No Disappointments Philippians 1:18-21, But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance….

No Disappointments … 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:18-21

The Only Certainty In Life? Many pessimistic voices in today’s church Paul has great confidence for the Philippian church The 1 st Century AD church was far from perfect (see 15-18)

We Are Certain That… 1 –God will not Disappoint! Do you find your life satisfying? Is your Christianity satisfying? Satisfaction is alien to life in this world! Everything disappoints, except God. “Glorying in the Certainties – Grappling with the Uncertainties” - Philip Hacking

Disappointment and Shame “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed” (20) Shame in the New Testament – more than embarrassment! Shame is being disappointed by God – being let down, unsatisfied. An example from Romans…

Hope Does Not Disappoint! “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Rom 5:3-5)

A Steady Hope – a Certain Hope 22 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders. 23 Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed (ashamed).“ Isaiah 49:22-23

The Bible Likes to Quote Itself Isaiah 28:16 See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. Quoted in Romans 9:33 and 10:11 Alluded to in Romans 5:5, “And hope does not disappoint us,” or in the AV, “And hope maketh not ashamed.” NO ONE WHO TRUSTS GOD WILL EVER BE DISAPPOINTED!

2 – God’s Power Will Not Disappoint 1 –God will not Disappoint! Romans 1: I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

What is the Gospel? A message that never disappoints. God’s Grace is always revealed. God’s Power always goes with it! God’s Son is its theme – “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15)

Paul Lived in Three Worlds To Jews, with religion and tradition, no room for Jesus – the GOSPEL was a stumbling stone! To Greeks – not tradition but wisdom. The GOSPEL was foolish. To Romans – not wisdom but POWER. The Gospel was WEAK.

What did Paul Preach to These Three Worlds? I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Look around the Church, look at World Mission. That power (dynamis) is unchanged.

3 – God’s SALVATION Will Not Disappoint 1 –God will not Disappoint! 2 – God’s Power Will Not Disappoint Silver at the Commonwealth Games or Olympics? But it’s Not Gold! Your Team Going out of a Championship – nothing to celebrate.

“Glorying in the Certainties” Philip Hacking Lots that we don’t know… BUT what we DO KNOW is ASTOUNDING! “for I know… what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance… I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed… whether by life or by death.” (selected from 19-21)

How Can You Know? How can you avoid bitterness? Childless? Unemployed? Sick? How can you be sure? Vs 6: being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I Know Because… John 10:27-28 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

I Know Because… 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

I Know Because… God is at work to accomplish great things – Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

I Know Because… of the Scope! CHRIST is ALWAYS taking GLORY, always being magnified, in his children. Vs. 20 – “so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” SAY IT NOW – Christ will be exalted in my life!

Eagerly Expect… Don’t believe that the NIV lacks beauty and elegance! “Eagerly Expect…” prayer to be answered! “Eagerly Expect…” Christ’s glory! The Medal hopefuls are quite right… YOU TOO CAN “Eagerly Expect…”

PSALM 31:21-24 (p. 243) 1/4 21 All praise and thanks be to the LORD; for he hath magnified His wondrous love to me within a city fortified.

PSALM 31: /4 22 For from thine eyes cut off I am, I in my haste had said; My voice yet heard’st thou, when to thee with cries my moan I made

PSALM 31: /4 23O love the LORD, all ye his saints; because the LORD doth guard The faithful, and he plenteously proud doers doth reward.

PSALM 31: /4 24 Be of good courage, and he strength unto your heart shall send, All ye whose hope and confidence doth on the LORD depend.

Please join us in the hall for tea and coffee God Calls Us to delight in Christ and to Share His Hope.