The Faithful Father Provides

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20

Date: October 10, 2021

Theme: The Faithful Father Provides

Introduction: Just a brief introduction to get us started as I have a lot to cover. The theme for today’s fellowship in God’s Word is: The Faithful Father Provides.

Be Content because the Faithful Father Provides (v. 10-13)

Consider how the phrase ‘I rejoiced in the Lord’ is used across Philippians. (v. 10)

Paul uses it in Philippians a total of 9 times!

In Philippians 1:18, Paul rejoices that the Gospel advances.

The Lord advances the Gospel despite the restriction of his imprisonment

The Lord also advances the Gospel despite interpersonal problems where some are preaching Christ from strife and others from love.

Finally, the Lord advances the Gospel to an unimaginable extent so that it has reached the praetorian guard!

V. 18 also notes how Paul rejoices in that he believes that he will be delivered from his imprisonment through the Lord.

Philippians 2:17-18 introduces the idea of rejoicing that one has the opportunity to serve the Lord.

Specifically, Paul has in mind being able to serve the Lord by serving others.

Additionally, Paul’s reference to the sacrificial nature of serving the Lord.

This observation calls attention to the fact that the Lord is worth sacrificing.

Additionally, by extension, it’s worth the sacrifice to serve others in the service that we render to the Lord.

Paul can hardly contain his excitement in v. 18 wherein he enjoins the Philippians to do the same, that is, to sacrifice to serve the Lord by serving others.

Paul uses this term once in Philippians 3:1.

What’s astounding about this statement is the fact that Paul has used the phrase rejoice so many times before, even encouraging the Philippians to rejoice with him!

Now, he transitions into a new section by saying ‘rejoice’.

How does this make sense?

Especially on account of the fact that he encourages them to ‘rejoice in the Lord’!

What Paul is doing is making explicit what has been implicit - when we rejoice, we are rejoicing in what the Lord is doing.

In Philippians 4, Paul uses this term 3 times, twice in v. 4 and once in the passage under our consideration.

In v. 4, the term ‘always’ is a time reference.

There is always something to rejoice about.

We could also say that the Lord always gives us reason to rejoice.

There is never a time where we cannot find something to rejoice over.

Another way of considering this is if our infinite God is the prompt for our rejoicing, then we have infinite reason to rejoice.

In v. 10, Paul is specifically identifying the material concern of the Philippians for himself.

How doe Paul describe his rejoicing in the Lord?

‘Greatly’

What are some images that come to mind when we put both of these ideas together?

Notice how Paul describes this material concern.

There’s been a revival, if you will.

The term ‘revived’ has behind it the idea of either a flower or tree blossoming or budding (Wiersbe).

In truth, it seems to downplay the Philippians’ concern.

That is, it almost presents them as not really concerned by Paul.

This is actually a device that Paul is going to use to teach them contentment but then magnify their gift. (Runge, HD Php)

When it comes to demonstrating gratitude, we can be guilty of either sharing our gratitude so that we can get more or display too little gratitude and insult the giver.

Paul wants to avoid both extremes because he wants them to know how the Lord has used their gift and that it has sufficiently supplied his needs.

Paul’s reference to ‘concern’ here has behind it the mental process that goes into planning how one is going to meet a need.

We could say that Paul was on the minds of the Philippians.

If Paul is rejoicing in the Lord greatly and references the material concern of the Philippians for him, who does Paul attribute the material concern of the Philippians for him to?

The Lord

Therefore, Paul recognizes the hand of the Lord even in this circumstance

Summary

What does Paul rejoice over in Philippians?

The Lord’s advancement of the Gospel

The Lord’s work in his personal circumstances in prison

His opportunity to sacrifice himself to serve the Lord by serving others and that others would do the same

In the Lord and encourages others to do the same at all times

The material concern of the Philippians for himself as prompted by the Lord

In other words, our rejoicing takes place in the Lord as He works through our circumstances!

Our rejoicing is motivated and sustained by the Lord!

This truth is what enables us to see that, beyond our circumstances, the Lord is working in unimaginable ways to accomplish the good work He started and will finish in us and through us.

Before returning to the topic of Paul’s gratitude to the Philippians, he uses their gift as an opportunity to teach about contentment (Philippians 4:11-13).

What would prompt Paul to address the topic of contentment?

Because we face the temptation to be dissatisfied.

The more we get, the more we want! (Runge, HDC PhP)

Let’s consider the term translated ‘want’ in this passage.

It’s used in Mark 12:44 to describe the circumstances of the widow that gave out of her poverty and was praised for it.

It gives the impression of something that is lacking or a shortage in something that we desire.

This is going to be an important distinction later in Philippians 4:19.

Interestingly, Paul indicated that he has ‘learned’ contentment.

