Being Joyful: Be Content, Be Joyful

January 4, 2014

Being Joyful

Be Content, Be Joyful

Philippians 4:10-23

(Advance Slide #1)

Introduction

It begins around 16 years….if only I can get my drivers license, then I’ll be happy.

• But if I could just graduate from high school I’ll be happy.
• And it progresses: get into college, graduate from college, find a boyfriend/girlfriend, get married, have a home (then a bigger home), a job (then a better job), kids, enough money then I’d retire.
• If only I were young again...then I’d be happy!

"Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor." - Benjamin Franklin

(Advance Slide #2)

Contentment never seems to come.

• It is as if we are always one hurdle away from finding joy!

Text

(Advance Slide #3)

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.

Paul had received a gift from the Philippians about a year earlier, and he wanted to express his thanks!

• They had a special sort of relationship:
• They were partners in the gospel - 1:5
• Partners in his imprisonment - 1:7
• They were in his heart - 1:7
• He loved for and longed for them - 4:1
• The intimacy of this passage is striking to the reader.

(Advance Slide #4)

Sadly, many times vs. 13 is used to help the power of positive thought!

• Paul’s sufficiency within himself lies outside of himself!
• Paul has learned about what really matters (3:4-8).
• When compared to knowing Christ all that he had accomplished was garbage!

To better understand what Paul is saying let’s consider what he’s not saying.

• He is not offering himself as an example of Stoic self-sufficiency. - vs. 11-12
• Stoicism was one of the two main philosophical NT thoughts.
• They believed that the world was governed by fate; and that man cannot change fate; called for a stronger inner fortitude.
• Paul is also not calling for them to have a “Superman syndrome.”
• “It’s a bird, it’s a plane; it’s Super Christian!”
• Keep vs. 10-13 in context.
• He is saying, in plenty or poverty, in lack or luxury...in Christ he can take it!
• When a person knows what really matters, they can take anything!

(Advance Slide #5)

Paul did not always succeed, but no matter what his circumstances he learned contentment!

(Advance Slide #6)

14 Yet it was kind of you to share 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. 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.

Paul goes on to express his gratitude for the gift the Philippians sent.

• He had always been able to count on them as the gospel was spread!
• Yet, he wants them to know that he was not after more gifts.
• Thier gift was a sweet aroma to God; acceptable and well pleasing.
• Their gift was an act of worship!

(Advance Slide #7)

Paul instructs them, “my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus”

• He had needs: under house arrest, in chains, facing the death penalty.
• They were free men: a part of a great city.
• He, Paul, tells them that God will supply their needs!
• This should change the way we should read the instruction to rejoice.

If our needs are supplied according to His riches...surely that ought to be enough!

(Advance Slide #8)

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 follows his normal pattern before closing the letter.

(Advance Slide #9)

• Say “hello” to all the Christians there!
• Paul also reaches out to those of Caesar’s household who have been touched by the gospel.
• Not likely part of the royal family, rather those in Roman service, slaves or freedmen.

His closing words are a call for the Philippians to appreciate the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. - vs. 23

• “your” is plural
• “spirit” is singular

You can live the Christian life with joy!

Lesson

(Advance Slide #10)

Contentment is not complacency, nor is it a false peace based on ignorance.

• The complacent believer is unconcerned about others, while the contented Christian wants to share his blessings.
• Contentment is not escape from the battle, but rather an abiding peace and confidence in the midst of the battle.

Within this text we learn of some spiritual resources that give us contentment and joy!

(Advance Slide #11)

The Unfailing Power of God - vs. 11-13

Paul is quick to let his friends know that he is not complaining!

• His happiness does not depend on circumstances or things; his joy comes from something deeper, something apart from either poverty or prosperity.
• Few of us have learned how “to abound” in this type of joy.
• Prosperity has done more damage to believers than has adversity.

All of nature depends on hidden resources.

• The great trees send their roots down into the earth to draw up water and minerals.
• Rivers have their sources in the snow-capped mountains.

The most important part of a tree is the part you cannot see, the root system, and the most important part of the Christian’s life is the part that only God sees.

• Unless we draw on the deep resources of God by faith, we fail against the pressures of life.
• Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life.
• “I can—through Christ!” was Paul’s motto, and it can be our motto too.
• The Living Bible puts it this way: “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.”

(Advance Slide #12)

The Unchanging Promise of God - vs. 14-20

Paul thanks the church at Philippi for their generous gift.

• He compares their giving to three very familiar things:

1. A budding tree - vs. 10
2. An investment - vs. 14-17
3. A sacrifice - vs. 18

But Paul does not see this gift as simply coming from Philippi.

• He sees it as the supply of his need from heaven.
• Paul’s trust was in the Lord.
• There is an interesting contrast between Philippians 4:18 and 19.
• We might state it this way if we were to paraphrase Paul:

“You met my need, and God is going to meet your need. You met one need that I have, but my God will meet all of your needs. You gave out of your poverty, but God will supply your needs out of His riches in glory!”

God has not promised to supply all our “greeds.”

• When the child of God is in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, then he will have every need met.

Conclusion

(Advance Slide #13)

Contentment comes from adequate resources.

• Our resources come from but one source...God.
• They comes from the power and the promise of God.

These resources prepared Paul for every demand of life...BIG or SMALL!

• They can be sufficient for us too.

You can live the Christian life with joy!