WEBVTT

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 It's always a bit sad and a bit emotional when someone dear to you makes that big decision to jet set, to go overseas,

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 to go on a big holiday for a long period of time, or to go on exchange,

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 or to make that actual big move to live overseas and to work overseas.

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 I've had a few friends of mine do stints of working holidays and exchanges overseas.

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 And it's always a bit sad when you see them, when you drop them off at the airport and say goodbye to them,

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 knowing that you're not going to see them face-to-face for quite some time.

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 It's nerve-wracking because there's a fear that things might not be the same afterwards.

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 You know, what if the relationship changes?

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 What if you guys stop talking to each other?

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 And what if they change so much that when they return and when you see them again,

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 you don't even recognize them anymore?

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 I had a friend who went to Sweden for exchange for six months, and he was probably my best mate at the time.

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 We were very familiar. We loved the same taste in music.

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 We loved to do the same things together.

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 And most of all, we were Christians.

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 We were brothers in Christ.

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 And that brought us so much joy and so much intimacy to our friendship.

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 But during his exchange, we stopped talking.

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 It was hard to get in contact with him.

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 I didn't understand what was going on.

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 But when he came back, when I saw him face-to-face again, he had completely changed.

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 He was totally different.

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 He even looked different.

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 He was no longer into the same music as me.

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 He had become a lot more of an angry person.

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 It was really strange.

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 And most of all, he had also lost his faith.

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 He no longer believed in Jesus to be his Lord and Savior like he had previously six months ago.

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 And so in six months, so much had changed in regards to our friendship.

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 It's why saying goodbye to someone can be scary and sad at the same time.

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 There is a fear that if we lose contact with them, the relationship might change in some regards.

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 Something might happen.

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 And we won't be there to try and alleviate the pain or to sort the pain out.

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 And this was Paul's fear.

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 When we read this passage that was just read, we get a sense that this actually happened to Paul.

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 He had lost contact with one of the churches he had set up in Philippi.

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 And Paul was concerned for them because it was unusual, unusual amount of times since he had heard any word for them.

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 He was rightly fearful of what might have happened.

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 But all his fears were alleviated when Epaphroditus arrived at the door.

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 A representative of the church of Philippi who brought with him many gifts and supplies for Paul.

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 And most of all, the assurance that the church of Philippi was still faithful to the gospel and still faithful towards supporting Paul in his ministry.

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 In fact, it's quite clear that this concern went both ways.

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 Whilst Paul was concerned for them, they were also concerned for Paul, in particular how he was going in prison.

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 Which is why Paul assures them in Philippians 1.12 that his imprisonment is going well.

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 It's actually serving to advance the gospel going out into Rome.

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 And this urgency is seen in both people.

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 Both in Paul and both in the church in Philippi.

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 They long to know how the other is doing so they can continue to encourage each other.

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 To have the concerns alleviated as well.

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 It's a beautiful reunion we see here.

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 Which is why he says in verse 10,

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 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me.

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 Paul's joy is overflowing and it's all throughout this letter.

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 The character of rejoicing in Christ that we see throughout this whole letter can be linked back to this moment when Epaphroditus walked through the door.

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 And saw Paul for the first time in a long time.

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 Confirming to Paul that they were still in the faith as he was.

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 And so it's no wonder why Paul begins his letter in Philippians saying in 1 verse 3,

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 I thank my God every time I remember you.

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 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

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 And so Paul now responds explicitly here at the end of the letter to that moment when Epaphroditus walked through the door.

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 He wants to explain to them the significance of this joyous moment.

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 Particularly the receiving of the gifts he received.

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 And what they mean to him, but also what they don't mean to him as well.

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 Then he wants to finally encourage them, as he has been encouraged, to continue to find joy in all circumstances.

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 So firstly, let's look at what the gifts don't mean to Paul.

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 Verse 10 and 11.

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 So Paul is very quick to clarify here why he is rejoicing.

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 He doesn't want him to think he is rejoicing purely because he has received these gifts from the Philippians.

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 So he can continue his ministry financially.

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 He doesn't want him to think this for, as he says, he has learned to be content in whatever situation that comes by.

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 And in verse 12, he lists all the different circumstances of which he has found contentment in.

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 He says,

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 In fact, he has known need more than wealth throughout his life.

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 Paul has been homeless, beaten, hungry.

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 He's been imprisoned multiple times, including currently.

