Philippians 4:1-23 - God’s Riches in Glory

INTRO

This morning we are wrapping up the last chapter in Philippians!

This epistle of joy from the apostle Paul to the church at Philippi has been a such a great encouragement for those of us who have had hearts softened to receive his comfort and correction by his word

I know that for myself, Mark and Terry, we have been encouraged and blessed in our studies and pray that it has been a blessing for you as well.

We have much to be thankful for, to rejoice in…for God is working in our midst!

By God’s grace and sovereign hand, our new Pastor, John Prettyman will start this week and Lord willing bring God’s word next Sunday

I’m sure Pastor John will share more but its easy to see God providentially working to bring him to Nacogdoches, to our church as our new pastor…and I can’t wait to see how God is glorified in his ministry and through our church

I know so many of you have prayed for God’s will that First Christian would listen and be obedient in the selection of our next pastor.

Let us continue to pray for our church, pray for our leaders, pray for John and his wife Gwen and his family in this transition, and that Christ would shine brightly through the proclamation of the gospel

As for shining brightly, tonight our church family has an opportunity to share the riches of God’s glory with many who have no clue

As Mark mentioned, we have had over a thousand come to our Fall festival

Fall Festival is always a busy, nonstop couple of hours, but I pray that if you’re helping tonight, that you look for opportunities to be Jesus to those you meet

What a great opportunity to share the love of Jesus with individuals, families, with those who are spiritually lost in a dark dark world.

Let us be joyful for this opportunity to bring God glory by loving those who come tonight

God’s Glory is a perfect transition as our message this morning is titled: God’s Riches in Glory

This past week, along with my wife Cindy and her parents Harry and Brenda traveled to Vermont for a wedding

I don’t know about you, but it’s difficult to enjoy flying

When we fly, its usually out of IAH which is a 2 hour drive and of course you’re suppose to arrive 2 hours early, so your 10 am flight really starts at 5 am when you wake up to drive 2 hours to wait 2 hours to fly 3 plus hours.

And then the luggage…it has to be a certain size, under a specific weight, if you’ve flown, you know

Let’s just say, there is much to be anxious about and I think my heart rate and blood pressure always goes up

Do you get anxious about all this?

Anxious about a big school project or paper, or if you’re going to get that promotion you feel you deserve, or regarding your family and their wellbeing, or maybe the upcoming mid-terms...

Do you ever worry, are you ever anxious? It can be a BIG PROBLEM and for some be debilitating.

Coming home from gorgeous Vermont fall colors and a fun time with family, all of that seemed to vanish just trying to get to the airport in Boston traffic

In our text today, Paul, by the Holy Spirit, is going to teach us that we are to rejoice in God’s Glory, that there are riches in God’s glory, right in the midst of whatever situation or circumstance you find yourself today…be it Boston traffic, a medical diagnoses, troubled teenagers, you fill in the blank.

**PRAY** Turn with me to Philippians chapter 4, starting in verse 1. Which starts our first point...

1. Focusing on God’s Glory brings Inner Stability and Peace (vv. 1-9)

Phil. 4:1-9 “1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 2 I entreat Euodia (U-oo-dia) and I entreat Syntyche (Sin-tea-k) to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

This 1st verse could easily better fit with the end of chapter 3 with the conjunction therefore

But this verse can just as easily be applied forward as Paul calls for the church to stand firm in the Lord who brings inner stability and peace

But in verse 2 Paul addresses a disturbance, a disagreement among two women

It doesn’t matter that they were women for it could just as easily been two men, or two families but...disagreement in a family or church is worth addressing

Paul brings this disagreement between U-oo-dia and Sin-tea-k to the attention of the entire church at Philippi

This is the only mention of these two women... and other than what’s mentioned we don’t know anything else about them.

We do know they had labored with Paul during his ministry, possibly when he and Timothy first arrived.

According to Acts 16:13-15, Gentile women who were known as “god-fearers” helped start the church in Philippi

Maybe there along with Lydia but now these two women were in disagreement.

Paul is careful to entreat both, to urge, to plead, to BEG both to agree and most importantly “agree in the Lord”

Agreeing in the Lord is an exhortation shared in Scripture over and over.

