The Secret To Victorious Living

Sermon “The Secret to Victorious living”

Philippians 4:10-19 “10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. 15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. 18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Introduction: Finally, in his conclusion to the Church at Philippi, Apostle celebrates their good work of providing aid and support to his ministry in his time of great trouble. The nature of true Christian sympathy is not only to feel concern for our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. The apostle was often in bonds, imprisonments, and necessities; but in all, he learned to be content, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the best of it. Pride, unbelief, vain craving after something we have not got, and dissatisfaction with present things, make men discontented even under favorable circumstances.

It is a special grace to have an equal temper of mind always. And in a low state not to lose our comfort in God, nor distrust God’s plan, nor take any wrong course for our own supply. In a prosperous condition not to be proud, or too secure, or too worldly. This is a harder lesson than the other; for the temptations of fulness and prosperity are more than those of affliction and want. The apostle had no design to urge them to give more, but to encourage such kindness as will meet a glorious reward hereafter. Through Christ we have grace to do what is good, and through him we must expect the reward; and as we have all things by him, let us do all things for him, and to his glory.

We all have our little trade secrets, and Paul had his and he is sharing with the Philippian church how he was able to be in a jail facing death and be content at the same time. The key or the secret of victorious living is godly contentment. This kind of contentment must be learned as we realize That God has given us everything we need to overcome in every circumstance of life. Paul was in great need, lonely and lacking comfort, yet God had Paul on His mind. Through the Philippian church, God sent Paul some financial support by a steward named Epaphroditus while he was in jail. Now he wants to thank them and encourage them. During this study in Philippians, we have reflected on: There is a fantastic finish in your future, A Biblical Strategy for Success, Winning the battle of the Mind and now The Secret to Victorious Living.

Now at the end of this letter, he addresses the main point of the letter. It is in this last part that he thanks them for their help, and he does it in an unusual manner. For an innocent person in prison facing the death sentence, Paul has a very cheerful outlook. The thing that stands out in this passage is that Paul said in verse 11, “…For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Paul said this was something he had learned, but to be honest with you I have not learned that lesson yet.

I have no problem being content when I am feeling good. I have no problem being content when my car is running well, and the gas prices are not so high. I have no problem being content when my investments are shooting through the roof. I have no problem being content when the politicians tell me they are going to lower my taxes. I have no problem being content when everything is going well for my family. I have no problem being content when everything in the ministry is going well. My problem is that when the circumstances are not good it is difficult for me to be content. What about you? I have an idea that many listening may have that same problem. None of us have a problem exhibiting contentment when all the problems in our life have been eliminated. Paul had a contentment in the midst of the storms of life.