Let Me Tell You About My God!
Philippians: Rejoicing With the Mind of Christ • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 53:14
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We have been studying the letter to the church at Philippi that the Apostle Paul wrote while in prison in Rome.
Paul encourages them and us today in chapter 1 to have a single mindset.
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Philippians 1:27 (KJV 1900)
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Then he comes to chapter 2 and teaches us to find that single mindset with a submissive mindset.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Paul gave us 2 examples besides himself. Timothy and Epaphroditus. It is hard to submit to something you can not see and visually follow. Therefore, find someone that is submitted to Christ and follow them.
Paul expounded upon this in chapter 3 where a single mindset and a submissive mindest will lead to a spiritual mindset.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
Now listen, very carefully, because this leads us to the last chapter 4 and our message today.
When you have a Single mindset that is a Submitted Mindset on the focus of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Jesus Christ you will begin to have a Spiritual mindset.
How will I know when I have reached a Spiritual mindest? You will know because of chapter 4. You will develop a Settled Mindset.
What do I mean by Settled. I mean Satisfied.
When it comes to talking about God and being Spiritual,
Satisfaction = Contentment.
Contentment is a virtue.
Contentment is a virtue.
1 Timothy 6:6 (KJV 1900)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:8 (KJV 1900)
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Hebrews 13:5 (KJV 1900)
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Contentment is also a command.
Contentment is also a command.
Content with what you have.
Content with Food, Clothing, your Wage.
How can I be content with these things?
Because I serve and infinitely and supernaturally resourceful God that calls me son and allows me to call Him father, that promises to never leave me nor forsake me.
That is my God.
Unfortunately, many people never experience contentment.
As a matter of fact, most christians do not experience contentment.
Looking at America compared to other places, the more we have the less content we seem to become.
We need to be Satisified.
God Satisfies Me!
God Satisfies Me!
Philippians 4:10–12 (KJV 1900)
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Philippians 4:13–20 (KJV 1900)
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul was a man of Contentment.
Therefore, Paul was a thankful man.
This entire part of the ending of this letter, Paul is thanking them for their love, help and support that was brought to him from Philippi by the hand of Epaphroditus.
Paul at this time remember was living on a bare subsistence level, chained to a Roman guard, in isolation, unable to move around or minister like he once could.
In the first 9 verses, Paul encouraged them
Philippians 4:1 (KJV 1900)
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Allow their joy to become peace.
Philippians 4:5–7 (KJV 1900)
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Now, he gives an example.
Philippians 4:10 (KJV 1900)
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
Philippians 4:11 (KJV 1900)
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Content means to be self-sufficient, to be satisfied, to have enough.
The term actually indicates a certain independence, a certain lack of necessity for aid or help.
In fact, it was used in some places outside the Scripture to refer to a person who supported himself without anyone’s aid. Paul is saying, “I have learned to be satisfied, I’ve learned to be sufficient in myself, and yet not in myself as myself, but in myself as indwelt by Christ.” He had come to spiritual contentment.
This particular self-sufficiency had been made a virtue in Greek culture by the Stoics. The Stoics believed that this concept of contentment was reached when you had come to the point of total indifference, when you were indifferent to everything, then and only then would you be content.
It was an “I don’t care attitude”. A Contentment of Indifference.
This is not the contentment of Paul.
Notice Paul says it was a learned contentment.
Learn = to come to understand, by being taught, by experience, by practice.
You will never know real contentment in your heart until you have a total trust, a total confidence in the providence of God who is ordering every circumstance of life for His glory and you don’t need to manipulate and you don’t need to lose your mind in trying to control everything.
And, secondly, you’ll never know contentment until you are satisfied with little because your satisfaction is not dependent on what the world defines as what you need.
Independence from circumstances.
Now he already alluded to it in verse 11 when he said,
Philippians 4:11 (KJV 1900)
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
“In whatsoever state or circumstances I am, I’ve learned to be content.”
Now he wants to expand on that in verse 12, so he says,
Paul expounds on this in verse 12.
