Philippians 4:10-23 Content in the Joy of the LORD!

Sing God will take care of you

Sing For his eye is on the sparrow.

Paul had an attitude of gratitude.

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.

Paul received gifts from the Philippian church through epaphriditis and I assume through other means during his time in prison and during his missionary journeys. But Paul doesn’t focus on the gift as he is thanking them, he focuses on the attitude of the Philippian church. Sometimes you gave sometimes you lacked opportunity. You know when it comes to be being generous, it’s the heart that counts not the size of the donation.

God cares about the heart behind the gift.

Luke 21:1–4 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”

Jesus coming to the end of his life the last week of his ministry his death on the cross was coming but he took time to focus on this woman’s simple gift from the heart. It’s not the size of the gift but the attitude behind the gift.

God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

I have seen both. People who use their money as a bargaining chip against God and the church and others who just want to give to God. I will tell you some people… These are good genuine sincere Christians, I am not condemning them at all I love their heart. They come to me and they apologize. Pastor I haven’t put money in the plate in a week. Like they are going to confessional, don’t laugh this isn’t a joke to them, but I will tell you what my opinion is. I appreciate the concern, you don’t have to tell me. I don’t want to know where you give how much you give or why you give. That is between you and your God, but make your charity be about your heart. Talk to God about it,

Christians must learn to be content.

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

That is both a fact and a command. Christians have to learn to be content, being content isn’t natural, it is taught and caught through life. That’s why Christian parents we have to say know to children. I am in a weird spot in life. I feel like a grandfather, and father all at the same time. I hear about people my age who are grandparents. I have raised 3 adult children and here I am with two little children again. The Dad part of me says, NO! The grandfather part of me says, you only live once! SPOIL! You grandparents know what I am talking about.

So I take out my two little girls every now and again so my wife can get a break. I buy them stuff. I don’t buy them like new cars and fancy clothes and jewelry, I take them to the dollar store, but as a Dad I have to teach them to be content. I have to learn to be content. As a child I wanted the newest video game or sneaker. My parents taught me to save and be content. We as Christians must be content.

Also we need to acknowledge that Paul makes it clear I am content, I am not looking for another hand out I don’t need anything at the moment. That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have needs and that at other times he wouldn’t have to ask, this is just saying Paul needed to learn contentment.

Are you content? Do you have joy in contentment?

The Contentment that Paul uses here comes from the Stoic Philiosophers that describes an inner spirit of freedom and disiciple. The ability to conquer problems rather than be conquered by them. It is the opposite of worry and anxiety. God will take care of you… Be content.

You can worry about your car breaking down or you can live in contentment that at least you have a car and a God that can take care of you when your car does break down.

Contentment: Be free; give your cares to God.

1 Peter 5:6–7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Our joyful inner peace comes when we give God our cares.

Reliance on Christ is the secret to Christian contentment.

Philippians 4:12–13 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.

I did not want to take Philippians 4.13 out of context because I feel it is the most overused verse in the Bible.

I think it is used like this. I see it used like this. I am going to write Philippians 4.13 on my sneakers and then I can make 100 points in my basketball game or throw the winning touchdown or I will land that dream job on my interview. It becomes the champion verse of the prosperity gospel. BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT IT SAYS!

Paul is saying some times you score a 100 points in your basketball game, sometimes you score zero.

Ok, I can handle the peaks and valleys. CHRIST IS MY FLOTATION device through the inevitable waves of life. I love to teach people about sin waves. The math behind all kinds of waves heart beats, sound waves radio waves microwaves and waves of the ocean everything in life is a wave with the ups and downs. You should quote that verse when you get a bonus at work and when the hot water heater breaks and you don’t know how to pay for it.

The secret to our joy and peace in everything is Christ in me the hope of glory.

The next time you write that verse on your basket ball sneakers plan on scoring zero points and losing the game. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Your inner strength is Jesus living in you.

J Vernon Mcgee put it this way

“He certainly does not mean that he is putting into your hand unlimited power to do anything you want to do. Rather He will give you the enablement to do all things in the context of His will for you.”

He is your flotation device through the fierce waves of life without Him you would drown.

You cannot be too grateful.

Philippians 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.