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 He faces death every single day.

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 He has been shipwrecked three times.

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 He has received the 39 lashes from the Jews, minus one.

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 He has been beaten with rods three times.

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 He's been stoned once.

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 He has been in danger from robbers and bandits, in danger from Jews and Gentiles, in danger in every single city he has been.

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 He is constantly facing danger, constantly on the run, constantly fearing for his life.

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 Imagine what his body just would have looked like from that kind of lifestyle as he was a Christian.

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 Paul knows what it is to be in need.

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 He knows every circumstance.

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 And yet, he is content.

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 He is satisfied.

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 He has discovered, he says, the secret to this contentment.

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 Now, there was a group of people in Paul's time called the Stoics.

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 They believed life was all about finding inner peace and contentment.

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 And to get there, one had to rid himself of all passion and of all desire.

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 The logic was that the less you desired, the less you had passion for,

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 the less things would affect you when they left you.

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 The less things would affect you when they would fail you.

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 And so, therefore, the more content you would be with your life.

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 At the heart of this philosophy was looking at the self.

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 Looking to the self.

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 Looking inwardly.

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 Detaching yourself from all of your passions and all of your desires in order to find that contentment and inner peace.

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 And throughout history, this philosophy has influenced much of our culture, including Christian culture.

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 It's where the church got the idea of monasteries from.

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 The concept where you take yourself out of society and place yourself in this isolated place where you can quietly reflect on God's word without any sort of desire or passion influencing you.

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 It's also filtered its way into what is probably the biggest movie franchise of all time.

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 Star Wars.

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 I'm a big fan of Star Wars.

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 And as you know, the Jedi religion in the film resembles much of the tenets of this philosophy.

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 For a Jedi, if you're a fan like I am, it's forbidden to love.

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 For as Yoda says, because love leads to passion.

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 Passion to hate.

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 Hate leads to fear.

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 And fear leads to the dark side.

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 All passions are forbidden for a Jedi.

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 They are to have none.

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 That sounds familiar, doesn't it?

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 Stoicism and the Jedi religion are very, very similar.

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 Also, much of our inspirational posts we see on social media, in books and the like, have a stoic idea behind it.

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 To look into the self, to see in the self and to pursue in the self inner peace and contentment.

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 Stoicism is alive and well today as it was in Paul's time.

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 But is that what Paul means by contentment?

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 Has he found this inner peace by detaching himself from all his passions and desires?

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 No.

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 Verse 13 clears this up for us.

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 In verse 13, he reveals the secret behind his contentment.

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 He says,

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 I can do all things through him who gives me strength.

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 One of the most famous verses in the Bible.

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 At the same time, one of the most misunderstood.

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 This was the first verse I memorized as a Christian, actually.

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 Back in year 6, 2002 on mountain camp.

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 I memorized this verse in my little small group.

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 Saying, I can do all things through him who gives me strength.

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 Many have memorized this verse, like I have.

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 And also many are taken out of context, like I have as well at times in my life.

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 Many understand this verse to mean to be an inspiration.

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 To achieve the things in our life that we thought weren't possible to start with.

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 Like starting a new business in the name of Christ.

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 In the strength of Christ.

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 Getting honors at uni in the strength of Christ.

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 Getting that renovation done on my house.

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 In the strength of Christ.

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 Having the courage to ask out that girl in the strength of Christ.

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 I may have used that at one point in my life.

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 People see it as an inspiration.

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 And whether or not these things are done in Christ's mind,

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 that is not what Paul has in mind here.

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 The context is not inspiration,

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 but contentment.

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 Paul is not inspired by Christ.

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 He is content in Christ.

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 He can be in any circumstance, whether well off or in need.

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 In extreme poverty or extreme wealth.

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 And still be deeply content and satisfied because of Christ and because of what he has done.

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 Indeed, it's much better to translate this not as through Christ, but in Christ.

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 And so unlike the Stoics who seek contentment in themselves, Paul seeks it in Christ.

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 And that is why he can face every situation, no matter how dire and extreme,

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 and still be truly satisfied and content in Christ.

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 Because in Christ, he knows the joy of his salvation.

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 And nothing can take that away.

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 He knows the assurance of eternity that his sins are forgiven.

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 Therefore, in Jesus, Paul has his ultimate need provided.

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 And he knows no matter what, whether he lives well,

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 or if he lives in need and eventually dies,

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 he gains Christ.

