WEBVTT 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:05.600 Please take your Bibles and open them up one more time to the book of Philippians. 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:11.060 We're here on the last Sunday of the year. We're bringing our series in Philippians to a close. 00:00:11.179 --> 00:00:14.880 And so our passage this morning is going to be chapter 4, starting in verse 10, 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:18.120 and going all the way through the end of the chapter. 00:00:18.580 --> 00:00:24.260 And our goal every week that we come together in worship is that we would see and hear from the Word of God. 00:00:24.699 --> 00:00:28.960 And so I would love for you to have a copy of the Word open in your laps. 00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:31.560 There's Bibles there in front of you if you didn't bring your own. 00:00:32.020 --> 00:00:36.240 And if you would, when you found it, Philippians 4, verses 10 through 23, 00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:39.700 let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word this morning. 00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:47.760 Paul says, 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:52.740 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. 00:00:53.400 --> 00:00:56.400 You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:03.519 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 00:01:04.700 --> 00:01:07.739 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:15.180 In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:19.099 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 00:01:19.099 --> 00:01:22.159 Yet it was kind of you to share in my trouble. 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:27.560 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, 00:01:28.179 --> 00:01:32.640 no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving except you only. 00:01:33.399 --> 00:01:36.759 Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again. 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:41.979 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:44.679 I have received full payment and more. 00:01:44.680 --> 00:01:48.940 I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:53.860 a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 00:01:54.700 --> 00:02:01.160 And my God will supply every need of yours, according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. 00:02:01.820 --> 00:02:05.680 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:08.580 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:10.980 The brothers who are with me greet you. 00:02:10.979 --> 00:02:14.759 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:19.500 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, Lord. 00:02:20.519 --> 00:02:23.060 As we bring this book to a close, we pray again. 00:02:23.519 --> 00:02:28.099 Father, would you take your holy word and would you plant it deep within our hearts this morning? 00:02:28.979 --> 00:02:31.979 Help us, Lord, as we consider these eternal and glorious truths. 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:35.620 God, help us to see Christ as worthy. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:40.280 Help us to see Him as enough for us. 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:42.180 Lord, help us to be content in Him. 00:02:43.319 --> 00:02:44.620 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:02:45.599 --> 00:02:45.900 Amen. 00:02:46.460 --> 00:02:47.240 You may be seated. 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:49.159 We just sang a new song. 00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:51.479 Hopefully you knew it. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:53.340 It's only 101 years old. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:58.659 You realize that's relatively new in the span of church history. 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:01.300 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:03:02.340 --> 00:03:04.219 Great is thy faithfulness. 00:03:04.340 --> 00:03:07.240 Morning by morning, new mercies I see. 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:11.939 All I have needed, my God has provided. 00:03:12.200 --> 00:03:15.680 Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. 00:03:15.760 --> 00:03:20.000 Thomas Chisholm authored those words about 101 years ago. 00:03:20.140 --> 00:03:22.480 And the church has sung it often over that century. 00:03:22.600 --> 00:03:23.340 And for good reason. 00:03:23.340 --> 00:03:30.219 We sing that song often because we need to be reminded often of the faithfulness of God. 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:35.680 Not only in good times, but also in hard times. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:39.580 We need to be reminded that God is at all times and always faithful. 00:03:39.580 --> 00:03:48.120 And we need to be reminded that whether we have what we think we need, whether in times of abundance or lack, in health or in sickness, 00:03:49.040 --> 00:03:53.540 God has truly already provided everything we need. 00:03:53.539 --> 00:03:57.219 We've been walking our way through the book of Philippians. 00:03:57.359 --> 00:03:59.900 And now we're 10 weeks into this series. 00:03:59.900 --> 00:04:01.879 We're bringing this book to a close. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:06.000 And what we see here is that in closing out this letter, 00:04:06.739 --> 00:04:12.060 Paul wants to assure the church in Philippi of these truths that we just sang this morning. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:16.740 His message to them and his message to us this morning as we look to our text is this. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:19.360 God is enough. 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:21.779 That's the message. 00:04:21.779 --> 00:04:24.639 God is enough. 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:26.139 God is faithful. 00:04:26.859 --> 00:04:31.259 And God will provide exactly what his people need. 00:04:31.339 --> 00:04:34.699 That's the message this morning as we close out the book of Philippians. 00:04:34.779 --> 00:04:38.099 But, you know, I'd better qualify that real quick because I need to be clear. 00:04:38.199 --> 00:04:39.839 This is not a blank check. 00:04:40.779 --> 00:04:46.019 It's not a promise that God will give you whatever you want or even whatever you think you need. 00:04:46.299 --> 00:04:50.699 This is a promise that God will provide for his plans. 