Middlebelt Baptist Church
September 20, 2026

      • John 4:23–24ESV

  • Oh Thou Most High
  • Yahweh

      • Philippians 4:10–20ESV

  • Such An Awesome God
  • Total Praise - Reprise
  • Philippians 4:10–20 CSB
    10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. 15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

    Intro:

    Michigan ranks number one in the nation for tariff costs per household, averaging more than $5,600 per family since January 2025. [1, 2]📊 Key Numbers
    Over $5,600 extra per household
    $23 billion total state tariff cost
    Third highest total state burden overall
    43% of costs tied to vehicles 
    ⚠️ Why Michigan is Hit Hard
    Heavy reliance on automotive manufacturing parts
    Deep cross-border trade ties with Canada
    Retaliatory tariffs hitting local exports 
    This amounts to about 300 dollars per month extra that we have to find. This number does not account for the prices in gas.
    Saints when things get tight like this the anxiety, worry and fear begin to mount especially for those who are on a fixed income or shoestring budget.
    Paul has a word for you today. He wants to tell you “thank you” for your faithfulness to the mission of God despite your own personal struggles, and to give you tools to weather the storm when its tight.

    I. Paul’s Secret

    Philippians 4:10–13 CSB
    10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
    (EXP)(10) “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me” Paul says he is “overjoyed” because the believers of the church of Phillipi were able to give again to his ministry. That verb “rejoice” is in the passive mode. It was the gift itself the brought joy to Paul’s heart. Remeber this gift must have been delivered to him because he is on house arrest in Rome. House arrest is jail but it’s not prison. He was able to recieve visitors and gift while there.
    (10) Paul says “You were, in fact concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it” Paul says I know your hearts to give but you didn’t have the opportunity, but as soon as the opportunity arised you gave.
    Philippians 4:11 CSB
    11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.
    (EXP)(11) Paul’s says “I ain’t begging” because I don’t have to: When Paul talked about giving in the bible it always came from the vantage point of partnering not transaction. Paul’s was on mission and he was not going to allow lack or plenty keep him from accomplishing his mission.
    Transactional Giving: Giving to GetTransactional tithing views financial giving as a business deal or a contract with God. In this mindset, a person gives with the expectation of receiving something specific in return. [1]
    The Mindset: "If I give this 10%, God is obligated to bless my finances, protect my health, or give me a breakthrough."
    The Motivation: Fear of lacking provision, guilt, or a desire for personal, material gain.
    The Danger: It reduces God to a spiritual vending machine or an investment fund. If a trial or financial hardship hits despite paying the tithe, a transactional giver often becomes resentful or feels abandoned, because the "contract" was broken
    Partnering Giving views giving as an act of alignment, worship, and relationship. In this framework, the believer recognizes that God already owns 100% of everything, and returning a portion is an invitation to co-labor in His mission on Earth. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
    The Mindset: "God has already blessed me, and I am choosing to partner with Him and my church to see lives transformed, communities fed, and the Gospel spread." [1, 2]
    The Motivation: Love, gratitude, and a shared vision for the ministry's mission. [1, 2]
    The Outcome: It shifts the focus from me (what I can get) to we (what God and I are doing together). A partnering giver experiences joy and spiritual freedom because their security is anchored in God Himself, not just the financial return
    How did Paul remain focused on the mission when he was hungry, had no place to lay his head, sometimes laid in the street for dead?
    (11) “For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself” Notice Paul’s words. For he “learned to be content” that word “learned” means to ascertain something via: Study, practice or experience.
    Paul is content in both circumstances because his contentment is utterly independent of circumstances.
    D. A. Carson
    (11) I love that Paul uses this word “learned” because he is telling us contentment is not intrinsic to us. We are not born with it. It must be developed through the sanctification process. When someone “learns” something it implies they did not always have this skill. Paul writing in 60ad near death tells us “contentment” is a super power. Listen to him in Philippians 4:12-13
    Philippians 4:12–13 CSB
    12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
    (EXP)(12) Paul’s says no matter my life circumstances I learn to “make do” with little, and I know how to “make do” with plenty. I am convinced Paul is from Alabama or Georgia because I grew up hearing my Mother says “Make do” you got two pair of jeans for the school year “make do” you got one pair of shoes that needs to last the whole school year “make do” we having cream of wheat for breakfast “make do” Mom I don’t have all the resources other kids do in school to excel “Make do”
    (12) The young folks would say “Paul got it out the mud” Paul was on mission and he completed his mission. Sometimes there was resources to help him complete the mission, and sometimes he didn’t have the resources to complete the mission but he trusted in the Lord anyway. Then he gives us the secret to his “Superpower” in Philippians 4:13
    Philippians 4:13 CSB
    13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
    (13) People quote this and apply it to everything. When they want to open a business, when they want a new car, when they want to win at a sports event. Evander Holyfield had this on his trunks when he fought Mike Tyson, and I’m sure after he beat him he was convinced it was this verse that won him the fight. I can assure that God is not ultimate concerned with how won the latest sports competition or the latest episode of “America next top model” this verse refers to the contentment Paul was just talking about in the previous verses.
    (13) Paul says God has given me the strength to perserver during tough times having plenty and suffering lack through the indwelling power of the spirit!!!
    Paul tells us “the Source of his strength” is the HS. The HS will guide us into all truth. He will remind us during tough times that we can be “content” content does not mean rejoicing that you don’t have any money. It simple means “trusting” during times of suffering like Job 13:15
    Job 13:15 CSB
    15 Even if he kills me, I will hope in him. I will still defend my ways before him.
    The Secret for navigating these times yall is “contentment”

