Do All Things

Keys to Peaceful Christian Life

(Not easy, but peaceful) - In summary form, Philippians points to all these

KEY: Christ humbled Himself, Christ will provide!

1) Contentment (v. 11)

Paul learned the “secret”

-relationship to Christ - “in” Christ

-self-sufficiency, because of Christ

context - doesn’t need more help from Philippians (very thankful for it, actually)

NOT - I can do all this on my own, reliance is on the strength of Christ and fellowship of Church

2) Adaptability (v. 12)

Circumstances

Humble times don’t lead to despair, depression

Prosperous times don’t lead to happiness, pride, comfort

Paul is equally unaffected by each extreme, any circumstance (“unaffected” to mean spiritually. he still got hungry, felt pain, emotion, excited, good and bad)

This is learned by walking with Christ, being “IN” Christ

Paul is equally unaffected by each extreme, any circumstance (“unaffected” to mean spiritually. he still got hungry, felt pain, emotion, excited, good and bad)

Think back: BAD - lost job, lost loved one, health issue; or GOOD - got job, had baby, great health

God brought you through the BAD, till is! God helped with the GOOD, still is helping!

DO NOT BE DEFINED BY THE BAD OR THE GOOD, BUT THE CONSTANT IN CHRIST!

3) Dependent (v. 13)

Dependent on Christ, for strength, His strength

based on the indwelling of Christ, not applied externally - this is a spiritual strength and application

CONTEXT - “I can do all things...”

NOT a call to step out of God’s will (God will not bless ANYthing you do, just because you do it)

Sure, He CAN work through bad choices, odd circumstances (Ruth, for example)

NOT - “There’s NOTHING I can’t do!”

God’s will is not defined by some athletic challenge, or job choice, or financial windfall

REM: Contentment - that’s Paul’s point here

Humble circumstances? Prosperous circumstances? NOT DEFINING!

Strong when weak, Strong when dependent on Him for strength

2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB95

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Contentment prayer - Prov 30:7-9 - READ

Proverbs 30:9 NASB95

That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.

POINT - It can be harder to trust God in good times, to really lean on His strength

Losing reliance on Him

Easier to understand needing Christ’s strength when life is hard

Paul modeled this. We can, too!

4) Blessing of Fellowship

When we are going the same direction, “on the same page”

Friendships

Unity

How we support each other, help each other, share how we understand the times and the needs

There is great blessing in unity - BECAUSE SO MANY ARE OPPOSED TO THE GOSPEL!

We can hang around people who reject it, it can be easy, no stress, no pressure

OR…hang around people/believers, while I share Gospel with the lost

The church is where we share Christ’s strength, when living for Him is hard and takes it’s toll out there

Like the safety of a fortress when we take a break from the battle

This is where we get to hang around people “on the same team!”

The church is the source of comfort, because believers are doing the work of Christ

then coming together for strength and assurance, jointly shared IN Christ!

Ultimately, our reward is in glory - that’s the source of contentment NOW.

Gifts to Paul: BENEFITS TO BELIEVERS - genuine “givers” (why we are generous, sacrificial givers)

Please God - motivation to give, even from poverty - 1 Cor 8:1-5

Experience His provision - God meets the needs of those who give, TO HIM

SUMMARY of Philippians

REJOICE - God has supplied Christ

REJOICE - God will supply needs

REJOICE - God will glorify you (justified, sanctified now…)

REJOICE - You have experienced God’s grace

REJOICE - The KING is alive! We serve the King!