So, why are you Here?

Read Philippians 1.

When Paul first visited the city of Philippi about A.D.51, he led Lydia, the Philippian jailer and others to faith in Christ.  When he left, there was a nucleus of baptized believers for a local church.  At this writing, a decade had passed.  Paul was in prison in Rome awaiting trial.  But, he is not complaining about his situation.  He understood why God had him where he was.

1. He understood why he was in prison. (vv.12-14)

God gave him a captive audience at government expense!  Moans and groans, grumbling and cursing would be normal expectations.  But Paul could sing praises to God, as he did in the Philippian jail.  He could loudly proclaim the saving grace of Jesus to these fellow prisoners.  And, as he stated in verse 13, all of Caesar's palace guards had heard the gospel.  Perhaps, none of these countless number of men would have heard the message if Paul had not been in prison.

Question: Why does God have you where you are today?  Who needs to hear the good news of Jesus?

2. He understood why he was on earth. (vv.19-26)

Why didn't God take Paul to heaven on the day of his conversion to Christ?  Why didn't God allow Paul to die on any number of occasions?  Why was he still living?  These thoughts perplexed him as well.  He wanted to go and be with Christ.  He would have preferred to be in heaven.  Paul wrote "to die is gain."  However, he realized that by staying he could continue to minister to and encourage others in their faith.  So, as long as God gave him breath, his life motto was "For to me to live is Christ."  

Question: Why are you still here on earth?  For whom are you living?

3. He understood why he suffered. (vv.27-30) 

Suffering due to sharing the gospel and living for Christ is a "given" part of our faith.

"Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)

"For to this you have been called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21)

   Paul was ridiculed for his faith.  He was beaten and left for dead for preaching Jesus.  His own former colleagues of religious leaders in Jerusalem sought to assassinate him.  A weaker man may have wanted to give up.  Adversities in life will tend either make a person bitter or better.  What gave Paul such perseverance was that he knew all of these things were temporary.  His hope lay in his "completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (v.6).

"But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:13)

Question: Now, do you understand?