NASB).
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to Paul's circumstances
- Understanding the indwelling Christ
- The significance of boldness in faith
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II
- The concept of living for Christ
- The meaning of dying as gain
- Paul's unwavering focus on glorifying Christ
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III
- The commonality of Christ's indwelling in believers
- Satan's deception regarding our potential
- Encouragement to pursue Christlike determination
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IV
- Self-reflection on personal motivations
- The importance of glorifying Christ in all actions
- Living victoriously through faith
Key Quotes
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Theodore Epp
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- Reflect on your daily activities to ensure they honor Christ.
- Embrace the boldness that comes from the indwelling Christ to face life's challenges.
- Cultivate a mindset that views death as a gain, fostering a deeper commitment to living for Christ.