Joy in God's Provision- Phil. 4:10-23

We come to the end of our epistle, a letter that contains wonderful descriptions of the Triune God, the love that Paul has for the Philippians, and the challenges that all believers face in every day life.

Our last section provides a brief discussion of God’s provision, its connection to Paul and the Philippians, and two of the most misquoted verses in the entire Bible.

As we enter this last section, I would warn you against cutting your mind and heart off. I know that we all do it at one time or another. We come toward the end of the sermon and we begin to shift our thinking and attention to lunch afterwards. We want to give our attention to Paul’s teaching, because we will stand before the Lord and give account of everything we have heard.

God provides for His people at the right time and in the right amount. Yet, so often we find ourselves doubting God’s provision. What we need to learn this morning is that:

God will provide for His glory and our good according to His grace in Jesus Christ.

I. God’s Provision Brings Joy- 4:10

II. God’s Provision is God’s Prerogative- 4:11-12

III. God’s Provision through God’s Power- 4:13

IV. God’s Provision and the Church- 4:14-19

V. God’s Provision and Praise- 4:20-23

I. God’s Provision Brings Joy- 4:10

Paul rejoiced at the provision of God through the Philippians. The Philippians have the means to help, and they do. God blessed Paul, and Paul rejoiced!

When God provides for our needs, regardless of how small they may seem to others, it brings us joy. I remember when I was in Bible college, the spring semester was quickly approaching and I did not have the money to attend. I was working, but there was only such much money, and it was not enough.

I took this as the Lord’s direction to sit out that semester. Anyway, about two days into the semester I get a phone call telling me that I had received demerits for missing chapel. When I told them I was not enrolled, they said someone paid my bill, and that I could resume classes! (Needless to say, those were awesome demerits). The Lord provided in gracious ways, and I rejoiced. I still have the handwritten note in one of my Bible’s about this.

At one point, though we don’t know all the details, the Philippians were unable to minister to Paul. But God provided and the Philippians followed through with their generosity. There is an important lesson here for us today. When God provides, minister to others! God does not hold us accountable for not giving what we do not have. Be a blessing as God blesses you, and you and the recipient can rejoice in God!

II. God’s Provision is God’s Prerogative- 4:11-12

We heard a glimpse of this in verse 10 (the Philippians were unable to minister), but these two verses provide us with an important lesson for God’s provision: it is at God’s prerogative. That is, God is the one who knows the best time to provide and the best means to provide for His name to be glorified and His children to be helped.

Now, Paul states this in the realm of contentment. Contentment is an important mark of the Christian. We all are familiar with the word, but how can we define it in a way that reflects Paul’s Holy Spirit-inspired teaching?

Contentment is the frame of mind that acknowledges God’s providential rule in our lives, regardless of our states or experiences.

It is a frame of mind in that it involves our mental grasp of God’s providential rule in our lives. By this, I am referring to God’s rule in your life that where you are is exactly where He wants you to be. There are things that I can do and cannot do as Pastor of Warrior Creek Baptist Church. Contentment means I acknowledge God’s clear leading of my family to this church.

Because it is a frame of mind, it is learned. Paul says, “I have learned.” What does this mean? It means that it does not come natural. In other words, it is a process, a life-long process (cf. Rom. 12:2, be transformed).

This frame of mind is focused on a biblical view of God—He rules and reigns in our lives in every detail. The Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, teach the truth that God is providentially guiding all things for the greatest purpose in the universe.

Up to this point, we are all on board. We all agree with these truths, but its the last phrase that is difficult: regardless of our states or experiences. That is really where the contentment kicks in full force.

Paul learned to be content, regardless of his circumstances. Paul could be content with the knowledge that God was working at all times. Think about Paul’s life. I just finished reading through the book of Acts last week, and his experiences were awful. How could someone continue to preach the gospel? Only with the knowledge that God rules and reigns, providentially guiding all of Paul’s life. Therefore, Paul could be content.

It is like our children. They have no idea where their dinner or breakfast or 15th snack or clean clothes are coming from, and they are completely at peace. They are content. Why? Because mommy and daddy are going to take care of them.

Christian, that is an insignificant example that finds its unimaginable fulfillment of God’s Fatherly care of us. God’s provision is God’s prerogative. Perhaps you need to be reminded of this, that if you do not have something you think you should, God is to be trusted. Relish in that joyful realization!

