Philippians 4:10-23
Notes
Transcript
Eggs $5 Higher or Lower
Milk $5 Higher or lower
TV or Kayak which one cost more
When money exchanged hands it was the idea that if you gave money to someone else there was a sense that you owned that individual. Even if they were giving you services and you was paid for that.
I think we can relate to this today in that if we pay for a service then the quality of that service better be to our standards and in a little sense it is as if we own the person who is doing the service.
Paul refused money from the church in Corinth. 2 Corinthians 11:7-11. Perhaps he refused this money because their were arguments about who they followed. Paul did not want any group in Corinth to believe they had the upper hand when it came to the Gospel of Jesus. He therefore refused to receive support from the Corinthian church.
Money and fundraising can be a tricky thing. Money in church life can be a tricky thing.
I would say to you that I don’t see how much anyone gives from within the church.
This might be a bit confusing because if you gave to Bridge of Faith before you became a member then perhaps you got a signed thank you letter from me. Once you become a member in most cases you no longer get those because I don’t see what people give.
My reason behind this is that I don’t want money or who gives to control how the Gospel is ministered to each person at Bridge of Faith.
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.
Paul celebrates what the Lord is doing.
Once again where is he writing from? Prison
While in Prison, he is throwing a little celebration party.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly
you renewed your care for me.
He rejoices not because the church at Philippi has given a gift that says they own him. Their gift is a gift that is in partnership with Him in the Gospel ministry.
You were in fact concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.
It took a bit for them to get together and send the gift with Epaphroditus
11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
I don’t say this out of need
Great secret of LIFE (Circle on Screen)
I have learned to be content
Stoic Philosophy: Heaven and Earth are really the same thing. There is no difference. God and the world are the same so for the stoic you just have to put up with things the way they are.
The stoic says you must just grin and bear this life. It was a lot easier for those with money to be stoic. (Reminds me of scientology) If being the best on this life only and you can’t change things then it becomes all about you and your own pleasures.
Epicurean: The gods in the heavens and the earth are completely separate. The gods in heavens don’t really care about what happens on earth. The best thing for a human to do is to not worry but to settle down and be as comfortable as you can. Don’t worry about what happens after.
This too is easier philosophy to believe if you are well off.
Both the stoic and Epicurean have placed their faith or hope in things that don’t really matter. Seek your own self comfort. Get what you need to be comfortable and don’t worry about what happens after.
Content:
“contained.” It is a description of the man whose resources are within him so that he does not have to depend on substitutes without. The Greek word means “self-sufficient”
Paul has learned a totally different approach that has come through the Gospel ministry of Jesus Christ.
Jesus came into the world. Jesus died on the cross and rose again. Jesus is completely active in the world. It is the now and not yet. In this I have learned to trust the providence of God.
Providence:
Pro
before
Video
to see
God’s providence means that God sees to it beforehand.
It is the working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for the fulfilling of His purposes.
Paul rejoices in the Lord Greatly
It is not that he is sitting there worrying about if this church will send him money or not. He is not dependent on their gift.
His mind rest in the providence of God.
12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
21 I say this to our shame: We have been weak. But in whatever anyone dares to boast—I am talking foolishly—I also dare:
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, near death many times.
24 Five times I received 39 lashes from Jews.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea.
26 On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers;
27 labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing.
Something I observe from this is that when he was a Jew, He had letters from the High Priest to arrest anyone belonging to the way.
As a Jew, he had success.
What happens as his life is totally and radically changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
This may be hard for many of us to relate to this morning.
Paul had lots of success in the world or as in Philippians he knows what it means to have plenty. Then after Christ he knows what it is to have a little.
God meets the needs of believers but I had to ask myself the hard question what if for following Christ I went in the same sequence as Paul and I lost it all to follow Christ would I still believe.
Due to the nature of our community. Many come to Christ with nothing and then experience the provision of God as a result of coming to him.
Let this passage shape our beliefs that we too can say
12 I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
then what follows
13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
I have strength for everything in the one who gives me power.
Paul’s whole worldview of heaven and earth coming together in Jesus and of God doing a new thing. Paul is caught up in this new way of being human and in the Gospel work that takes this project forward.
This is not a matter of sitting back and letting whatever happens happen but it is a way of viewing all of life’s anxieties, successes, failures, victories or sufferings and joys all overtaken by the love and power and purpose of God.
We too are to be a part of this. I have strength for everything in the one who gives me power.
14 Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.
15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times.
The Philippians invested in Gospel ministry. They valued the Spiritual wisdom and knowledge that Paul had brought to the church. They intern invested in this.
Paul gave and received with them. He invested in them Spiritually and they invested in him financially.
17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.
I don’t seek the gift
Where does his confidence in the gift lie?
In Christ Jesus
I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.
I again love this statement from Paul when he is sitting in Prison and he says I don’t seek the gift but what I do seek is the profit that is increasing to your account.
As you are generous, I pray that you profit in your generosity.
Of course, in the west we have to use caution with this language because many have taken a stoic approach to wealth and looked out only for themselves.
I like to think of those whom the Lord in this church has blessed over the years. It has been a fun experience to watch many of you grow up financially.
This applies to some this morning that when you first came to Bridge of Faith think about where you were financially and think about where you are now.
In this, God has definitely shown profit to our accounts.
18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
Temple language
The gift was to God and not to Paul
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Those brothers who are with me greet you.
22 All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Knowing the value of being invested in Spiritually
High school interns
College mentors
