Today’s key verse is Phil 4:19,
This is Paul’s epistle to the Philippians written around 60 A.D.
Philippi was a city in Macedonia (mass-uh-doe-nee-uh)
Paul established this church on his 2nd missionary journey.
This was the first church established on the European continent, located in northern Greece.
The congregation was primarily Gentiles.
They hold a special place in Paul’s heart because of unsolicited financial aid to his ministry of the gospel on several occasions.
He wrote this epistle while in prison in Rome.
The account of the cause of his imprisonment is recorded in:
Acts 16:16–20 “Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;”
Continues in:
Acts 16:21–23 “and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.”
In Acts chapter 16, we see how Paul came to preach in Macedonia.
Acts 16:6–9 “Now when they (being Paul, Silas and Timothy) had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia (miss-e-uh), they came down to Troas (trO-ahs). And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.””
Acts 16:10 “Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
(Just a reminder that Luke is the author of Acts)
Quick Outline of the epistle
Chapter 1-we see that Paul prays for them.
Chapter 2- Paul commends Timothy and praises Epaphroditus (E-pa-fro-die-tus)
Chapters 3 and 4 Paul encourages them and thanks them
Stand with me as we honor God while reading His word:
Phil 4:10-19 read from my bible
I’d like to unbox this passage today, with special attention to verse 19.
One of the things that stands out to me is the tone of the epistle as compared to the others. It has a warm tone of affection and appreciation, and we’ll see why as we examine these verses, and touch on a couple of others.
Depending on the version you read, but the heading on this passage is:
Philippian Generosity
Paul’s Thanks for their gifts
Paul gives thanks to the Philippians for their generosity.
Let’s begin in verse 10.
Philippians 4:10 “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.”
I rejoiced
your care for me has flourished again.
You can just feel Paul’s genuine affection and appreciation for these believers.
Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:”
Paul is saying “I’m not writing this because I have a need”.
What I really locked in on here is the second part of this verse:
“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”.
I immediately thought about a verse from the message a couple of weeks ago:
1 Timothy 6:6 “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”
I believe this is a key part of this passage.
Remember Paul is writing from a prison cell.
Here is a description of the conditions of Roman prison cells in 60 a.d.:
They were often dark, filthy, and poorly ventilated, and were usually underground. They were also cramped, cold, and had a foul odor from a lack of toilets. Prisoners were often kept in chains or wooden stocks, and their wounds often went untreated.
As I was preparing today’s message, A LOT of questions came to mind, some of which I will pose today.
Allow me to read these prison cell conditions to you again:
They were often dark, filthy, and poorly ventilated, and were usually underground. They were also cramped, cold, and had a foul odor from a lack of toilets. Prisoners were often kept in chains or wooden stocks, and their wounds often went untreated.
And it is under these conditions Paul writes these words:
“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”
Is that you? Is that me? Can we consider it all joy when we fall into various trials?
I believe it is impossible to be content, without a heart of gratitude!
How can we possibly be content, while mired in the muck of disgruntlement?
There is so much, on my heart about this, but church; we’ve got to get over ourselves about being bitter about not receiving what we believe we are deserved.
We are not entitled to anything, and it is ONLY by God’s grace we have salvation!
We have to express our gratitude in our salvation, and be content with what God has given us!
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Several days ago, I posted on CPC FB, encouraging folks to share a power verse.
I shared Ephesians 4:29 to, but it ended there!
Philippians 4:13 is another power verse for me.
For years, I’ve had stored in my head, several power verses. A couple of weeks ago, I began a journal with my power verses, and I’m glad I did.
Back to this verse.
In a few days from now, we will celebrate our 248th year of Independence from England.
As Americans, we are very prideful of our Independence! That has become part of our DNA.
v13 is a statement of PURE dependence.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Conversely, Jesus says this:
John 15:5 ““I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
I’d like to go back to verse 12:
Philippians 4:12 “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
Ask others “what does your bible say?”
Paul is saying he has experienced both ends of the spectrum.
Here’s another question church:
Have you personally experienced greater spiritual growth in seasons of abundance or seasons of scarcity?
Philippians 4:14 “Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.”
Philippians 4:15 “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.”
Question:
Have you ever been in a situation of financial need, and several churches or people, knew of your need, but only one church or person helped supply your need?
Here’s another question for you?
Did you ever give something to someone, when you really weren’t in a position to give?
Philippians 4:16 “For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.”
According to everything I researched, the church in Philippi, was not a “wealthy church” by any stretch. They gave to Paul in their scarcity!
Philippians 4:17 “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.”
That is SO powerful!
Ask others “what does your bible say”?
This is about blessings. Paul was saying “I look forward to seeing the spiritual dividends that your giving produces!
Listen to what Jesus says in Luke chapter 21:
verses 1-4
As Jesus looked up, He saw some rich people putting their gifts into the Temple money box. The He saw a poor widow putting two small copper coins into the box. Jesus said “I tell you the truth, this poor widow gave more than all those rich people. They only gave what they did not need. This woman is very poor, but she gave all she had to give.
As I was praying and meditating over this passage, this question was put on my heart:
Do we put Gin the position to receive blessings from God, when we allow Him to supply all our need?
Jesus knew it is natural for us to worry about our needs being supplied.
Listen to His words in:
Matthew 6:25-34 read from my bible.
When we relinquish our worry and anxiety, what blessings are we activating on Jesus’ behalf?
I believe one means of activating blessings of provision, is through obedience.
Genesis 22:8–10 “And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together. Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”
Genesis 22:11–13 “But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.” And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.”
In this passage we see obedience followed by provision. Abraham obeyed, and God provided a ram for a burnt offering sacrifice, instead of Isaac.
Philippians 4:18 “Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
and MY God
Shall supply
ALL your need
In 1943 Abraham Maslow wrote the Human Hierarchy of needs:
Physiological which includes:
food, water, clothing, sleep, and shelter
Safety and security
Love and belonging
Esteem
Self-actualization -we all crave a purposeful life
ALL your need. Take this list and add everything else, and know that God takes care of them ALL!
Church, we must be confident that Jesus will supply all our needs in His riches in glory!
When CPC was founded, Pastor Jeff had a vision of us being a giving church. I believe much like the one in Philippi!
Let our hearts be grateful in all He has done for us, and may we bless others in their need!
Let us consider these things as we ask our need and others need be met:
1) God is waiting for us to ask-
James 4:2 “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.”
2) Be content-
Philippians 4:12 “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
3) Practice giving in faith:
2 Corinthians 9:6–7 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
4) Trust Him with my life-
Matthew 6:33–34 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Let’s go to the Lord:
Father teach us to be content in all circumstances, on the mountaintop or in the prison cells.
Teach us to be dependent on you. Independence is a myth!
Teach us to give generously and cheerfully as we do our part in supplying the need of others.
Thank you Lord, for sending Jesus to die for my sin.
Thank you Father, that he defeated death, Hell and the grave, and He lives!
In Jesus’ name. Amen
