Calvary Chapel Wenatchee
Sunday Service - Philippians 4 Pt2
  • Let us Adore
  • Here I Am To Worship
  • Kindness
  • Fill My Cup
  • Just A Closer Walk With Thee
  • Beautiful One
  • Always
  • Isn't He Good
  • Last Week:
    We looked at Paul encouraging the church in Philippi to help these to women, Eudia and Syntych live in harmony with one another.
    We walked through how we ourselves can have joy, even in this type of conflict.
    Today, as we finish up Philippians, we get to see how we can have joy in every season of life.
    Illustration:
    There’s a famous story told about John D. Rockefeller, one of the wealthiest men in American history. Someone supposedly asked him, “Mr. Rockefeller, how much money is enough?”
    His answer? “Just a little bit more.”
    Now, whether Rockefeller actually said those words or not, they reveal something about the human heart.
    No matter how much we have, we always seem to want just a little bit more. A little more money, a little bigger house, a little better job, a little easier life.
    And we convince ourselves that once we finally get that next thing, then we'll be content.
    V.10
    Philippians 4:10 NASB95
    10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
    I rejoiced in the Lord greatly:
    Even in prison, dealing with the difficulties he hears about the Philippians are having, he can rejoice. Why?
    you have revived your concern for me:
    He says not that they weren’t concerned, but they lacked opportunity.
    What concern is he talking about?
    Paul is in prison, so what he had available to him was very limited.
    Which, even in the prison he was in, house arrest in Rome, he had no way to provide for himself, no way to get food.
    Often times, prisoners in his time would starve if not for family or friends bringing him food. He would also need other necessary items, and what we see here is that it appears that the Philippians helped Paul financially as well.
    You lacked opportunity:
    There was no need before this time.
    When it comes to giving, in any capacity:
    2 Corinthians 9:6 NASB95
    6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
    Not everyone is called to give in this way. Think of what Paul says in Romans 12:6-8
    Romans 12:6–8 NASB95
    6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
    V.11
    Philippians 4:11 NASB95
    11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
    Not that I speak from want:
    Unlike what we see in a fallen and broken world today, where you are being harassed by many ministries asking for money, Paul isn’t telling them this because of him wanting anything. Why?
    For everyone, it is important to remember what we read in Hebrews 13:5-6
    Hebrews 13:5–6 NASB95
    5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” 6 so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
    Paul has found this himself…
    I have learned to be content:
    Paul’s circumstances do not become the source of his ministry, or his life.
    the word for content means “self-sufficient, independent”
    That means, Paul has learned to be independent from his circumstances, they don’t dictate his life, attitude, or even what he wants.
    V.12
    O: (put your observation here)
    Philippians 4:12 NASB95
    12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
    I know how to get along:
    With humble means and even prosperity.
    Whether he is hungry, or plenty to eat
    Having more than enough, or is in desperate need
    He knows how to handle all the circumstances in life.
    “If only I had a simpler life… If only I made more money… if only my fridge was full… if only we had more mouths to feed”
    The problem with so many of us, we allow our circumstances to determine our joy, or how we handle things in life.
    Paul isn’t pretending that this isn’t something we all deal with, but look what he says
    I have learned the secret:
    He didn’t just arrive at this conclusion, but he learned it
    Why is it a secret?
    Because so many of us have yet to learn it ourselves, so what we try to do is change our circumstances, hoping that will bring us the joy we so desperately need.
    I remember when I was quite a bit younger, I was in my early 20’s, not married, no kids, and I wanted life to be more simple. What I thought was I would get rid of my xbox and TV and just enjoy things without that stuff. But even after getting rid of all of that, I still found myself being anxious and still no joy. Why? Because I thought my joy would be found in simplicity, I had yet to find the real secret to joy and contentment. But look at what Paul found…
    V.13
    Philippians 4:13 NASB95
    13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
    I can do all things through Him:
    Not “all things through my circumstances”, not “all things because of me,” BUT, All things through Him.
    I thought I could do more with simplicity, but that wasn’t the secret. My hope was in my circumstance, not in Christ.
    It is Christ Whom I can do all things through.
    Paul is saying that he can live in poverty and wealth, in hunger and being filled, in having needs and having too much, not because of his situation, but because of Christ who is the One strengthening Paul. He is the One working in Paul, working through him, so that his ability to live through all of this is not in Paul, but rather in Christ.
    I have been there where many are… “If only I was married, if only we had children, if only we had a bigger house”
    The secret to a content and joyful life is not found in you nor your circumstances, it is found in Him.
    Who strengthens me:
    The root word for strengthen is “dynamoo”, which we get our word dynamite from.
    I think of What Paul says in Ephesians 3:20
    Ephesians 3:20 NASB95
    20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
    And then, in the same context of what we see here, Paul says to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17
    1 Timothy 6:17 NASB95
    17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
    It is Christ who supplies all that we need, in wonderful and powerful ways.
