Philippians 4:14-20

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14Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul says something special here. He says, "It is not that I desire a present from you for my own sake, although your gift touches my heart and makes me very glad. I don't need anything, for I have more than enough. But I am glad that you gave me a gift for your own sake." Their generosity made him glad, not for his own sake but for theirs. Paul's joy in the gift is not in what it did for him, but in what it did for them. It was not that he did not value the gift for its own sake; but his greatest joy was that it and the love which prompted it were very special to God.

In the next sentence Paul makes it clear that no gift ever made any man the poorer. The wealth of God is open to those who love him and love their fellow-men. He who gives makes himself richer, for his own gift opens to him the gifts of God. "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

We've seen this same thing in our experience. We have learned to love and celebrate the relationship that we might have with people rather than their gifts. In a world with all kinds of hidden agendas, especially as it relates to giving or tithing in the spiritual realm, there is lots of abuse in this area. It's too easy to work with someone for what they might be able to do for you or for what they might be able to give into the pot. What we've learned is to make it clear that we want a relationship with the person. It's not their gifts that we want, but we want them. This is the same approach God takes with us. He wants our hearts more than He wants our performance or presents.

Taking this approach with people demonstrates genuine love toward them, genuinely caring for them--a real oddity for people today! This is especially true of those who have great means. They are so used to being "hit up" for money by nearly everyone they meet.

We are seeing this principle play out in our fellowship here locally. We are focusing on the relationship with a few, not focusing on the money or doing any "marketing" or "fund-raising" with them. We are learning to function as family, where we are getting to know one another better and taking the time to really love one another.

But here is the bottom-line! We encourage each other to walk a personal walk with Jesus-turning everything over to His care and direction with a "ruthless" trust. We say things to one another with a sense of expectation that the Lord really will come through on your behalf, like "He knows what you're going through." or "Jesus will continue to give you the strength." or "You'll know what to say and do when the time comes."

We find ourselves living out that passage in Hebrews 10: 22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

In the Message version it goes like this: 22 So let's do it- full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. 23 Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. 24 Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, 25 not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

This is all under-girded with the ringing reality of Paul's words, AND MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN CHRIST JESUS. Over the last few weeks I have found more satisfaction in this, because I've had the privilege of being in fellowship with a few. In those connections of fellowship, I've felt the riches of God-His love, His strength, His peace and His joy-supply all that I need. And you know what, it's just plain old FUN!

Philippians 4:10-13

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Paul gets back to one of the primary themes for writing this letter in the first place.

1. Joy from the concern and love of the Philippians for him and his need. 10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. The believers in Philippi were completely on Paul's team and backed him in every way.

2. Joy that is beyond circumstances. 11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

As we have discussed before, joy has nothing to do with circumstances. Paul sets forth two extremes between having nothing (humble means) and living with prosperity and he assures his friends that no matter the circumstance, he has learned the secret of being filled in the midst of going hungry and having abundance while suffering need.

3. Joy that is found in JESUS PLUS NOTHING. Paul now gives his secret of being content no matter what-whether in poverty, hunger and need or having prosperity and abundance. Here it is. It is simply: 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Paul learned that being content is found in the strength and support Jesus gives. Whether you are rich or poor, Jesus is always there to strengthen you. We all experience ups and downs, but Jesus is the constant--the only one who will not flake on you!

Here's the dynamic that is miraculous. If you are in deep trouble or need, hang on to your relationship with Jesus and you will have the strength to get through it. If you are wealthy and it seems like all is well, don't forget your relationship with Jesus or you'll find yourself depending on your wealth rather than Him.

Contentment is only found in Jesus, no matter your external life situation. YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS YOU. This means you can live anywhere in any condition, because you don't find your strength in your life situation but in your relationship with Jesus.

So, don't let your minds be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus. Anything more or less than JESUS PLUS NOTHING will surely end in discontentment. JESUS PLUS NOTHING means contentment and contentment is all about inner, long-term, totally satisfying, joy!

Philippians 4:8-9

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8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Just yesterday we saw that by taking your requests to the Lord, He will give you the peace that passes all understanding and that peace from God will guard your heart and mind. Once you have offered up your desire to the Lord, I think He will either give you that desire or change it!

Now, the concept of peace continues in these next two verses. NOTE the word "whatever" here. WHATEVER is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute. DWELL ON THESE THINGS. I like this word WHATEVER, because it fits what I understand about our relationship with the Lord. He first wants us to be interested and then we are called to FOLLOW HIM. And within this followship we have an amazing freedom to dwell on the WHATEVERS, as long as they are not illegal, immoral or fattening. This all fits very nicely with Jesus' words of invitation when He says, "Come unto Me, all of you who are weary and burdened down with all of the do's and don'ts of religiosity and trying to be acceptable to God." COME UNTO ME and I will give you REST. This rest involves a lot of freedom-the whatevers here!

So, first of all, dwell on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and of good repute.