Now, at the end of these verses Paul says, “I have learned the secret!” What is the secret? The secret involves the most misquoted verse in all the Bible, which also happens to be our third point.

III. God’s Provision through God’s Power- 4:13

The secret to contentment is that contentment only comes through God’s power. Now, this verse centers in this discussion around contentment. It is not a verse that means I can score touchdowns on the football field. It is not a verse that means I can bench press 3,000 pounds. It is not a verse that means I can win this talent contest. It is not a verse that, though I have failed to study for the test, I can claim to make a passing grade.

This verse is a reminder of how we live the Christian life: through Christ. It is no different than Galatians 2:20, “And I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Just as God is the provider (though He uses tools), God is also the power. He works through us.

We can only be content through Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us this, “You can do nothing without me” (John 15:5). We must learn this lesson. If you have Christ, then you can have contentment. If you do not have Christ, you cannot have contentment.

Generally speaking, if you are a growing Christian (reading and applying Scripture, faithfully worshiping with God’s people, praying, etc.), then Christ will help you learn contentment.

I. God’s Provision Brings Joy- 4:10

II. God’s Provision is God’s Prerogative- 4:11-12

III. God’s Provision through God’s Power- 4:13

IV. God’s Provision and the Church- 4:14-19

We cannot discuss the Christian life without discussing the church. The two are inherently connected. Thus, our individual growth is reflected in our collective growth.

God’s Provision involves the church and takes place within the church and is praised by the Church.

In these verses Paul discusses the Philippians’ behavior in the past. Again, you can hear the love of the apostle for these dear people. Let’s break this section down for our understanding of the church.

A. The Philippians worked with Paul- 14-17

We are examining God’s Provision and the Church, and we see how the Church works with Paul to provide for his needs. That is, Paul would not have been the missionary he was without the church.

Now, this does not all tie into monetary giving. I think we can think in those terms, which this certainly includes, but it is more than that. They partnered with him in the gospel ministry. Do you? Are you sharing the gospel with others in Gray Court? Or, do you come in Sunday mornings, sit down, listen to the sermon, and then leave? The Philippians worked with Paul and the gospel advanced. (By the way, we have no idea why the churches did not help, we only know that they did not.)

B. The Philippians pleased God- 18

Their work in the Gospel ministry contributed to the work of gospel ministry which pleased God. The language Paul uses hear harkens us back to the sacrifices of the OT. They pleased God.

The sacrifices ceased with the death of Messiah Jesus (cf. Heb. 9:28 and 10:10). The New Testament teaches us that our sacrifices are not animals, they are our very lives (Rom. 12:1-2 and Eph. 5:2). The work that the Philippians did were like a sweet sacrifice to God.

Which leads us to the question, is my life a pleasing aroma? Does my life please the Lord? We cannot sit idly by! We must please the Lord Jesus Christ.

C. Paul’s Biblical Promise- 19

This last verse is encouraging because it is a promise that God gives to us. It is a precious promise indeed! God promise is remarkable. It is based on God, a point that we cannot forget or brush aside.

1. The Promise is Extensive—all

There is nothing that God will not provide that you need (which we will discuss next). All is an extensive word. There is not shortage of God’s ability to provide for you. Work extravagantly and God will take care of you!

2. The Promise is Specific—your needs

While we may like the idea of a health and wealth gospel, it is unbiblical. God never promises that when you follow Jesus Christ that life will be all roses. No, there will be challenges (look at this letter for example!). However, you will never have a need for which God will not provide.

How do you determine the difference between a need and a desire? If you have a need, God will provide. If God has not provided, it is not a need. This promise is extensive and specific.

3. The Promise is Limitless—according to His riches

The promise is limitless because God’s riches are limitless. He owns everything, in heaven and earth, and His ability to meet our needs is limitless. What a comfort this is!

4. The Promise is Personal—your, my, in Christ Jesus

We saw this throughout the verse, but this promise is personal. It involves you and the Triune God. He is present, working in our lives at this very moment. Give, minister, and the Triune God will meet every need you have.

V. God’s Provision and Praise- 4:20-23

We come to the end of this section, and the end of the book, and it connects us to the end of all things. The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith phrases it like this,

“God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power and wisdom doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, to the end for the which they were created, according unto his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will; to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and mercy.”

God’s Provision, His providing of things we need in and through us, will result in God’s praise.

He ends his letter with a normal conclusion. But we note that God’s provision results in God’s praise.

God will provide for His glory and our good according to His grace in Jesus Christ.