Oral Presentation

 Introduction

 

Attention

 

Early Christian believers were greatly persecuted by the Roman authorities an experience that had a big impact in developing their faith and spreading the gospel. Amidst their persecutions and sufferings, the believers scattered everywhere and spread Christ message in these places.

 

Need

Many Christians today struggle to find the true reason for the difficult circumstances they experience such as illnesses, hunger, death and job loss. Some are tempted to belief that there is no such as reason or even lose faith and see the life as just a cosmetic accident.  But God’s word tells that we should overcome such situations and be glad that God’s purpose is being accomplished in us.

 

Textual Idea

Philippians 1:12-18: Being positive amidst difficult circumstances

 

Sermon idea

 God’s gospel will advance through the lives of his people irrespective of circumstances. The mission field involves negative circumstances that Christians should learn to overcome, rejoice in and encourage others facing similar situations.

 

Interrogative

 How should Christians react to difficult circumstances and allow Christ’s gospel to advances regardless of their trials?

 

Transition

This text provides various lessons on how Christians should respond to difficult circumstances;

• Overcoming difficult circumstances and allow God’s message to advance through them
• Always rejoicing even amidst such situations
• Strengthening others though one’s experience

 

 

Body

 

Division 1 statement

 

The mission field is very different from what we plan or expect and God’s plan for Evangelism is quite different to the plan of His missionaries and may seem insensible to them.

 

Explanation

 Paul’s expectations and plan was very different from what he encountered as a preacher to the Gentiles.  He is spends more a lot of time in prison but through his confinement, Christ’s gospel was still advancing.   Paul’s imprisonment and perseverance encourages many of his brethren to continue preaching the gospel even more.

 

 

Illustration

In 2002, Martin Burnham, an American missionary in Philippians was killed in a botched attempt to rescue him from kidnappers.  The death was devastated to his family especially the children and his wife, who was windowed at 40. One cannot help but ask why the family was undergoing such suffering while Martin had gone to preach good news to these people.

 

 

Argumentation

In Verse 12 of the text Paul just mentions about what happened to it without much details but focus in what his imprison has brought about in preaching the gospel. He sees his situation as an opportunity for God’s word to advance.

 

Application

 

While Christians may have questions on why Martin had to be killed while taking good news to Philippians, Paul did not focus on his tribulations but sought to assure the church that his chain progressed the gospel.  Amidst our suffering, we should focus on what God can accomplish through our suffering in relation to advancement of his gospel.

 

 

Division statement 2

 

The basic idea of overcoming difficult circumstances can be seen in the response Paul gives to Philippians concerning his situation where he disregards his chains and the false preachers because regardless of these, Christ gospel was advancing.

 

Explanation

 

The brethrens at Philippians were aware that the apostle was not in a good situation since he imprisoned.  The response Paul gave was meant to inform them about situation but he did not dwell on it.  His perseverance amidst the suffering advanced the message among the guards and even his brethren gained more courage to preach the gospel. 

 

Illustration

 A Life Magazine’s 1956 edition run a story of young people who had been killed in Eastern Ecuador by the Aucus tribe to whom they were taking the good news.  During that time nobody understood what such waste of life could possibly bring about.  Years later, many people have been converted because of the work God did through these individuals.

 

Argumentation

In verse 14 of the text, Paul attributes to his perseverance of the chains as the reason his brethren have become confident in preaching the word. Verse 13, the guards came to know that Paul was chained for the sake of Christ.

 

 

Application

 

Despite the sufferings that we have to endure in the missionary work, we should focus on what God can accomplish His work through the difficult circumstances. The reason for our suffering may seem insensible but many people can be converted on account of our effort.

 

Division statement 3

 After looking at all things happening due to his chains, Paul praised God and rejoiced.

 

Explanation

 

Too much time passed and months turned into years as Paul trial was constantly postponed and thus his languish in chains continued.  Yet while still in confinement, Paul learnt to rejoice in his suffering and take pleasure

 

Illustration

 

There is a common joke involving four men seated on a train. One man boasted that he could tell the occupations of people only through observation. After agreeing to try him, he correctly pointed out a banker due to his demeanor and briefcase, a painter due to the ink’s smell and stained hands but he incorrectly guessed the last person hard been fairly quiet and pale. The man protested and attributed his appearance to sickness. It has long been assumed that Christians should appear pale as if they were in a funeral.  

 

 

Argumentation

 

Paul rejoiced that the message was advancing and had no reason for appearing distressed due to his suffering.

 

Application

  We should always rejoice regardless of the circumstances, knowing that God’s purpose is working through us.  That way, we can strengthen others.