And, second, practice the things that you have learned, received, heard and seen in me. THEN, the God of peace will be with you. In verses 6-7 the PEACE OF GOD will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus. Here, the GOD OF PEACE will be with you, if you practice the things you have seen in Paul. Let me ask you something here. If those around you were to practice the things they have learned from you, received from you, heard from you and seen in you, what would be the result? Would they be assured of the GOD OF PEACE showing up in their lives? Or, would they experience just the opposite?

So, if you find yourself overwhelmed with the stresses of this life, work on applying the formula for peace here. Set your mind to dwell and meditate on the good things. Be a good finder. AND, if you want the God of peace to be with you, then practice the things you have learned, received, heard and seen in those who are spiritually mature around you.

There is one more thing that is the challenge to me throughout the letter to the Philippians. CAN I SAY TO OTHERS, "DO AS I DO!" or am I relegated to "DON'T DO AS I DO, BUT DO AS I TELL YOU TO DO!" I am more aware than ever in my life that those around me are counting on me to be faithful in my walk with Jesus. If I am not faithful, then those around me will not be challenged or encouraged at all, but will embrace more complacency in their lives. But it's important for you to understand that this is not all about me and those around me. But, more importantly, what we're discussing here in this passage is all about you and your walk. As you are walking your walk of faith, walk it in such a way that others will get something out of it--that you have something significant to share with others.

This is how we can all experience the peace of God that is beyond all comprehension and how the God of peace will be with you. It's the difference between living in peace or pieces. YOUR CHOICE!

Philippians 4:6-7

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6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This is one of my favorite passages and so practical and powerful! Let's unpack each phrase.

6Be anxious for nothing, Now this is relevant to our lives. Don't worry about anything! What part of this do you not understand? It's not don't worry about some things or most things, do not worry about anything at all!

but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving BUT IN EVERYTHING, not in some things, but in everything use general and specific prayer and don't forget to base it in gratefulness and thanksgiving.

Let your requests be made known to God. Offer up your desires to God. Now, think about this. Whatever you may desire-whether good, bad or ugly-tell the Lord about it. He already knows them, but there is a clarity and a powerful dynamic that emerges when you actually share your heart's desires with the Lord. It's like you're coming clean with your best friend.

Now, here's the result of refusing to worry, but to take your requests to the Lord. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, The peace of God which is far beyond anything you have ever experienced or imagined. Now NOTE, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Can you imagine anything more relevant than this? The most wholesome peace ever experienced and your hearts and minds will be guarded by it. Also, think of it this way. Paul and Timothy had experienced some pretty bizarre and nasty receptions most everywhere they went, yet they have discovered a secret for countering worry and anxiety in life.

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL COMPREHENSION, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. This passage doesn't need proof; it needs practice!

Philippians 4:1-5

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1Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. 2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

Apparently there is a little tension between two of the women in the fellowship-Euodia and Syntyche. He is urging those in the fellowship to come alongside them, these two women in particular, and with all the fellowship. He is saying, "Calm it all down." Jesus left us here on the planet to work out our differences in love. This is the primary way of demonstrating the His love in real life.

Three times in the next few verses the words "in the Lord" occur. Each one is connected to a command. All three are applicable to us today in the fellowship: FIRST-Stand firm in the Lord. Stay steady in the things of the Lord-with the things that please Him. Stand firm from engaging in disputes or needless arguments against one another. You see, you can stand firm on your own OR you can stand firm IN THE LORD. When you stand firm in the Lord, you will stand with grace and truth. You will say and do what Jesus would do in that situation.

SECOND-Live in harmony in the Lord. There is little harmony without being IN THE LORD. The "brotherhood" of man is impossible without the lordship of Jesus. When each one of us is IN THE LORD, there will be harmony in our fellowship with one another.

THIRD-Rejoice in the Lord always. Joy has nothing to do with what you have, where you are or whom you are with. Joy is the ability to enjoy the scenery while on a detour. He is not saying "be happy" in the Lord, because being happy has to do with circumstantial happenings. Happenings are temporary; joy is ongoing no matter what. So, the command is REJOICE or BE JOYFUL, not in your surroundings or anything else, but IN THE LORD.

You see, when you are IN THE LORD, you CAN stand firm. You CAN live in harmony and you CAN rejoice no matter the circumstances! When you are IN THE LORD, you are empowered in every way. So why would you ever want to be anywhere else than IN THE LORD? Yeah, why?

There's one more thing here of note. After giving these three commands, there is one more statement: "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men." In everything you do, let your demeanor be a gentle spirit of moderation, not antagonistic or powering yourself over another. This was an unusual spirit to posses in the Greek and Roman cultures. So, why would those in the fellowship be motivated to take on such an attitude? NOTE, because THE LORD IS NEAR! Again, IN THE LORD is the operable phrase. Being in the Lord is being IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. When you realize you are in His presence, your actions and attitude will be different. Now, that's a great way to live-IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!