    Now know this, It isn’t because of Paul that he knows this secret, remember, he has learned it, through a God who has proven Himself over and over in abundant ways. Paul isn’t powerful, it is Christ who strengthens. Remembering what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:10
    2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB95
    10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
    It isn’t in me, in fact, it is when I am out of the way, that is when Christ is shown to be powerful.
    V.14
    Philippians 4:14 NASB95
    14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
    You have done well to share in my affliction:
    Here is one benefit of generosity… you share in others afflictions, in their trials.
    Look what Paul says next…
    V.15-16
    Philippians 4:15 NASB95
    15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
    Philippians 4:16 NASB95
    16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
    No other church shared with me giving and receiving:
    The Philippians were generous people.
    Remember what Paul told the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 9:1-2
    2 Corinthians 9:1–2 NASB95
    1 For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 2 for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.
    The Corinthians had the idea to give, and that inspired the Philippians. However, the Philippians followed through, and the Corinthians had trouble with that.
    You sent a gift more than once:
    They didn’t just stop giving, they gave multiple times.
    Paul commends them for their gifts and generosity, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Why is this important?
    V.17
    Philippians 4:17 NASB95
    17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
    Not that I seek the gift:
    Paul wasn’t looking for the money, he wasn’t keeping an eye on the amount
    I seek the profit to your account:
    The real profit wasn’t the amount of money, nor even the gift, but rather, what was happening spiritually with the Philippians.
    Remember what Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21
    Matthew 6:19–21 NASB95
    19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
    This is where they were putting their money, storing it up in heaven
    V.18
    Philippians 4:18 NASB95
    18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
    I am amply supplied:
    Here Paul is, in prison, and he says he has an abundance
    Is it because the gift was extremely large?
    We don’t know, but I do know this, with what Paul is saying, the fact that they sent anything at all, that they thought of him, that they displayed their love through giving… Paul has a full heart. He has all that he needs.
    A fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God:
    This is before the Lord, not man, but an act of worship to the Lord.
    And this is how we should approach all of our giving and tithing, is that is unto the Lord, which always takes the pressure off.
    The Philippians gave money to Paul, but it was as unto the Lord.
    Think of 1 Corinthians 10:31
    1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB95
    31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
    When we do it as unto the Lord, we don’t need to worry about where it goes or how it is handled, because it is a sacrifice to the Lord, pleasing to Him. If I give it to the Lord, then I am trusting Him how it will be used, how it will be spent, what it will go towards, and that if it is being used inappropriately, that the Lord is faithful and just to correct that in people who misuse it.
    But again, this is the Philippians giving of their own free will, not being pressured nor coerced into doing it.
    If that is the reason you are giving, then we have other issues to talk about, but if you are giving of your own free will, because the Lord is leading you, you can have confidence in what the Lord is doing, not the gift itself.
    V.19
    Philippians 4:19 NASB95
    19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
    God will supply all your needs:
    How? According to His riches.
    I think of this principle in Proverbs 3:9-10
    Then think of what Jesus says in Matthew 6:33
    The idea… you can never out give God.
    V.20-23
    Philippians 4:20 NASB95
    20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
    Philippians 4:21 NASB95
    21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
    Philippians 4:22 NASB95
    22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
    Philippians 4:23 NASB95
    23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
    To God be the Glory:
    Without saying… but it is necessary
    When we give, or we receive, we often times give glory to a person, because they gave. Or maybe we want glory, because of how much we gave. But that glory belongs to the Lord. He is the One who is faithful, using us as instruments for Him.
    Greet every saint:
    Fellowship of the saints, not just a clique
    Saints greet you:
    Not just the ones with Paul, but those of Caesar’s household.
    People who worked for Caesar and lived in his household were saved!!
    This is Nero’s household
    God always has witnesses in places that are against the gospel… that is grace.
    Grace of Jesus Christ be with you:
    Remember God’s unmeritted favor is with you.

      • Philippians 4:10NASB95

      • 2 Corinthians 9:6NASB95

      • Romans 12:6–8NASB95

      • Philippians 4:11NASB95

      • Hebrews 13:5–6NASB95

      • Philippians 4:12NASB95

      • Philippians 4:13NASB95

      • Ephesians 3:20NASB95

      • 1 Timothy 6:17NASB95

      • 2 Corinthians 12:10NASB95

      • Philippians 4:14NASB95

      • Philippians 4:15NASB95

      • Philippians 4:16NASB95

      • 2 Corinthians 9:1–2NASB95

      • Philippians 4:17NASB95

      • Matthew 6:19–21NASB95

      • Philippians 4:18NASB95

      • 1 Corinthians 10:31NASB95

      • Philippians 4:19NASB95

      • Philippians 4:20NASB95

      • Philippians 4:21NASB95

      • Philippians 4:22NASB95

      • Philippians 4:23NASB95

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