Give Thanks: To God our Father

As you are no doubt aware…. Thursday is Thanksgiving …… a day where we come together with family and friends to enjoy good conversation and good food …... lots of food …. Sometimes too much food, right…. know what I’m saying …. …… and at times we see some good football – with the exception of that one NFL team from southern Oklahoma that seems to play every Thanksgiving Day …… and it’s also a time where we express our thanks …. whether it be for the things we have, the lives we live, the friendships we have, or the families we’ve married into or those born into …... also for our kids, or husbands or wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, and a whole host of other things …. People just get plain thankful for stuff this time of year …… some place their thanks solely upon their shoulders – they did a lot of work over the year, they increased their accounts, they moved up in their company, they got promoted, they got a new house or new car, they worked hard enough to get the latest iPhone or video gaming system. They did it all themselves ….. no one helped them. Some are thankful for what others did for them ….. how a coworker help them get promoted at work, someone helped them install a new porch, someone else helped them fix their car, while another helped them move into their new home. Some folks are thankful for being able to serve the homeless, the childless, the parentless, the helpless, the sick, the widow, the widower…. They are thankful for being able to help the least of these. While others are thankful for what God has provided, thankful to God for their family and friends, thankful for their church, thankful for being in a circumstance that honors our Lord and Savior, thankful that they were able to share the gospel with a nonbeliever and that person responded --- being saved from the penalty for their sins … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and find themselves needing a Savior, and then confess the name of Jesus as Lord and believe He was resurrected – thus being saved! Amen!

Thanksgiving when I was growing up was a lazy day…..wake up late…smell the turkey cooking in the oven……see a bowl full of nuts still in their shell on the table next to the pick and nutcracker……. the table set for the afternoon meal……football pregame show on the TV…… pumpkin pie and apple pie sitting on the cooling rack on the china hutch…..sound of my little sister playing with her toys in the living room …… later in the day and always in the middle of a football game, we’d be called to the table…… we’d all sit down, hold hands and say a prayer that went something like this ….. “thank you for this food and all we have, amen.” And then we’d dig in and eat until everyone was full. A picture made for fond memories. While the picture seems like a good one and included a thankful type of prayer….. that prayer was devoid of true thankfulness towards God ….. we did not know God ….. none of us were saved ….. we’d all tell people we were Christian …. we were anything but Christian …… we said a prayer 2 times a year - Thanksgiving and Christmas …. we did not know Him ….. and lived every single day like we didn’t know Him. Our prayer was not a truly thankful one …. the thankfulness was misplaced …… it was not focused on our Lord God ….. it was self-centered ….. it was focused on what we had and wanted ….. not focused on what He provided ……. It really had nothing to do with Him because we did not know Him as Savior……. It was focused on us. It was never focused on Him……. yes, we were thankful mom cooked the meal, and thankful dad worked hard so we could have a large thanksgiving meal and all we had….that we had a roof over our head…..that we had a tv to watch football, that we had toys…… but we always wanted more …. wanted more stuff, more money, a bigger bike, the newest toys, a better TV ….. we were verbally thankful – we were never content – never having complete joy ….never satisfied ….. we may have been thankful at the moment, but the thankfulness was not pointed to God …. the joy was not in Christ …… contentment was not a result of faith in our Savior …. Satisfaction was not in God’s provision ….. it was on our stuff, in ourselves, and in trying to get more …..

Today, were going to learn from God’s word about the Apostle Paul and Philippian church, and how he points people from the physical to the spiritual in regard to contentment, joy, satisfaction, being thankful. God wants to meet the needs of the soul, body and mind. He meets the needs of the soul with salvation. He meets the needs of the body with shelter, clothing, nourishment and divine healing. He meets the needs of the mind by giving peace. He meets all these needs so we may be better ambassadors of Christ in this lost and dying world. We’ll learn all of this through Philippians chapter 4 verses 10 through 20.

Before we get into the text, let’s talk a little about Paul and the Philippian Church. The church in Philippi was located in southern Macedonia, which is in northeastern part of present-day Greece. It was the first church Paul planted in Europe and he did it during his second missionary trip, sometime around 51 A.D – the account of this event is located in the book of Acts chapter 16. Sometime after Paul’s planting of the church, they went through severe persecution and fell into extreme poverty – even though the city was located on a main trade route from Asia and the rest of the Roman empire. The church was the only that provided financial aid to Paul and they did so generously through their extreme poverty – a model of generosity.

The Letter to the Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul during his roman imprisonment around 60-62 A.D. and was written in response to the church sending one of their own, Epaphroditus, with financial aid and to help take care of Paul during his imprisonment, and to give them the news of Epaphroditus illness in order to ease their minds. Additionally, Paul wanted to express his thankfulness for all they had done for him. The letter is a warm, personal letter from Paul to a church he planted – it demonstrates the bond between Paul and the Philippian church – a mutually loving relationship that covered 10 years or so, from the church plant in 51 AD to the date of the letter around 60-62 AD. Paul was thankful for the church and they for him as he was the one that shared the gospel of Jesus with them…helping save them…..building them up, discipling them, teaching them to obey the commands of Christ….. and they lived out their faith genuinely. Paul even pointed out their generosity to the Corinthian church has he discussed a collection for the church in Jerusalem – we read it in 2nd Corinthians chapter 8 verses 1 through 5 ….

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 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. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

The Philippian church gave generously because they loved the Lord, out of their genuine faith……and Paul was thankful for them.

Let’s now go ahead and open our bibles to Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, and we’ll read verses 10 to 20. So …. starting in verse 10 we read,

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.”

