The Secret to Life - Phil 4:10-23
Put Some HONOR on My Name • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Big Idea: The secret to life is trusting God.
Big Idea: The secret to life is trusting God.
Intro:
Intro:
Hello. Welcome to Church Online.
If you haven’t heard, the Milwaukee Bucks are the NBA Champions. And some of you are like, “Who cares?” To be fair, I watched about three minutes of NBA basketball this year, so by my actions, “I don’t really care either.” Don’t get me wrong. I love basketball. Just haven’t watched much of it this year.
But the Bucks winning is a big deal. Not just because it’s been 50 years since they last did it. Not just because they went down 2-0 in this 7-game series… and came back. But also because of the type of team they had. They only had one star player - Giannis Antetokounmpo, also known as the Greek Freak (because he’s from Greece).
The Bucks becoming Champions in a league with rosters like the Warriors, Nets, Lakers (teams with multiple stars) is crazy. And the question regarding Giannis becomes, “What’s his secret? How did he do it. How’d he end 50 years of losing? What makes him special?”
Well, he’s not called the Greek Freak for nothing. He’s a physical phenom! He’s rediculously talented. That definitely helps. But if you listen to NBA analysts, you might be surpised by what they say. It’s not just his strength, size, or scoring ability that makes him great. What people are talking about is his humility, work ethic, loyalty, thankfulness, and love for family. If you will, his secret is living with HONOR. That changed everything in Milwaukee.
And today, as we end this series in Philippians (where we’ve been talking about HONOR), Paul is going to close by giving a couple secrets to life - spiritual life hacks. Two ways we can flourish in the Kingdom of God. And just like with Giannis, the secrets might surprise you...
Secret #1 - You need godly friendships.
Secret #1 - You need godly friendships.
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.
As Paul wraps up this letter, he circles back to where he started - to the initial reason of writing this letter - to thank them for their partnership and gift. Remember, this isn’t a random church he’s writing to. Paul started this church. Paul knew and loved the people. And they loved him. They had a genuine partnership. A real friendship. What the Bible calls - koinonia.
And when the Philippians heard their dear friend Paul was in prison, they sent Epaphroditus with a financial gift to help support Paul’s needs. And when Paul received the gift, it brought him great joy. But it wasn’t necessarily the money that meant a lot, it was their friendship!
The power of friendship can change a life.
A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.
Basically, a friend - a godly friend - can help you get thru anything. It makes a world of difference when we have someone standing beside us in support. Therefore, to flourish in life, I believe we need this kind of friendship in our lives. More than that, we need to be this kind of friend.
So, what are the qualities of this kind of friendship? What does it look like? Well, look at how Paul describes the Philippians (his godly friends)...
First off, godly friends are a blessing. They bring joy to the relationship. Paul said, “I rejoiced… [when I experienced your friendship]. It was a blessing to me.”
Think about those who you would call friends. Are they a blessing to you? When you think of them, do you say, “I’m really glad they are in my life. They are a blessing to me. When I interact with them, my life is improved.”
Additionally… think about your own reputation. What kind of friend are you? When people experience you, do they walk away thinking, “This person is a blessing to me!”
I guess we should first talk about being a “blessing” looks like, because it sounds pretty vague. Let’s continue to look at our passage because I believe it describes it for us...
Godly friends are always LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNTIES to bless others. Paul said, “…You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.” Because of their love for Paul, the Philippians were just waiting for an opportunity to bless him.
Do your friendships look like this?
Or are your friendships draining, transactional (all about what you can get out of the other person, or one-sided (like the blessings only flow in one direction)?
Godly friendships are partnerships, meaning both sides are actively looking for an opportunity to be a blessing. Not just taking from the relationship.
Think about this too… godly friendships involve being a blessing even during difficult times. Proverbs 17 said, “a brother is born for adversity.” And Paul goes on to say about the Philippians, “It was kind of you to share my trouble.” (v. 14).
The Greek word for “share” means to “actively participate in the partnership.” And the Philippians weren’t just active friends in the good season, they were active in the bad seasons too. They willing shared Paul’s troubles. They helped carry his burden. That’s what godly friends do. They don’t run away during hard times. They run towards their friends to be a blessing, even at great cost.
Heres’ something else...
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.
So, godly friends not only actively seek opportunities to bless, they are also ready to move once the opportunity is presented. In the purest way, they are first in line to bless their friends.
If you read the story of when Paul started the church in Philippi (Acts 16-17), you’ll see that Thessalonica was the very next city Paul arrived at after Philippi. In this new city, Paul needed help. And the Philippians were on it!
Again, do you friendships look like this? If they are godly friendships, they should! Be first in line to bless your friends!
Now, I realize being this kind of friend isn’t easy. It requires radical shifts in our lives… like intentionally creating margins in our lives. Margins are blanks spaces on paper. It’s unoccupied space. It’s space that can remain empty or serve a function. Whatever the case, the is space available for use.
We need this kind of space in our lives. But today, we love to fill every empty space. Even if we fill it with junk. Sometimes, we can’t be a good friend because we don’t leave any margin to respond. And many times, it’s because we filled up the empty space with junk (I’ll let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart about what that junk is - but it’s usually not something that is a blessing to you or your friends).
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
The NLT says, “… make the most of every opportunity.” Godly friends wisely create margins (use their time wisely) so they “make the most of every opportuntiy” - like being a blessing. Doing this may require sacrifice. Margins may come at a price. But remember what Jesus said...
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Which leads us to another characteristic found in godly friendship: A heart of generosity....
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.
Paul said he was “well supplied.” You know, the Philippians weren’t just active in their partnership, they went above and beyond. They had a reputation of generosity!
Writing to the Corinthian church, Paul spoke about the Philippians this way...
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Godly friends are generous friends. They give when they don’t need to. They give more than they need to. And yes, generosity is more than money, but it does involve money.
I don’t personally make a big deal about financial giving here at TRC. I don’t stand up here begging for you to give or scolding you for not giving. But I also won’t shy away from the topic of money when we come across it in Scripture.
So, look at your bank account. If someone looked at it, would they say, “Wow, these are generous people!” And you ain’t gotta be rich to be generous. One of the most generous gifts I’ve ever received was $5 from the poorest lady in the church. Jesus once pointed out how an offering of two pennies was worth more than everyone else’s. Generosity is about the heart, not the amount. Biblical generosity is cheerfully giving, to bless others, because you trust God with your money.
Or as Paul put it, understanding that...
Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
And [our] God will supply every need of [ours] according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus [when we’re generous].
Godly friends are generous friends. Generous friends are a blessing.
I want friends like that.
I have friends like that.
But more than that, I want to be a friend like that!
What about you?
Finally, godly friends are a blessing because they glorify God.
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
As Paul finishes describing how much of a blessing the Philippian’s gift was, he says, “This is all for the glory of God.” You can’t really be a blessing unless God is glorified at the end. For example, it’s not a blessing if it results in sin, which doesn’t glorify God. Blessings result in God receiving glory. And godly friends desire others to glorify God. They want to see you flourish in the Kingdom of God. That’s the sense of what Paul writes in verse 17...
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
So, again, what kind of friends do you have. What kind of friend are you?
Are people being blessed by the relationship?
Does the relationship involve actively seeking opportunties to bless?
Are you friends in both good and bad times?
Are your friends generous? Are you generous to them?
Is God glorified by the friendship? Do people grow in grace and faith because of the relationship?
This is important. Because godly friends are a God-prescribed life hack. We flourish by having godly friendeships, like the relationship between Paul andthe Philippians.
Now, before getting to the second secret, I want to mention something. Some of you mayt have noticed I skipped over a few verses. Like I started in verse 10, then went 14-20. One reason is because verses 11-13 is a sort of parenthetical. As Paul is writing about the Philippian’s gift, he inserts a connected thought, like something you would put into a parenthesis. And it’s in the parenthesis that we discover the second secret...
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.
Secret #1 - Have godly friendships. Secret # 2 - Paul says it directly - the secret to flourishing in God’s Kingdom, regardless of circumstance is...
Secret # 2 - Having a Godly Focus
Secret # 2 - Having a Godly Focus
Paul said, “I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me.” Now, I’m sure you have heard this verse before. You’ve seen it on coffee mugs, stickers, and t-shirts. One of my favorite runnings shirts has this verse on it. But what does it really mean? Does it mean Jesus will give me the power to do whatever I want?
Not really. In the context, we can say it this way, “The secret to flourishing in this life is trusting God with my life.” It’s understanding...
that if Jesus is my Lord and Savior...
that if I am a child of God...
that if I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God...
that if God cares about me and loves me with an everlasting love...
that if all the promises of God toward my life are yes and amen in Christ…
...then I know with CONFIDENCE anything!
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I can flourish in this life when I stay focused on God!
So, how do we focus on God? Well look at what Paul says...
I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
This is key because it’s hard to focus when your distracted. And many times we’re distracted because we’re discontent. We’re looking all over the place trying to get some satisfaction… like...
Material possessions.
To be a social media influencer.
Some sort of buzz or high.
A special relationship.
Whatever it is… we use up massive amounts of life-energy looking here, there, and everywhere. And then when we finally get it, it’s doesn’t fill the void in our heart, so we keep looking for more. And we can never focus beause we’re never content.
