Things are Subject to Change part 3
We’re going to continue on the subject of TURNING YOUR SITUATION AROUND.
I) Turn with me to ROM 8:28
A) There are some Christians that are going through something, but we never see any sign of the situation working out for good.
1) But that’s exactly what Paul said would happen.
2) If it’s not happening in our life we need to ask why. Is there something that we’re doing wrong?
(a) 1st of all Paul says, “We Know.” Paul has a KNOWING or an EXPECTANCY that things will word out for good.
(i) That’s faith.
(ii) No matter what happens, you need to continually believe God that He will turn that situation around.
(iii) Have the faith and the knowing, that what the Devil meant for bad or harm, God will turn it around for good.
3) The 2nd thing that He says in this V is that the things will turn around for them that LOVE GOD.
(a) This is a promise that God is speaking to you that you can stand on.
(b) To paraphrase this God is saying, “Know this, for all those that love me I will turn the situation around.”
4) The 3rd thing Paul says is that “All things will work out for good to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
(a) What is God’s PURPOSE or PLAN for your life?
(i) Mainly that you would live for God, that God would come 1st in your life.
(ii) All to often Christians want to live for themselves, putting themselves 1st. Well, that puts God in the 2nd seat, but they still want the blessings of God in their lives.
(iii) It doesn’t work that way.
(iv) Paul says in (GAL 6:3) that this man deceives himself.
(v) (Matthew 6:33) Says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” KJV
II) Turn with me to PHIL 1:15-18
A) Here in these Vs Paul is saying that while he was in prison people were preaching the Gospel. Some were preaching the Gospel out of Envy, Strife, and Contention.
1) But notice Paul’s Attitude. He didn’t care why they were preaching, just as long as Christ was being preached.
(a) If Paul had the wrong attitude, he would have spent the rest of his life trying to straighten these people out.
(i) I don’t understand those that say they have a ministry of straightening out everybody’s teaching.
(ii) Mostly what they do is cause division.
(iii) What we need to do is to preach Christ and His will for our lives.
(iv) If someone’s doctrine is causing them to give up their faith in the Lord, then maybe you might be able to bring some correction.
(v) But as long as if they are preaching Jesus more power to them.
B) Look at PHIL 1:19-21
1) Despite his less than ideal situation, Paul is CONFIDENT, ASSURED, and JOYFUL.
(a) The reason that he could keep his JOY even in his current situation is that he knows that whatever happens to him will turn out for the best.
(i) God would turn the situation around.
(ii) Even when Paul said, “Whether it be by life, or by death.” (Whether he was to live or to be put to death.)
(iii) He’s saying that he is in a NO-LOSE situation.
(iv) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
2) In (V 20) Paul says, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope.”
(a) The phrase “ACCORDING TO” means “IN PROPORTION TO or depending on.”
(b) Paul’s situation was GOING TO TURN IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO HIS EARNEST EXPECTATION and HOPE.
(i) The Strong’s Concordance says that the word “HOPE” here means “EXPECTATION OF GOOD.”
(c) Notice Paul’s FAITH and ATTITUDE. He knew that God was going to work in his situation and his attitude reflected that.
(i) Your faith and attitude go hand in hand.
(ii) You CAN’T HAVE FAITH that you’re going to GET OUT OF A SITUATION and at the SAME TIME HAVE the ATTITUDE that you’re NEVER GOING TO GET OUT OF IT.
(iii) Your Faith and ATTITUDE is THE THING THAT CAN PUT YOU OVER INTO VICTORY OR LEAVE YOU BEHIND IN DEFEAT.
(d) Your attitude has to be based on the truth, the truth of God’s Word, and not on the things that your going through.
III) Today’s SITUATIONS and SETBACKS are TOMORROW’S VICTORIES.
A) Look at PSA 34:19
1) Even though we are going to have different problem arise and adverse situations, God is going to turn it around.
2) I expect all my setbacks to be turned into victories.
(a) I’m not saying that I’m perfect. When I face a setback, the 1st thing I do is to say, “WHY, What happened?”
(i) But soon after that I get a hold of it, and I know that God will turn it around.
(ii) What the enemy meant for harm, God will turn it around for His glory.
B) Something that goes right along with this is OUR PEACE.
1) Even when we’re going through something, we don’t have to lose our PEACE.
(a) Jesus said in (John 16:33) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” KJV
(b) We might have tribulations and problems in the life, but that doesn’t mean that we have to lose our peace.
(i) No man can steel our peace that we have from God.
(ii) Jesus said in (John 14:27) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” KJV
(iii) We have a peace on the inside because we have put our trust in God.
C) Go back with me to PHIL 1:18
1) Paul is saying no matter what happens to me, “I REJOICE, and I will Rejoice.”
(a) Paul knew that God was going to turn this situation around.
(i) The Devil thought that if he could put Paul in prison, he could stop him from preaching the Gospel.
(ii) God turned the situation around and turned Paul’s prison into a pulpit for Paul to preach from.
2) Paul said, “I will rejoice.” He was not going to lose the ATTITUDE of JOY.
(a) The Bible says, “The Joy of the Lord I your strength.” (NEHEMIAH 8:10)
(b) Paul said in (PHIL 4:4), “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
3) In this V (PHIL 1:18) Paul said that he was not going to lose his joy.
(a) (PHIL 1:19) form the paraphrased translation called “The Heart of Paul,” says this “I will keep on celebrating because I know this ATTITUDE will bring my deliverance.”
D) Paul’s attitude was very positive. But his positive attitude was not based on his own thoughts or even having a positive outlook.
1) Paul’s attitude was based on a confidence in the ability of his God to turn the situation around.
2) (Psalm 118:24) Says, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” KJV
(a) How can we face each day with this attitude?
(b) Because WE KNOW THAT GOD WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.
(i) He will turn it around, so rejoice.
WOLCC Sunday AM 4/13/97