Serving God in Difficult Places

Philippians 4:22

Serving God in our world today is fraught with difficulties.
Regardless of your age, your geographical location, or your vocation, you can serve Jesus.
Even in the most difficult of places, and in the most unlikely surroundings, people have served God,
and they still serve Him and live for Him.
We learn this by the example of the early Christians.
Paul tells us of this in Philippians 4:22: "All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are
of Caesar's household."

These Christians were living in "Caesar's household."
The word, "household" refers to either a family or a home.
These Christians were probably members of Caesar's civil service or a part of his guard
or they could have been slaves who served in his palace.

Nothing could have been more difficult place to live and serve as a Christian than in Caesar's household.
It would have been very difficult to live for Christ in the household of this cruel and despicable man
who hated Christianity.
Yet, they were doing just that.

There is a message in this for us.
If they could live as Christians in Caesar's household, then we can live for God, and we can serve God
in our difficult circumstances.

There are places in our lives where it is difficult to be live as Christians.
It is a difficult to live for Christ today our schools, and in our social lives, and on our jobs,
and for others in their families.

Some years ago, a 12-year-old young lady trusted Christ as her Saviour, and the church members
were rejoicing over her coming to Christ.
The lady who was responsible for her attending church was shedding tears.
I knew that she was happy for the young lady, but she said that she had mixed emotions.
When I asked why, she said: "I am so happy that she has become a Christian, but I am so sad
that she has to go back to her home."
Then, she said, "Her father will beat her for becoming a Christian!"
(I followed the young lady home, and met her drunk and alcoholic father.
I told him about her decision, and talked to him about trusting Jesus as his Saviour,
and he didn't want to talk about it.
I then told him that if he ever harmed his daughter that I would have the police come
and take him to jail.
He never hurt her again, but he never changed his life.)

Many Christians are happy to have fellowship with other Christians, but then, they have to return
to an abusive situation at home.

It is difficult for young people to live for Christ today.
We're living in times of moral confusion.
The moral philosophy of many in today's America is, "If it feels good, do it."

People have always violated moral standards.
But in our world today many people are no longer sure that there is an absolute standard.
When you add to the moral confusion of our age, and the excessive freedom that is experienced today,
the problem is explosive.

I believe that it is more difficult to live for Jesus in the schools and universities today
than it has ever been.
It is difficult, but if Christians could serve in Caesar's household, then our young Christians
can live for Christ in our schools.
Of course, that will take a real commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word.
We cannot survive the pressures of today without being founded and focused upon the the Lord Jesus.

There is an old story concerning the time when a certain monarch commanded one of the
early Christians to recant and give up his devotion to Christ.
The king threatened to banish him if he refused.
But the man replied with a smile, "You cannot banish me from Christ, for He said,
'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'"

Then, the ruler angrily threatened, "I will confiscate your property."
The Christian replied, "My treasures are laid up on high, you cannot get them."

The monarch flew into a rage and exclaimed, "Then, I will kill you!"
The Christian answered, "I have been dead with Christ for 50 years, and my life is
secured with Christ in God."

It is no wonder that the ruler angrily said, "What can you do was such a fanatic?"
It is only through Christ that we can survive the pressures of today.

The social circles in which we move are also difficult places to be disciples.
Young people are not the only ones who face social pressures.
As someone has said: "Adults also know what it is to be tempted to conform and compromise
-- to go along to get along."

Someone has said that every person is born an original, and dies as a copy.
Life can keep whittling away our distinctiveness until we are all just alike.

Many Christians of today are like the chameleon.
The chameleon's ability to change its color to match its environment is part of its defense mechanism.
There are a lot of chameleon Christians today.
They are so busy trying to conform to the world around them, so they live under so much stress
and with so much nervous exhaustion.
They have forgotten the admonition of God's Word that we're not to be conformed to this world.
(Romans 12:1-2)

While it is difficult to live for Jesus in the social situations of our communities, it is possible.
If there could be saints in Caesar's household, there can be saints at the country clubs,
and at the other clubs.
Really, the truth is, if you can't live for Christ in your club, then you ought to get out.

Our first calling is to be a saint.
We are to live for Jesus Christ.

Another place where it is difficult to be a disciple today is in the business world.
It is difficult to live for Christ because many people check their Christianity at the door of their home
when they leave for work.
Some even check it at the door of the church when they leave the services on Sunday.