Philippians 4:12 (KJV 1900)
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
“I know how to get along with humble means, I also know how to live in prosperity, in any and every circumstances.”
That’s the key idea.
“I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need, or lack.”
I am instructed = To know the secret.
Philippians 4:12 (KJV 1900)
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
What does Paul say? “I know how …” he says it twice in this verse, “I know how,” and a little later, “I also know how … I know how, I’ve learned it.”
He says, “I’ve got the secret, folks, I’m living it here, I know how.”
What do you know how to do, Paul? “I know how, one, to get along with humble means.”
What do you mean by that, Paul? “I mean, I’m talking about physical things.” He’s talking here about food, clothing, daily necessities. I know how to get along with humble means, poverty is what he has in mind. I know how to be poor. I know how to have very very little of daily sustenance. And this is very very basic, just the basic needs of life.
Then he says, “Also, I also know how to live in prosperity, or to overflow, perisseuo, to abound, to be filled.” And he’s talking again about earthly goods and earthly supplies.
“Hey, I can get along with poverty, I can get along with prosperity. In any and every circumstance I’ve learned the secret.” And then he goes on.
What secret? “The secret of being filled.” Well that’s an interesting word, chortazo, it was used of foddering animals. It’s used of feeding and fattening animals. Hey, I know what it is to have a big meal, I know what it is to eat well. I know what it is to eat sumptuously. I know what it is to be well fed. And I also know what it is to … what?… to be going hungry. He had times of great deprivation. He had times when he didn’t have enough food to eat. He knew that. He experienced that. And then he closes verse 12 by saying, “And I know what it’s like to have abundance, and I know what it’s like to suffer lack. But the point is in everything I’m content because I live independent from the circumstances.”
How in this world can Paul be content with whatever circumstance he finds himself?
Paul says.
God Strengthens Me!
God Strengthens Me!
Philippians 4:13 (KJV 1900)
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
It is not self sufficiency, it is Christ Sufficiency.
Galatians 2:20 (KJV 1900)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (KJV 1900)
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Contentment is found in the manifest strength of Christ that comes to you, the believer, when you have exhausted your human resources.
Contentment comes when you experience the sustaining power of Christ in those times when you have no human strength. To him who has no might, God increases strength. If you’ve never been there, maybe you’ve never experienced it. Paul says, “I’m content, I’ve seen the power of God.”
We should be praying, you know, for enough distress in our life, for enough difficulty in our life to cast us on Christ that we might see His power explode in our behalf and therein to be content.
Remember Eph 3:20
Ephesians 3:20 (KJV 1900)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Then Paul gives us an example of God’s Supply.
God Supplies Me!
God Supplies Me!
14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
Contentment happens when we are preoccupied with others.
Contentment begins to be a reality when you have no concern about how it is with you, but are only concerned with how it is with others.
Philippians 4:9 (KJV 1900)
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 1:9 (KJV 1900)
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Philippians 2:3 (KJV 1900)
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Remember the picture. Paul is a prisoner, incarcerated in some kind of apartment in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier. He is in a very difficult situation physically. Must have been enduring meager subsistence. Has great need. We don’t know what all of his physical needs were at that time but we can understand the basic needs of life. And in the middle of that need the word comes to the Philippian church that he is in fact having need and need that is not being met. And so the Philippians out of love send a man by the name of Epaphroditus who takes with him supplies for Paul, food and clothing perhaps, and money. And Epaphroditus comes all the way to Rome from Philippi to deliver this to Paul. It is a generous gift. It is a sacrificial gift. You can be sure that the Philippians were basically poor. Keep that in mind. They were poor. They were a church in Macedonia. And Paul in 2 Corinthians 8 comments on the poverty of the Macedonian churches. They were a poor people. They did not have much.
Because you have focused on me instead of yourself, notice the next verse.
Philippians 4:19 (KJV 1900)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
True contentment is found in trusting God's provision, being grateful in all circumstances, and following the example of Christ's sacrificial love.