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:55.179 God will provide for his mission. 00:04:56.079 --> 00:05:01.959 God will give to his people whatever it is that they need to be about his work. 00:05:02.099 --> 00:05:03.019 And what is his work? 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:04.619 What's God's plans? 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:05.679 What's God's mission? 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:11.279 God's aim, his mission, is to bring glory to his name in all the earth. 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:19.079 God is committed to his mission to magnify the glory of his name in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:21.199 And so that's the mission of the church. 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:23.839 That's the mission of every individual Christian. 00:05:24.039 --> 00:05:25.759 That's the mission of our church. 00:05:25.919 --> 00:05:29.579 That's Paul's mission as he goes and proclaims the gospel. 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:31.919 And it's our mission. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:39.459 And so here he assures us again this morning to that end, God will provide exactly what we need. 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:40.500 And so let's look to our text. 00:05:40.579 --> 00:05:42.659 We'll see it in three ways this morning. 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:44.139 This will be our outline this morning. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:49.659 We'll see three ways God provides for his people as they go about his mission. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:55.399 Three ways God provides for his people as they go about the mission. 00:05:55.399 --> 00:06:02.239 First, Paul says God provides contentment in all circumstances. 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:05.159 First way God provides here. 00:06:05.259 --> 00:06:06.919 Look there to verse 10 with me. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:07.500 Paul says, 00:06:07.959 --> 00:06:12.719 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:16.779 You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:21.179 I wonder if you've noticed as we've gone through this letter together over the past 10 weeks, 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:23.599 this theme of joy running throughout the letter. 00:06:23.659 --> 00:06:24.279 Have you noticed that? 00:06:24.279 --> 00:06:32.039 Some 16 times in just these four chapters, about 16 times that term either joy or rejoice 00:06:32.039 --> 00:06:36.159 appears again and again and again and again. 00:06:36.299 --> 00:06:38.619 This whole letter is marked by joy. 00:06:39.339 --> 00:06:43.919 And so it's really no surprise, is it, that as we come to a close this morning here one last time, 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:45.679 Paul is rejoicing. 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:47.099 And what's he rejoicing in? 00:06:47.159 --> 00:06:48.000 Look there again. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:55.759 He is rejoicing just as we saw in chapter one, that the Philippian church, they've been faithful 00:06:55.759 --> 00:06:58.259 partners with Paul in the gospel. 00:06:58.920 --> 00:07:00.680 They have prayed for him. 00:07:00.779 --> 00:07:02.720 They have encouraged him. 00:07:02.819 --> 00:07:07.319 And now again, as they've done before, they have supported him financially. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:11.939 Epaphroditus has come with a substantial gift, a financial gift. 00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:18.300 It's a sacrificial gift from the Philippians to come and to help meet Paul's material needs. 00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:21.459 And Paul says, I rejoice in the Lord in this. 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:24.100 I greatly rejoice in this gift. 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:26.459 Thank you for the gift that you've given me. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:30.039 And yet, he says, verse 11, he gives a qualification here. 00:07:30.839 --> 00:07:34.279 Not that I am speaking of being in need. 00:07:34.359 --> 00:07:34.779 You see that? 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:39.079 In other words, he's saying, I am so thankful for your support. 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:40.279 Thank you for the gift. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:41.359 I rejoice in it. 00:07:41.399 --> 00:07:42.719 I thank God for it. 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:44.139 It's helpful for me. 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:46.779 But I want you to know I don't need it. 00:07:48.179 --> 00:07:49.120 And we just had Christmas. 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:52.939 And you all know somebody like this. 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:55.679 Some people are just not good gift givers, are they? 00:07:55.680 --> 00:08:01.220 They try, but they're not really great at knowing what people want or what people need. 00:08:01.300 --> 00:08:02.699 Maybe they're just not thoughtful. 00:08:02.900 --> 00:08:03.439 They try. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:08.259 But other people, you all know people like this too, they're not great gift getters. 00:08:09.340 --> 00:08:11.600 Now, you work hard to give them a gift. 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:12.960 You think about it. 00:08:13.019 --> 00:08:14.639 You pay for it out of your own pocket. 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:15.340 You give it to them. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:17.860 They just don't know how to receive a gift. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:19.439 They don't know how to act. 00:08:19.540 --> 00:08:24.160 I mean, could you imagine if you have thought and planned and invested your own money, 00:08:24.160 --> 00:08:27.480 you sacrificed your own funds to buy a gift for somebody. 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:30.100 And they say, thank you so much for this gift. 00:08:30.820 --> 00:08:32.440 But I want you to know I don't really need it. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:37.139 That's what Paul is saying here. 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:40.759 And what he's doing, though, is he's walking a thin line here. 