Some years ago, in a cottage prayer meeting in the home of one of our members with more than
40 attending, the first to pray was a young married adult who attended every service, every Sunday.
I will never forget his prayer.
He prayed as though only God was listening.
With such agony and tears, he prayed, "Dear God, please forgive me.
Each Sunday when I come to church and step inside, I put on my religious coat,
and when I leave at the end of the service I take off my religious coat and put it on the coat rack,
where it stays until next Sunday."

Many people live as though their Christianity should be confined to the sanctuary.
But living for Christ was meant for the office, the mechanic's shop, the construction site,
the executive suite, the cab of the truck, and etc. ....
Christianity has it's best face on when it is dressed in blue jeans, or a mechanic's overalls,
or a housewife's apron, or the executive's business suit.

There were saints in Caesar's household, and a person can be a Christian in the workplace.
If these saints could live for Jesus Christ and the most difficult of all places, then you can live
for Jesus Christ in your place of business.
It is a matter of commitment.
If you want to live for Jesus, then you can.

For a Christian, the highest calling in life is to devote your life to telling others the good news
of the Gospel.
When you see your work in that light, it will transform you and your work.
Your work will no longer be a drudgery.
You will become concerned about both the quality and the quantity of your work.
The way you do your work will be a vehicle of witnessing of God's Word to those who do not believe it
or practice it.

We can live for Christ in those difficult places.
The difficult places have always been the places where the most effective witness for Jesus Christ
has been carried out.
Do your your friends at school, and do those in your social circles,and do those at your business,
and those in your family see Christ Jesus in your every day life?
Are they closer to the kingdom of God -- or farther from it because of the Gospel they see in you?

A lady was brought into court for a crime.
A sociologist had been assigned to interview her, for she had frequent brushes with the law.
The sociologist asked her, "Can you think of anything in your childhood that might have
turned your life around?"

After thinking it over for a few moments, she related this childhood incident.
Her parents divorced, and her mother had to take a job which require her to work nights.
After school she would go outside and play with the children.
As darkness fell, the other parents would call to their children,
"Come home, now, it's getting dark."

But, she said: "No one ever called me home.
I have wondered if things would be different if someone called me by name,
and said: 'It's time to come home!'"

I have known dedicated Christian men, women and children who had some horrible experiences
in their families.
I was a new pastor in a new city and a new church, and had been there for only two weeks.
The second Saturday night I was there, I received a phone call from a female member
of the church who said that her husband had beaten her, and she wanted me to come
to their house and talk to him.

I didn't know this lady, and I suggested that she call the police.
She told me that I was her pastor, and she needed me.
She had two young children who was also home when this happened.
The boy was 14, and the daughter was 16.

When I arrived at the house, she came to the door, and told me that her husband had left
to go back to the club for more whiskey.
She had a swollen black-eye and other bruises on her face and arms.

I asked where the children were when this was taking place.
She said that they were terrified of him, so they had locked themselves in their rooms.
I asked her what she was doing when he was beating on her, and she said that she didn't do anything.
When I asked her if she just let him beat on her and did nothing, she asked,
"What could I do?"

I said, "I don't know why you would just sit there and take it.
You could take that lamp and bash him in the head with it!"

She asked, "Do you mean that I could do that?"
I answered, "Well, I wouldn't just sit there and let him hit me!"

The next Saturday night about the same time, this lady called me again.
She said, "Pastor, I did what you said
I picked up the lamp and hit him over the head, and he is laying in the floor.
I think he's dead -- hurry and get over here!"

I hurried to the house, and she met me at the door, and I looked to see where he was laying.
She said, "Well, I hit him hard with the lamp, and he went down.
I knocked him out, but after I called you, he came to, and got up and went back to the club."

I would never tell anyone something like that again.
All I can say was that I was a young pastor and didn't know any better.
But he never touched her or the children again.

God never promised that when we become a Christian that everything would be easy.
He never promised that we would have no more problems.

But here is what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24-25: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples,
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake
shall find it."
These words applied to the disciples, and to all who would come after Jesus.
Jesus invites every one to follow, but those who desire to follow Him must have a willingness
to deny themselves, and a willingness to take up the cross, and follow Him.