The term gives the idea of acquiring knowledge either by formal instruction or experience.

Based upon the fact that we can so easily face the temptation to be dissatisfied, Paul implicitly is acknowledging that his learning to be content could only come from the Lord teaching Him.

Paul has already given us the reason so far that he can be content - the Lord faithfully provides!

He does so in material need.

He is working through our circumstances.

Additionally, Paul gets the further benefit of seeing the Lord’s faithfulness play out time and again so that the experience serves to reinforce what he has learned.

You see, we can’t derive truth from our experience because experiences change.

That is why we must seek the Lord’s truth because He does not change.

Consider the term ‘whatever’.

Many translations have supplied the term ‘circumstances’ to provide clarification as to Paul’s intent.

However, Paul does not explicitly use a separate term for circumstances.

You see, Paul’s intent is actually to be as broad as possible!

In other words, Paul is encouraging us that true contentment is possible, regardless of whatever happens!

Before moving to verse 12, let’s review the term ‘content’.

It’s a term that could be translated as self-sufficient.

When reviewing the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, this term appears in Proverbs 30:8.

There, the writer is actually petitioning the Lord for his needs to be met.

Therefore, there’s an implicit reliance on the Lord from the above-referenced passage that would lead us to conclude that Paul is referencing a sufficiency that is found in the Lord alone and not in Paul or any other person for that matter.

When you read verse 12, it seemingly presents paradoxical circumstances.

Let’s look first at Paul’s double reference to ‘I know’ in this verse.

When this word is used in context with the previous word translated as ‘learned’, there’s a particular connection to teaching that comes from God’s Word (Deuteronomy 31:13; John 17:15; 2 Timothy 3:14).

In other words, with Paul using these words so close to one another between the verses, Paul may implicitly be giving credit for what he knows to the Lord alone.

That is, only the Lord could have taught Paul something like this.

Continuing on, the first word pair that we encounter: ‘humble means’ and ‘prosperity’.

The phrase humble means is used in Philippians 2:8.

Anyone want to venture as to what the context is?

Referencing Christ’s humiliation.

Christ became a man and obeyed God in being executed for our sins.

By implication, then, we have an example of how to live with humble means!

Christ set aside the rightful glories of His deity to live among us in order to save us.

We are left considering that, if Christ can humble Himself, so must I in order that I may pursue Christ.

The next phrase, ‘prosperity’ is translated as ‘abundance’ at the end of this verse and in Philippians 4:18.

More consistently, Paul uses it across this letter to describe things that he wants the Philippians to abound in.

Philippians 1:9 - he wants their love to abound.

Philippians 1:26 - he wants their confidence in Christ to abound.

By implication, then, what Paul is calling attention to is not merely the extremes in circumstances.

Instead, Paul is highlighting how in these circumstances of plenty and humility, there is always the opportunity to develop in spiritual maturity.

It is incumbent upon us, then, that we, along with Paul, would use every moment, regardless of the circumstance, to grow in Christlikeness.

Paul then uses the same word twice in a memorable way in the phrase ‘any and every’.

Paul is intentionally being comprehensive.

One use of this word is singular and the other plural.

Hence, in individual circumstances and in all circumstances

Thus, what is implied is the applicability of what Paul has learned beyond himself but to everyone.

Therefore, not only can we learn from Paul’s experience but we can apply it ourselves as we face the circumstances of life.

That is, we can all both use this and, quite frankly, we need it.

Next, Paul wants to share with us a secret.

I love how Paul uses this phrase.

Who doesn’t want to learn a secret, right?

Notice, he doesn’t share the secret right away.

Instead, he inserts some extra words that leave us on the edge of our seats.

In other words, he’s creating anticipation for the statement that he will make next.

This secret concerns being filled and hungry along with having abundance and need.

The phrase ‘filled’ and ‘hungry’ is used in Psalm 107:9 to specifically identify how the Lord satisfies.

In other words, it’s very possible that Paul has gone ahead and let the cat out of the bag.

What is initially implicit is made clear in Philippians 4:13.

First of all, Paul originally emphasized the phrase ‘all things’ when this was written.

Thus, Paul’s emphasis is on the comprehensive nature related to what he is about to share.

Additionally, many translations will supply ‘Christ’ as clarification to Paul’s intent.

However, Christ is not actually listed in the text.

Instead, it actually reads, “through Him”.

Paul is using this vagueness intentionally.

He wants for us to think about who it would be that would have to power to teach us contentment and help us to sustain contentment in our lives.

Based on our discussion so far today, I would hope that we would be able to clearly articulate that this is something that only the Lord could do.