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 So in regards to receiving this gift of money and supplies,

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 he wants to assure them that his joy is not in those things in of themselves,

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 not in the gifts themselves,

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 because his needs ultimately are supplied in Jesus.

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 He's rejoicing for his needs being provided are in Jesus,

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 not in these gifts.

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 He's saying,

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 I'm so thankful for your gift,

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 but not because they have met my needs,

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 for Christ has ultimately met my needs,

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 for it is him who has truly met my needs.

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 And him, being united to him in the gospel,

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 I can be content in knowing my hope is sure,

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 my eternity secured,

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 and that is why I can face every situation with joy and hope

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 and satisfaction in Jesus.

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 This verse is not encouraging to us because it's inspirational.

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 It's encouraging because it meets us where we are,

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 whether we are well off or in need.

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 And it says to us,

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 let your contentment be in Jesus and in him alone.

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 The challenge for most of us here on the North Shore

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 is to not allow our wealth to become the means of our contentment,

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 but to always see Christ as the one we truly find contentment in.

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 So in times we are well,

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 when things are incredibly good,

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 when we feel immensely blessed,

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 will we hold on to such things loosely

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 that we might not lose our focus on Jesus,

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 on where our contentment truly lies.

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 For when things do go pear-shaped,

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 when things do fail us,

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 when we have to live through pain and suffering,

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 we'll be able to look outside of ourselves

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 and towards Jesus,

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 to live in him and to find our contentment in him,

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 to know no matter what circumstance we are in,

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 we find our hope and our salvation in Jesus.

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 We've seen what these gifts don't mean to Paul.

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 He hasn't rejoiced because he can finally kick off his new ministry plan.

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 He hasn't rejoiced because his needs have finally been met.

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 No, the rejoicing for his needs are being met in Christ.

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 He rejoices in Christ, not the gifts.

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 So what does this gift mean to Paul?

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 The gift of the Epaphroditus,

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 the gift that he brings with him,

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 what do they mean to him?

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 Why is he rejoicing so much when he sees these things?

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 Verse 14.

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 Yeah, it was good of you to share in my troubles.

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 Moreover, as you Philippians know,

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 in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel

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 when I set out from Macedonia,

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 not one church shared with me in that of giving and receiving,

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 except you only.

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 For even when I was in Thessalonica,

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 you sent aid more than once when I was in need.

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 The Philippian church was very, very generous.

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 They were the only church to support Paul at the very beginning of his ministry.

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 And we're constantly sending him aid and aid again and again, he says.

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 They were more than just his partners in the gospel.

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 For Paul and for the church in Philippi,

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 they were family.

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 Paul saw them as his brothers and sisters who were dear to him

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 and likewise to Paul.

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 For Paul, for the Philippian church,

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 Paul was their brother and someone they dearly loved as well,

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 who they found concern for as well.

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 And so when the messages stopped coming,

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 when the giving and the receiving halted,

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 Paul was genuinely concerned,

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 not for the gifts,

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 but for them.

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 His concern was for their well-being.

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 Paul's biggest fear was not in not receiving the gifts

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 so he couldn't continue his ministry.

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 Paul's biggest fear was that the church of Philippi

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 might have lost their faith.

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 It was thought that something might have happened to them.

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 What if they lost their property and were persecuted

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 and they gave up?

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 What if they were no longer following Jesus?

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 You can understand why Paul is concerned here,

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 why he's in fear.

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 But the coming of Epaphroditus alleviated all those fears.

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 And the gifts that he brought with him

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 show that the church in Philippi was still very generous,

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 which was evidence, therefore, of their faith

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 and commitment to the gospel.

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 Look at verse 18.

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 I have received full payment, have more than enough.

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 I amply supplied now that I have received from Epaphroditus

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 the gifts you sent.

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 They are a fragrant offering,

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 an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

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 Paul describes their generous gifts

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 as being like a fragrant offering,

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 acceptable sacrifice,

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 something that pleases God,

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 that God enjoys and delights in.

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 The language of sacrifice here tells us

00:17:02.699 --> 00:17:06.019
 that the Philippian church didn't simply give out of their wealth.

00:17:06.899 --> 00:17:08.559
 They gave out of their need

00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:10.379
 and they gave out of their own struggle.

00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:14.440
 Even when they had not much to give or to live on,

00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:16.160
 they continued to give.

