13 - You Can't Keep A Thankful Man Down 2012 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire Notes

Philippians Series

Part 13

“You Can’t Keep a Thankful Man Down”

We have seen the last few times God’s wisdom for a healthy inner life. Paul discussed a guarded thought life in 4:6-7, and a guided thought life in 4:8. Now this time we’re going to learn about the power of a thankful heart.

First, Paul practiced what he preached. He was bold and confident enough in his walk with the Lord to say:

4:9 “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Everything I’ve told you in this letter about joy, says Paul, I have lived out in front of you. I could have moaned, complained, and given up. But I didn’t. I sang! How did I do it? By accentuating the positive and filling my heart and mind and soul with thoughts of Christ!

As we come to the close of this great letter to the Philippian church, let’s remember that Paul has introduced us to three secrets for triumphant living: proper theology (3:1-21), positive thinking (4:1-9), and now perpetual thanksgiving (4:10-23).

Thanksgiving is indispensable to a victorious Christian life.

First, Paul had learned how to wait:

4:10 “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.”

The phrase “has flourished again” means “blossomed out” or “revived.” This suggests a sudden, spontaneous, natural flowering of the Philippians’ love for Paul. They had sent a gift because in that day a prisoner was not cared for by the state. They must care for themselves or lean on loved ones.

And notice he says, “now at last.” Clearly, Paul had been waiting. His circumstances may have been particularly difficult. He might have been praying more than usual for Got to send financial aid. So when it came, all Paul could say was “at last!”

Nevertheless, Paul had learned to wait in victory, thanking God no matter what. When the gift arrived, he “rejoiced in the Lord greatly” as was his custom.

Not only had Paul learned to wait, he had also learned how to want:

4:11 “Not that I speak in regard to want, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:”

Paul is saying, “Please don’t think I was down to my last penny; I wasn’t at that point of destitution. I am not complaining or criticizing or begging for more. God has never let me down.”

Continuing, he said, “I have learned the secret of serenity. No matter what condition I’m in, I’ve learned to be content.” When he was hailed enthusiastically upon his return to churches he had planted, he was content.

When he was chained to a Roman soldier, he was content. When he was preaching to a king, he was content. When he was waiting to appear before a court that could sentence him to death, Paul was content.

Essentially, Paul had learned to live in complete detachment from his circumstances. Since he believed that all his circumstances were ordered of the Lord, all was well. God’s will was good, acceptable, and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

Next, Paul explains the application of this truth:

4:12 “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

The word “abased” describes a river in a time of drought. So his words could be rendered, “I know how to run low.” Most of us know what it is to run low. But have we learned how to run low?

In the same token, many of us know what it is to “abound” (to overflow). But do we know how to abound? Paul had learned how.

For instance, have we learned how to face poverty without panicking? Have we learned how to face sickness, rejection, or disappointment? Have we learned how to face prosperity without pride? Have we learned how to face accolades, or increased authority, or great success without it puffing us up?

I can tell you as a pastor and Christian of many years that I have seen many succumb to life’s adversities because they never learned how to handle them. And I have also watched many others become filled with pride at life’s successes, only to stumble later because they didn’t know how to handle it.

Paul had learned how to navigate abasement and success, the ups and downs of life by maintaining a Christ-centered focus, a thankful heart, and a joyful spirit. No matter what! Paul was victorious in all things, even in chains.

There was a secret to all this contentment. It’s found in verse 13:

4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

How could Paul be content whether full or hungry? The secret, he said, is Christ! It was Christ who strengthened him. The key word here is “through.” He used the same formula “through Christ” six verse earlier, “…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (vs.7)

Through the strength of Christ Jesus, by abiding in the vine, by drawing from His Spirit, by living in His word, we Christians can do all things through Christ Jesus! We can navigate great success, or walk steadily through low valleys. We can face hunger or fullness, ups or downs, good times or bad through Christ Jesus.

Next, Paul commends the Philippians for helping him financially:

4:14 “Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.”

When Paul encountered need in his life, he had a simple remedy—work. He never begged, feeling this was beneath his testimony of God’s care for him.

But sometimes he did need help—particularly in times of severe persecution. This is what the Philippians had come through with.

Yet as a rule to live by, the commandment to work is what he gave to all the churches; “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thes. 3:10).

The growing entitlement mentality of Americans would not have jived well with Paul, who gave this word of instruction by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. To expect to be taken care of through other people’s labors because you’re “entitled” to such support is utterly contrary to the Word of God.

In Eden, even before the fall, God gave to Adam a task—“ Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Gen.2:15). After the fall, God still +said—“ By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat….therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken” (3:19, 23).

His will for mankind has never changed. Nowhere in Scripture are we told that one part of mankind was to work by the sweat of their brow while the other part of mankind enjoyed the benefits. This is a socialism/welfare mentality.

This kind of welfare/entitlement thinking destroys incentive, snuffs out creativity, wreaks havoc on the joy of personal achievement, and brings a nation into ruin. It is only a matter of time before the number of takers exceeds the number of contributors and the whole society collapses under the weight.

We as a nation are rapidly headed there. Rather than focusing on the mantra of “taxing the rich more,” how about taxing the 50% of Americans who don’t pay any taxes at all? What would it do for our struggling economy if the 50% of takers who don’t bother to contribute had to start paying their fair share?

Now, back to Paul. There were times when the great Apostle would name names. He does it here in an indirect kind of way:

4:15-16 “As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.”

Of all the churches he had planted, none helped their apostle in his hour of need but the Philippians. And they did it not once, but “more than once.” How sad! Not the Galatians, nor Ephesians, nor the church at Rome came through for him. Paul, a prisoner in the cause of Christ, was being left to starve.

Yet the Philippians would receive a blessing from God for their care of Paul:

4:17 “I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.”

They were laying up treasure in heaven! As one preacher said, “If you want treasure in heaven, you’d better give some money to someone who’s going there!” Paul had not fished for a gift. He was instead in quest of the interest that was accumulating to their account.

4:18 “At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.”

Epaphroditus had delivered their gift. Now he had plenty. J.B. Phillips gives a beautiful rendering of this verse: “Now I have everything I want—in fact, I am rich…Such generosity is like a lovely fragrance, a sacrifice that pleases the very heart of God.”

The Philippian’s can expect a blessing:

4:19 “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Apparently, some of them had given above their means. But Paul knew that his God was their God and no one could out give Him. Out of his unfailing treasury He would supply their need.

Let’s stand to read aloud the final four verses:

4:20-23 “Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. 21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household. 23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”