WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.580 Good morning. Open up your Bibles to Philippians 4. Today, I'm going to attempt to land the plane on Philippians. 00:00:10.099 --> 00:00:18.600 Again, I'm very thankful that we chose this book because I know the past year and even the past few months have been difficult for a lot of people. 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:25.359 And we chose Philippians because it was, again, like a warm, familiar friend to go to. 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:32.320 And we hope that it's been likewise for you while you've been listening to it the past few months. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:47.260 And we're going to pick up a little earlier. I was supposed to actually preach last Sunday, but we had my father's memorial services this past weekend, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. 00:00:47.259 --> 00:00:54.719 And I think it was a good enough reason maybe not to preach last Sunday. 00:00:55.059 --> 00:01:04.739 But I think just to understand the context of where we're going to be today, we'll pick up and just reread briefly, just starting in verse 10 of chapter 4. 00:01:04.739 --> 00:01:34.719 And Paul says, 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:49.060 So, to pause there for a second. 00:01:49.060 --> 00:01:56.060 Paul is telling them that he knows what it's like to go through any and every circumstance. 00:01:56.680 --> 00:02:09.039 And a huge thing that I hope you really picked up on last week, and you'll continue to learn it throughout the rest of your life until you breathe your last on this earth, that Christ is enough. 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:12.240 That his person, his fellowship is enough. 00:02:12.879 --> 00:02:16.259 And that Paul says he learned this over the course of his life. 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:20.340 He didn't just read a book about contentment and say, I figured it out. 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:29.679 It was like what the Lord taught him through years and years of going through so many different situations, hardships, trials, as well as days of plenty. 00:02:29.680 --> 00:02:44.460 And he says, you know, the question is, we're always tempted to believe if my situation just changed or if my circumstance just changed, then I would be content. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:48.439 I would, you know, choose to have this in my life. 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:49.719 I want to add this in my life. 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:51.719 I just had no more debt. 00:02:51.820 --> 00:02:56.319 Or if I just had a lot of money in the bank or a lot of toys to play with. 00:02:56.319 --> 00:03:00.799 Or even just if I had a spouse. 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:02.239 We could go on and on. 00:03:02.299 --> 00:03:03.159 Just fill in the blank. 00:03:04.419 --> 00:03:07.879 We tend to think we will be content if God would change our circumstances. 00:03:08.519 --> 00:03:14.159 But what he really emphasizes there is that true contentment is not circumstantial. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:18.019 It is found alone in Christ Jesus. 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:21.379 And this is a man who knows what that's like. 00:03:21.859 --> 00:03:22.819 And he's learned it. 00:03:22.959 --> 00:03:23.840 He's learned it well. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:31.719 And so from that backdrop, he says, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:37.920 So not a verse to help you win a football game or any kind of game at all. 00:03:38.360 --> 00:03:43.580 He's talking about those who have their hope anchored in the person of Christ. 00:03:44.219 --> 00:03:46.960 To live a life glorifying to him. 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:49.439 He can do all things through Christ. 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:53.379 So after he says that, we get into our text for today. 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:55.120 Verse 14. 00:03:55.780 --> 00:03:56.759 He says, 00:03:56.840 --> 00:04:00.500 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:08.199 And you, Philippians, yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:15.719 when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving except you only. 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:21.779 Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again. 00:04:22.660 --> 00:04:27.500 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:30.600 I have received full payment and more. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:36.699 I am well supplied, having received from Epapertitis the gifts you sent. 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:41.459 A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 00:04:42.519 --> 00:04:49.800 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus. 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:54.699 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. 00:04:55.500 --> 00:04:55.900 Amen. 00:04:57.579 --> 00:05:00.319 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 00:05:01.020 --> 00:05:03.300 The brothers who are with me greet you. 00:05:04.080 --> 00:05:07.900 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:13.340 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 00:05:13.339 --> 00:05:19.719 So, what an awesome way to kind of end this beautiful letter. 00:05:20.819 --> 00:05:26.519 But we know that Paul, it had been almost 10 years since he has seen the Philippians. 00:05:27.579 --> 00:05:33.439 And in this section today, Paul concludes his letter to this beloved church much in the same way he begins it. 00:05:33.439 --> 00:05:40.259 He thanks them for their partnership in the spreading of the gospel in gospel ministry. 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:44.099 He deep gratitudes for their partnership, in fact. 00:05:44.719 --> 00:05:47.000 He thanks them for their financial support. 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:50.579 You know, everything they've done to help him along. 00:05:51.279 --> 00:05:54.560 And then he ends with a doxology of praise to God. 