In the New Testament the Christians of Smyrna are urged to be faithful.
The Greek says, "Continue to be faithful."
They have been faithful in the past, and now they are urged to be faithful in the present,
even in the face of new and terrible afflictions.
They are urged to be faithful and true to the Lord, even if it means death.

And they were faithful.
This church, her members, her bishop, were all faithful.
Polycarp demonstrated how a follower of Christ should deal with the difficulties of life.
Polycarp stepped forward when he was asked by the governor if he really was Polycarp the Christian.
When he said, "Yes", the governor urged him to deny the charge.

The governor demanded: "Respect your years!"
He had made similar appeals before.
He said: "Swear by Caesar's fortune; change your attitude ..."
The governor pressed him even further: "Swear, and I will set you free: curse, denounce, Christ."

Polycarp answered: "For eighty-six years I have been his servant, and he has
never done me wrong: how can I blaspheme my king who saved me?"

The governor threatened: "I have wild beasts.
I shall throw you to them, if you don't change your attitude."

"Call them," Polycarp replied.

The governor came back at him by saying, "If you make light of the beasts,
"I'll have you destroyed by fire, unless you change your attitude."

Polycarp answered: "The fire you threaten burns for a time and is soon extinguished:
there is a fire you know nothing about -- the fire of the judgement to come
and of eternal punishment, the fire reserved for the ungodly.
But why do you hesitate? Do what you want." ...

The governor was amazed, and sent the crier to stand in the middle of the arena
and announce three times: "Polycarp has confessed that he is a Christian."

Then a shout went up from every person that Polycarp must be burnt alive.
The crowds rushed to gather logs and branches.
When the pile of wood was ready to be lit, Polycarp prayed.

This is his martyr's prayer as recorded by the historian, Eusebius:
"Father of Your beloved and blessed Son Jesus Christ, through whom we have received
the knowledge of You, I bless You that You have counted me worthy of this day and hour,
that I might be in the number of the martyrs.

Among these may I be received before You today in a rich and acceptable sacrifice,
as You have beforehand prepared and revealed.
Wherefore I also praise You also for everything; I bless You; I glorify You,
through the eternal High Priest Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, through whom, with Him,
in the Holy Spirit, be glory unto You both now and for the ages to come. Amen."

Eusebius adds: "When he had offered up his amen and had finished his prayer,
the men in charge lit the fire, and a great flame shot up."

Many, like Polycarp, were faithful "even to the point of death."
Even under persecution, they did not abandon spiritual riches for worldly riches.
They stayed with the riches of the Gospel.

Today, thank God, we in America are not tested and persecuted in our faith the way
that Smyrna Christians were.
The question for us is: If it was a choice between Christ and my life, or between Christ and my family,
what would I do?
What would you do?

We may not be persecuted today, we may not have to make the choice between the riches
of the Gospel and the riches of the world, yet, we too are called to be faithful.

You see, the same enemy attacks us that attacked Smyrna – that ancient enemy, the Devil.
His methods may have changed but his goal is the same – to make us fall from the faith
and from the Lord Jesus.
He may not attack us head on as he did with the church in Smyrna, but he still attacks.
He nibbles away at the foundations of our faith, trying to make us compromise a little bit here,
a little bit there, until eventually, we no longer have a faith to uphold.

"Be faithful," our Lord says to us. "Be faithful, even to the point of death."
";Be faithful, in spite of ridicule." "Be faithful, whatever the cost in money or time."
And, if we are faithful, we are also a rich church, a rich people, in whom may be found
all the riches of the glories of God in Christ.

Our particular trials doesn't matter as much as how we respond to them.
Often, we focus intently on the details of our difficulties as if the difficulty itself were
the most important thing in the world.
It may seem so at the time, but it's not really.
God is much more concerned with how you respond than with the trial itself.

This is true because most of the time we don't have a choice about the bad things
that happen to us.
Sometimes, they just happen without any rhyme or reason.
But you can control how you respond.
We can respond in faith or unbelief, in humility or arrogance, in forgiveness or in anger,
in hope or in despair.

We are reminded in James 1 to "Count it all joy" when we encounter various trials.
That's not possible as long as we focus on the trial itself.
But if we keep our focus on God, then we can find joy and victory even in the worst moments of life.

Sermon adapted from many sources by Dr. Harold L. White