Philippians 4:10-20
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Phil 4:10-20 (Rough Draft)
“God’s Provision and Power for Contentment”
Big idea - God has give the believer both the provision and the power to walk a life of contentment.
10 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. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 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. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 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. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Pray
Today Paul in Philippians addresses contentment.
Big idea - Big idea - God has give the believer both the provision and the power to walk a life of contentment.
Illustration - Student I taught worked at Arby’s. At the time they were selling their Big Montanna - which was their biggest sandwich - that now goes by a different name. Half a pound of roast beef - which is a lot.
At the drive in the Arby’s worker takes the order for the Big Montana combo and asks if the driver would like to add cheeze to that. “Yes”, would you like EXTRA cheeze? “I want extra everything.” “Everything you have, I want extra.”
Not just cheeze sauce, but extra cheeze sauce, not just mushrooms, but extra, not just jalepeno’s, but extra , onion rings, tomatos, lettuce.
At the drive in window they have to tape the hinged box his sandwich came in because it would not completely close.
This was an “Extra” kind of sandwich for an Extra kind of person.
This sandwich serves as an illustration of our culture of extra.
We are always encouraged to upsize to not be content with what is enough.
So we Texas size our life. We add the glitter of Las Vegas.
We have American size servings.
We want the bigger, because regular is not good enough.
Transition, Paul had no concern for the Texas size, the Las Vegas glitter, the shine of costume jewelry.
Paul’s desire was to be content - so he could focus on Christ.
Paul had Christ, but most importantly Christ had Paul.
Transition - How do I live a life of contentment?
I. Christ is the Power of my contentment.
10 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. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Pay attention to our context.
Vs. 10 Paul speaks of the Philippians concern. T
The Philippians were concerned for Him in house arrest in Rome.
Paul could not work. He could not go and buy groceries. He had daily needs. Most of all, he faced potential execution.
-There was need in his life.
vs. 10 shows us that the Philippians, 1,600 miles away are concerned for him.
They are concerned because they are invested in love for Him.
Paul is not out of site, out of mind. He is loved.
This concern is rooted in love. This is a mindset, and attitude, a way of thinking and feeling - they care for him.
The Philippians had given their heart to Paul and Paul to them.
Paul uses the word “Concern” in the KJV “Care of me” 10 times in this book.
-God calls us to stop hiding or protecting our hearts, but to give our heart in love and concern for other believers.
-There was a problem.
For a time the Philippians were stuck. They could not express their concern - their love. They were over 1,000 miles away in Greece and Paul was in Rome. No text, not phone, no facetime, no email. - There was lack of distance - there was lack of technology - maybe poverty - maybe persecution.
Verse 10 says at the end, “You had no opportunity to show it”
I imagine they were frustrated. Frustrated the could not reach out and connect with Paul.
Many of us have been frustrated. During shelter in place you are restricted from showing your love and concern for others - you don’t get to see others face to face.
There is an ache of not being with the people you love.
Finally, the Philippians are able to send Epaphroditus. Paul is thoroughly encouraged with Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus brings to Paul a gift from the Philippians. Most likely a financial collection and Epaphroditus carried the money the 1600 mile journey.
Paul is very thankful for the gift that they sent and for Epaphroditus.
Paul says, I want to share with a spiritual truth about God’s provision and God’s Power.
vs. 11, “Don’t misunderstand, I don’t need more from you. I’m bringing up physical need to share with you something spiritual.” I’m not hinting that I need more.
vs. 11b, last half of verse 11 is the lesson in one sentence.
“...I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in.”
Underline that sentence.
“...I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in.”
What is contentment?
Contentment believes - I have enough. I don’t need more. Christ is all that I need. (Repeat)
Contentment believes that only Christ will fill that place inside you that stirs.
St. Augustine said this, “Are hearts are restless until they find rest in you.” (Repeat)
God is calling you to find contentment in your situation right now.
Illustration -
When you were 10 you couldn’t wait to be a teenager.
When you were 13 you couldn’t wait to get to high school.
When you got to high school you couldn’t wait to drive.
When you got to drive you could wait to graduate.
When you graduated you couldn’t wait to go to college.
When you got to college yo couldn’t wait to graduate.
When you graduated you couldn’t wait to start your career and get married.
You couldn’t wait to have children...
Each step promised that it would satisfy your heart. Felt good for a time. It never lasted.
Why? Stuff and stages of life aren’t meant to satisfy the spiritual thirst of the heart.
Some of you are looking to for:
better finances, relationships, marriage, work, recreation, good looks.
Financial contentment, relational contentment, marriage contentment, work contentment, recreational, sports or recreational, contentment in beauty.
God did not create these things to satisfy the stirring in your soul.
