Last Sunday, Matthew preached from Phil. 1:12-18, where Paul looks his suffering in the eye and rejoices at how it served to spread the kingdom of God. Why could Paul rejoice in the face of suffering? Because he had a supreme ambition for the glory of God and saw how his ambition was fulfilled through his suffering. Paul was bound in the chains of a Roman prison. But the Word of God was not bound. His witness spread the gospel throughout the Imperial Roman Guard, who in turn spread the gospel throughout the city of Rome. Not to mention the inspiring effect of Paul’s faithful evangelism on the Roman church. Both in outward witness and inward example, Paul’s suffering served to advance the gospel. That’s what he cared about. That’s what mattered most to him. And that’s what must matter most to us. If our ambition is God’s ambition, then there’s no circumstance where our ambition cannot be fulfilled, suffering included. Which means we’ve discovered the secret to joy in all circumstances.
Here are a few questions for application:
- What is your supreme ambition? Don’t just give the “right” response. How can you tell? Simply look at what you find joy in more than anything else.
- How is God giving you opportunity amidst present suffering to testify to the gospel? To yourself? To others?
- What examples can you look to of Christians who are suffering to the glory of God? If you can’t think of any, what does that say about your pursuit of Christian community? If you know at least one, what can you do to learn from them?
- How has God used suffering to refine your ambitions in the past, purifying you of lesser, rival ambitions that might otherwise rule your heart?
