WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning. It's good to see you all here on this beautiful fall day.

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 I was out raking leaves with my kids yesterday, so my back is sore, but my spirits are good.

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 So, you know, we've been this fall looking at the book of Philippians and Paul's letter to this church

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 and I want to begin to, as we wrap up our sermon series this week, I want to remind you a little bit about the context in which the book was written.

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 Paul was writing, probably later in his ministry, he was writing, if you remember, from Rome.

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 We see that at the very end of chapter 4. He's writing in a context where he is in prison.

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 Chapter 1, we are reminded that he is writing in chains and that he is also not only facing that imprisonment,

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 that persecution for preaching the gospel, but also he was facing opponents who wished that he would continue to suffer

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 while they preached the gospel for selfish gain. He was suffering and in a difficult place.

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 And in this context, he's writing to a church that has been his friends and supporters for a long time.

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 The context of this was actually the church in Philippi had sent Epaphroditus with a gift to bless and to support

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 and to help provide financially for Paul while he was in prison.

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 And Paul was using the opportunity of Epaphroditus' return to Philippi to write a letter to them,

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 to encourage them, to encourage them, and to thank them.

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 And he's writing to say thank you.

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 But he spends a lot of time encouraging them to stand fast, to stand firm in the gospel,

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 as we heard last week as Pastor Nick talked about the beginning of chapter 4.

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 And here at the end, he focuses again on his relationship with them.

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 He focuses in on his thanksgiving for them.

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 But he takes this as an opportunity.

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 The pastor, one last time, saying to his friends something about contentment,

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 something about how as gospel citizens,

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 he wants to share about the contentment that he has experienced in the midst of his trials

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 and that he hopes they would know as well.

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 Contentment, according to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, is,

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 quote,

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 the quality or state of being characterized by feeling or showing satisfaction

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 with one's possessions, status, or situation.

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 Now, I don't know about you,

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 but it strikes me that our world today is not particularly characterized by contentment.

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 COVID-19 has disrupted our everyday lives in major and minor ways,

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 and we chafe under it.

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 Our political culture is marred by deep division, violent words,

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 attacking those who we disagree with.

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 And our social media world, it has been exposed, thanks to Facebook,

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 as knowingly creating a culture of comparison and competition among teens

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 that does great damage and produces fundamental insecurity.

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 Contentment is not in rich supply in our culture today.

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 But, of course, we can't just look out there

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 and think about contentment of what other people are going through.

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 It's in our hearts as well, isn't it?

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 The struggle for contentment.

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 We seek fulfillment and meaning in our work,

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 whether it be in a career or whether it be our work at home,

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 but we find that even in success, there is an emptiness to it.

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 We seek connection through friendships,

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 and yet we find ourselves longing for deeper connection, more intimacy.

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 Some of us have ample financial and material situations.

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 Others do not.

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 But I would say most of us would say,

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 sure be nice to have just a little bit more.

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 So discontentment is something that I think we can all agree is a part of our lives.

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 Now, look, we need to recognize that discontent isn't always bad.

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 There is a place for Christians to look at the world and to be rightly discontent

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 because the world is not as it's supposed to be.

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 The world does not reflect God's goodness and God's plan perfectly.

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 And so in a fallen world, we see all sorts of things that we can be discontent with

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 as we see how far short the world falls of God's intended purpose.

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 And there can be a right longing for the fullness of God's kingdom

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 and for the making right of wrongs in this world.

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 So there is a healthy discontent, a godly discontent that we ought to recognize.

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 That would be a whole other sermon to think about how do we live that out.

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 That's not what Paul's talking about today.

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 So we're going to focus on contentment,

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 but want to recognize that there is a healthy contentment out there.

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 And yet, often we are mired in an unhealthy discontent,

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 rooted in our expectations that this world will satisfy us perfectly.

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 That we ought to and deserve to be pleased by this world.

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 That our circumstances in this world ought to match our desires

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 and ought to produce all things that are good.