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:44.259 Between on one hand, he's showing how grateful he is to receive the gift. 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:45.340 Thank you for the gift. 00:08:45.340 --> 00:08:52.500 And on the other hand, he's trying to teach them something important about God's provision. 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:54.360 What's he teaching them? 00:08:54.660 --> 00:08:58.840 The lesson here is that, yes, it's good to give, and we're going to get there in a minute. 00:08:58.980 --> 00:09:05.560 It's good to give, but the Christian ought to be content with or without the gift. 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:11.600 The Christian ought to be content with many, with plenty, or with lack. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:14.899 The Christian ought to be content with God himself. 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:18.000 God provides contentment in all circumstances. 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:22.200 Sometimes God provides a big wad of cash and a lot of encouragement from your friends. 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:26.659 And sometimes God may choose not to provide in that way. 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:31.139 But regardless, Paul says, I am content in him. 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:34.860 Here's the weird truth about Christians. 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:46.820 The Christian's joy, the Christian's satisfaction, the Christian's level of contentment is not tied up with their circumstances. 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:50.980 You remember Paul's circumstances here as he writes this letter? 00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:51.539 What's going on? 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:55.600 Paul is writing this letter from a Roman prison. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:57.620 Things are not going well for Paul. 00:09:58.580 --> 00:10:01.659 Paul doesn't even know if he's going to survive this whole thing. 00:10:01.659 --> 00:10:05.139 He may well be put to death after this whole thing is over. 00:10:05.219 --> 00:10:06.899 These are not great circumstances. 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:08.939 And yet, Paul says, I'm good. 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:11.079 I'm okay. 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:13.559 I'm content. 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:16.659 How in the world can he say this? 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:20.620 Paul, he says, he has learned an important secret. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:22.899 Look there to verse 11 again. 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:29.379 He says, I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:34.919 I have learned how to be brought low and I have learned how to abound. 00:10:35.539 --> 00:10:42.460 In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:46.779 And everybody, as they hear this letter for the first time, ought to be on the edge of their seat asking, 00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:47.840 Well, Paul, what's the secret? 00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:49.960 Verse 13. 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:55.700 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:56.440 That's his secret. 00:10:57.820 --> 00:10:59.080 I thank you for this gift. 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:00.400 I rejoice in it. 00:11:00.460 --> 00:11:01.540 It truly helps. 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:02.879 It's a help to me. 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:07.879 And yet, I want you to know that no matter what I have, I have Christ. 00:11:08.160 --> 00:11:09.400 And for me, that's enough. 00:11:11.300 --> 00:11:13.120 Ask yourself this morning. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:30.799 When you strip away all of these earthly goods, all of your material blessings, when you strip away all of your comfort, when you strip away all of your resources, when you strip away all of your freedoms, could you be content? 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:33.179 Only having Christ. 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:33.740 Only having Christ. 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.360 This verse. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:36.620 But, this verse. 00:11:38.060 --> 00:11:39.100 Philippians 4.13. 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:42.419 I'd be willing to bet that everybody in this room has heard this verse. 00:11:43.060 --> 00:11:43.240 Right? 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:46.639 Everybody in this room is familiar with this verse. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:53.840 And I would be willing to bet that each one of us has heard this verse ripped out of its context and misapplied. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:59.340 This is one of the most popular and misunderstood verses in all of the Bible. 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:01.179 I looked it up this week. 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:03.339 BibleGateway.com. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:09.839 Philippians 4 was tied for the most read chapter in the whole Bible this year on BibleGateway.com. 00:12:10.459 --> 00:12:19.139 And Philippians 4.13 was number 33 on the list of most popular verses read in the whole Bible this year on BibleGateway.com. 00:12:19.139 --> 00:12:24.359 I just wonder how many actually get it in its context here. 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:31.240 I used to own a pair of basketball shoes and somewhere on the heel of the shoes it said 4.13. 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:32.940 There's a reference to this verse. 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:35.159 I tore my ACL in those basketball shoes. 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:35.919 I just want you to know. 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:36.399 Okay? 00:12:37.060 --> 00:12:39.840 You've probably seen football players with eye blacks. 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:40.480 Right? 