Thursday, April 23, 2020 Fear#37
Dear Trinity Baptist Church Family: Paul was in prison. Four times in Philippians chapter 1 he mentions “my chains.” He was in a worse set of circumstances than the troubled Philippians to whom he was writing. Yet his letter is filled with encouragement as he speaks of grace, what he knows, and joy. Paul determined to find a bright side to his circumstances. Philippians 1:12-14 “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Paul believed that his current negative circumstances caused some to be more bold and without fear.
Jeremy mentioned last night that believers need to remain positive. The cloudy weather, depressing news, and the government’s restrictions on our normal activities are all depressing. We must source our joy in Christ. We must evidence confidence in God’s rule. We ought to reflect our glorious position in Christ and not the drudgery of our sin-cursed world.
Do what you can to brighten someone’s day. Perhaps someone in your home. Perhaps reach outside your home through a phone call or letter. Let your world know that the things happening to you are happening to the furtherance of the gospel!
If you come by the church, the bulletins for Sunday are in the family boxes in the back of the auditorium. Also I will put some copies there of the job description I attached yesterday for Charlie Leeds on the back table.
Embracing Truth, Pastor