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 Did you notice the Webster's Dictionary?

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 Everything in it is based on circumstances.

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 We have this experience of joy based on what?

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 Our status, our situation, and our possessions.

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 If this is what is going to be the base of our contentment or discontent

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 in a fallen world, friends,

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 we are always going to be unhealthily discontent.

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 And it produces ugly fruit in us, doesn't it?

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 I don't know about you, but when I feel discontent,

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 how easy it is for me to become critical in my spirit towards others

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 and towards my circumstances.

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 How easy is it for me to grumble at the stove delivery guys

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 who had this really broken system that had to come two different times

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 and they didn't take the stuff away.

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 And it took forever to just get a little appliance delivered.

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 And I grumbled and complained.

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 And sometimes it's even more than that.

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 We become despairing and bitter towards the world we live in.

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 And sometimes our discontent drives us to be driven people,

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 seeking to achieve, to obtain, to overcome our lack

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 in a never-ending pursuit of satisfaction.

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 This discontent sits and eats at our soul.

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 We have a never-enough bug.

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 And even when our longings are good,

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 they can be the enemy of contentment.

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 So what does God have to say to us today?

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 In our proclivity to be discontent,

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 what does God have to say to us about contentment today?

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 So turn with me with that introduction to Philippians chapter 4.

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 We're going to be looking at verses 10 through 20 this morning.

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 Philippians chapter 4, 10 through 20.

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 That's page 923 if you're in the Pew Bibles.

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 The Apostle Paul writes this.

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 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly

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 that now at length you have revived your concern for me.

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 You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

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 Not that I am speaking of being in need,

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 for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

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 I know how to be brought low,

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 and I know how to abound.

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 In any and every circumstance,

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 I have learned the secret of facing plenty in hunger,

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 abundance in need.

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 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

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 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

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 And you Philippians yourselves know that

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 in the beginning of the gospel,

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 when I left Macedonia,

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 no church entered into partnership with me

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 in giving and receiving except you only.

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 Even in Thessalonica,

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 you sent me gifts for my need once and again.

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 Not that I seek the gift,

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 but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.

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 I have received full payment and more.

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 I am well supplied,

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 having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,

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 a fragrant offering,

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 a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

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 And my God will supply every need of yours

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 according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

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 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever.

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 Amen.

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 Let's pray.

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 Lord, we ask you this morning that you would help us.

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 Lord, as we sit under your word this morning,

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 we pray that you would help us to receive it.

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 Lord, we pray for your Holy Spirit,

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 Lord, to speak to our hearts.

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 Lord, that you would teach us about your goodness

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 and your character this morning.

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 Lord, I pray that you would be my help,

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 that you would help me to speak words as I ought.

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 Lord, and that through me, Lord,

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 we would together sit under your word.

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 We pray this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 So what does Paul have to teach us

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 about contentment this morning?

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 I think this passage breaks down into three different sections.

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 In verses 10 through 13,

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 we will see the secret of contentment.

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 In verses 14 through 17,

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 we'll see the fruit of contentment.

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 And verses 18 through 20,

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 we will see the confidence of contentment.

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 So with that, let's dive in and take a look at this passage.

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 First, in verses 10 through 13,

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 the secret of contentment.

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 In verse 11, Paul says,

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 I have learned the secret of being content.

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 But before he gives us this secret,

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 he expands on his context,

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 on his circumstance.

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 He says,

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 I know how to do this,

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 how to be brought low,

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 and how to abound in every and any circumstance.

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 I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger,

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 abundance and need.

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 Friends, that is a striking sentence.

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 When we think about how it applies to our lives,

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 we think,

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 could I say something like that?

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 We know of what Paul was facing.

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 Paul was in prison.

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 Paul was facing persecution and opposition.

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 It says that he knew what it was like to be brought low,

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 which if we've been reading the book,

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 if you'd been reading in the original language,

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 he would remember this is the same word

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 used back in chapter 2, verse 8,

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 for Jesus,

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 when Jesus humbled himself,

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 made himself nothing,

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 taking on the form of a servant

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 and going to the cross.