Just earlier,Paul says in, Phil 2:2 “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Sometimes outside consul is needed and instead of this disagreement festering like a wound not treated, Paul is calling for a trusted believer to help, to mediate, that they come to agreement in the Lord

Their salvation was not at stake as these women and others were said to have their names written in the book of life.

What reason do they have to reconcile? The ultimate reason is their names are written in the book of life, they are destined for glory!

Now some mistakenly believe that God writes names in that book and then erases them if they sin, or if they fail some requirement.

If that’s the case the book of life would be a complete mess with erased marks, lines through names, golden stickers removed and I’m thankful I don’t believe in any such a book nor believe God’s word teaches such doctrine.

Friends, once your name is written in the book of life by God, there is nothing you or anyone else can do to change what God has completed.

After addressing this disunity, Paul then turns their attention to look upward to God’s great glory, to peace that is found only by salvation through Christ, a promised eternity that is greater and more glorious than any disagreement or suffering that this life may bring.

As a cure for disagreements... listen to what Paul says...

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Paul commands believers twice within this short verse....starting with Rejoice and ending with rejoice…and the word joy or rejoice is found 16x in this epistle

We have looked at this word REJOICE previously but it means “to be glad” and the way its used means to continually be glad, to be glad over and over.

It’s not an emotional happiness or cheerfulness but rather an inward spiritual joy, great gladness within your soul

Fellow Christian, what can you be glad for in the Lord?

Be glad in the Lord that God has brought salvation to you by his Son, be glad that your sin has been removed and replaced with the righteousness of Christ!

1 Pet. 1:8 “8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,”

Charles Spurgeon says this of joy...”Holy joy will oil the wheels of your life’s machinery. Holy joy will strengthen you for your daily labour....will beautify you”

You know... Joy from God has a great effect on you and others around you…What does this look like? Paul says

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

reasonableness describes a person that is gentle, kind, a person of moderation

Pastor John McArthur suggests… “Perhaps the best corresponding English word is graciousness - The graciousness of humility.”

Does this describe YOU or are you one that says, “my way or the highway!”…What is YOUR reputation?

How we are known to others, our reputations should be that of graciousness, that we are known by our gentleness that is spiritually fed by rejoicing in God’s lovingkindness!

How else could we develop such a reputation but through repeated practice?

When money is involved, a business deal, are you known to be harsh, cunning?

How about when I’m driving North street during lunch hour, Greg let your reasonableness, gracious driving be known

You know, I’ve resisted putting a JESUS bumpersticker on my car, for the reason I didn’t want to be reasonable in the car…maybe its time to quit thinking that’s my space and everyone needs to be considerate to me!

How are WE … First Christian followers of Christ being reasonable to our neighbors, people in this town?

Eph. 4:1-3 “1 I ... urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

And Jesus says Matt. 5:16 “16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

WHY?...The Lord is at hand;

This may refer to God’s omnipresence that he sees and hears your every thought, word and deed or that he is near, near to help in time of trouble, near to help you be gentle and kind.

Being filled with the joy of salvation, living out this joy, letting the light of Christ shine, trusting that God is near, Paul writes another imperative…saying..

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Here is a caution, a duty for followers of Christ to live without care for the things of this world, to avoid anxious and distracting thoughts

Be anxious for nothing..Our Savior says...

Matt. 6:25 “25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

The medicine for anxiety is prayer, supplication and thanksgiving. The cure for anxious care is joy in the Lord

Paul is not saying to not be careful for those things such as our families, our own bodies and the souls within. For our bodies are a temple of the Lord and our families a gift from God. We should care for our life and protect ourselves from unnecessary danger

What he is saying is that we should cast our cares on the Lord, carry our cares to the One who cares…and in whatever situation to trust in the Lord.

Do you believe that God is sovereign? If so, cast your cares in prayer on him and be filled with his Holy joy knowing He has your best care in mind.

v. 6 The word supplication mentioned are those specific requests…Lord protect us and get us to the airport on time....Lord open my heart to understand your word to write this Sunday’s sermon…

We are to take our requests to God, don’t let them fester and become anxious thoughts that become frantic fears

Pray believing that your requests will be heard and God will in his providential care will answer... which ultimately leads to thanksgiving for what a great and glorious God we have who listens to our prayers!

