Sermon Tone Analysis
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INTRO
Have you ever known anyone who is generous?
I think of two moments of exceptional generosity in my life.
DISNEY
Got to take our foster daughter to Disney World.
The shear joy and love we felt was overwhelming.
Another amazing moment
Just before Samuel was born
Experiencing loss before
Given an amazing Copy of Narnia
Speaking of Bryan it was actually talking this passage over with him that shaped this sermon.
He asked this question and I want to ask it of you...
Who is the most generous person you know?
Are they a curmudgeon?
Are they mopey and sullen?
No they are joyful, jovial.
You think there is a connection.
Here is the big idea
BIG IDEA: Joy is found in the content and generous heart.
Today we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians and it contains perhaps it’s most well known verse.
This is the thank you part of his letter.
In this we find a really beautiful and challenging word for us.
It starts with the secret of contentment.
I.
The Secret of Contentment (v10-13)
Philippians 4:10–13 (ESV)
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.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
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.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Now again remember Paul is under house arrest in Rome.
He is a prisoner of not supported by Rome.
We talked about this last week that he was in this predicament.
He has to fifure out how to live while in chains.
Paul though took the advice he had given earlier in this chapter.
He sought the Lord to provide for him and God graciously did so through the Philippians.
The Philippians loved Paul and long to support him but there wasn't an opportunity over the last several years.
Now a need arrises and they are eager to meet it.
Paul now rejoices because he sees the sovereign hand of God at work both to supply Paul’s need and to work in the Philippians in the process.
Paul says in verse 10 they were concerned but lacked the opportunity.
Concern is an interest, it means Paul was on their heart and mind.
I think this is helpful for us
Concern + Opportunity = Ministry
As we prepare to move into a new space we will have more opportunities to serve our body and our community.
Would you pray that God would give a concern for Coram Deo to meet those opportunities?
Now how does Paul react when he receives this gift.
He basically says, “Hey this is amazing but I wont you to know I didn’t need your gift.”
Like come on dude…this is suppose to be a thank you letter.
That’s like a weird flex and Jesus Juke.
But this is important.
He wants to point back to the confidence he has in Jesus.
He is letting his reasonableness be known, his non-anxiousness.
He is saying even if you hadn't sent the gift Jesus would take care of me, he is enough.
He has me.
How is Paul able to do this?
How can he have this confidence in difficult circumstances?
He let’s us in on a little secret, he is content.
He isn’t stoic and unaffected.
He is content.
This is like the 1st plate on Thanksgiving.
Paul says he has learned this, because contentment isn't natural.
That’s why we get got the 2nd plate.
Spurgeon says Discontentment is as native to fallen hearts as thorns and thistles are to soil.
We always want more.
Look I know we are in the midst of the busiest shopping weekend of the year.
We often think more will satisfy us and it never does.
Look at this modern day parable
How relatable is that?
We want more, we are rarely content.
I mentioned earlier that we took our foster daughter to Disney World.
We go into the gates, Elsa is singing, scowl on her face…she wanted the bubble wand she saw at the front of the park
If you can’t be content at Disney world than where can you be
Contentment must be cultivated from a new heart that only Jesus can give us.
Some think that contentment is a lesson learned when we have little and generosity is learned when we have much.
Not the case.
Paul says in any and every circumstance he can be content.
He says it has nothing to do wih what is in your hands and everything to do with what is in your heart.
He tells us the secret to contentment
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Now maybe you had this on a pair of cleats or on the brim of your hat but this verse has absolutely nothing to do with sports.
This is about weathering poverty or prosperity with trust in Jesus as our ultimate provider.
Why is that?
Because our greatest need has already been provided for at the cross of Christ.
Mark 2 - Paralytic lowered through the roof - Jesus deals with his greatest need.
Paul says if you want to know how to get through inflation, if you want to know how to manage your finances, if you want to know how to thrive, the secret is contentment and the only way to be content is is through Christ.
Until we are content we will never be generous.
That is significant because a content heart is a generous heart.
That’s exactly what we see next a legacy of generosity.
II.
A Legacy of Generosity (v14-16)
Philippians 4:14–16 (ESV)
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
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.
Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
Paul says to the Philippians that he was overjoyed by their generosity.
I was content, but thank you.
He says it was kind to share in his trouble.
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