I can tell you an area I have struggled to be content in … in information and truth.
When it has come to the pandemic, protests, politics. What is being reported changes every day.
You don’t know what is really accurate.
The floor of truth in reporting feels very slippery.
Having 100% knowledge and clarity and truth won’t satisfy.
A stirring that only God can satisfy.
St. Augustine said this, “Are hearts are restless until they find rest in you.”
Transition - Paul tells us more about contentment in verse 12.
What does Paul say? Vs. 12
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 has learned the secret of contentment in having much and having little in every situation in life.
We come to the most misquoted verse in the New Testament.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Paul can be content in all circumstances.
We misquote this verse before the challenging ball game, the big test, the job interview.
That is not at all what Paul is talking about. He is talking about contentment.
It is fair to apply it to other areas of obedience and holiness that God calls us to.
The context of this passage is contentment.
Here is the beauty in this great God that we serve.
God gives us the power to do what He calls us to.
God gives us the grace & strength to follow Him and obey Him.
vs. 13, “I can do all things through Christ, WHO STRENGTHENS ME.
Contentment can be had, because it comes from the power of Christ.
God desires to bless you with contentment through His strength.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
Will you receive this “great gain” this blessing of Christ by depending on the power of Christ for contentment?
Transition - IN verses 10-13 Paul has shown us the source of our power for contentment is Christ.
In verses 14-20, Paul shows us that the source of your provision is Christ.
ome notes below.
II. Christ is the source of my Provision 4:14-20
14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 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. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 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. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
vs. 14-16 Paul says, Thank you for helping me, no one else has helped me, but you did!
Vs. 17-18 Paul says, Your gift was great.
What is more great is that the gift you sent me was because you were growing spiritually. You grew spiritually to a place where you want to give.
Illustration - During this pandemic there has been an increase in giving to our general fund. We really needed it. Let me be clear. I don’t see the gifts that come in. I don’t have access to the records of who has given what when. I go by what those on the finance team have told me.
During this pandemic one thing that has encouraged me as your pastor is this - When you see people open their wallet in generosity and obedience, most of the time it is because God is working on their heart. And they are allowing God to stir and to move.
Gifts you give to the church or others is a fruit from God’s spiritual movement in your life.
Here is how God views your gift. Look at the last 2 phrases in verse 18.
“… a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
“…like the smell of incense on the Old Testament alter to God” your gifts rise up to Him.
Your gifts are a sweat aroma to Him.
Transition - in verse 19 you see Paul bearing down on the source of your provision.
19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
God supplies our needs (not wants, but needs).
He provides our food, basic clothing, a roof over our head, Christian relationships … everything else you have is just extra.
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Illustration - I’ve told you this story before, I’ll tell it again.
On a mission trip to the homeless in Jamaica, In St. Ann’s Parish. One ministry team of 1 adult and 3 youth were sent out with a small bag of beans, rice and a small package of chicken to a man who was identified as being in need. He lived in a tiny 1 room shanty (about 12 feet by 6 feet). Just enough room for a mattress and cooking area. They knocked on the door and there was a man with no legs.
-The students gave him this food (he had to cook the chicken that day, there is not electricity or refrigeration. The students were supposed to witness to him and share spiritually. He was a retired pastor. He began to give testimony to how God was so good to him and provided for all his needs.
That ministry team of 4 was broken by his physical condition and his unwavering thankfulness to God. They returned from ministry broken and weeping. They went to minister, but they had been ministered to.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain,
Verse 20 tells us this,
God supplies our needs according to the measure of His riches. God’s riches are immeasurable. God’s ability to faithfully supply your needs is immeasurable. God’s store house to provides for your needs can never be emptied.
It is infinite. God’s riches are stored in Jesus infinite glory.
???God’s wealth is seen in something more valuable and spectacular than a gymnasium full of gold and $100 bills.
God’s wealth is seen in His glory.
III. Gospel
The Jamaican man with no legs. I left out a part. He told that ministry team how much God had provided for his physical needs and how thankful He was for that.
What he really focused on was how much God had provided for his spiritual needs through Jesus Christ.
How God had saved him through what Jesus has done on the cross in providing Him with forgiveness.
How God had changed him from a child of sinful darkness to a child of light following Jesus.
Jesus had changed his identity. He was now a follower of Jesus Christ.
He had the power of contentment, because Jesus had provided contentment through His work on the Cross.
If you have not made a decision to fully follow Jesus you need to say “Yes” to him today.
Don’t let the worries of this world hold you back.
Don’t let the excuses keep you away from God.
To ignore that call to Jesus is to reject Him.
Will you make the right decision?
Will you say, “Yes” to Jesus now?