However, reviewing the use of this term across the entire Bible reveals that the most consistent referent that identifies the One who does the strengthening is none other than the Lord! (Judges 6:34; Acts 9:22; Romans 4:20; Ephesians 6:10; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 2:1; 4:17)

In sum, the source of Paul’s ability to be content in every circumstance is the fact that Christ is the one who strengthens him to practice what he has learned wherein Paul always finds Him faithful.

Worship because the Faithful Father Provides (v. 14-20)

Paul resumes his demonstration of gratitude to the Philippians in v. 14.

The term ‘affliction’ is the term that Paul used in Philippians 1:17 to refer to his imprisonment.

What was Paul imprisoned for?

Preaching the Gospel

Therefore, what were the Philippians sharing in?

They were sharing in the cause of Christ in advancing the Gospel through Paul's ministry.

Hence, the need that Paul shifts to is specifically related to the proclamation of the Gospel.

Thus, the needs that Paul references that God will fill/fulfill in Philippians 4:19 are those related to the proclamation of the Gospel!

Paul continues in the following verse entirely convinced that the Philippians know of the circumstances to which he will elaborate. (Philippians 4:15)

Paul’s reference to “the first preaching of the gospel’ refers back to Acts 16 and the Philippians’ experience of having received the gospel.

Notice next Paul’s negative emphasis.

At first, this doesn’t sound right to us.

That is, Paul references ‘no church’ but he’s calling attention to their support.

You see, Paul is using a clever device wherein the first statement is actually false but, when read in context, we get the whole truth.

The point of using this device is both to point out the Philippians’ partnership and their great display of generosity.

Consider next the term ‘shared with’ that Paul uses.

It has a great precedent for usage in Paul’s writings.

There’s also a handful of uses in the Old Testament.

There’s actually the implication of an alliance that is formed by way of material support.

In other words, the Philippians are demonstrating their support for Paul and the ministry of the Gospel.

They have aligned themselves with the work of the Lord.

Paul has also made clear his faithful use of their resources through his employment of the phrase ‘giving and receiving’, which were terms used in ancient accounting.

In Philippians 4:16, Paul calls attention to how the Philippians sent him aid twice when he was ministering on his second missionary journey in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1).

Literally ‘and once, and twice’.

Hence, the translation ‘more than once’

However, this translation misses Paul’s emphatic reference to the numerous times in which the Philippians have reached out to Paul time and again to share with Paul.

Thus, Paul is calling attention to their abundantly generous support for Paul and the ministry of the advancing Gospel.

Therefore, Paul is not only emphasizing their consistent alliance with Paul but also their associated generous support

Next, consider the phrase ‘needs’ that Paul uses.

It can refer to something that is quantifiable, that is, there’s not enough of something. (Runge, HD Php)

In other words, this is something that is needed to accomplish a task.

Within the context of this passage, that task would be proclaiming the Gospel.

Continuing on in Philippians 4:17, Paul begins with a negative idea.

When taken in context, it has the force of communicating that Paul is not seeking gifts to satisfy his desires or feed his greed.

Instead, the phrase ‘I seek’ (repeated twice), communicates his desire for something else: that the Philippians would reap the spiritual benefits of his Gospel proclamation ministry.

This does not mean that we are to give with the expectation to receive some kind of credit

This defeats the purpose of the gift if the gift is to be used for the furtherance of the Gospel but we expect to be recognized for it.

Instead, there is a blessing in giving to advance the Gospel that goes beyond personal recognition.

That is, we’re being used of the Lord to further His purposes.

That good work that He began and will complete

Additionally, for those in the Gospel ministry, it supplies a perspective that ought to be adopted in receiving gifts for the express purpose of meeting needs.

It allows them greater opportunity to serve.

Thus, to be a blessing to those who have given, thereby sharing in their ministry.

Philippians 4:18 introduces us to the idea of worship that is related to the Philippians’ giving to Paul’s Gospel proclamation ministry.

Each of the phrases, ‘fragrant aroma’, ‘acceptable sacrifice’ and ‘well-pleasing’ all have precedent within the sacrificial context of worshipping the Lord.

In other words, when we give to the work of the Lord, that act is in and of itself an act of worship to the Lord.

Given the context of the word ‘needs’ that is employed in Philippians 4:15 and onwards, the teaching of Philippians 4:19 calls attention to how God will supply every need that exists for the proclamation of the Gospel.

This is why Paul can confidently recount in Philippians 1 how the Gospel advances.

It’s because the Lord is supplying every need for that work.

This further bolsters our confidence that we can proclaim the Gospel boldly (Philippians 1:14).

Paul’s conclusion in Philippians 4:20 highlights for us two important considerations.

In describing God as Father, Paul is further emphasizing God’s providential nature in supplying the needs of His children.

Additionally, what better way to conclude other than to give to God what is rightfully His.

He deserves all the glory.

He deserves all the glory because He is at work completing the good work that He started.

Conclusion: Let’s pray.