A Joyful Perspective
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A JOYFUL PERSPECTIVE
Join your Calvary Chapel family today (Sunday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m.) in the main sanctuary or online through our website (www.calvaryinv.com), Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness) as we gather to exalt Jesus, edify one another in love, and be equipped to evangelize a lost world by continuing our study in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians (1:12-26).
The church in Philippi was concerned. Their beloved spiritual father, the Apostle Paul, who had introduced them to the gospel of Jesus Christ during his first journey into Europe, was now in prison. He was chained to Roman guards and under constant surveillance while awaiting his trial before Caesar Nero.
To make matters worse, rumors spread that many of Paul’s opponents and enemies were doing everything possible to exploit his absence and convert new believers from those churches that only existed because of Paul's dedicated and relentless efforts.
Others had been waiting for their chance to slander Paul’s name by viciously lying about his character, telling anyone who would listen that he was in prison because of his own wrongdoing.
The church knew there was nothing Paul could do to defend his ministry or character from those men who were rushing to take his place as leaders of the struggling churches.
They were the first church to support Paul financially, enabling him to stop working as a tent-maker and focus entirely on spreading the gospel across the Roman Empire. When Paul shared with them about the suffering of those in the Jerusalem church due to a severe famine, they were quick to step up and help.
So, they sent one of their own, Epaphroditus, to undertake the long and risky journey, find Paul, and deliver the food, clothing, and money they had sent, and check in with him and report back?
What Epaphroditus discovered caught him off guard, and he realized the church was utterly unprepared for the situation. Instead of meeting a man who was broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually, he found someone who was at peace and filled with joy. A man who understood that regardless of what happened at his trial, it didn’t matter because the One he belonged to would work everything out for his good and God’s glory.
On the way home, Epaphroditus had a lot to think about. He was eager to share Paul’s letter with the church and was amazed at how the Apostle could stay so joyful despite facing imminent death. In fact, Epaphroditus had concluded that Paul welcomed it.
There was one thing that stood out to Epaproditus, and he couldn’t get it out of his mind. He believed it was the source of Paul’s joy and peace, and he knew it would encourage the church and motivate them to keep spreading the gospel to their city, nation, and world.
So, when Epaphroditus arrived, he delivered Paul’s letter to the church to be read on the next Lord’s Day, when they would gather to hear what the Apostle had said.
And when the letter was read and reached the part that Paul had written, which had filled him with hope, he knew the church would be changed forever.
That statement that has inspired Philippians and countless millions of believers over the past two thousand years is, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Php 1:21).
As we read this letter, my prayer is that we all experience the same joy and peace that Paul did, so that, regardless of the challenges in ministry or life, we can glorify Christ with unwavering faith in Him.
In His Unfailing Love,
Pastor
Join your Calvary Chapel family today (Sunday, November 2, at 10:00 a.m.) in the main sanctuary or online through our website (www.calvaryinv.com), Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness) as we gather to exalt Jesus, edify one another in love, and be equipped to evangelize a lost world by continuing our study in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians (1:12-26).
The church in Philippi was concerned. Their beloved spiritual father, the Apostle Paul, who had introduced them to the gospel of Jesus Christ during his first journey into Europe, was now in prison. He was chained to Roman guards and under constant surveillance while awaiting his trial before Caesar Nero.
To make matters worse, rumors spread that many of Paul’s opponents and enemies were doing everything possible to exploit his absence and convert new believers from those churches that only existed because of Paul's dedicated and relentless efforts.
Others had been waiting for their chance to slander Paul’s name by viciously lying about his character, telling anyone who would listen that he was in prison because of his own wrongdoing.
The church knew there was nothing Paul could do to defend his ministry or character from those men who were rushing to take his place as leaders of the struggling churches.
They were the first church to support Paul financially, enabling him to stop working as a tent-maker and focus entirely on spreading the gospel across the Roman Empire. When Paul shared with them about the suffering of those in the Jerusalem church due to a severe famine, they were quick to step up and help.
So, they sent one of their own, Epaphroditus, to undertake the long and risky journey, find Paul, and deliver the food, clothing, and money they had sent, and check in with him and report back?
What Epaphroditus discovered caught him off guard, and he realized the church was utterly unprepared for the situation. Instead of meeting a man who was broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually, he found someone who was at peace and filled with joy. A man who understood that regardless of what happened at his trial, it didn’t matter because the One he belonged to would work everything out for his good and God’s glory.
On the way home, Epaphroditus had a lot to think about. He was eager to share Paul’s letter with the church and was amazed at how the Apostle could stay so joyful despite facing imminent death. In fact, Epaphroditus had concluded that Paul welcomed it.
There was one thing that stood out to Epaproditus, and he couldn’t get it out of his mind. He believed it was the source of Paul’s joy and peace, and he knew it would encourage the church and motivate them to keep spreading the gospel to their city, nation, and world.
So, when Epaphroditus arrived, he delivered Paul’s letter to the church to be read on the next Lord’s Day, when they would gather to hear what the Apostle had said.
And when the letter was read and reached the part that Paul had written, which had filled him with hope, he knew the church would be changed forever.
That statement that has inspired Philippians and countless millions of believers over the past two thousand years is, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Php 1:21).
As we read this letter, my prayer is that we all experience the same joy and peace that Paul did, so that, regardless of the challenges in ministry or life, we can glorify Christ with unwavering faith in Him.
In His Unfailing Love,
Pastor
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