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:57.899 And expresses his final greetings to the believers. 00:05:59.139 --> 00:06:06.019 So, again, if you remember in the earlier part of this letter, he was in possibly prison or dungeon. 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:11.180 But also very likely sort of on house arrest where he could kind of come and go as he pleads. 00:06:11.259 --> 00:06:13.180 That's how we leave the book of Acts. 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:14.060 It kind of says that. 00:06:14.120 --> 00:06:16.599 But he had someone guarding him at all times. 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:21.139 But regardless, he says, you know, the gospel, the word of God is not chained. 00:06:21.719 --> 00:06:25.419 And the gospel is going forward even while I'm here in chains. 00:06:25.420 --> 00:06:33.460 And during this time, by God's providence, he wrote Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. 00:06:34.120 --> 00:06:38.280 If any of you love those books as I do, this is the time when he wrote them. 00:06:38.400 --> 00:06:44.220 When he was, he probably had no idea that people thousands of years later will be reading these books. 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:47.259 And learning about the gospel through them. 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:56.360 So, he says when he went to Thessalonica, he received a generous financial gift from the Philippians to support his ministry. 00:06:57.420 --> 00:07:02.659 And their giving came from an overflow of joy as a result of what Christ did in their hearts. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:11.180 The best supporters to gospel ministry are those who have been personally touched by those who minister the gospel to them. 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:21.560 The Philippians were extremely grateful for Paul for being that instrument that God used to bring them the truth of the gospel that led to their salvation. 00:07:22.360 --> 00:07:26.519 And that result was a cheerful giving, right, to support his ministry. 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:30.980 He was aware that he could always count on them. 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:31.860 They were always there. 00:07:31.960 --> 00:07:36.920 They were one of the only churches that just were steadfast in those earlier missionary journeys. 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:44.040 So, to kind of sum it up, what we'll walk through today can be kind of summed up with three points. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:46.720 And they all begin with G. 00:07:46.900 --> 00:07:47.480 Very clever. 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:48.500 I didn't come up with this. 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:50.420 I just sort of changed it a little bit. 00:07:51.340 --> 00:07:55.600 But gratitude, glory, and grace. 00:07:56.960 --> 00:07:59.020 Gratitude, glory, and grace. 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:03.400 So, gratitude, point number one. 00:08:03.399 --> 00:08:06.959 We see this starting in verse 14 going through 19. 00:08:07.859 --> 00:08:15.779 But Paul focuses, again, on a deep gratitude for the partnership that they've shared by supporting his ministry. 00:08:16.519 --> 00:08:21.919 In previous verses, Paul has spoken of possessing all he needs in Christ. 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:22.699 We just read that. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:25.139 So, when you read someone say something like, 00:08:25.599 --> 00:08:26.659 Christ is all I need. 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:27.699 Christ is sufficient. 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:29.939 I can do all things through him that strengthens me. 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:33.519 That's amazing. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:38.899 But he wants to make sure that he wasn't trying to belittle their gift. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:44.120 He wasn't saying, you know, Christ is all I need, so I didn't really need your gift anyway. 00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:48.240 He's like truly grateful for what they did. 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:53.559 And he adds, it was kind of you, very kind of you, to share my trouble. 00:08:53.559 --> 00:09:02.079 He adds that clarifying note because he wants to make sure they understand that he is really grateful for their support. 00:09:02.959 --> 00:09:08.539 Less than declaring his, you know, independence of human aid, he should belittle their gift. 00:09:08.619 --> 00:09:11.799 So, he's saying, though Christ is all I need, and he's all you need, 00:09:12.239 --> 00:09:16.079 I'm truly grateful for the support that you have given me. 00:09:16.839 --> 00:09:18.039 You've always been there. 00:09:18.259 --> 00:09:21.079 You've always supported everything that I've done. 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:25.000 So, even after a decade later, they're still supporting him. 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:28.220 And no other church has stood by him longer. 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:32.060 They contributed to his work after he left Macedonia. 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:33.300 You see that in verse 15. 00:09:34.020 --> 00:09:39.300 And even down the road when he was in Thessalonica, which is also in Macedonia, where Philippi is. 00:09:40.180 --> 00:09:43.240 And he uses, in verse 15, he uses some business terms. 00:09:43.240 --> 00:09:47.820 So, those of you who know me, like, oh boy, Clay's about to talk about business terms. 00:09:49.180 --> 00:09:51.759 Which, I don't have no clue about business at all. 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:54.360 I could hardly run a yard sale if you tried to get me into that. 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:57.200 So, but there are a lot of people here who do understand. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:00.440 But, he uses some business terms. 00:10:00.600 --> 00:10:03.360 Giving, which refers to expenditures. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:06.580 Receiving, which refers to receipts. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:14.140 And recognizing that the Philippians have invested wisely by giving financially to the work of the Lord. 00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:20.700 Their monetary giving had given them an account in heaven. 00:10:21.180 --> 00:10:25.000 In other words, it was recorded for their benefit. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:30.840 And like an investment, it was already yielding an eternal rate of return to God. 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:34.919 Paul gives them a disclaimer in verse 17, though. 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:41.899 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:48.720 Meaning, he's not just thanking them merely just for their financial, you know, for their money. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:54.559 But rather the spiritual reward that it is gaining for them. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.419 Whenever someone invests in a business venture. 00:10:57.659 --> 00:10:58.820 Again, not me. 00:10:58.919 --> 00:10:59.580 I haven't much. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:01.799 So, my brother has because he's a builder. 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:06.059 Whenever one invests in a business venture. 00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:09.580 They're allowed to share in the profits that are earned. 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:11.379 In that venture. 00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:16.940 So, metaphorically, this is how the Philippians financial support is profiting them. 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:19.440 Our Lord Jesus taught this as well. 00:11:19.520 --> 00:11:22.040 He said, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:25.300 Where neither moth nor rust destroy. 00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:27.920 And where thieves do not break in and steal. 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.240 That's Matthew 5, 20. 00:11:29.940 --> 00:11:35.460 So, this is earning eternal dividends that will be posted to the Philippians account. 00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:43.400 They've invested wisely in eternal things by supporting the ministry of Paul. 00:11:44.400 --> 00:11:45.840 We see that further on. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:48.160 This is in verse 18. 00:11:48.280 --> 00:11:51.480 It is a pleasing to God what they did. 00:11:52.300 --> 00:11:57.139 When we generously sacrifice our finances to the Lord, it pleases Him. 00:11:57.139 --> 00:12:02.460 Paul wrote that he had received full payment and more. 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:05.019 He says, I am well supplied. 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:08.340 Their gifts had given him far more than he even needed. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:11.240 He was just like overwhelmed with thankfulness. 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:15.080 Epipartitus had delivered those gifts to Paul. 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:20.779 And he says, when we give to the Lord in such a way, right? 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:23.220 It is a fragrant offering. 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:25.819 A sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:26.580 Verse 18. 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:33.259 So, their giving, their stewardship was an act of worship unto the Lord. 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:39.360 And he gives us some Old Testament imagery there of a sacrifice being made to God. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:42.939 And incense being poured out on top of the sacrifice. 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:48.019 Releasing a fragrant aroma that kind of ascended up into heaven. 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:50.919 Kind of a picture, I guess. 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:56.819 A sweet smelling fragrance pictured the pleasure that such a sacrifice brought to the Lord. 00:12:57.139 --> 00:13:01.100 Meaning their gift to the Lord was sweet. 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:04.379 It was an expression of worship to God. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:07.039 He only takes pleasure, right? 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.480 In a cheerful giver. 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:09.740 2 Corinthians 9. 00:13:09.819 --> 00:13:10.220 7. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:19.420 But the ultimate goal of any giving as followers of Jesus that we partake in is to glorify God. 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:25.740 And so, we have this promise that also follows in verse 19. 00:13:26.099 --> 00:13:33.740 So, when we give to God in a selfless way, totally just wanting to honor Him, to advance the message of the gospel. 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:38.519 It is a sweet smelling aroma to God. 00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:40.759 But then it's followed with a promise. 00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:47.019 The Philippians had done this for Paul because such sacrificial giving. 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:49.120 He announces in verse 19. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:51.080 Verse 19. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:59.159 God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:05.019 So, this comes by way of a promise from God that not only would they receive an eternal reward for their giving, 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:09.319 but God would also help provide even their physical needs as well. 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:17.839 I had an old friend that I got to see this weekend, the past weekend, at my dad's memorial. 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.539 His name is John Howard. 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:23.860 He runs Howard's Hardware, if any of you are aware of that, over in Oakwood. 