May 03 2026

Sunday May 03

You Are Not Alone

Philippians 1:29-30

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we are going to finish chapter one of Philippians. We find that Paul concludes this first chapter by talking about suffering. In verse 29, he writes to the church, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.” Yesterday, we talked about the suffering church—suffering for Christ, being persecuted because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

My friend, I will never forget something I read in Nik Ripken’s book, “The Insanity of God”. When he asked believers in China, who were being persecuted, how they endured such intense agony, pain, and suffering, they looked at him in surprise and said, “Haven’t you read the Bible? Haven’t you read the New Testament?” It was the norm for believers in the first and second centuries to suffer persecution—even into the 1500’s through the 1600,s—for their faith in Jesus Christ.

My friend, here in America we have no idea what that is like. Yet today, we are told that the fastest-growing church in the world is in Iran. Do not forget that recently we were told that over thirty thousand people were executed by the radical government there. Most of them were most likely believers who had put their faith in Christ and were standing for truth. They chose to die rather than live without standing up for their faith in Jesus Christ.

The suffering is not only there, but also in China, in Russia, in India, in Africa, and in parts of South America. The suffering is intense today. More believers are being persecuted, suffering and killed for their faith than at any other time in Christian history. Yes, it could come to America, and it might not be too far away.

Paul says “it has been granted” that you have been given this grace of suffering. He finishes by saying this in verse 30: “Having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.” In other words, Paul is saying, “You are not alone.” You are going to suffer for Christ, but you are not alone. They no doubt remembered Paul’s suffering in Acts chapter 16. He was beaten. He was imprisoned. Yet he kept praising God. Now they hear he is suffering in Rome. And Paul is saying, “The same battle you face, I am facing.”

This is so important because the enemy loves to whisper in our ears, “You are the only one going through this. Nobody is suffering like you. Nobody has it as bad as you have it.” But that is not true. First Peter 5:9 says, “Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” We remember in First Corinthians 10:13, “That there is no trial, tribulation, or temptation that has overtaken you except such as is common to man. But God is faithful.” Hebrews 12:1 reminds us that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses”. The writer has just spoken of those who died for their faith in chapter 11.

We are part of something bigger: a global church, a spiritual family, a shared mission. We are not alone—but most importantly, Christ is with us. In Hebrews 13:5, Jesus says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So when you are in the battle, remember: others have walked this path, others are walking it right now, and Christ walks it with you. Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.”

May we live worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember, that is the verse this section began with: “Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. So whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs—that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel” (v. 27). Paul also encourages us with Romans 8:31-32: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

In closing, remember: Stand firm. Stand united. Do not fear opposition. Accept even suffering as part of God’s plan as we live—and determine to live—our lives and our faith for Jesus Christ. And according to Romans 5:3-5, Paul adds: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!