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.539 Underneath their eyes. 00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:44.100 And it says Philippians 4.13. 00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:45.680 Right there written on their eye blacks. 00:12:45.680 --> 00:12:52.379 It's become sort of a mantra for all the great things you can do with just a little bit of help from God. 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:59.720 It's become sort of a sort of personal inspiration that maybe you can do whatever it is that you set your mind to. 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:05.259 For a lot of people when they take this verse out of context, I can do all things through Christ. 00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:08.200 It means to them you can reach new highs. 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:10.539 You can accomplish big goals. 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:12.419 You can do something difficult and great. 00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:16.679 Hopefully you see this in its context. 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:19.559 That's not at all what Paul is talking about, is it? 00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:25.000 This message isn't about personal achievement. 00:13:25.239 --> 00:13:27.439 It's about personal contentment. 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:31.179 It's not really about how high you can climb. 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:35.539 It's about how low you can go and still be satisfied. 00:13:36.959 --> 00:13:40.179 It's not really about how much you can accomplish with God's help. 00:13:40.179 --> 00:13:46.299 It's about how much can you have ripped away from you and still be able to say and mean it, 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:47.239 I am good. 00:13:47.439 --> 00:13:48.699 I am content. 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:51.919 All that I've needed, God has provided. 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:53.019 I'm good. 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:54.319 That's what this verse is about. 00:13:55.519 --> 00:14:01.179 This verse is about whether or not your heart is satisfied only in good circumstances 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:07.559 or whether you are satisfied in a good and faithful God, regardless of your circumstances. 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:12.539 It doesn't mean, of course, that you love every circumstance of your life. 00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:13.279 Of course not. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:16.599 It doesn't mean that you don't care what comes and what happens to you. 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:24.459 It doesn't even mean that material goods, material blessings, material gifts aren't good and helpful and needful for you at times. 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:33.320 But it does mean that there is a secret to true and lasting satisfaction that is not tied up with what you have. 00:14:34.280 --> 00:14:34.960 What's the secret? 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:43.139 It's the presence and the power of an unchanging and glorious, faithful God. 00:14:44.400 --> 00:14:52.740 God has provided everything you need to be fully content in Him no matter what circumstances come tomorrow. 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.720 Do you believe that, church? 00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:59.960 We need to ask ourselves and be honest. 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:05.700 Are we content with only Christ? 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:12.900 Or do we feel like we need Christ plus, you fill in the blank for you, what is that thing? 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:16.300 Christ plus, Christ plus some more comfort and I'm okay. 00:15:17.280 --> 00:15:21.360 Christ plus peace in my home and my family and I'm okay. 00:15:21.360 --> 00:15:25.060 Christ plus some more money in my bank account and I'm okay. 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:28.919 Christ plus a little bit better health and I'm okay. 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:32.039 Again, it's not that these things are bad in and of themselves. 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:36.019 But ask yourself, is my satisfaction rooted in my circumstance? 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:40.779 Or is my satisfaction anchored to a faithful God? 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.779 Second. 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.779 Second. 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:42.899 Second. 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:42.959 Second. 00:15:42.959 --> 00:15:43.019 Second. 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:44.899 Second. 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:51.259 Paul recognizes, of course, that true contentment is in the Lord no matter what you have. 00:15:51.339 --> 00:15:57.740 But he also recognizes at the same time the honest truth is that ministry, it does often cost money. 00:15:58.539 --> 00:16:03.959 And so he says, second, God provides all resources needed for the mission. 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:09.519 God will provide all resources needed for the mission. 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:10.519 Now it's interesting. 00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:12.000 I think he says, I'm good. 00:16:12.780 --> 00:16:13.580 I'm content. 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:15.800 I don't need anything but Christ. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:18.340 You take everything away from me and I am fine. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:25.580 But then he sort of gives sort of a theology of giving and generosity here in verses 14 through 18. 00:16:25.800 --> 00:16:27.160 He says, I'm good no matter what. 00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:31.200 But then he encourages them to give. 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.960 There to verse 14. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:37.000 He says, yet it was kind of you to share in my trouble. 00:16:37.280 --> 00:16:41.800 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel when I left Macedonia, 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:47.139 no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving except you only. 