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  IN JAIL FOR JESUS!
  by David Wilkerson
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Summary: David Wilkerson teaches that our trials and afflictions can be
used by God for His purpose, and we should rejoice in suffering for
Christ's sake.

Topics: "Faith in Trials", "Suffering For Christ"
Scripture References: Romans 5:3, Philippians 1:12

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DESCRIPTION
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David Wilkerson emphasizes the perspective of Paul during his
imprisonment, illustrating how trials can serve to further the gospel
rather than hinder it. Paul, despite facing severe afflictions, chose to
rejoice and view his circumstances as an opportunity to witness for
Christ. Wilkerson challenges believers to reflect on their own responses
to suffering, urging them to recognize God's faithfulness and purpose in
their trials. He encourages Christians to embrace their afflictions as a
means of glorifying God and spreading His message, just as Paul did from
his jail cell. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a faith-filled response
to adversity, trusting in God's plan.

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CONTENT
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"But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which
happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the
gospel" (Philippians 1:12). When Paul wrote this, he was an older man
with years of experience. In the midst of one of the worst trials of his
life, he was speaking to his friends from his heart.

In the time you have been walking with Jesus, you surely have known
pain, trials, afflictions. So, how have you behaved? What has been the
outcome, the result of your experiences? Have your afflictions all been
in vain? Or have you learned of God's love and faithfulness in the midst
of them?

Let's say you are a dedicated believer who has laid down his life for
Jesus. You have a burden for a dying world, you weep for the lost, and
you have a clear command to win souls. So you tell all your friends you
are going to a certain city to testify of God's grace.

Yet after you arrive, your friends back home receive word that you are
not being used of God at all. Nothing has gone as planned; in fact, your
ministry is dead. You have nothing to show for your efforts and rather
than stirring up the city for Christ, you have landed in jail.

How would you react if all you had to show for your dedication, labors
and sacrifice was utter failure?

Some Christians would pout. They would doubt God's word to them and
question the Spirit's leading. Yet other Christians would respond as
Paul did--rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer for
Christ's sake. Paul did not try to figure out his afflictions. He
responded with joy, faith and hope because he knew he was in training as
God's witness. He wrote to his friends from jail: "My situation is the
topic of conversation in Caesar's palace. In fact, everyone in Rome is
talking about what's happening to me. I'm in jail for Jesus!" He must
have been quite a sight in that prison cell--a scrawny Jew encouraging
everyone around him, "Rejoice in your afflictions. God is faithful!"

Paul did not waste any of his afflictions, because he knew that each of
them had a divine purpose. Likewise, the Lord is watching us to see how
we behave during our trials.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/david-wilkerson/in-jail-for-jesus/
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