00:17:16.259 --> 00:17:18.539
 Indeed, the rest of the letter seems to show us

00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:21.299
 that Epaphroditus reported to Paul

00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:24.099
 all the struggles that were going on in the church.

00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:26.899
 For example, false teachers in chapter 3.

00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:29.000
 There were a lot of issues

00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:30.879
 that were happening in the church of Philippi.

00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.459
 A lot of needs they had,

00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.559
 a lot of struggles they had,

00:17:34.219 --> 00:17:37.259
 and yet they were still willing to give generously

00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:39.219
 to the work of the gospel.

00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:42.500
 And for Paul, this tangible gift

00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:45.639
 was what showed him that they were still his partners

00:17:45.639 --> 00:17:46.519
 in the gospel.

00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:48.099
 But more than that, more than that,

00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:51.379
 it showed him that their faith

00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:52.899
 was still in Jesus.

00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:55.460
 They had not fallen away,

00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:58.580
 but they were continuing to serve Jesus

00:17:58.580 --> 00:18:02.120
 as they generously partnered with Paul in ministry.

00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:05.740
 And this is why Paul was rejoicing in verse 10,

00:18:06.280 --> 00:18:08.320
 because a church he dearly loves for,

00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:10.019
 a church he prays for,

00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:11.800
 a church he longs for,

00:18:12.060 --> 00:18:13.900
 is still committed to following Jesus,

00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:18.000
 is still in Christ as he is in Christ.

00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:21.579
 This is what the gifts mean to Paul

00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:24.000
 and why he is rejoicing.

00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:25.099
 Paul is encouraged.

00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:27.440
 Paul is filled with joy

00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:29.720
 because those he dearly loves

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.779
 are still in Christ.

00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:35.099
 I hope I can speak for Steve and the staff here.

00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.460
 I know I'm only a student minister

00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:37.639
 and a more college student,

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:40.379
 but as most more college students do,

00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.759
 we speak for our churches.

00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.639
 So I think it's fair to say

00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:46.940
 this is our desire for you too.

00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:50.960
 When we talk about radical generosity

00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:53.680
 and invite you to give financially

00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:56.240
 to the work of the gospel here in Chatswood,

00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:59.700
 we are not doing this to purely ask for your money

00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:02.440
 or because we think God can't work here

00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.779
 without your money first.

00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:07.539
 We ask that you partner with us generously

00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:09.539
 for our encouragement

00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:11.759
 and yours also,

00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:14.460
 that you would know the joy of seeing

00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:17.779
 the advancement of the gospel here in Chatswood.

00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:19.139
 But even more than this,

00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:22.299
 our joy in seeing your generosity

00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:25.779
 is that it continually reminds us

00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:27.440
 that you are in Christ,

00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:29.500
 that your faith is in him,

00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:31.700
 that you are citizens of heaven,

00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:32.559
 not of earth.

00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:36.279
 As we give up our treasures

00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:38.539
 and our finances to God,

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:41.859
 it serves as a joyful reminder to each of us

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:44.399
 that we are all united in Christ,

00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:47.059
 that we all share the same hope,

00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.819
 that we share the same faith,

00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:51.299
 that we share the same assurance in eternity,

00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:55.480
 a reminder of where our citizenship truly is.

00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.619
 As the generosity of the Philippians

00:19:57.619 --> 00:20:00.399
 was evidence of their faith in Jesus,

00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:04.019
 so is your generosity evidence of your faith,

00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:05.399
 not only to the staff here,

00:20:05.419 --> 00:20:07.059
 but to each one of you around you.

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.859
 As you give,

00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:10.299
 as you put money in the play,

00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:11.379
 as you give electronically,

00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:14.279
 it is evidence of your faith to each of us here,

00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:17.799
 evidence which leads to us having joy,

00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:21.500
 knowing that we share in the faith together.

00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:26.460
 I wonder how you are going with being generous.

00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:31.579
 Do you struggle to give generously to the work of the gospel?

00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:33.980
 Or do you even struggle to give at all?

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:36.259
 I must confess to you,

00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.019
 I struggle.

00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.980
 I struggle to remember to give,

00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.160
 and sometimes I don't give.

00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:44.480
 I play the Paul card,

00:20:44.580 --> 00:20:45.400
 the student card,

00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:47.240
 the Moore College student minister card.

00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.540
 I play all the cards.