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:52.019 Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs again and again. 00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:53.440 Not that I seek the gift. 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.820 There's another qualification there. 00:16:55.400 --> 00:17:00.720 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:03.320 I've received full payment and more. 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:07.720 I'm well supplied having received from Epaphroditus the gifts that you sent. 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:13.140 A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:15.500 There's an underlying assumption here in these verses. 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.100 Do you see it? 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:23.000 It's almost so obvious that I feel like I don't need to say it, but I have to here. 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:25.539 There's an underlying assumption here, and it's this. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:28.900 The truth is that ministry often costs money. 00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:32.380 The Philippians understood this clearly. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:38.960 And so they joined Paul's mission by being financially supportive of his work. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.960 And not just once or twice. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:48.920 It seems like this was an ongoing partnership here where Paul benefited financially from the Philippians' support. 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:52.559 Ministry often costs money. 00:17:53.319 --> 00:17:55.400 It requires financial generosity. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.960 And it requires financial sacrifice. 00:17:58.660 --> 00:18:00.259 William Carey, you might know that name. 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:03.779 He's known as the father of modern missions. 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:12.599 And he urged his brothers to give generously so that he and others could devote their full attention to the spread of the gospel in India. 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:16.619 And so he famously wrote in a letter to his friend Andrew Fuller. 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:22.839 He said, I will go down into the pit if you will hold the rope. 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:28.480 And so Carey, he went to India, and Fuller stayed back. 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:34.299 And as Carey went about the work of spreading the gospel there in India, William Fuller stayed. 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:40.400 And he went around raising funds to support Carey's work so Carey could give his full time to the ministry. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:43.200 Ministry often requires money. 00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:45.180 We need rope holders. 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.440 You know this. 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.980 Our church has a budget. 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:55.700 And we have facility costs and ministry costs and personnel costs. 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:57.559 Our church has a budget. 00:18:57.559 --> 00:19:03.279 All this to say, some 2,000 years later, separated from the book of Philippians, the truth is the same. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:09.359 Ministry often requires money, which requires generosity from the church, 00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:21.079 which requires each and every one of us to think and to pray and to plan for how we might give generously to the advance of the gospel. 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:24.419 So Paul gives three reasons here. 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:25.899 Three reasons. 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:32.740 There's three reasons here to give in these verses that he wants us to understand as we think about our own giving. 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:35.220 Think about these three reasons. 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.780 Layer number one. 00:19:36.900 --> 00:19:41.620 The basic layer here is that we give because it blesses the recipient. 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:43.040 And that's the most obvious, right? 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.720 Paul's needs were met. 00:19:45.800 --> 00:19:47.560 He says their giving has met his needs. 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:50.340 In fact, he says in verse 18, I've received enough. 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:52.599 I'm well supplied. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:55.480 They've been generous and they've taken care of Paul. 00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:57.019 That's the most obvious layer. 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.819 But there's another layer here in verse 17. 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:05.799 He says, not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 00:20:06.939 --> 00:20:07.919 You could read it like this. 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:11.579 He says, I seek the profit that accrues to your account. 00:20:11.579 --> 00:20:13.419 Now, how in the world does that make any sense? 00:20:14.699 --> 00:20:18.199 The money comes out of the Philippian bank account. 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:20.319 It goes into Paul's pocket. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:24.019 And yet he says, they're the ones that are gaining interest here. 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:27.539 You are gathering riches in your account. 00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:27.879 How? 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:37.000 Well, it's because Paul knows that there are riches that go beyond just simple physical material wealth. 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:42.259 There are riches that go beyond just dollars and cents and money. 