Philippians: "The secret of being content" Philippians 4:10-23
Notes
Transcript
Today is our 10th and final sermon in the series in the book of Philippians
We have seen Paul’s love for this church in Philippi throughout the entirety of his letter.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
Philippians 1:7a–8 (ESV)
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart… 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Paul communicates through his letter how God is present in our lives.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
Paul has given the theme of Kingdom living as citizens of heaven.
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 1:27a (NLT)
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.
By us living out the kingdom as citizens of heaven we will shine the light of Christ everywhere we go...
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
As we shine as lights in the world we will walk in unity with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Philippians 1:27b (NLT)
Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
As we have one mind unified in Christ,
we press on toward the upward call as citizens of heaven.
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
And as we pursue the call of God in Christ we will walk in the way of peace.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Now this morning we close out the book of Philippians…
Philippians 4:10–23 (ESV)
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. 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
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. 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. 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.
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.
Paul closes out his letter to the church in Philippi,
by addressing what theologians believe is the two main reasons why he wrote this letter.
The first reason was to call for unity between 2 female church leaders named Euodia and Syntyche (4:2) (Theme Unity)
The second main reason to write the letter was to thank the church in Philippi for their financial support to his ministry.
We know that Epaphroditus had delivered a gift to Paul from the church in Philippi and Paul wants to thank them for this gift.
Philippians 4:18 (ESV)
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 gives thanks to the church for their support and he writes something that is interesting in verse 15...
Philippians 4:15 (ESV)
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.
Of all the church’s Paul has started,
Philippi is the only church that has entered into finical partnership with him to help spread the Gospel.
(Jesus 10 Lepers, Luke 17) [Tent Maker]
Paul reaction to the lack of support is equally as interesting to me because he says things like…
V17 “Not that I seek the gift” (financial support)
V11 “Not that I am speaking of being in need”
The reason Paul states these things,
is because he knows that it is God who will supply his needs
Paul makes the statement…
V19 “my God will supply every need”
It is ultimately God who will supply the needs for Paul…
Philippians 4:17 (ESV)
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
Paul highlights that God is the one that will supply his needs so he does not “seek the gift” from the Philippians.
However, Paul does seek that the church in Philippi will reap a fruitful harvest.
V 17b “ I seek the fruit that increases to your credit”
Paul understands that by the church in Philippi sowing an offering into his ministry that they will reap a fruitful harvest.
Paul’s theology on giving is… that we will reap what we sow…
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
So, Paul says I don't seek the gift,
but Paul does say that he seeks that the church will reap a good harvest
and
by sowing seeds into fertile soil they will reap a good harvest...
Paul finishes this thought by saying…
Philippians 4:18–19 (ESV)
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. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Able’s offering expectable to God (first fruits)
Cains offering was not. (Leftovers)
Paul communicates that as the church has given a sacrificial gift that is pleasing to God,
that God will be the one to supply every need of theirs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
I like NLT V19
Philippians 4:19 (NLT)
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.
Paul’s needs
and
the Philippians needs will be supplied by God from his bank of riches.
Paul is making the point here that we need to trust God for provision not man..
Church gets it wrong… (manipulation) [God ordained God will pay]
Orphanage over $4,500...
we as People get it wrong… (I supply my own needs)
Paul is hammering away at our natural thinking saying you need to look to God not ourselves...
God is the one to supply for your needs..
God is the one to sustain you…
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Funny....
Context…
Philippians 4:11–13 (ESV)
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Paul who is a man who knows what it is like to have wealth.
Paul’s background as a Pharisee and a man trained under someone like Gamaliel,
experienced a life of privileged. (He lived comfortably)
But as we saw earlier in the letter how Paul gave up that life because he knew the value of knowing Christ...
Philippians 3:8 (ESV)
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
When Paul left is old life behind him,
he experienced many hardships...
Shipwrecked, hunger, sleepless nights. (Read 2 Corinthians 11)
Through all this Paul has learned something important.
V11b I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
V12b I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
I have learned 2x it did not come naturally…
V13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…
Paul understood that contentment was not what I have,
but rather who I have… (if I have Christ)
close with this...
The secret of being content is knowing that God is the one who will supply your needs. 2X
You may have heard “God will never give you more than you can handle” (False)
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Temptation…
There will be things that you will not be able to handle but God will be the supplier of all your needs and he will give you the strength to get through it...