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:26.980 But, such a tremendous man. 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:31.240 And he once said, you can't out-give God. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:34.320 Very cliche, but he was the first person that ever said that to me. 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:37.840 And this is a promise that God had said. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:39.340 Luke 6, verse 38. 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:43.440 Jesus said, give and it will be given to you. 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:49.840 Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:55.420 For with this measure, you will use it, will be measured back to you. 00:14:56.300 --> 00:15:04.379 So, this generosity from God comes from the riches of His glory, which are unending. 00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:10.160 Though every one of us come to God and look to Him to give us what we need, 00:15:10.560 --> 00:15:18.480 His treasure chest of glory is never diminished, no matter how many people are coming to it. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:21.700 He will never go bankrupt. 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.399 Put it that way. 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:26.940 His resources will never be deplenished. 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:31.500 So, God's giving would be in proportion to the vastness of His resources. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.320 And that's what He says. 00:15:34.300 --> 00:15:44.860 So, Jesus says that we should distribute the things that we are given, but not to accumulate them. 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:53.680 Jesus says that possessions on earth are not for accumulating, but for distributing in ways that honor Christ. 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:54.960 Right? 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:58.659 So, the remedy for hoarding is giving. 00:15:58.800 --> 00:16:02.820 That's like what we see in the Scripture over and over and over. 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:10.660 So much is talking about money and the Gospels and elsewhere, not because we're just trying to take your money, 00:16:10.780 --> 00:16:13.800 but because it really does reflect our hearts in a lot of ways. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:19.280 Money, in many ways, shows where we are in our spiritual walk. 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:25.299 It's what we spend it on, what we do with it personally, corporately, all those things. 00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:33.199 And Jesus knows that if we just hold on to it and possess it just for ourselves, that will eventually destroy us. 00:16:33.839 --> 00:16:34.220 Right? 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:41.419 The Scripture says the love of money, the obsession with money, the worship of money is the root of evil. 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:42.659 Right? 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:46.740 And so, the remedy for hoarding is giving. 00:16:47.819 --> 00:16:49.799 Proverbs 22, verse 9. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:53.059 He who is generous will be blessed. 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.539 Acts 20, verse 35. 00:16:55.759 --> 00:16:59.099 It is more blessed to give than to receive. 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:06.200 So, God blesses us with money and possessions so that we use them and apply them in such a way 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:12.700 where it's obvious to people that are looking on that those things are not our treasure, but Christ is. 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:16.220 Where people just are blown away. 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:18.019 Like, why would you do that? 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:19.160 That makes no sense. 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:23.539 If this world is all there is to it, why would you do such a thing? 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.819 Because of Christ. 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:30.700 Because we're trying to store up treasures in heaven and not on the earth. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:34.120 We can't take anything with us when we go. 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:39.199 So, why not invest them in an eternal deposit? 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:41.899 Luke 12, verse 33. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:42.500 Jesus said, 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:44.739 Sell your possessions and give to the needy. 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:48.699 Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old. 00:17:49.479 --> 00:17:52.939 With a treasure in the heavens that does not fail. 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:56.279 Where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 00:17:57.039 --> 00:18:01.659 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:09.160 So, again, I have been blessed over the years. 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:16.259 Some of you know that, like, a lot of my own income comes from support that people give. 00:18:16.820 --> 00:18:20.960 And anybody who's done it, you hate doing it. 00:18:21.040 --> 00:18:24.519 You hate raising support for gospel ministry. 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:28.139 The Lord has to do a work on my own heart. 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:40.220 But I would say the most steadfast, generous supporters of what I do are the young men who eventually get married, have kids. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:42.859 That's kind of where most of them are now, not all of them. 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:50.659 But they have, in some way, by some miracle, God has used me to help them while they were in college. 