Paul's Epistles – Philippians - Part 11:
Thanksgiving and Benediction
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org
SERMON INTRODUCTION
Paul’s epistle (letter) to the Philippians
is very important to the Gentiles. It was written to the first church founded
in Europe (Acts 16:9-40).
Though not generally considered one of the
most remarkable or deepest books of the bible, it is considered one of the
sweetest of Paul’s writings.
It is more in the nature of a love letter
to the Philippians, who had excelled all others in devoted attachment to Paul.
Throughout this letter we get a glimpse into the apostle’s heart.
THE CHURCH
The Philippian church was noted for its
generosity. It had repeatedly ministered to Paul (6:15 & 16).
Hearing Paul was imprisoned in Rome they
sent help again by the hands of Epaphroditus (6:10 & 18), who,
however, was struck down on his arrival by an almost fatal illness. Somehow
news of this illness had reached Philippi, to their dismay, and on his
recovery, Epaphroditus was anxious to reassure them in person (11:25-28),
so Paul write this letter for him to take.
So this letter was written by Paul while
in prison in Rome, and given to Epaphroditus to be taken back to the church in
Philippi.
UP TO THIS POINT
Paul focuses his letter on Church unity
He thanks God for all of them as one body
He tells them not to worry about his being
in prison for it advances the gospel
Paul tells the believer to live a life
“worthy” of the gospel
Paul says we must live imitating Christ
and His humility
TODAY’S SERMON
Paul appeals for steadfastness, unity, and
gives final exhortations
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Philippians 4:10-23
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord
that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but
you had no opportunity to show it.11 I am not saying this because I
am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know
what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in
want. 13 I can do all this through him
who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the
early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when
I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter
of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you
sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire
is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more
than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a
fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his
glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The
brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22 All God’s people here send you greetings,
especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Paul opened his letter with a
salutation to all, reminding the church they were not 2 factions, there was no
“real” division, only a perceived one, created through sin.
The overall
message of this epistle to the church is;
“Christian unity to be maintained at all
costs”.
I. CONTENTMENT
a. I rejoiced that
you renewed your concern for me
i. Paul was thanking them for the gifts they had sent him
ii. He states “renewed”, apparently there was a time
they did not help the Apostle
iii. They did not forget Paul, nor were they without the
means to give, they did not have a way to “get” the gifts to him
iv. However, the opportunity finally came and they
could once again support his ministry
b. I am not saying
this because I am in need
i. Paul referring to “respect of want”
ii. Paul was free from the comforts of life and what
some call “needs”
iii. Paul had learned to live on whatever the Lord
provided
c. I have learned
the secret of being content
i. Independent of external circumstances
ii. Paul did not allow outward situations to dictate
his contentment in life
1. Outward circumstances should not control;
a. Our self-worth
b. Our happiness
c. Our feelings
d. Our emotions
e. Our thoughts
f. Our actions
g. Our well-being
h. Or our contentment
2. Paul’s “secret” to contentment is also the “answer”
to everything on the previous list…revealed in Verse 13 “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.”
3. Paul knew, and acknowledged often that God IS
in control!
iii. Verse 12 “I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of
being content in any and every
situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
1. Our self-worth is in God’s love and desire for us
to be His
2. Our happiness, joy, rejoicing, comes from the fact
we belong to Him
3. Our feelings and emotions should be based and come
from His love for us
4. Our actions should reflect His love (I Corinthians 13)
5. Our well-being comes from renewing our minds to be
like Christ
6. Our contentment is in knowing we have ALL these
things regardless of what conspires outwardly around us in our lives.
iv. A major part of renewing our minds so that we have
a mind like Christ is BEING POSITIVE in attitude!
1. A negative attitude destroys faith
2. It only shows outwardly the lack of instruction and
understanding inwardly
II.
GIFTS ENABLE THE GOSPEL
a. It was good of
you to share in my troubles
i. Troubles meaning needs
ii. They fulfilled them with their gifts
iii. Enabling Paul to continue his ministry
1. Though Paul was no stranger to hard work, anything
he had to do away from the ministry was time away from the ministry.
2. Gifts to ease the financial burden freed Paul to
devote more time to the ministry
b. In the
beginning you were the only ones who shared with me
i. Shows the church in Philippi had always helped Paul
ii. 10 Years before Paul wrote this letter (Approx.
49-51AD) He first preached the Gospel message to the church.
c. I now have more
than enough because of your gifts
i. They had always been generous when they could reach Paul
ii. Verse 17 “Not that I desire your
gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”
1. Paul defending himself against accusations he used
the Gospel for “making money”.
d. My God shall
supply all your needs
i. Those who obey God’s commands in Tithing, giving love offerings and alms
for the poor, are repaid for their obedience in measure.
ii. Paul, in many letters to the churches, expresses
how those rich in material things give freely, and receive freely from those
rich in spiritual things.
iii. One supplying what the other needs, both receiving
iv. Those who give liberally will never impoverish
themselves when they give for the cause of Christ
III.
FINAL GREETINGS
a. Greetings to
all of God’s people
i. In Philippi, not just the church congregation
ii. LIT, “Salute every saint in
Christ Jesus”
b. Brothers and
Sisters who are with me send greetings
i. Including Timothy, and several others, we are not told all of their
names
c. All send
greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household
i. Referring to greetings from the church in Rome
ii. The fact Paul mentions believer’s from Caesar’s
household tells us Paul was hard at work converting many in Rome!
iii. This also shows us that even in the most unlikely
places, the Lord can work, and we can see results!
CONCLUSION – GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOUR
SPIRIT
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is made possible
because of the Cross
Paul sending a benediction with Grace of Christ to
be in their spirits, Grace, which is the ultimate display of the love of God,
affording those who are lost, time to repent, time to forgive, time to learn,
time to grow spiritually.
Grace was, in Philippi church, and is, the answer
and solution to pride, self-centered, arrogant selfish and spiritually immature
behavior which brought about the division in the church through bickering, and
false doctrine.
A little Grace goes a long way.
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