Btw, what does Paul mean when he refers to contentment? Is it being okay with being stuck in life? To never seek improvement? To passively let others trample or take advantage of us?
Well, honestly, sometimes in God’s Kingdom… that will happen… at least for a season… so I can’t absolutely say, “no.” There are times when God humbles us. When we learn patience. When we’re stuck so we can gain a new perspective. And in those situations, by faith, He askes us to be content. .
But I don’t believe that completely defines contentment. Because God also wants us to grow in our faith. To mature. To bear much fruit. To have victory and live under His favor. Therefore, I believe it’s better to look at contentment this way...
Paul said he knew how to be brought low. The phrasing actually indicates receiving a sort of oppression or suffering. To face trials and difficult seasons. To be hungry. To go without the essentials.
He also said he knew how to abound. He knew what it was like to have everything go right. He knew how to live with plenty. To have abundance.
Yet, in every and all circumstances, he learned to be content. He’s not pushing a passive life of misery. He’s emphasizing actively trusting in God. Contentment is...
Having your heart broken and saying, “I trust God because He is with me and gives me strength to do all thigns.”
It’s having your body torn by disease and saying, “I trust God because He is with me and gives me strength to do all things.”
It’s having your family fall apart and saying, “I trust God because He is with me and gives me strength to do all things.”
And it’s also having a lot of money and saying, “I trust God because He is with me and gives me strength to do all things.”
It’s living in a peaceful and beautiful town (like Glastonbury) and saying, “I trust God because He is with me and gives me strength to do all things.”
It’s getting the desires of your heart and saying, “I trust God because He is with me and gives me strength to do all thigns.”
That’s contentment. Contentment isn’t circumstances. It’s understanding God is all we need. That in Him is life. And if we have Him, we’re good.
Now here’s something about contentment… noticed how Paul said he “learned” contentment. How did he learn how to be content? Thru experience? Definitely. Like I mentioned earlier, sometimes we walk thru the shadow of the valley of death so we can learn, by experience, there is nothing to fear because God is with us. But Paul also learned contentment by know what God promised.
Paul knew God’s Word said...
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
So, he believed what he read and applied it to his life. And guess what he experienced? That even though he didn’t understand the circumstances, he could trust God based on His word, and God worked it out.
He also knew...
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
He knew if he focused on God, if he trusted God… God promised to give him supernatural peace, which produced contentment. And time and time again, as Paul - by faith - lived with a godly focus, he experienced God’s faithful to His word. He learned he could trust God forever. That he could build his life upon God’s Word because He is an everlasting rock - a sure and solid foundation. And that produced contentment, which produced godly focus, which produces a flourishing spiritual life. That’s why he would later write to his friend Timothy...
But godliness with contentment is great gain,
Where are you at today? Are you content and able to focus on God? Because that’s the secret to flourishing in life. It’s not money, power, and fame (like most people think)... It’s waking up everyday content and setting our focus on Jesus.
If you’re not, but would like to utilize this life-hack of godly focus, start by digging into God’s word and let it dig into your heart. Because in order to be content, you must trust God. And to trust God, you must know what He’s said. Amen?
And the end of Paul’s letter is actually a nice summary of our two secrets...
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.
Notice the reference to godly friendships and godly focus (the emphasis on the grace of Jesus). Think of it this way, the secret to life is found in the cross...
Godly focus - vertical relationships.
Godly friendships - horizontal relationships.
Response:
Response:
As we close this series, I’ll summarize today this way: The secret to life is HONORING God and HONORING others. Sounds a lot like th Great Commandment (love God, love others). Maybe because love and HONOR are cousins. We HONOR the those we love.
This might sound silly, but don’t sleep on HONOR. Honor can change the world. Think about Giannas. His HONOR is changing basketball culture on the Bucks. And it changed the entire city of Milwaukee. Think about what God can do with HONOR.
God can change our lives.
He can end the life-losing streaks and make us champions by what Jesus did on the Cross.
He can cause miracles - and the impossible - to be done in our community!
That’s what HONOR did in Philippi. Verse 22 says, “Caesar’s household” greets you! Do you know how crazy that would’ve sounded to the Philippian church?That the gospel was flourshing in Rome! Changing lives in the most unreachable, most unlikely of places.
I wonder what God will do thru our church if we simply HONOR Him with our lives? I don’t know about you, but I want to see what God will do.
[Communion]
Let’s pray...
Father, we trust you this morning. We set our eyes upon you. We ask that you remove the distractions from our life so we can focus on you. We ask you to bring us godly friends. Helps us to be godly friends. We want to bless people. Most important, we want to HONOR you with our lives because we love You. Give us faith, power, and repentance so we live with contentment. In Jesus name, amen.
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