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:54.800 And they desire to give back to that. 00:18:55.420 --> 00:19:01.240 So, a very small picture compared to what Paul is talking about. 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:07.519 But, again, when we support gospel ministry, we also get to share in the profits of that. 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:16.980 And so, we ought to be prayerful, giving to our local body here, the Christ family, thinking about all the different ways that that money goes out. 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:19.400 And it does go out. 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:24.359 And to empower us to do gospel ministry here in North Georgia. 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:38.619 We have some people that are leaving this summer and even for a few months down to come who are going overseas to some closed countries to do gospel ministry there as well. 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:45.219 And so, pray about, be prayerful about what you ought to give. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:48.599 So, a question a lot of people say was, you know, how much? 00:19:49.699 --> 00:19:51.059 We're not going to ever say. 00:19:51.219 --> 00:19:52.039 We're not going to tell you. 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:55.500 A tithe is always a good place to start. 00:19:56.139 --> 00:20:00.079 But it is not a command, necessarily, at all in the New Testament. 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:07.940 God, so I'm just going to read this awesome quote, I think, by C.S. Lewis in regard to giving. 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:13.159 He said, I do not believe one can settle how much they ought to give. 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:19.480 I'm afraid that the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:25.079 In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, and amusements, etc. 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:35.299 Is up to the standard of the common among those who earn the same income as we do, we are probably giving away too little. 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:43.279 If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say that they are too small. 00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:49.879 So, if giving is going to be sacrificial, it has to somewhat hurt a little bit. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:21:00.200 We have to trust God, not just to give out of our excess or what we have left over, but to give in a way that it is sacrificial. 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:05.100 That it almost makes us a little uncomfortable to lay down those sort of things. 00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:11.860 So, there are many different people, missionaries, organizations that we try to give to. 00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:14.620 And so, be prayerful. 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:16.400 But the gospel has to advance. 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:18.620 I hate money more than anybody. 00:21:19.080 --> 00:21:20.019 I can't stand money. 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:23.900 But it's one of the things that are just necessary for us to deal with in this life. 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:28.940 And so, be prayerful about how you ought to give. 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:31.900 This brings us to our second point. 00:21:33.379 --> 00:21:34.779 So, that was gratitude. 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:36.420 He was grateful for their giving. 00:21:37.139 --> 00:21:38.660 Number two, glory. 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.819 And that's found in verse 20. 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:40.879 He says, 00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:44.200 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:45.519 Amen. 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:52.980 So, he concludes this section by drawing the reader's attention once again to the glory of God. 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:57.839 Paul gives us a doxology, the Greek word for glory, doxa. 00:21:58.759 --> 00:22:04.740 Which in Hellenistic cultures express primary values of vital importance. 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:16.440 Doxa focused on the attention that one held by others on an individual's value or worth based on their accomplishments or achievements. 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:22.839 So, if you had accomplished and achieved great things, you would have great glory. 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:29.759 In other words, in this case, none has done greater things or accomplished more than God Almighty. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:35.180 From creating the world and the universe to redeeming mankind. 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:40.539 No one is more deserving of doxa than our God. 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:44.059 Psalm 71 verse 19 says, 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:47.839 For your righteousness, O God, reaches the heavens. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:51.339 You who have done great things. 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:53.259 Who is like you? 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:56.700 There's none worthy to be compared. 00:22:56.700 --> 00:23:00.940 So, first, Paul is glorifying God because of their generosity. 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:03.779 Because he knows that it originated with him. 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:12.120 But also, it is right and proper to say this after all that Paul has written in this letter to the Philippians. 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:17.340 He is glorifying God for being the Father of grace in chapter 1. 00:23:18.140 --> 00:23:19.779 The worker of our salvation. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:26.600 Remember, he who began a good work in us will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:29.680 He is the exalter of Christ. 