Philippians 4 notes

Humbly Serves

30 years old - 13 years of sufferingWhy does this stand out to us that Joseph begins serving right away like thisbecause it is opposite from what we are supposed to be doingThe world wants so badly to drive you to sin… on one hand they constantly tell you that you are not good enoughon the other, they are constantly telling you that you deserve moreJoseph serves honorablyThis is exactly what Paul was talking about in the letter to the Philippians… I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with 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. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.Isn’t it amazing that he did not go after his enemies… there are people that we put on our list… people that have wronged us over the yearswe will see in a little bit, that he takes that pain and turns it to praiseproved himself over 7 years that he was to be trustedPharaoh orders everyone to go through Joseph to get foodJoseph starts working immediately v46travels landstores so much grain that he quit countingThe crops were so great, so much wheat that a western KS wheat farmer could have almost made a profit.

That joy that is in the Lord leads to a peace that surpasses all understandingMany look for something else to give us joyMore kids... more money... less kids... less money...Chasing the American DreamIt was spring, but summer I wanted, The warm days and the great outdoors. It was summer, but t was fall I wanted, the colorful leaves and the cool dry air. It was fall, but it was winter I wanted, the beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season. It was now winter but it was spring that I wanted, the warmth and the blossoming of nature. I was a child but it was adulthood that I wanted, the freedom and the respect. I was 20 but it was 30 I wanted, to be mature and sophisticated. I was middle-aged but it was 20 I wanted, the youth and the free spirit. I was retired but it was middle-age I wanted, the presence of mind without limitations. My life was over, but I never got what I wanted. Paul uses the giving of the Philippians to explain his contentment11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Imagine being content in every situation... do you know anyone like this, it is weird, even to us believers when we come across this. It is not just what we read here about Paul, we see it in his writings and in the book of Acts... Paul is Paul. 12 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. Paul had to learn how to have plenty and how to have little... Why is little hardYou always think of what you do not have... food, toys, a room, a door. Why Plenty is hardWhen you do not need help, what is it that you think you need. These are the attitudes that can come with plenty or little, but Paul says...13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. I am strong enough to be content in any of these situations because of who gives me strengthIf you are a believer you have those strengthWhen you confess... present the GospelThe Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you, , You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon youTo many of us are not living in the power of the Holy Spirit and are living in our own powerTrusting in our own abilities, our own possessions to make us happyOr to busy whining about what we do not have that we cannot see what we do have. You have the love of the Father.