ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST

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Philippians 4:10-23 ESV

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[f] 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.[g] 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.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Philippians 4:10-11 ESV

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. 

Philippians 4:10 ESV

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.

Paul rejoices and celebrates in the Lord

Paul rejoiced greatly. 

This is exceptional joy

Occurs in the OT

1 Chronicles 29:1-2 ESV

the work is great, for the palace will not be for man but for the LORD God. 2 So I have provided for the house of my God, so far as I was able,

Then David asks all of Israel:

Who will join me & make an offering to the LORD for His temple?

1 Chronicles 29:9 ESV

9 Then the people [of Israel] rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 ESV

10 Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

David rejoiced greatly

Likewise, Paul rejoiced in the Lord greatly

They both witnessed the people of God

Give generously 

Give willingly 

Give with a whole heart

Philippians 4:10 ESV

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.

‘Revived’ → ‘renewed’

To sprout again

To grow green again

To flourish again

Apparently circumstances had changed.

Now the Philippians have opportunity to help supply Paul’s needs

Philippians 4:11 ESV

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 

Paul makes it clear that his own need is not why he rejoices.

His joy does not come from his own needs being met.

His joy comes from the Lord Jesus.

Philippians have given careful thought as to how to help Paul

“It’s the thought that counts.”

Philippians 4:11 ESV

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 

Paul has learned to be content

Paul has been taught contentment by Jesus

Paul has experienced countless difficulties during his ministry (2 Cor 11:24-33)

Jesus taught Paul how to be content in difficult circumstances

Paul’s difficult circumstances were like the ‘classroom’ & the Lab

Classroom → Hardship is where Jesus taught him contentment

Lab → Hardship is also where Paul got to practice contentment he was learning

“The happy man is content with his present lot, no matter what it is, and is reconciled to his circumstances.”  – Seneca

“Because I have what I need today, this guarantees a worry-free future.”

NO.

Paul is bearing witness to God’s provision for the needs of the moment.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” – Jesus

Josephus describes early Christians:

“They are enemies to injustice, they take care of righteousness, they banish idleness and expensive living, and instruct men to be content with what they have and to be laborious in all their callings.”  – Josephus

Paul has learned how to be content no matter the circumstances.

How?

God is the source of all contentment

God is the only self-sufficient being in the universe

God ultimately provides everything…for everything

Paul is not self-sufficient

Paul is God-sufficient

God will supply for all the needs of Paul & the Philippians

Because they are partners in God’s mission

Philippians 4:12-13 ESV

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.

Paul is describing godly contentment

No glory in the abundance

No shame when in lack

Paul knew both are a part of being on God’s mission for the Lord.

Philippians 4:13 ESV

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul had learned to utterly depend on God.

Do you know that you are utterly dependent on Jesus for everything?

Does that make you glad?

Does this reality lead you to be content?

Philippians 4:14-16 ESV

14 Yet it was kind of you to share[f] 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. 

Philippians 4:14 ESV

14 Yet it was kind of you to share[f] my trouble.

Paul does not take their support lightly

The Philippians had given a tangible gift

The Philippians' gift expressed to Paul & to God their continued commitment to their partnership with him in his ministry & in the mission of God to advance the gospel.

This is what Paul celebrates.

He rejoices in their partnership with him.

Philippians 1:3-4 ESV

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Paul celebrates their partnership with him in the mission of God

Philippians 4:14-16 ESV

14 Yet it was kind of you to share[f] 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.

Often, when we celebrate with someone close to us, we will remember or recall significant moments or memories that we’ve shared together

Here in vs 15-16, we see Paul remembering with the Philippians their generosity.

Paul celebrates their generosity even to other NT churches:

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 ESV

8 We want you to know, brothers,[a] 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[b] of taking part in the relief of the saints—

These Philippians had partnered with Paul from the very beginning.

No wonder he felt such an affection for this church

Paul is connecting spiritual + material

Sowing + reaping

Spiritual impact…

Spiritual investment…

Spiritual sowing…

Should be…& will be reciprocated with material support

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[c] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Philippians 4:17-18 ESV

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.[g] 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. 

Paul makes it abundantly clear that his relationship with them, 

their partnership with him in the gospel,

& their spiritual well-being are his primary concerns.

He’s not after the gift.

He has profound joy in their gift because:

They are accruing compounding spiritual interest in the heavenly places.

Philippians 4:18 ESV

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. 

I have received full payment → ‘paid in full’

What a picture of the gospel!!!

Colossians 3:13-14 ESV

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Jesus paid it all

All to him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow

Philippians 4:18 ESV

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.

Paul describes their financial gift using sacrificial language of the OT

A fragrant aroma

An acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God

The smell pleases God

The sacrifice pleases God

The Philippians sacrificial generosity pleases God

Ephesians 5:2 ESV

2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Paul is saying that God Himself celebrates their gift.

God receives it as a sweet smelling, acceptable sacrifice unto Himself.

Philippians 4:19-20 ESV

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.

Paul is calling them to trust.

God will provide for their every need.

God knows their needs.

He knows it has been a sacrifice to give to the mission.

God will repay & reward.

Psalm 37:25-26 ESV

25 I have been young, and now am old,

    yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken

    or his children begging for bread.

26 He is ever lending generously,

    and his children become a blessing.

God will reciprocate the gift given by the Philippians

God is infinitely wealthy

Paul is saying that God takes responsibility for reciprocating their gift

Malachi 3:10 ESV

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Malachi 3:12 ESV

12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

God supplies his people with everything that they need

All are giving

All are receiving

All of us are working together, using our time, talent & treasure to further advance the kingdom of God in our city & beyond

Philippians 4:21-23 ESV

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Paul closes with formal greetings & a blessing

They reflect relational unity

They reflect their common cause in the mission of God to see the gospel advance & move outward in the world.

They reflect a community of blessing under Jesus

Philippians is meant to:

Nourish us

Encourage us as we face opposition & hardships

Give us endurance as we run this long, difficult race

Build unity among our church family

We are a part of something bigger than just us

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

And when before the throne

I stand in Him complete

‘Jesus died my soul to save’

My lips shall still repeat

Jesus paid it all

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow