Philippians 4:4-23

Introduction

We are all guilty of saying unhelpful things to people going through something hard

“It could be worse....” (Buzzer sound- unhelpful)

“I had this or that happen to me and then we top their pain with a story of our own (Buzzer sound - not helpful)

I have seen the counselor approach where someone exhausted from crying and grief has to listen to a 20 minute monologue from the arm chair counselor (Buzzer sound---unhelpful)

We all have done it

We have all seen it

Its brutal

These people in Philippi are struggling

Paul is ending this letter in this passage today

He is gonna say things like “Don’t be anxious. rejoice,pray”…

To people suffering

It may seem like lofty bad advice

But its not

Its depth is the source of life in a fallen world where we suffer

We are going to look at 4 Things He is bringing home to their heart and ours

Religion Verses Devotion, The Best of Both Worlds, The Hands and Feet, and Ending Where He began

1. Religion Verses Devotion 4:4-4:7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

V4: “The two adverbs always and again tell us much, especially that this is not just “typical” and therefore to be passed over as a nice Christian platitude, but crucial to the whole of this letter.

Joy, unmitigated, untrammeled joy, is—or at least should be—the distinctive mark of the believer in Christ Jesus.” - Gordon Fee

As with courage, Joy is not the absence of pain it is the triumphant ruling of the heart that there is something weightier than the suffering

Only in a secure future in Glory can the scales of heart tip in that direction

Even if on the darkest of nights we are holding on by just a needles width on the scale

All the ethics Paul knows bring life are based on the reality of Our secure future with Christ

We do not simply act better to be a better person

We don’t have wishful thinking we know

We have a taste that new creation has burst into our broken world

2. The Best of Both Worlds 4:8-4:9

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

The wants are right the ways are wrong

There was a stoic greek philosophy that worked toward contentment

Paul lives in that Greco Roman World as a Citizen of heaven so look what he does to the stoic concept of contentment

Stoics believed it was found in self sufficiency- paul flips the wants of his own society on their heads and says it is not in self sufficiency life is found it is only in Christ sufficiency

He is using the language of their day. The morals held in highest esteem of the day

The longing for wholeness, well being, peace, the ability to cope with pain and suffering are all right

But the world only knows where to look in the wrong places

3. The Hands and Feet 4:10-4:20

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.

4. Ending Where He Began 4:21-4:23

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Gospel partnerships to advance the gospel in real life in real places with real names

AND THAT IT IS SEEING FRUIT

BECAUSE A GROUP THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED- CEASAR’S HOUSEHOLD!!!!!!! IS IN THIS WITH THEM

(WBC 279)