Sunday, October 13, 2024
Paul’s letter of joy from the prison (Adapted from Ps Samuel’s sermon 13/10/24)
Ps Samuel shared that Paul most likely wrote Philippians in a Roman prison. He had founded the church in Philippi during his second missionary journey. His third journey is marked with many conflicts, false accusations from religious leaders, persecution, court cases, imprisonment and it is in this setting Paul is writing this chapter.
I am currently writing “12 years in the prison”, a Christian book reflecting my own personal journey. Like some, I have been trapped in my own “metaphoric” prison with many hurts and scars from the battle that it was. Everything that could go wrong went wrong. We prayed and believed God had wanted me to enter a certain business in China. We were sure God had sent a certain mentor to guide me. His heart was good initially, but later his heart changed, had mistresses and did many awful things which left me in financial ruin.
Transformation
It was in the darkness of the “prison” I had to search deep as to why God allowed all these to happen. I was in chains financially, I was hidden from my friends in shame. God hid me.
When God chooses to hide you for a time, He is preparing you for a greater purpose. God hid Joseph in a prison before he came to the palace. He hid Moses in the desert for a third of his life before he led the people out of Egypt. God hid Elijah at Cherith before his great life contribution at Carmel.
God hid David in the mountains, running in and out of caves from Saul, before he was recognized as king. God hid Paul for three years in Arabia after his conversion, before he became a missionary.
Ever since the road to Damascus, Paul transformed into the greatest missionary and evangelist. His mission was to the gentiles and legend has it he spent 3 years in Arabia preparing for ministry – dedicating himself to study, prayer and meditation.
My 3 years in Arabia
I was transferred to Singapore to work for a year in 1999. It was a tough year for me as I had to come back on weekends to attend lectures and exams in KL on 2 out of 6 weekends for my executive MBA program (University of Hull-HELP). By the grace of God I managed to be the Best Overall Student for the program.
In Singapore I joined Hope of God during the weekends I was present on the island. They used my company apartment for care group meetings and I was water baptized in East Coast Park before being transferred back to the KL office.
Once back I joined Renewal Lutheran Church (RLC) in the year 2000 and for three (3) years chewed through like 4 Christian books per week, attended all the bible classes and Deeper Life Seminars. I didn’t socialize or go out but after work, I put in solid 4 hours of bible studies each night in my room. I had a spiritual hunger. Like Paul I had my three (3 )years in Arabia. Life was good and fun, just had to learn more about the Bible and the way He talked. But it was all theory and head knowledge. But I had no grit and steel in me. I had not been tested.
Test to Testimony
Indeed after a series of successful side ventures, I went to do my own trading and consultancy business in Malaysia full-time. I was supplying sheep, deer placenta and other supplements to direct selling companies in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. But after that I met a man who brought my business to China. The mismanagement and misuse of the funds collapsed everything.
Why did God allowed it?
I believe like Paul said “for the furtherance of the gospel”. When trouble came I wanted to exit the world, run away from everyone. But God had a special minister (Pastor Charles Popson, a pastor praying for me at Grace Assembly PJ, and now has planted Greater Glory Rehoboth Center in Manchester) who has been praying for me since 2007. God made sure I had someone to lean on for prophetic guidance till today.
I chose God through the uncertainties and turbulence. That was the only choice as even my family looked at me in disdain. It was for over twelve (12) years, hence the book “12 years in the prison”. God is now transforming my life, but life is never linear nor is His restoration. There are still many up and downs. I still face lots of obstacles in my businesses. I had a relationship with someone this year but she left without giving a reason except that she feels she is not ready. Yes she is not a Christian but I do not doubt our paths were meant to cross.
I am not ashamed of the gospel, nor am I ashamed of the humiliation I went through, for it’s the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who has seen my transformation and how God is restoring me. I believe my businesses will go to China again but this time with me in the driver’s seat.
Whatever unfolds as Paul said “however, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (Acts 20:24).
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). We may lose everything soulish, but in the process gain everything spiritual and eternal.
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
Life Worthy of the Gospel
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[e] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
