The PRIMACY of God in Faith and Suffering (Philippians 1:29-30)

We have taken 5 weeks to complete Philippians chapter 1. Thank God. We will go on to the meat or center of Philippians in chapter 2 when Paul focuses on the utmost importance of unity and humility in the church. Stay tuned.

The title of my sermon this morning, "The Primacy of God in Faith and Suffering," might seem odd and unusual. But I like the phrase "The Primacy of God," because it emphasizes that God is ALWAYS primary in everything, never man. "Primacy" means "the fact of being primary, preeminent, or more important." When we see God as the primary mover, God enables us to be theocentric (God-centered) and Christocentric (Christ-centered). Otherwise, we become anthropocentric (man-centered).

The Delightful Dilemma of Death (Philippians 1:21-30)

Is death really a delightful dilemma? It was for the Apostle Paul. He expressed clearly and in detail why his dilemma as to whether he lives or dies is such a happy process (Phil 1:20-24). Whenever we have 2 choices, one often seems better than the other. Should I marry a pretty girl? Or a homely girl? But Paul's dilemma is that one choice is the best in the world, and the other choice is even better than that! Won't we all like to have 2 such choices in life where you can NEVER EVER make a bad choice and lose? It is not just a WIN-WIN situation, but a WIN-BETTER THAN WIN situation.