Philippian 4:7-23 Joy in Generousity

Intro -

chapter 1: Singled minded about the Gospel(devoted to the Gospel).

Pauls PRAYING ALWAYS fellowship of being single minded with the Philippian Church Phil 1:1-11

Even in trials God used it for the Gospel Phil 1:12-26

may God grant you faith in your trials / strive together Phil 1:27-30

Chapter 2: Examples of having a single mindedness(devoted) focused on the gospel

Christ example of humility Phil 2:1-11

Pauls example of being poor out as a drink offering Phil 2:12-18

Timothy’s example of being sincere in care for people Phil 2:19-24

Epaphroditus example of putting his life on the line for the Gospel Phil 2:25-30

Which by the way is why the Philippian were anxiously worried

Chapter 3: Paul’s warning to keep a Spiritual Mindset

Beware of the Dog’s who come to twist Salvation Phil 3:1-11

Philippians 3:8–9 “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;”

Live in the presents: press forward Phil 3:12-16

Philippians 3:16 “Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.”

Look to the future: one day glorification (our citizenship is in Heaven)3:17-21

Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

Chapter 4: How this Joyous mindset is lived out (Making Christ our Strength)

Fight to Give your care to Jesus Phil 4:1-5

Unity - What is more important than your name in the books of life

God is our peace Phil 4:6-9

Joy in giving.

Opportunity is restored

Meditate on these things

Philippians 4:6–9 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

True

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 9. Paul Closes His Letter with Various Exhortations (3:15–4:23)

The word “true” in the Greek text does not mean “truthful” in the sense of veracious, but true in character in the widest sense.

BonHoeffer - Loved the Dogmatics /

Noble- Honest - This is lost in our society

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 9. Paul Closes His Letter with Various Exhortations (3:15–4:23)

“Honest” is the translation of a word which was used in classical Greek in the sense of “venerable, inviting reverence, worthy of reverence.”

just - righteous

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 9. Paul Closes His Letter with Various Exhortations (3:15–4:23)

The word “just” is from the Greek word meaning both “just” and also “righteous,” here, “righteous” in a comprehensive sense.

Deut. 16:20 “You shall follow what is altogether just, that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Noble- Honest - This is lost in

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

Lovely - for the good of others

1 Cor. 13:4–7 “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

good report - fair speaking

Virtue -

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 9. Paul Closes His Letter with Various Exhortations (3:15–4:23)

The word “virtue” in the Greek text was used in classical Greek for any mental excellence, moral quality, or physical power. Paul studiously avoids it. Only here does he use it. It seems that the apostle includes it in order that he may not omit any possible ground of appeal.

Praise worthy

Whatever is fitting in theses terms from above

Then

Meditate - Dwell on, Think about, Account

categorize - meaning put into its proper place.

Think back to the themes from the previous verses.

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING

BUT in everything give adoration and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know

Peace with God is often a mindset of

Here Paul is giving us a tool to help the battle for our minds.

Pure - holy - i or defiled

-careful what you watch and allow in

Although Matthew 15:10-11 “When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.””

Meditate/Account what it is and put into it’s proper place.

-if it is something out of our control

we take it to the Lord in prayer

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”

Again Here in Philippians Paul is saying recognize where the thought is coming from AND put into it’s proper place

In other words discern what is truly excellent Philippians 1:10

If we are going to walk in the peace of God we will learn how to focus on the good that can come from circumstances or trials

James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

OR we need to focus on all the potential for Good.

This can be a massive change of prospective. THE REALITY THAT GOD IS GOOD AND HE CAN USE ALL THING IN OUR LIVES FOR HIS GLORY. ITS FOR OUR GOOD.

This understanding keeps me from acting like a big baby when I do not understand.

This is often the test of our Devotion-

Job

This was the reality of all of the dispertion 1 Peter

Let’s not the Circustances and trials that are out of our hands effect the devotion we have to the Gospel

Transition -

These do

Phil 4:9 “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Paul not only taught these things(chapter 1 the gospel being furthered through his suffering. but lived the mindset in chapter 2 and 3 ) rejoicing the Lord always.

Acts 20:17-21 “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Live the Word and the God peace will be with you.

Spiritual LAW

Galatians 6:7–8 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

TRANSITION -Not only are we to give the Lord all of our cares through prayer but we are to live Generously.

This leads us to verses 10-19

Generosity of Philippians

Philippians 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. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 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. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Phil 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.”

Floirshed -

Ezek. 17:24 “And all the trees of the field shall know that I, the Lord, have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree, dried up the green tree and made the dry tree flourish; I, the Lord, have spoken and have done it.””

Here it speaks of something coming alive again (revived).

Wuest translation

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that already once more you let your care for me blossom into activity again, in which matter you were all along thoughtful, but you never had an opportunity.

Paul was traveling or Philipeans gave

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

I come to learn -

This speak of the upbringing that Paul had. He never lacked.

Contentment - to the Stoics means independent but For Paul it is His absolute dependence on Christ(absolute surrender)

I know how to be abase

Poor

I know how to abound

wealthy

I know how to be full

fattened like a pig

If you wanted to know ( I am still working on my before Picture).

I know how to be hungry

wanting

CONCLUSION

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Chuck smith alway talk couples this verse with John 15:5 ““I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

1 Timothy 6:6 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Phil 4:14-15 “Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.”

2 Corinthian 8:1-5 “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

Philippian 4:16-19 “For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

I seek the fruit that abounds to your account

This is the Heavenly mindset

May your giving be from a cheerful heart. Worshipful. What God calls a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Third promise - my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

FInal Closing