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:46.079 There are blessings beyond just material and physical blessings. 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:49.200 There's a kingdom that's greater than this earthly kingdom. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:57.640 And Christians are to seek it and invest in it and leverage everything that they have in this life for it to the glory of God. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:21:01.380 And when they do, they are blessed in their giving. 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:08.660 So in other words, the second layer here, Paul says we give because it actually in turn blesses the one who gives. 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:11.120 It blesses the giver. 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:16.299 It is better to give than to receive, Jesus tells us. 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:20.599 You know, there's a reason why Jesus warned us about the dangers of wealth. 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:25.200 And the difficulty of the rich man entering the kingdom of God. 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:27.879 Wealth in and of itself, it's a blessing. 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.220 It's neutral. 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:33.240 But it can be incredibly alluring and deceptive. 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:35.359 It can very easily become a God. 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:38.279 And it has become a God for many in our culture. 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:44.459 Listen, Paul understands that when you loosen your grip on earthly treasures, 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:50.779 it is evidence that your heart has laid hold of a greater treasure. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:55.979 When you loosen your grip on your earthly treasures, 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:58.819 it's evidence of God's grace at work in you. 00:21:58.819 --> 00:22:03.359 When money becomes less of a God in your heart and more of a good, 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:06.099 more of a tool that you can leverage for the mission, 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:11.019 when you seek first the kingdom of God, there's blessing. 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:14.000 We're told, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:17.539 and all these things will be added unto you. 00:22:17.659 --> 00:22:24.099 Financial generosity is proof positive in Paul's mind that they have renounced the earthly kingdom 00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:27.859 and its systems of value and worth, and in its place, 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:34.319 they've embraced a greater and truer and more lasting kingdom above. 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:36.839 Give because it blesses the giver. 00:22:36.939 --> 00:22:41.359 But ultimately, ultimately, he says, layer number three, 00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:46.099 we give because it blesses God. 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:49.579 Verse 18, he says, 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:57.699 The gifts that you sent are a fragrant offering and a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 00:22:57.819 --> 00:23:01.919 This gift that the Philippians sent, ultimately, he says, 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:05.399 is a sacrifice unto the Lord. 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:08.679 Now, let me tell you something that you already know. 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:12.119 God doesn't need your money. 00:23:14.139 --> 00:23:17.220 God isn't begging for your dollars. 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:19.059 He doesn't need your money. 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:20.279 He's not broke. 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:22.200 He has no bills to pay. 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.779 God owns everything. 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.139 God doesn't need your money. 00:23:26.359 --> 00:23:29.679 But it honors him when we open up our hands and say, 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:31.579 You've given me all that I have. 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:35.579 It belongs to you, and now I entrust it to you. 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:37.679 Would you use it for your glory? 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.659 It honors him. 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.919 But not just in the sheer act of giving. 00:23:42.179 --> 00:23:44.700 It honors him when we give from the heart. 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:48.460 It honors him when we give as a sacrifice of worship. 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:54.059 Now, listen, if you hear these words and it just sounds like some sort of tax, you've missed it. 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:57.840 God loves a cheerful giver. 00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.400 He doesn't need your money. 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:08.640 He wants the glory and the honor of seeing his children value him and his kingdom more than they value money. 00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:12.040 And I do also want to say this before we move on. 00:24:12.540 --> 00:24:19.700 If you hear this and it's overwhelming to you because you don't have much money, listen, again, the Lord knows your heart. 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:24.840 And remember the widow who only gave two coins. 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.900 What did Jesus say? 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:29.200 She gave more than the rich man with all of his wealth. 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:35.319 God will provide exactly what's needed for his mission. 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:41.480 And one of the primary ways he does this is through the generous, sacrificial giving of his people. 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:55.279 And again, as we turn the calendar to 2025, right now is an excellent time for us to plan and to pray and to strategize and to think about how you will give and honor God with your resources this year. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:25:00.240 Paul says God will provide contentment in all circumstances. 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:03.160 He will provide resources needed for the mission. 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:07.579 But let me close here in this third point by asking one last question. 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:09.539 And it's an important one. 00:25:10.319 --> 00:25:14.299 Where in the world does all of this come from? 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:25.259 Where in the world does all of this radical service and radical generosity and total contentment come from? 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:29.579 How in the world does Paul muster up contentment in a prison cell? 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:36.180 And how does the church in Philippi give and give and give and give and give again and again and again sacrificially? 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:42.099 All of this comes from a confidence that God will provide. 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:49.859 And in fact, a confidence that God has provided already everything that we need in Christ. 00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:51.299 Look there again to verse 19. 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:52.259 Third and finally. 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:58.779 God has provided ultimately everything we need in Christ Jesus. 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:02.579 Paul says as he brings this book to a close. 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:11.679 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus. 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:16.079 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. 00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:16.899 Amen. 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:20.580 You wonder how in the world can Paul be content with his life on the line? 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:26.000 You wonder how in the world can the Philippians give and give and give and give? 00:26:26.080 --> 00:26:29.900 How in the world will you and I learn to be content in all circumstances? 00:26:30.160 --> 00:26:37.200 How in the world will you and I stop treating money as a treasure to be kept and more as a tool to be leveraged for his sake? 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.039 Here's the secret. 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:44.920 Paul truly believes that God has provided already everything he needs in Christ. 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:48.420 Do you believe that, church? 00:26:49.860 --> 00:26:52.039 Does that sound like an exaggeration to you? 00:26:52.039 --> 00:27:03.119 It's not an exaggeration for me to say that every single need you have has been met already in Christ Jesus. 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.460 Every single need you have. 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:12.079 If you can, by the grace of God, get yourself to the point where you are truly satisfied in Christ, 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:15.699 then you will be satisfied, period, in every circumstance. 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:24.419 If your satisfaction is rooted and anchored in somebody who is unchanging and glorious beyond anything in this world, 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:32.139 then you will be able to say with Paul that in any circumstance, in plenty or in lack, in comfort, in affliction, in trouble, in security, 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.960 God is all I need. 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:36.939 God's provided everything I need in Christ. 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:41.640 You'll stop gripping your earthly treasure so tightly and you'll find yourself being generous. 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:47.580 You'll desire to give because you realize you can't lose anything that truly matters. 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:58.700 You see, generosity and contentment both flow downstream from the heart of somebody who truly believes the gospel of Jesus Christ to be true for them. 00:27:58.700 --> 00:28:10.340 The gospel is the good news that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he was rich, yet for our sake he became poor, 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:14.779 so that you by his poverty might become rich. 00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:22.840 This was our Christmas Eve text just a few nights ago, and it teaches us, again, church, what it means to be truly rich. 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:25.620 You realize Christians know what it means to be truly rich. 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:30.459 And it has absolutely nothing to do with whatever's in your bank account. 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:38.899 To be truly rich is to know that you have everything you need in Christ. 00:28:39.099 --> 00:28:48.500 The Christian knows that Christ, the King of glory, came and became poor so that poor sinners like me might become truly rich. 00:28:48.799 --> 00:28:54.599 So that even if we have nothing apart from him, we know that we have everything in him. 00:28:55.619 --> 00:29:00.259 And Paul says, if you know Christ, friend, you are rich. 00:29:01.659 --> 00:29:06.899 And God will meet all of your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 00:29:07.239 --> 00:29:17.079 So church, let's close this morning by considering all the riches that Paul has shown us that we have in Christ throughout this letter. 00:29:17.179 --> 00:29:21.279 I just want to recap this beautiful letter to the church in Philippi. 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:26.519 He has shown us that in Christ Jesus, we have the riches of justification. 00:29:27.759 --> 00:29:31.720 Would you rather have a few billion dollars or be righteous in the sight of God? 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:36.859 Paul says we are saints in Christ Jesus. 00:29:37.059 --> 00:29:40.420 We are partakers of grace in Christ Jesus. 