The Secret to Suffering | Phil 4:10-23
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Introduction
Introduction
Open your Bibles to Philippians 4
If you don’t have a bible of your own, please take the bible in front of you in the pews home. It’s our gift to you because we want the powerful, life changing word of God in your life.
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As you open up to Philippians chapter 4, we remember that we are reading a letter that the apostle Paul, one of the leaders in the early church, sent to the church in a greek city named Philippi. And He is writing it while He is imprisoned by the Roman Empire in the capital of Rome
And while imprisoned,
Paul has encouraged the people in this young church in the face of adversity.
He has commended them for their support and partnership in the Gospel.
He has told them not to worry about him. because whether he is released or executed, He is satisfied. To die for the sake of Christ means He served Jesus faithfully as a missionary and Christ is proclaimed through His death, and to go on living mean Paul gets to continue to minister and spread the Gospel.
He has told them to keep in peace and harmony with one another, not letting their ambitions and anxieties take over, but working together as they follow Jesus.
And now, Paul concludes the letter with his final thanksgivings and greetings.
and you wouldn’t expect it here out of all places, but in these final greetings and notes is where we encounter one of the most quotes bible verses ever.
So, how would you answer this question:
Two football teams are about to play each other. Oceanside and El camino.
Both quarterbacks are christians
both have Philippians 4:13 written somewhere on them, on a taped wrist, on the inside of a helmet.
They both firmly believe that they will win this game, through Christ, who gives them strength.
So my question is: Who wins? Why? and what do you tell the other one as a christian parent, neighbor, or friend? Keep your answer locked in, we’ll check back in on that later…
Text
Text
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.
Remember, the members of the church in Philippi cared greatly for Paul and wanted to support him, but had no way of doing so until they sent a member named Epaphroditus over with a financial gift, with messages, and with supplies.
They tried to meet ay need they could.
And Paul then makes this comment because he really wants to clarify something:
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 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.
First he thanks them, then says he would have been fine without them. Seems like a not so sincere thank you.
On the one hand, he is not helplessly saying: “Where would i have been without you?”
On the other hand, he is also not pridefully saying: “I got this, you could have saved your money”
The reason Paul speaks like this is so that the people clearly understand one thing: Paul’s fate is not shaped by people. And his disposition is not affected by his circumstances.
He is not in crisis due to his imprisonment.
And he is not hopeful because of their support.
Instead, Paul has learned to become content no matter what. The greek word for content means self-sufficient. Meaning that He doesn’t base his attitude or hope on the world or the people or the circumstances around Him.
So whether he is free or imprisoned, rich or poor, hungry or full, He is always content.
But How????
How can Paul be content?
He is in prison, nearly on death row, miles and miles away from his home and from the communities He loves and has raised up. How does a man like that say, “eh, I’ll be fine…”
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
It is His relationship to Jesus that gives him the strength to persevere.
In a life full of uncertainties, Paul is not concerned. Because His ultimate fate is certain. Hungry or full, dead or alive, imprisoned or free, I’m fine.
He knows that He is saved. In the end, he knows that he will either be delivered and freed, or he will be with Jesus forever. He knows that whatever God provides in a season of life will be sufficient. And He knows that whatever situation God places him in, that’s where he’s supposed to be.
Most importantly, no matter what injustices or griefs or pain, nobody can ever take away what Christ has given him.
No one can take His joy. Nothing can take his hope. No circumstance affects His salvation.
No one can take His life, because in Christ He will live forever.
And so, Paul does something crazy. He actually trusts God. He takes God at His word. Even when the chips are down.
There will always be times of weakness and burden and suffering. And many times, it is too great for us.
So, yes, God gives us more than we can handle. But at the same time, God has promised that He will handle it all for us. His strength will sustain us, even in the darkest times.
In the ancient days, David, the king of Israel was in a desperate situation.
He was God’s chosen ruler, but a man who was very dear to David was seeking to kill him for power.
He was on the run, in the wilderness. And in the midst of that horrible suffering and injustice, with a broken heart and a tired body, David gives this prayer, this beautiful meditation:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
God has already secured our lives, He knows what He is doing, He has a plan, and our good shepherd will provide all we need in all times.
Knowing and trusting these things completely change out outlook and disposition, no matter what we are experiencing.
As we wrap up the book and this section, let’s cover the rest before we get back to our main point here.
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 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. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 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 again commends the Philippians for their generosity and partnership. Not because He benefits from it, but because it’s a joy to see them live out their faith in a way that is active and generous. He knows that they are living lives that are pleasing to God, so He compares it to an old testament offering, a sacrificial animal that is burnt on the fire.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
In the same way that God is providing for Paul, He assures them that He will take care of the church in Philippi, who have their own share of tribulations and suffering.
then he gives the final greetings:
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
There’s a strange mention here:
Caesar has Paul imprisoned, why does his household greet the church?
these are the soldiers and servants who believed because Paul ministered to them in prison!
So at the end of this long letter about suffering and hardship and imprisonment, Paul gives us this final cherry on top. God is working through his suffering. The gospel is being preached and received. people are being saved. Though difficult, all is as it should be. God is at work.
Application
Application
So, which team wins the football game?
the short answer is, The better team.
The long answer is the fact that this is one of the most quoted verses, but it’s almost always quoted inappropriately, with a false understanding of what it means.
This verse is not about how you can win your game or get that job or graduate from college or heal from your sickness.
This verse is not about achievement. It’s about enduring suffering.
And specifically, it’s about suffering on account of our faith.
Paul was imprisoned multiple times, and at the end of the day, it was for His faith and for preaching about Jesus.
So I want to go over a few aspect of suffering to help us better prepare for it and live through it.
Suffering is not a possibility for Christians. It is guaranteed.
Jesus promised the world would be hostile, arrest them, try them, beat them, kill them. And He invited us all to pick up our cross and follow him. And at the same time, He reminds us of the ultimate victory.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
We are closer to Christ, who has suffered just like us. And if the spread of the gospel, and the salvation of those around you is worth Christ’s suffering, it surely is worth your suffering.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
We are built up, as we flex and grow that muscle of suffering, we discover just how good and sufficient the love of Jesus is. and we cling to Him more and more.
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Suffering does not:
Suffering doesn’t make God love you more.
He already loves you perfectly. Suffering doesn’t earn anything. So don’t be fooled into thinking your suffering earns you your salvation or gives you bonus points. There are no bonus points. There is only he perfect love of Go for everyone.
We don’t need to enjoy suffering or seek it out or show it off.
Don’t be a masochist. Don’t flog yourself. Don’t be go around saying: Hey, I’m Christian, what are you gonna do about it? You don’t need to seek out suffering for it’s own sake. just be faithful and talk about Jesus and I promise, suffering will find you.
Not all suffering is for Christ. And not all of the Christian life is suffering.
Hulk Hogan: Bring on the Pain
God does not enjoy our suffering.
So don’t delay a root canal thinking that your tooth ache is making you more like Jesus.
So the final question is this:
have you suffered on account of your faith?
if yes, what came of that? How did God use it? How cold you have endured better knowing all of this?
if no, have you avoided suffering at all cost, even at the cost of spreading the gospel?
And, from now on, will you embrace suffering as it finds you, so that the people around you would know the love and salvation of God that you enjoy?
May our Lord Jesus Christ, our good shepherd, lead us not only into this suffering for His name, but lead us through it into His kingdom. And this is our word from God for Today.
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Reading
Reading
Transition Slowly for the camera
Confession
Confession