    II. Paul’s Advice “the show must go on”

    Philippians 4:14–17 CSB
    14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. 15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.
    (EXP)(14) Paul reminds the believers at Philippi it was smart that you invest in partnering with my ministry.
    (15) Paul gives them a shout out “When I was a young buck just trying to start my ministry” yall were the only one that help me!!!
    Sat in that jail, I sat in that jail til I felt like I's bout to rot to death. I know what it like to wanna go somewhere and cain't. I know what it like to wanna sing... and have it beat out 'ya. I want to thank you, Miss Celie, fo evrything you done for me. I 'members that day in the store with Miss Millie - I's feelin' real down. I's feelin' mighty low. And when I seed you - I knowd they is a God. I knowd they is a God. You was the onlyiest one that help me!
    (15) Paul had a color purple moment in this text. It is an important fact I want to point out in this text. He says this church was the only church that shared with him in giving from the area of Macedonia. So there was probable a cluster of him church in the area of Philippi.
    2 Corinthians 8:1–5 CSB
    1 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that was given to the churches of Macedonia: 2 During a severe trial brought about by affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 I can testify that, according to their ability and even beyond their ability, of their own accord, 4 they begged us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints, 5 and not just as we had hoped. Instead, they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us by God’s will.
    Summary: Paul says this cluster of churches in Macedonia who we know from the book of Philippians is the church of Phillipi beg us to give to our ministry despite their own personal poverty. Notice it says “they begged for the privilege of sharing in the ministry” The excitement of partnering with Paul in the spread of the gospel made them give despite their poverty.
    and why?
    Philippians 4:17 CSB
    17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.
    (17) Paul says my primary purpose was not “financial blessing” but the blessing that will come to these churches for their sacrifices but in heaven and on earth.
    Paul says I am so excited with what God will do with you churches in Philippi because you have sacrificed for the work of the ministry. While you are spending money out of your physical bank account your heavenly bank account is growing larger.
    T/S: Paul finally gives thanks

    III. Paul’s gives Thanks

    Philippians 4:18–20 CSB
    18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
    (EXP)(18) Paul in his letter back to the believers at Philippi lets them know they have meet his need abudantly beyond what he was able to imagine.
    (18) Then he co-opts OT talk. He frames the giving as a sacrifice. In the OT when they killed a pure animal then burn them the fragrace would be a satisfying smell to the nostils of God. We no longer kill animals but giving is a way that we can offer sacrifices to God. Paul says God loves sacrificial giving. “A fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”
    Philippians 4:19 CSB
    19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
    (EXP)(19) Saints this is one of those scriptures most people either know or have memorized. It is on all kinds of merch. This is promise to the believers at Philippi since you have taken care of the me and my ministry God will reciprocate that to you.
    Where will the resources come from?
    (19) God will reciprocate from his own bank account to supply all your needs.

    Conclusion

    Pastor how does this not create a give to get relationship?
    It doesn’t because the motive for biblical giving always looks past. Our motive for giving says I can give in the present because God has been faithful to me in the past. When I was faithful and when I wasn’t he was still faithful. The Philippians gave to the ministry of Paul because Paul planted their church and they were so thankful to him for planting their church and the salvation testimony that came from it that they gave to his ministry. The Passion for the present was rooted in their gratefulness in the past. So they didn’t give to get they gave because they already got!
    This promise in (19) is there to encourage us that we never have to worry about provision when we sacrifice on behalf of the kingdom. We can rest in God’s care because he is faithful to is promise.
    We can trust in a God who is drawing from source that has no bottom. God will never run out of resources and he has enough for every individual in this room and this church as a whole.
    Philippians Exposition

    Your greatest need shall not exceed the liberality of his supplies.” Charles Spurgeon

    10,000 Sermon Illustrations God’s Gracious Providence

    His gracious providence is also evident in the tangible provisions of life. In Bristol, England, George Mueller operated an orphanage for two thousand children. One evening he became aware that there would be no breakfast for them the next morning. Mueller called his workers together and explained the situation. Two or three prayed. “Now that is sufficient,” he said. “Let us rise and praise God for prayer answered!” The next morning they could not push open the great front door. So they went out the back door and around the building to see what was keeping it shut. Stacked up against the front door were boxes filled with food. One of the workers later remarked, “We know Who sent the baskets, but we do not know who brought them!” -P.R.V.

    Our Daily Bread, November 30, 1985

    10,000 Sermon Illustrations God’s Gracious Providence

    If we could look behind the unexpected events in our lives, we would be amazed to see God wonderfully providing for our needs. The insignificant turns in the road, the seemingly unimportant events, the often unexplained happenings—all are part of God’s loving care.

    Open the Doors of the church

      • Philippians 4:10–20ESV

      • Philippians 4:10–13ESV

      • Philippians 4:11ESV

      • Philippians 4:12–13ESV

      • Philippians 4:13ESV

      • Job 13:15ESV

      • Philippians 4:14–17ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 8:1–5ESV

      • Philippians 4:17ESV

      • Philippians 4:18–20ESV

      • Philippians 4:19ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 6:2bESV

Middlebelt Baptist Church
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