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 Paul says,

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 I know how hard it's been.

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 Paul also says,

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 I've known great provision.

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 When I arrived at Philippi,

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 there was this woman, Lydia,

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 who provided and welcomed me in the house,

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 who provided all that we needed for ministry.

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 There was these great,

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 amazing provisions of God through an earthquake.

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 There was a jailer who welcomed me into his home

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 after I was freed from prison.

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 So Paul has said,

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 I've seen the extremes of really good and really bad.

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 Paul says,

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 this is the context in which I have learned to be content.

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 Now friends,

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 isn't it interesting that Paul says,

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 not just the hard things,

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 but the good things.

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 This is a little bit of the passage in Deuteronomy 8

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 that we learned,

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 that we read earlier.

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 Moses warning Israel

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 as about,

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 about their,

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 how they handle their circumstances.

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 The danger,

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 as Moses reminded us,

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 was that they're both in trials and in abundance.

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 In trials,

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 we tend to grumble and complain to blame God

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 and turn away from him.

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 In abundance,

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 we become complacent,

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 ungrateful,

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 forgetting God's provision.

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 When circumstances dictate or control our contentment,

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 we end up being those who grasp for things that we don't have

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 and the things that we do,

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 we find to be empty and insufficient to satisfy our souls.

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 But Paul had found a secret.

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 This is a verse that is well known.

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 It's used all over the,

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 in many,

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 many different places.

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 I can do,

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 verse 13,

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 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

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 Now,

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 first,

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 we need to clear off some of the chaff.

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 What does this not mean?

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 It does not mean that you can run faster than a speeding bullet,

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 that you are more powerful than a locomotive,

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 or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

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 Some of you may be too young to know what that's about.

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 Superman.

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 It's about Superman.

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 Superman.

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 All right?

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 In Christ,

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 we are not able to do things,

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 to do all human achievements.

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 Right?

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 It also doesn't mean

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 that I can do all things,

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 which means that I can't

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 weep or lament about things that are sad,

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 that I can't pray to God for changing my circumstances,

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 that I can't ask help from friends.

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 It doesn't mean any of those things.

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 But what it does mean is

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 all things,

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 in all my circumstances,

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 in all of my situations,

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 whether abundance or want,

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 I am able to be content in Christ.

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 Even in prison,

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 I'm able to be content in Christ.

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 Why can he say this?

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 Well, of course,

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 the translation in the ESV is,

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 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

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 The through him

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 makes it sound like Christ is an empowering help

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 that comes alongside.

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 But I think perhaps a better translation be,

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 I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

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 Which brings us back to some of the things

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 we've been looking at in Philippians,

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 that when we are in Christ,

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 when we by faith are joined to Christ,

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 Christ who was humiliated and exalted

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 in great ways,

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 this is the one

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 in whom we find the ability to be content.

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 Why is that?

00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:10.059
 Because of who Christ is.

00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:11.179
 Because Christ,

00:15:11.299 --> 00:15:12.740
 if you remember at the end of chapter three,

00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:14.139
 Christ will return.

00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:16.100
 And when he returns,

00:15:16.199 --> 00:15:19.439
 he will raise up all who are joined with him by faith

00:15:19.439 --> 00:15:21.439
 to a new and eternal life.

00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:23.960
 And the suffering that we experience in this life

00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:26.279
 is just a blip compared to an eternity

00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:29.519
 of renewed life with Christ.

00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:32.779
 Or remember that being in Christ

00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:34.600
 means that we are joined with him

00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.980
 who in chapter two,

00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:37.519
 verses 10 and 11,

00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:40.360
 the one that God has greatly exalted

00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:42.940
 and given a name that is above every name

00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:45.580
 so that at the name of Jesus,

00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.899
 every knee will bow

00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:48.460
 and every tongue will confess

00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:50.759
 that Jesus Christ is Lord.