00:20:50.040 --> 00:20:50.680
 But really,

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.200
 for me,

00:20:52.320 --> 00:20:53.620
 and maybe you as well,

00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.960
 it's an issue of contentment.

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:58.220
 I'm not willing to part with my money sometimes,

00:20:58.300 --> 00:20:58.960
 because optimally,

00:20:59.040 --> 00:21:00.960
 I don't find contentment in Jesus sometimes.

00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:03.220
 I find it in me,

00:21:03.820 --> 00:21:04.640
 or my money.

00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:06.780
 But really,

00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:09.660
 I need to learn the secret of contentment,

00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.259
 as Paul did.

00:21:10.380 --> 00:21:14.340
 I need to continually trust in Jesus,

00:21:14.540 --> 00:21:16.840
 and to find contentment in him.

00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:20.259
 I think the Philippians as well knew this,

00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:23.460
 just why they were able to be so generous

00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:26.660
 in such a rough and difficult period of their life,

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.600
 as a church.

00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:31.980
 They knew Jesus had ultimately provided for them in the cross,

00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:34.440
 that he had paid for their sins.

00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.339
 And therefore,

00:21:36.500 --> 00:21:37.860
 whether in wealth or poverty,

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.279
 whether through life or death,

00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:41.120
 they were going to continue to give,

00:21:41.620 --> 00:21:42.319
 because ultimately,

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:44.180
 Jesus had provided for all.

00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:47.599
 How generous we are with our money

00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:50.860
 is an indicator of where our contentment lies.

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.860
 I'll say that one more time.

00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:54.900
 How generous we are with our money

00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:58.480
 is an indicator of where our contentment lies.

00:21:58.940 --> 00:22:01.339
 The question of whether we find our contentment

00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.720
 in Christ alone,

00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:04.199
 or in our wealth,

00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:06.659
 can be answered by simply looking

00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.980
 at our bank accounts,

00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.019
 at our wallets.

00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:11.159
 Again,

00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:13.079
 this is not because we want your money.

00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:15.939
 Please don't hear me saying that.

00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:18.359
 Our rejoicing for our needs as a church

00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.599
 are being met in Christ,

00:22:19.679 --> 00:22:21.480
 who has paid for our sin in full.

00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:23.720
 Who we rejoice in,

00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.480
 looking forward to the day

00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.399
 which he will return

00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:27.519
 and bring us home.

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.700
 Our only desire for you

00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:31.480
 is that you love Jesus

00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:33.059
 and follow him.

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.900
 That your faith be true

00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:36.139
 and express

00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:37.480
 through the generosity

00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:39.700
 of partnering us with the gospel.

00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:42.639
 Contentment in Christ

00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:44.920
 is what leads to being generous.

00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:47.480
 And the result is joy

00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.859
 as we look around each other

00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:50.099
 giving generously

00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:51.980
 and therefore showing

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:53.900
 your love and devotion

00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:55.540
 and commitment

00:22:55.540 --> 00:22:56.240
 to the gospel.

00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.980
 A reminder

00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:00.380
 again and again

00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:00.960
 week in,

00:23:01.040 --> 00:23:01.540
 week out

00:23:01.540 --> 00:23:03.040
 that you are in faith

00:23:03.040 --> 00:23:03.800
 in Christ.

00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.240
 Money is often hard

00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:06.960
 to part with

00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.600
 as I struggle with,

00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:10.240
 especially when life

00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:12.120
 seems to cost so much.

00:23:12.580 --> 00:23:13.640
 But Paul leaves us

00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.400
 with a final word

00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:14.900
 of encouragement

00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:16.540
 to continue to ground us

00:23:16.540 --> 00:23:17.380
 and remind us

00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.440
 of the wonderful God

00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.500
 that we serve.

00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:21.080
 Verse 19.

00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:28.939
 What a verse.

00:23:29.939 --> 00:23:32.039
 Seems a lot to promise

00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.779
 and easy to misunderstand

00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:35.139
 and take out of context.

00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:37.319
 The key to understanding

00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:39.199
 is in the word

00:23:39.199 --> 00:23:39.599
 my.

00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.659
 Paul says

00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.919
 my God.

00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:43.439
 He is saying here

00:23:43.439 --> 00:23:44.099
 the God

00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:45.179
 who strengthens me

00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:46.039
 to be content

00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:47.539
 in every situation

00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.139
 in Christ

00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:49.419
 whether I am well off

00:23:49.419 --> 00:23:50.379
 or in need.

