While ministering for God, is this the way you would expect to be treated? “…they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.” Acts 16:19.
When we read Acts 16:16-18, these verses tells us how this event began. We read that Paul and his ministry companion Silas were just going to their usual place of prayer. After freeing a slave girl from demon possession they were met with a not so grateful response by the slave girl’s owners. Paul and Silas were not escorted with any kind and gentle consideration, there were “dragged” by their accusers.
Reading Acts 16:22-24 we see that the situation got worse, 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
In a previous bulletin message I mentioned that, “there is a belief among some Christians that, ‘good and godly Christians do not experience trials or suffer extremely difficult situations’. They also believe that, if you do experience trials or suffer extremely difficult situations, ‘you have un-confessed sin in your life’.” (and I will add) “or are not living in God’s will for your life.”
If we were to believe in this incorrect doctrine, we would need to know what was the un-confessed sin, disobedience or how Paul and Silas were out of God’s will to explain why they confronted and experienced such opposition.
Today, at least in the United States most of those who love the Lord and are called to serve Him will never have to experience and suffer trials as much as the Apostle Paul did. Reading 2 Corinthians 11:21-29 Paul writes about the many trials he suffered and had to experience while fulfilling God’s will of ministry for his life.
What anyone else dares to boast about — I am speaking as a fool — I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
Why did Paul experience so many trials and suffered so much if he was ministering in agreement to God’s perfect will for his life? Why did he even continue to minister? Just experiencing one trial that Paul experienced, many of us would choose a less threatening way of serving the Lord or even reconsider if it is a good idea to serve the Lord at all. The following answers to these questions can be applied to our lives when experiencing trials. Just put yourself in Paul’s place for each heading. For example, “I know who I am in Christ Jesus.” “I know who is my enemy.” “I know the final outcome.”
Paul knew who he was in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus…
Paul knew who called him.
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
Paul knew why he was called to serve God.
2 Corinthians 3:6, He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant- — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Paul knew who was the enemy.
Ephesians 6:12, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Paul knew what he had to fight the enemy with.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6, 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Paul knew the final outcome.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Finally, the reason why Paul was able to continue on ministering in spite of all the trials and hardships, was because he knew who he was and what it was to experience the power of God’s grace in his life.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Pastor John
