Philippians Pt8- Christ is Sufficient
The Thank You Challenge!
Lack of thanksgiving can account for Christians, churches, and whole civilizations be destroyed.
The frequent God-ward utterance of “thank you” is a spiritual weapon- causes demonic powers to flee.
1 Thess 5:16–18 16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Jn 12- Judas complained- waste expensive perfme.
Judas was a grumbler and it hindered his walk w/God.
Grumbling causes us to not see/appreciate miracles.
Offenses we do not turn over to God become gossip.
Declare war on grumbling/complaining/unthankfulness.
A/C’s stolen-1st thought-silver lining in-cloud.
Introduction/Review
Continue- Philippian Experience- convey/impart life.
Jn 4:14 (NASB) whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
Two important thoughts-
In the Lord we find relational peace.
In the Lord we find inward peace.
V4.9 (v3.17, Lk 11.28)
Incredible confidence in God, not self- imitate my life.
Practice- do, act on, engage in.
If want God’s peace- must take action on God’s Word- look at how other godly men/women live- imitate.
Ja 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
Never allow your Christianity to become a set of principles isolated from everyday life.
v4.10-12
Paul- thanking the Philippians for their financial gifts.
Philippians- owed Paul their very salvation- in that sense their debt was very great.
Appropriate for them to give generously to his ministry.
1 Tim 5:17 (NASB) The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Paul discusses- principle further- 1 Cor 9.7-11 (Gal 6.6)
Ultimately Paul learned- his trust was in God, not men.
v4.11 (Heb 13.5, 1 Tim 6.6-8, 2 Cor 9.8)
Content- self-sufficient, not needing any assistance.
Christianity raised the meaning of Greek- contentment- from self-sufficiency to finding sufficiency in Christ.
2Cor3:5Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,
Contentment- does not consist in possessing much, but in wanting little.
If you want a man to be content, do not add to his possessions, take away from his desires.
Path to contentment- finding our sufficiency in Christ.
2 Cor 12: 9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 ... when I am weak, then I am strong.
How can we learn contentment-
1. Avoid comparisons
You are content w/house until you see someone else’s.
I wish I had- a husband like her husband,
a job like that person has,
the money they have.
Avoid comparisons, produces yearnings- cannot fulfill.
2. Cultivate gratefulness
Learn to thank God for what you have/who you are.
Discontentment makes rich people poor and contentment makes poor people rich.
- you can have a lot/be discontent and be poor,
- you can have a little and be content and be rich.
Circumstances- important thought-
In the Lord we find circumstantial peace
No matter what the circumstances we can find peace.
v4.12 (Eph 4.28)
How do we live in humble means-
Lk 21.2-4 women who put last mite in offering
1 Ki 17.8-16 widow of Zarephath
How do we live in prosperity-
1 Tim 6.17-19 (Mat 6.20, Lk 12.21)
I read- prayer request- many struggling w/health issues, loneliness, financial issues, family relational issues.
God wants us to learn how to live in all circumstances.
v4.13 (Psa 23.1-3, 2 Cor 12.9-10, Psa 18.29)
This is key to finding joy/peace- believing in God.
No matter what you are facing/how big the mountain seems, you can do all things through Jesus Christ.
Habakkuk 3:17–19 (NASB95)
“I can do all things in Christ," is always in the context of God’s will for your life.
Whatever Christ has for you, He will supply your need.
A train can go many places as long as it stays on the track- as soon as it gets off the track- it crashes.
God will enable us to move along the track He has for our life, whether on level ground/steep incline.
Jn 15:7 (NASB) “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
v4.14-17 (Ja 2.16)
Everything we do for God’s Kingdom is an investment that will repay in eternal rewards.
Have you ever thought about people paying real money for virtual items in a computer game- pay real money to get a magical sword that will give you super powers- perceived value- no value outside the game- have you ever spent $50 to go to a championship game or bought a gold necklace for $200- perceived value- they have no value in the next life- Eternal rewards have great value beyond the boundaries of these mortal lives. Are we throwing away eternal rewards because they do not seem to hold any value to us today? Am I not giving because do not see- value?
Paul was glad not for the gift he received, but because of the blessing others would gain before God.
I want COTRM to have that kind of generosity to the ministries and missionaries we support.
v4.18-19 (2 Tim 2.1)
Philippians could claim v19 for themselves- because they generously contributed to build God’s Kingdom.
Eph 6:10 (NASB) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Challenge
Give generously because you believe there is eternal value, there is rewards in heaven.
As a church family we have a large financial need.
My challenge to you is to pray and ask god how you might be able to help out beyond your normal giving.
Consider Paul’s ability to live for God in both humble circumstances and in prosperity.
Look at the scripture- widow of Zarephath- as well as Paul’s exhortation to the rich.