Now let’s go back and dig a little deeper into the scripture – starting in verse 10 where Paul states “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.” Here we see God’s providence at work – and most of us don’t think about God’s providence in this day and age – Providence comes from two Latin words, the word “pro” meaning “before hand or before” and the word “video” meaning “to see”….. God’s providence simply means that God sees it beforehand. And it isn’t that he just sees it before hand, but he’s involved in it much more than that, He actually arranges the circumstances and situations for his fulfilling purposes – according to His will. Paul experienced God’s providence in his life and in his ministry and he was able to write about it just as he did here and we see it done elsewhere in his letters. And here God caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul’s needs, and it came at the very time when Paul needed their love the most. They were concerned for him though they did not have the opportunity to help. A contrast that you see is the church in Philippi were concerned but couldn’t help, and it seems like many Christians today have the opportunity to help but lack the concern. Which is sad.

Now in verses 11-13 we read “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.” In these verses Paul was quick to let the church know that he was not complaining, because his happiness did not depend on circumstances or in things. Paul’s joy was found in something much deeper. A lot of us seem to let our difficulties get us down or cause us to lose focus and cause us to lose our joy. Paul did not let his circumstances be the reason for losing joy. Now in verse 12 we see the word “Learned” and the use of the word here means “initiated into the secret” – it was through the trials and testing that Paul was initiated into the secret of contentment in spite of his circumstances. Paul knew the secret and the secret was found in Christ and in Christ’s strength. It is in the power of Christ within him that gave him spiritual contentment. And we see what Paul meant by it in the often overused or misused verse 13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” We often hear that verse being used by professional athletes and others and we see it on their sneakers or tattooed on their arm. But that verse doesn’t help them catch a football or hit the homerun or sink the three-pointer. It doesn’t help them get through the season injury free. Instead that verse, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” – is the secret for being content in whatever situation you find yourself …. being content in Christ Jesus and in the power of our Lord and Savior. It is his strength that helps us get through the situation or the circumstance. That is the secret for being content.

And then verses 14 to 20 we see the unchangeable promises of God. so starting with verse 14 - “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.” So back in first 10 we saw that their concern was revived for Paul, meaning that they had just gone through something like a winter season spiritually – where everything was on hold – or was in some sort of hibernation - but then when the spring arrived, there was something renewed – something a like a tree in blossom – so when we get to first 14 we see something like an investment – the people were revived in verse 10 and now they’re making an investment …… they were sharing in Paul’s troubles. …… they were investing in Paul just as Paul had invested in them when he had shared the gospel and they had responded. And they had made a return on investment in him when they sent help to him when he was in trouble in Thessalonica. Paul didn’t seek help from them but they did it anyway out of genuine love for a brother in Christ, for the one that had told them about Jesus – because of the love they now had for our Savior. And Paul could see the return on investment because he saw their fruit – they had shared in his troubles … and they sacrificed spiritually as well as in the physical. The church in Philippi was in extreme poverty and persecution and yet they helped Paul and provided for his ministry. They had even given up one of their own - Epaphroditus - he was needed in Philippi but they sent him to Paul to help Paul while he was in prison. They offered up spiritual sacrifices for Paul and the ministry. And Paul lets us know that it was all done for God’s glory …. in the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.

Through these verses we see the secret of true contentment ….. and we see where our joy is found…… and we see where our thankfulness is found …… and we see how God used this letter from Paul to the church in Philippi to illustrate all of this for us ….. and He shows us the sacrifices the church in Philippi made for their brother in Christ - by sending one of their own to care for Paul while he was in a Roman prison - and sending financial assistance to Paul - though they found themselves in extreme poverty and persecution.

Paul was thankful for all they had done for him….. he was thankful for how they sacrificed for him….. he was thankful for how they cared for him….. and he was thankful for how they loved him. He was thankful for how they responded to the gospel of Christ….. their faith resulted in fruit because of love….. love for God and love for others and love for one another … one another meaning brothers and sisters in Christ…… they loved so much they sacrificed beyond their means……. Remember the verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 8 verses 2 and 3 about the Philippian church? ….. “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. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,”

According to God’s word as written by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul……the Philippian church and the Apostle Paul seem to be models for us all……

So…. What’s the application and contemplation for what we’ve learned here today?

- First, know that God’s Providence is at work. He actually arranges the circumstances and situations for his fulfilling purposes – according to His perfect will.

- Second…. no matter your personal situation, no matter your circumstances, no matter what you have, or where you are – be content …. know that God is at work fulfilling His purposes – according to His perfect will.

- Third….. know the secret of contentment…. the secret of joy is found in Jesus …. He is your strength …… He is your joy…… He is in control….. you are not….. know that God is at work fulfilling His purposes – according to His perfect will.

- Fourth….. invest in other people….. invest in your brothers and sisters in Christ…… invest in the opportunities God provides you to share Him, His love, His precious gift of salvation …… and invest in yourself and in helping people bear fruit ….. to be sacrificial in giving and sharing…..in living out your faith and helping others live out their faith for Jesus and His kingdom….. and know that God is at work fulfilling His purposes – according to His perfect will.

- And last …… understand that those living a life for self are very miserable….. they are always found wanting more…. striving to get more…… never being satisfied………….. but you…. Christian…. follower of Jesus…..you are to be thankful….. thankful for the life God gave you …… thankful for what He has provided you …… thankful that He saved you….. thankful for your family…thankful for your friends….. thankful for your church…… and your brothers and sisters in Christ …… thankful in everything….. knowing that God is at work fulfilling His purposes – according to His perfect will.

Be Thankful – To God our Father …… Amen!

Let’s invite the band back up on stage as we pray…….

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