I Thank My God For You! Wk#9

Proverbs 26:27 ESV

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.

Proverbs 23:7 ESV

for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

Proverbs 26:24 ESV

Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;

Philippians 4:8–23 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 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. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 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. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 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.

Opening Up Philippians Think about the Right Things (v. 8)

The book of Proverbs says: ‘… as he thinks in his heart, so is he’ (Prov. 23:7).

In keeping with that thought, Paul suggests to his readers a ‘divine programming’ that will ensure their peace. He calls upon them to think about:

• THE TRUE—those things that correspond to the teaching of God’s Word;

• THE NOBLE—those things that have the dignity of moral excellence;

• THE JUST—those things that conform to God’s standards;

• THE PURE—those things that are free from the taint of sin;

• THE LOVELY—those virtues that make believers attractive and winsome, such as generosity, kindness, compassion and willingness to forgive;

• THE THINGS OF GOOD REPORT—those things that give Christians a good reputation and a good name.

Paul sums it all up by telling his readers to meditate on anything of virtue and anything worthy of praise.

Paul concludes this set of instructions to the church with these words: ‘The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you’ (v. 9).

This is the third time that Paul has explicitly called his readers to follow his example (2:17–18; 3:17). It must be said again that Paul is not merely giving way here to pride. Every pastor is called to set the kind of example that others can follow. If one is doing this, he can safely call others to follow him.

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Having the Joy of Contentment begins with a proper attitude of the heart.

We are in a wrong state of mind if we are not in a thankful state of mind. - Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

“All get what they want; they do not always like it.” – C.S Lewis

Romans 14:19 ESV

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

The attitude of CHRIST focuses on the Good of God and the Good of others.

An attitude of

Gratitude for God

Gratitude for others

Paul displays this in his gratitude for the gift the Philippian church had sent.

This church, Fairlawn, has come through again and again. This people, Fairlawn, has rallied to be the family for some many that are struggling through hard times. We should be grateful for that.

More than that, we should want to be a part of that. That happens when we develop the proper attitude in our hearts.

Opening Up Philippians Paul Expresses Gratitude for a Gift from the Philippians (vv. 10, 14–18)

While Paul certainly admitted that he had benefited from their gift, he wanted his readers to know that there were other benefits as well:

• THEIR GIFT WOULD ABOUND TO THEIR ACCOUNT (V. 17). Everything Christians do for the kingdom of God is an investment that repays rich dividends. Hendriksen notes: ‘Among the fruits that are harvested by such givers may be mentioned the following: a good conscience, assurance of salvation, enriched fellowship with other believers, a broadened outlook into the needs and interests of the church universal, increased joy and love … a higher degree of glory in heaven, Judgment Day praise.’

• THEIR GIFT BROUGHT PLEASURE TO GOD, who looked upon them as fragrant offerings (v. 19).

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:2

Contentment

Philippians 4:10–13 ESV

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. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:10-13

When do you have the right attitude?

Is it when you are brought low or only when you abound?

Philippians 4:13 ESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Circumstances can never undo what Christ has done.

It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but he is the skilful singer who can sing when there is not a ray of light by which to read,— who sings from his heart, and not from a book that he can see, because he has no means of reading, save from that inward book of his own living spirit, whence notes of gratitude pour forth in songs of praise. - Charles Spurgeon

The struggles of life do not compare to the surpassing worth of knowing, and being able to trust, in Christ.

“We do not want merely to see beauty . . . We want something else which can hardly be put into words – to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.” – C.S Lewis

Real contentment must come from within. You and I cannot change or control the world around us, but we can change and control the world within us. - Warren Wiersbe

- Warren Wiersbe

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

English Standard Version Chapter 4

whatever is true,

c Topic (j) whatever is honorable,

d Topic (j) whatever is just,

e Topic (j) whatever is pure,

f Topic (j) whatever is lovely,

g Topic (j) whatever is commendable,

h Condition (j) if there is any excellence,

i Condition (j) if there is anything worthy of praise,

j Command think about these things.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

You can change your attitude, you can be content. Because, you can do all things through Him who strengthens you.

Let Christ change your mind and strengthen your soul today.