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.600 That's chapter 2. 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:33.900 He is the father of all believers. 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:36.240 Also in chapter 2. 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:38.860 He is the giver of peace. 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:39.819 That's in chapter 4. 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:44.539 And here we land on this idea that he is the supplier of our needs. 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:48.440 So, he says to our God and Father, 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:51.120 Be glory forever and ever. 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:51.840 Amen. 00:23:51.839 --> 00:24:01.519 I pray that all of us are obsessed and can't shut up about the glory of God. 00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:09.339 Any ministry or any church that makes it more about them and their show or their success 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:12.319 are going to be in grave danger one day. 00:24:13.179 --> 00:24:16.259 Either we are honoring God or we are honoring ourselves. 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:18.960 There is no other way to slash that. 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:24.559 And we believe that everything ought to be pointing towards him. 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:26.940 Giving attention to him. 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:29.220 Not because we are just supposed to. 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.440 It is because he is worthy. 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:34.000 In Revelation 4, remember, 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:37.200 Worthy are you, our Lord and our God. 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:40.619 For you created all things and by your will, 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:44.059 they existed and were created. 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:48.199 Everything begins and ends with God. 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:51.079 Everything belongs to him. 00:24:52.479 --> 00:24:55.259 I once heard of a ministry, 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:57.039 even recently, 00:24:58.119 --> 00:25:03.919 one of our friends was trying to write out his testimony to share. 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:07.259 And he wrote in it, 00:25:07.300 --> 00:25:10.019 I really desire to glorify God with my life. 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:14.279 They wanted to take it out. 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:16.680 And say, say something different. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:21.680 I'm very close to going to talk to some of those people. 00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:23.200 I keep hearing these kind of reports. 00:25:24.840 --> 00:25:27.800 Everything begins and ends with the glory of God. 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:31.420 Romans 11, verse 33. 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:36.140 Oh, the depth and riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:40.900 How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways. 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:43.860 For who has known the mind of the Lord? 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:46.200 Who has been his counselor? 00:25:47.060 --> 00:25:48.660 Or who has given him a gift? 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.980 To him that he might be repaid. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:55.960 For from him, through him, and to him are all things. 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:59.700 To him be glory forever and ever. 00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.240 Amen. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:05.220 So, Paul begins with glory in chapter 1. 00:26:05.300 --> 00:26:08.560 Now he's wrapping it up with glory as well. 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:11.480 Sandwiched in, the letter of Philippians. 00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:14.360 Finally, grace. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.460 Three, grace. 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.000 He says, 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:19.560 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:21.440 The brothers who are with me greet you. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.180 All the saints greet you, 00:26:23.300 --> 00:26:25.400 especially those of Caesar's household. 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:29.380 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:33.000 So, greet every saint. 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.860 He doesn't use the collective law. 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:36.280 Like, hey, just greet everybody. 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.240 Thomas said hi. 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.160 He says, 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:42.080 Greet every saint. 00:26:42.620 --> 00:26:46.019 His affection ran so deep for those individuals. 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:48.680 He says in chapter 1, 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:55.019 God is my witness how I yearn for you with all the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.940 He says to the saints, 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.720 those who have been saved by Jesus, 00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:01.440 regenerated by his spirit, 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:04.819 and set apart for holy use. 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:07.420 Set apart from the life of sin, 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:10.640 and to be set apart for a life unto God. 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.180 The saints. 