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:44.320 In Christ Jesus, our sins are washed away. 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:51.080 And even more than that, we have received the imputed righteousness of Christ credited to our bankrupt account. 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:52.420 Our sins are forgiven. 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:54.279 Our debt is washed away. 00:29:54.400 --> 00:29:57.320 And we are credited with all of his righteousness. 00:29:58.800 --> 00:30:02.620 In Christ Jesus, we are born again by faith in him. 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:04.539 And we are regenerated to new life. 00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:11.079 And with that new life comes new purpose, new identity, a new ambition, a new boldness. 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:16.039 We can say with Paul, for us to live is Christ and to die is gain. 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:20.739 In Christ, we can truly live for something that's going to last into eternity. 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:28.839 In Christ, we're given renewed minds and renewed hearts so that we can really approve what is excellent. 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:31.379 And so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:39.780 We can think upon and practice those things which are true and honorable and just and pure and lovely and commendable. 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:46.700 In Christ, we are being sanctified, being made ready for our eternal inheritance. 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:52.640 We have the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. 00:30:52.640 --> 00:31:01.900 And we have the assurance by his spirit in us that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ. 00:31:02.040 --> 00:31:03.840 And we have the power for holiness. 00:31:04.020 --> 00:31:04.640 It's not in us. 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:08.660 It's God who works in you to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:14.120 In Christ, we have been adopted as daughters and sons of the living God. 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:23.979 We are brought into a new spiritual family where we share one spirit and one mind where we strive side by side for the faith of the gospel in Christ. 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:28.159 We have a true and lasting, worthy Lord of our lives. 00:31:28.239 --> 00:31:29.519 No longer do we serve ourselves. 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:32.479 And no longer do we serve our sin. 00:31:33.399 --> 00:31:34.819 No longer do we serve the enemy. 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:49.000 May we have a true and better king who has laid down his life, come down to us in humility, who has died for us, who has risen for us so that the confession of our tongue will be Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. 00:31:50.819 --> 00:31:56.899 In Christ, we have freedom from the slavery of self-righteousness. 00:31:57.819 --> 00:32:00.579 In Christ, we put no confidence in the flesh. 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:05.139 We have his righteousness by grace, not our own broken righteousness by effort. 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:10.819 In Christ, we have a new belonging, a new citizenship. 00:32:11.199 --> 00:32:13.480 We have a certain hope of glory ahead of us. 00:32:13.539 --> 00:32:15.799 Our citizenship is in heaven. 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:29.579 And from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:34.879 In Christ, we have joy and peace unshakable. 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:36.599 The peace of God guards us. 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.879 The God of peace goes with us. 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:42.000 In Christ, we have the secret to contentment. 00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:45.579 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:47.460 In Christ, church, do you see? 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:50.779 You are truly, truly rich. 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:53.879 We have everything we need. 00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:58.940 Because Christ himself is everything we need. 00:33:01.340 --> 00:33:18.800 Friend, if you are in need this morning of love, forgiveness, acceptance, reconciliation with God, of peace, fellowship, 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:21.539 would you come to Christ? 00:33:23.379 --> 00:33:25.019 Would you turn to him? 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:30.259 God is prepared and ready to give you everything you need in him. 00:33:31.559 --> 00:33:33.919 Church, this is my prayer for you as we begin a new year. 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:37.119 That you would truly be able to sing as we did this morning. 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:39.720 But truly mean every word. 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.200 Hallelujah. 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:41.779 All I have is Christ. 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:43.599 Hallelujah. 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:46.299 Jesus is my life. 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:50.659 All I have needed, my God has provided. 00:33:50.879 --> 00:33:53.439 Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. 00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:54.740 Let's pray. 00:33:55.240 --> 00:34:03.419 Lord, we thank you, Father, that you have met our every need in Christ Jesus. 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:09.799 And we thank you, God, for the many ways that you have provided and continue to provide for us. 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:13.580 And, Father, we pray that we would give ourselves completely to you. 00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:17.200 Give ourselves completely to your mission with the confidence, God, 00:34:17.260 --> 00:34:22.060 that you will give us everything needed for the task of bringing glory to your name. 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.240 We love you, Father. 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:24.300 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:25.280 Amen.