Paul shares his gratitude again. You can’t be too grateful. Church I want to publically thank you for your giving. Not just to the church but especially to operation Christmas Child to concerts to missions. I believe in giving to church. That is important, but these other things. They are not required. But when you give to a ministry in Myanmar that doesn’t have water or to that child that doesn’t have anything with Samaritan’s purse in India. You will never get a thank you from that child you will never meet but they are in distress I say thank you. I can not get over the way God opens the heaven to meet needs. I always think in my human feeble brain. This is too much to ask. We already are asking here and here, but God knows. As the song says thank you for giving to the LORD there are lives that have been changed because you gave. We don’t know how or where, but it is always worth it to invest in God’s work. I know I worry about the scammers as much as you do. Pray about your giving and remember God takes care of the scammers

Your gifts to God produce fruit.

Philippians 4:16–17 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.

Once again Paul is informing us that his motive isn’t asking for more money, I agree with Paul. This message isn’t a call to open your pocketbooks. It is a message about joyful contentment.

A long time ago Paul started the church in Philippi and left. His next stop was Thessalonica and when he was the there the Philippian church was already supporting him there like we support our missionaries. Some we have supported from the beginning and for some of them the beginning was a long time ago. I know that we supported Mike Peck and the Bakers from the beginning there are others I think that we have, but wasn’t sure. JUST KNOW THIS! Our faithful support leads to FRUIT!

Christians should keep storing treasures in heaven.

Matthew 6:19–21 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

No commentary needed. Invest in eternity.

God’s people are blessed, not stressed.

Philippians 4:18 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.

Paul is chained to a roman guard in DISTRESS he just said. But his attitude is that he is blessed not stressed. Praise God for that attitude.

Gifts to God smell sweet.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Hebrews 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

Weather it is the monetary physical gift like Paul received at the hands of Epaphroditus or your life as a present to the LORD. A gift from the right heart is sweet smelling gift to God. It is like bringing a steak dinner with garlic and onions grilled in the next room brought into a starving man. Can’t you smell it right now.

Be Content: God will meet your needs.

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

My GOD, will supply your needs! You saints. I have confidence that God will take care of you, God takes care of you and the Christians who are suffering on the other side of the world, He may use you to be the source of the supply.

Point 1 God has the resources to care for you.

Psalm 50:10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.

We know the song, but do we cling to that verse when we need it God has the ability to care for you. He won’t spoil you on this earth. That day is coming when we get to heaven and our sin nature is gone than we will be ready to be spoiled for eternity. For now he wants to mature us into his kingdom. There is only one way to tap into those unlimited resources THROUGH JESUS look at Philippians 4.19 it is all about Jesus.

Point 2 God cares enough to care for you.

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Let me tell you, ravens are smart. They think through problems better than dogs pigs or chimps and there was a man who befriended crow and decided to feed it every day that crow began to bring gifts to his benefactor and started bringing money to this man every day. Before you know it he had a drawer full of money. I want to befriend that crow. But if God takes care of those birds better than we do we should acknowledge every bread crumb he leaves on the side of the road

Doxology

Philippians 4:20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

PRAISE GOD! To HIM be the glory, He is the lamb who is worthy, He is the one who sits on the throne. He is sovereign over all. You can never put Him too high on a pedel stool and you can never make yourself low enough. You can never give Him the glory He deserves don’t ever compare Him to anything. He is the creator savior sustainer and provider. The Holy King of Kings and Lord of Lords He is the lamb that was slain.

Final Greetings

Philippians 4:21–22 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.

Every saint includes you if are a genuine saved adopted born again follower of Jesus Christ. Those aren’t unique titles it just all describes a child of God.

The phrase especially those who are of Caesar’s household assumes that some people he is interacting with in Rome while in prison are saved maybe even the guard he is chained to, I like that idea! Maybe the man he is stuck with becomes a Christian. Wouldn’t surprise me in the least.

Closing: Embrace the Grace

Philippians 4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Joyfully Embrace His Grace

You should have a joyful attitude of Gratitude Embrace the Grace

You joyfully ride the ups and downs of the waves of life Embrace the Grace

You can do all things (even the ups and downs) through the strength of Christ Embrace the Grace

God’s people are blessed not stressed Embrace the Grace

God’s will supply all your needs Embrace the Grace

God’s kingdom is forever Embrace the Grace

Joy in Jesus Embrace the Grace