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:15.240 The brothers he's referring to, 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:15.779 Timothy, 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:17.460 Epaphroditus, 00:27:18.300 --> 00:27:18.640 Tychicus, 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:21.539 and probably around maybe eight people all together 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.660 that are there with him. 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:23.720 He's like, 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.940 they also greet you. 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:26.340 He's kind of writing on their behalf. 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.240 But he also says, 00:27:27.820 --> 00:27:28.620 I love this part, 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.779 greet those especially of Caesar's household. 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.779 So men, women, 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:34.840 and children that were serving in the emperor's palace 00:27:34.840 --> 00:27:37.019 on the Palatine Hill, 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:39.240 overlooking the Tiber River 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.779 and much of the city of Rome. 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:44.240 They even had had people saved inside 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:46.400 Caesar's own palace, 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.519 not the one in Las Vegas. 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:48.820 The real one. 00:27:50.080 --> 00:27:51.480 Both are houses of sin, 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:53.440 but they both were bad places. 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:57.800 But it could include members of Caesar's own family. 00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.560 We don't know that, 00:27:58.560 --> 00:27:59.480 but more than likely, 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:01.700 it actually refers to slaves, 00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:02.660 servants, cooks, 00:28:03.580 --> 00:28:04.300 food tasters, 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.039 musicians, 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:06.740 stablemen, 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.380 custodians, 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.940 heralds, 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.620 body servants. 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:12.000 It probably just refers to all those people 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:14.340 that actually worked in that house. 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:14.940 And again, 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.700 at this time, 00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.779 the emperor was Nero, 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:21.480 one of the final whack jobs in that line. 00:28:21.880 --> 00:28:24.360 But Paul specifically mentioned those 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.539 of the imperial guard, 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:27.240 the Praetorian guards. 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:29.140 So those even guarded the emperor. 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:32.259 So possibly even had converts 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:34.700 inside that elite military group. 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:37.520 So then he ends with grace, 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:37.820 right? 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:39.940 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.340 Grace, 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:41.840 our, 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:45.040 it's hard to even define it really. 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:47.759 The typical, 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.460 unmerited, 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:51.440 undeserved favor of God 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:53.180 in the lives of his people. 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:54.900 It's the wellspring 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:56.320 of like all that we do 00:28:56.320 --> 00:28:58.640 as believers in Christ. 00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.460 It's the wellspring 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.120 and the heartbeat. 00:29:02.320 --> 00:29:03.299 Grace saves us, 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.180 sanctifies us, 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.500 keeps us, 00:29:06.560 --> 00:29:07.380 and preserves us 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.100 until the end. 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:10.080 And I pray that 00:29:10.080 --> 00:29:11.779 we all find ourselves there. 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.880 And if you're struggling today, 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.200 grace, 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:18.400 grace to you. 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:21.860 May the Lord Jesus Christ 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:23.400 be with your spirit. 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:25.920 And so I hope that 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:27.519 as we conclude 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:29.280 our letter to the Philippians, 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.759 that it's been a blessing 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.460 to your soul. 00:29:32.280 --> 00:29:33.360 It's been so good 00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:34.360 to walk through it. 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:36.320 And we'll look forward 00:29:36.320 --> 00:29:37.500 to moving ahead 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:39.180 to what we talked about earlier. 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:41.540 So join me in prayer.