00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:51.060
 this God,

00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.660
 my God,

00:23:51.780 --> 00:23:53.060
 he will strengthen you

00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:54.380
 to be content

00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.900
 in Jesus also.

00:23:56.360 --> 00:23:57.020
 He will provide

00:23:57.020 --> 00:23:58.380
 for all of your needs

00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.040
 in order that you

00:23:59.040 --> 00:23:59.980
 might be content

00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.740
 also.

00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.060
 For his generosity

00:24:02.060 --> 00:24:03.680
 knows no bounds.

00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.840
 The God

00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:05.840
 who has been good to me

00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.840
 will be good to you.

00:24:07.600 --> 00:24:08.800
 For you belong to Jesus

00:24:08.800 --> 00:24:10.320
 as I do as well.

00:24:10.820 --> 00:24:11.400
 It's not a hope

00:24:11.400 --> 00:24:12.560
 that we might expect

00:24:12.560 --> 00:24:13.800
 that every single need

00:24:13.800 --> 00:24:14.480
 that we have

00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:14.920
 of ours

00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.340
 we met

00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:16.400
 on our own terms

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:18.580
 the way we would like it.

00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.679
 it's the hope

00:24:19.679 --> 00:24:20.699
 to expect

00:24:20.699 --> 00:24:21.439
 that God

00:24:21.439 --> 00:24:22.159
 will continue

00:24:22.159 --> 00:24:23.179
 to provide for us

00:24:23.179 --> 00:24:24.659
 in order that we might

00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:26.359
 joyfully partner

00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:26.879
 together

00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:28.139
 in the gospel

00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:29.619
 and encourage each other

00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.419
 as we give

00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:31.980
 and express our faith

00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.519
 financially

00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:34.019
 to the work here.

00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:35.720
 Indeed,

00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:37.419
 this encouraging word

00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:38.919
 is supposed to free us

00:24:38.919 --> 00:24:40.079
 to give

00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.539
 and to be generous.

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.899
 Knowing God

00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:43.500
 will provide

00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.339
 in order that we might

00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:44.919
 be content

00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:46.080
 and be generous

00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:46.820
 that we might

00:24:46.820 --> 00:24:47.980
 get to experience

00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.060
 the joy together

00:24:49.060 --> 00:24:49.640
 of partnering

00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.680
 together in the gospel.

00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:53.500
 We will find joy

00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.820
 in all circumstances

00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:56.380
 whether we're well off

00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.019
 or in need

00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.680
 when our contentment

00:24:58.680 --> 00:25:00.720
 is in Jesus

00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:03.279
 as expressed

00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:04.779
 through generosity.

00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.519
 In a moment

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.360
 the bags are going

00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:10.080
 to come round

00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.599
 and as they do

00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:14.199
 let me encourage you

00:25:14.199 --> 00:25:15.319
 to give

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.480
 and to give generously

00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:19.319
 that you might know

00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.919
 the joy

00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:20.659
 of partnering

00:25:20.659 --> 00:25:21.299
 with us

00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:22.000
 in the gospel

00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:23.259
 but more than this

00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:25.039
 that you

00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.799
 that we might

00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:26.960
 rejoice together

00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.279
 that we all

00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.319
 truly belong

00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.879
 to God

00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.460
 in Christ

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.460
 just as Paul

00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:32.240
 rejoiced

00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:33.379
 to God

00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:34.059
 that he

00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:35.399
 and the Philippian church

00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:36.599
 were together

00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.480
 in Christ

00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.339
 not only

00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:38.900
 as partners

00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.519
 for the events

00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.160
 of the gospel

00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:41.599
 but they would

00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.400
 continue to

00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:42.799
 worship

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.860
 the same God

00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:44.839
 now and for

00:25:44.839 --> 00:25:45.400
 eternity

00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:48.019
 so that

00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.460
 as we give

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.759
 let us rejoice

00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.120
 together

00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.839
 that we all

00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.799
 truly belong

00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:53.740
 to God

00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:55.519
 that we get

00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.420
 to look forward

00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.039
 to worshipping

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.940
 now together

00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:59.579
 and for eternity

00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:01.860
 indeed

00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:02.940
 as Paul says

00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:04.200
 to our God

00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:04.740
 and Father

00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.940
 be glory

00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.799
 forever

00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.380
 and ever

00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:08.420
 Amen