Matt. 7:7-8 “7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

We may pray, “Lord, I am poor, let me bless you for my poverty. And then Lord may you provide for me, supply all my needs”

or “Lord, I think you that all my needs are supplied, I have an abundance… help me to be generous in such a way that you would be glorified. Lord help me not make money and possessions my god”

or “Lord, I’m in great trouble but I thank you for the trial for I know it contains a blessing…Lord help me during this difficult time”

When we pray and make our requests be known to God with thanksgiving, Paul says...

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

un-fathom-able and im-measurable is God’s peace that stands guard protecting believers against anxiety and worry

God, the glorious God who made all we know and see and understand will pour peace into your hearts

This is a blessed peace that keeps our hearts and minds

This peace surpasses ability to describe, its beyond excellence, above all pleasure, experiencing God’s peace within

It is God exposing his glory, engraving upon the heart that he cares for you

Your neighbor who knows not Christ, knows nothing of this peace

For true inner peace is found only “in Christ”…come persecution, affliction, tribulation, these have no affect on heavenly peace, peace knowing that Jesus came to rescue sinners such as yourself

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think(M/P imp) about these things.

How much time do we spend thinking NOT of these things but rather the opposite

Antonyms of these adjectives might be...whatever is false or a lie, whatever is dishonorable, unjust, filthily, crude, inferior…do these describe a Christian? NO!

Why is it some claim Christ but live a life where they not only think the opposite but practice those evils

Our thinking on these things should be such that we promote such things, pray for such things, that they are not to stay in our head but be seen in our actions

9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice (continual, ongoing imperative) these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

observe Paul’s life on display, what he said they witnessed in him

how much respect might you have for a pastor that talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk? NONE!

Our next to last imperative in this wonderful epistle says to PRACTICE.

Practicing joy, peace, gentleness is impossible for the natural man, the unbeliever for God has not yet made him or her new, the same old self rules the roost and no matter how hard they try for joy, the things of this world bring them down, no matter how many possessions they have or toys they own, they feel empty inside

The unbeliever will never know the joy of the Lord unless they repent of their sin and believe in Jesus

If you’ve never experienced the joy of the Lord, joy of salvation..why wait?

Don’t believe the lie that you will miss out on your life, thinking you’re living your best life now being able to do what you want and when the time comes you’ll ask for forgiveness at those pearly gates.... That’s a lie from the pit of hell!

For those who have received Christ, have been born again, Paul calls for us to practice, to do these very things that he’s just talked about

John Owen said, “What you are in secret is what you truly are.”

A great place to start would be to put these words to memory so as to help you to remember what it is you need to practice

TRANSITION: Focusing on God’s glory will bring inner stability and peace that leads to a godly contentment, which is our second point

2. Living for God’s Glory brings Contentment in Any Situation (vv.10-23)

Phil. 4:10-15 “10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Paul had mentioned their support, that Epaphroditus had brought earlier in his letter and again gives grateful acknowledgement

Maybe in letter or from Epaphroditus or another messenger, Paul knew they were concerned and wanted to help but had been restricted in some manner

They were making good on their intentions which are better than only good intentions

I know I have many good intentions that never go anywhere, they stay only as thoughts

When we have opportunity, we should follow through with help, put to practice those good intentions

Verse 11, I find it interesting because Paul was a learned man, studying under Gamaliel but says here that he has learned

I think its fair to say that if Paul needed to learn, we too have opportunity to learn

What is it Paul has learned, to be content while in the school of affliction, the university of hard knocks

Paul has learned to be content not by prosperity but by adversity.

James says in his epistle chapter 1:2-3 “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

Paul met all kinds of trails, more than we could imagine but I believe its clear that he knew that through adversity his faith was being tested

and the result was an unbreakable trust in God which leads to Paul being content in this life for he knows what is to come far surpasses discouragement or trail

He continues...

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Paul knew when that when his cup runneth over in times of plenty not to waste but gave to those in need but in times of little, that the Lord provided just what he needed.

