The Rare Jewel
Philippians • Sermon • Submitted
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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. 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.
Introduction
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.
Php
- Paul’s P.S. (post script) of this letter -
Paul’s commitment to financial integrity vs 10
His Concern
Concern about practices that was popular in his day and age
He did want his ministry to be possibly compared to other charlatans in his day and age (there were prosperity preacher even then?)
He understood his responsibility to those that supported his ministry
His caution
He was extremely careful about his dealing with money
- those who are serving in the church or living preaching the Gospel be supported by the church
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
2 Thess
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
Paul did not seek or demand that. He would rather suffer personal loss than bring the Gospel into ill repute.
Caution whilst collecting finances to take back to Jerusalem for the saints who are suffering there.
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.
:
Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
1 Cor 16:1-
Paul was careful to make sure that he was not seen to manipulate people to give money.
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you.
- Have people they know and trust to take the money
- Have people they know and trust to take the money
Paul explains people his intentions so there is no cause for any scandal.
His commendation
His commendation
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.
php 4
Why was there no opportunity? Paul was a hard man to track down as he was a missionary. When he was incarcerated in Rome and was going to be there for a while that they sent Epaphroditus with support.
Paul is commending them for their diligence and concern
Paul’s contentment amidst every reailty
Php 4:11-
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 gave a coni oni
Thank you so much for your gift but I don’t really need it because he has learned that whatever situation he is in to be content.
I asked Roshini to tell us at the end ofthe day s she does anything naughty again.
Whilst I don’t need your gift, you need to give it. I am no dependent upon your gift for my contentedness.
Have we learned the secret to being content in whatever circumstances we’re in?
Contentment defined
Biblical contentment does not mean complacency or laziness. Not whatever will be will be. Not just put up with it and make the best of it. Not being satisfied in our situation. Not passivity or acceptance of a situation when we feel there’s nothing that can be done or changed or altered.
I press on and straining forward. Not lazy about my Christian faith and walk of life.
‘Christian contentment is that sweet inward gracious frame of spirit that freely submits to and delights in Father’s wise and Fatherly disposal in every condition’ - Jeremiah Burroughs
In other words - Christian contentment is an agreement in our hearts with the ways of God with us, His plan for us and for this world.
I can live with this because you grant to me the grace to move forward
Contentment derived
rejoicing always and being anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and petitions
acceptance of the truth - that this is my Father’s world and He is sovereign over all and He cares for me and loves me powerfully so that He can say to me nothing - not one thing can separate you from my love. Recognising that the Father is committed to His children and He cares for us - our very hairs on our head is numbered. This enables us to know contentment.
Arguing this truth into our given situation and setting - preaching to ourselves. Remind ourselves the conditions are always changing so I must not depend on the conditions for my contentedness. My relationship with God is what my contentment is based upon.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Why be anxious?
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
The appearance of that truth
Remember He is my Father in heaven and He is in control. The greatest appearance of contentment - personified in the life of Jesus Christ. Paul was an imitator of Christ.
Looking at the Savior -
Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.
John 16
This is sufficient - all that I need and rest with that. The Father is with me.
Whether you support, value me and my ministry or not, my contentment is derived in Christ, His unchanging love, unfailing grace, unbounding mercy uncompromising truth unfathomable wisdom and will which is perfect for me.
Paul’s comment on the source of his ability: to be content in every circumstance
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The proper interpretation
This verse is not to be used to convict but comfort.
Eg. not to manipulate people to serve in areas they feel they are not gifted or called by saying that Christ strengthens to do all things.
Rather
the strength in Christ to be content in his circumstances - Christ’s sufficiency.
Christ centered. Not resting on his personal resources but in Christ’s resources.
We live in a society of discontent - being bombarded by greed, gain and getting material, physical etc. Not that we lazily better our circumstances etc. but am I content in Christ and receive joyfully all that comes to me from my Father’s hands?
The final illustration
‘I won’t let you go until you bless me.’ Jacob
‘All helplessness, all weaknesses, I alone on thee depend.’
The secret - faith in God and a gracious heavenly fahter. be still my soul for the Lord is onmy side