Philippians 4:10-13
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Into: Have ever been “under the circumstances” Elab
Some would say, “you should live above your circumstances, not under them”
However there is no way to live above them if they are a part of your life. Maybe “living through them, and triumphing over them” is what we should do.
These verses speak to us about life at its very roughest point, at it’s greatest pressure, under the hardest circumstances, but also how to handle life at its best. Some of us handle difficulties better than we do successes.
I. Seasons in Paul’s life. VS 10
A. Gratitude for opportunities grasped.
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.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
Here Paul is expressing with a grateful heart his deep emotional appreciation for the gift from the church in Philippi. He is saying thank you, thank you, thank you.
“I rejoice in the Lord”
“Rejoiced” Paul had started the church at Philippi 10 years before. And was rejoicing that they were maturing. Part of the reason is seen in the fact that they sent Paul support when it was needed. Their gift showed that God was at work with them.
“in the Lord” It was the Lord that was at work in them.
“your care for me has flourished again”
“Flourished” Bloomed again, revived. It lay dormant through the winter at is were, but now spring had come and it is blooming again. Elab trees and flowers..
“where you were also careful, but you lacked opportunity”
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Two things we see.
A people who cared.
A process of consistency.
Question: Why did they lack opportunity? (Had no opportunity)
a. Maybe because of division. Or simply because they were living under poverty conditions themselves.
b. What ever the reason there was a time when they were not able to give. But things changed when they were able.
II. SUFFICIENCY FOR PAUL’S LIFE VS 11
10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
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.
10 As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
Three things that are not gifts, but learned traits.
Patience:
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Romans
2. Character:
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Romans
4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
3. Contentment:
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
A God’s school
“I have learned” Paul had learned by experience to be content with little even as he had been content with much.
“in whatsoever state” reference to things and circumstances. He found himself able to adapt and adjust. He would accept and embrace.
Paul had raised in a lap of luxury, but his was of satisfaction. The bottom line is that Paul was more content now than he had the most.
This statement is understandable only to those who have yielded themselves to the Lord Jesus. Carnal Christians have not yet learned, now will not until they submit to Jesus.
B. God’s sovereignty.
“to be content” Paul was convicted that Jesus was in the midst of him every day. His confidence is in the all-sufficient God.
“content” Literally means self-sufficient, satisfied, adequate.
5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
II Corinthians
5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
Someone defined contentment this way: “Christian contentment is the God-given ability to be satisfied with the loving provision of God in any and every situation.
III. SECRET OF PAUL’S LIFE. VS 12
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 4:12
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
Philippians 4:12
“abused” humbled; live humbly.
“abound” to have more then enough; live prosperity.
Paul had lived both of those in his life.
:both be full and hungry”
a. Paul had been in the homes of people like Lydia.
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
b. Times Paul was in jail with little or nothing.
c. Times where he had everthing/times when he had nothing.
d. He learned valuable lessons.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
I Timothy 6:6-10
IV. STRENGTH WITHIN PAUL’S LIFE. VS 13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians
What is the most important part of a tree? The root system. That is one way to look at Jesus to us.
a. This verse is a reminder that contentment is not determined by what a person has but by his of her relationship is to Jesus Christ.
b. Paul is not talking about an outward set of circumstances, but an inward source of strength.
Paul’s Moto “I can-through Christ”
John Phillips “I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me”