Paul found his contentment in the Lord, not the things nor circumstances of this life

Don’t we often get this wrong? Our mood turns sour when we have a delayed Amazon shipment, or when we find a great deal and save some extra cash, use the surplus to further our own selfish gains

We may say we are content…that is when things are going according to our plan

Rather, as believers and followers of Christ, we should seek God first, we should desire his kingdom first

Finding God is often easier when you’re low than when you’re high, for when you’re high you tend to think YOU are in control

Remember the rich young ruler who had much of the worlds wealth and pleasure, he had interest in Jesus but couldn’t face the prospect of following the Lord if he had to give up the things of this world.

But when you’re low, you look for help and help is found in the Lord

Wherever you find yourself this morning, in sickness and health, in plenty or in want, glorify God! Find your strength in the Lord and be thankful for your current condition.

The secret that Paul mentions…is that God the Father who knows you better than yourself, He makes no mistakes and is in total, complete control

Paul has been tested by all manner of trials and torture but breaks out in this glorious statement...

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

As long as God is strengthening Paul, nothing can stop him

Paul is not saying he could fly, or breath under water, walk through walls…no... Paul is saying that he can be content in all circumstances

Don’t take this out of context thinking you can decide over night to run a marathon when you’ve never run in your life, or climb a high peak but normally climb channels while surfing TV channels

But this statement is no empty claim… for Paul knew where he had been and what he’d gone through and has truly learned the secret of contentment…with God’s help, Paul can endure anything this world has to throw his way

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

Paul reaffirms their graciousness in times of trouble and in times when there were no others partnering in the ministry

His words are to encourage the church, for their effort was more than giving monetarily, but proof of the gospel bearing fruit, that the church was growing in the Lord

Paul was the one who first brought the good news to them, and now with a grateful heart they desire to bless the one who brought the gospel of Jesus

Paul has sown the seed of the gospel and he is now seeing that seed has taken root, grown into a tree that bears God glorifying fruit

18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

Paul desiring for them to know with great earnestness that their gift was well received, and that the gift was pleasing to God

Not being able to return the gift other than his encouragement, Paul proclaims...

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Paul in his benediction writes...

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

But back to v. 19 & 20 for our final observation...

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

As we come to the end of this chapter and the end of this letter…we should ask, what is it that Paul intends the Philippians receive, to believe, to practice through this letter?

I believe it is found in these last two verses and especially in verse 20, the doxology and that is to give... God... glory!

The Westminster Catechism defines man’s purpose saying, “The chief end for which God created man was to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”

Paul’s exhortation of Rejoicing in the Lord is repeated throughout this letter and when we come to where we glorify God, we will enjoy God and in glorifying and enjoying God we will rejoice in God!

We were created and designed to glorify God and enjoy Him, to rejoice in his goodness, to rejoice in his creation, to rejoice in salvation found in Christ Jesus!

We were made for JOY, made to rejoice in God, to Glorify God!

“The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (PS. 19:1).

“What does that mean?” John Piper asks, “It means he is shouting at us...He shouts with clouds... He shouts with blue expanse... He shouts with gold on the horizons. He shouts with galaxies and stars. He is shouting. I am glorious!! ”

What does this text mean for you? It means that you exist to glorify God!

It means that if you’ve been born again, that God sent his Son Jesus to redeem you, that he purchased you off the slave block of sin, destined for hell but now proclaimed righteous, righteous in the sight of God the Father because of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus the Son!

You were created to glorify Him, to be swept away in his glory, to worship Him, long for Him, to proclaim Him!

It means that you are not your own, you’ve been bought with a price, to rejoice in God that by his grace he came to offer you a new life In Christ Jesus!

What would this look like in YOUR life? To glorify God in EVERYTHING!

If you have certainty that you have been born again…think for a moment being face-to-face with your redeemer…will any struggle, any disagreement, any loss, anything in this life surpass the glory of your Savior?

We live but for a moment, this life is but a moment and in a flash we will be in God’s presence!

Rm. 11:36 “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

To live is Christ! What would that look like in our church?

A church filled with people rejoicing in Lord in ANY SITUATION…A church LIVING for God’s Glory?

I believe this town in which we live would be changed, that broken marriages would be restored, relationships mended, that people would come to saving faith in Jesus!

God’s Riches in Glory, God’s Riches in Glory…let’s pray.