00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:52.720
 We are connected to him

00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:56.120
 who will rule forever in eternity.

00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.840
 So Paul is saying,

00:15:59.259 --> 00:15:59.840
 in Christ,

00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:02.120
 we have a greater treasure

00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:04.480
 than anything that we could have

00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:07.000
 or want in this world.

00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:11.179
 So with his eyes set on Jesus,

00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.060
 he says,

00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:14.659
 what we already have in Christ,

00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:15.779
 our salvation,

00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:17.480
 our relationship with God,

00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:19.879
 becoming a part of the people of God,

00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.419
 the household of God,

00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.200
 the citizenship,

00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.879
 the country of God's kingdom,

00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:26.159
 this is what we have now

00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:27.679
 and what we have to come

00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:29.759
 with this glory of a final resurrection,

00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.879
 the freedom from all suffering,

00:16:32.200 --> 00:16:33.539
 the triumph over evil

00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:35.960
 and the glory that he will raise us up

00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:37.000
 to be a part of.

00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:39.320
 Paul says,

00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:41.659
 because I have the life of Christ now

00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:43.379
 and the triumph of Christ later,

00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.919
 this is why in him,

00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:49.299
 I can do all things.

00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:49.620
 That is,

00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:53.139
 I can be content in all circumstances.

00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:59.100
 So if in these verses,

00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:01.279
 Paul tells us about the secret of contentment,

00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:03.500
 verses 14 through 17 goes on

00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:06.660
 and we see a little bit of the fruit of contentment

00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:08.259
 in Paul's life,

00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:10.359
 in his love for the Philippians.

00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:12.579
 He returns in verse 14.

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:15.039
 It's probably not a good paragraph break.

00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:16.759
 It probably is all just one thought.

00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:20.099
 The yet is not a strong adversative.

00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.160
 It's more of a like,

00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:21.779
 you know,

00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:23.300
 now returning to this,

00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:25.860
 I want you to know how thankful I am,

00:17:26.060 --> 00:17:26.380
 right?

00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:27.720
 He said in verse,

00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:29.800
 sorry,

00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.560
 verse 11,

00:17:31.700 --> 00:17:32.620
 he started off by saying,

00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:32.800
 hey,

00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:34.180
 not that I'm talking about need.

00:17:34.560 --> 00:17:36.040
 This isn't about my need.

00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:38.040
 So he wanted to come back and say,

00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:40.040
 but I'm really thankful for you.

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.800
 I'm thankful for your gift.

00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:44.560
 I'm thankful for the ways

00:17:44.560 --> 00:17:46.779
 that God has used you to provide for me.

00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:49.599
 And he's so thankful for this.

00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:51.119
 He's thankful not only for their gift,

00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.319
 but for their partnership.

00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:55.759
 The way that they had entered into the gospel life

00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.700
 and ministry as he had.

00:17:57.839 --> 00:18:00.920
 The way that they suffered along with him.

00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:03.079
 Paul is being explicit.

00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:06.319
 You supported me even right away,

00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:09.259
 right when I moved from Philippi on to Thessalonica,

00:18:09.399 --> 00:18:11.160
 which is sort of the next major city

00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.960
 and the next place that Paul went

00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:14.339
 on his second missionary journey.

00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:17.059
 You were there and you were supplying.

00:18:17.199 --> 00:18:19.159
 And then when we left Macedonia altogether,

00:18:19.159 --> 00:18:21.799
 you continued to supply me for a while.

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.220
 And then we learned in verse 10,

00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:25.439
 then there was a season

00:18:25.439 --> 00:18:26.879
 where there was an opportunity,

00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:29.119
 but now you've revived that for me.

00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:31.259
 And Paul says,

00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:34.099
 I'm so thankful for your gift

00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.679
 and for the way you've been a partner.

00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:38.399
 And it brings to mind what Paul writes

00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:40.000
 about the Philippians

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:42.759
 in 2 Corinthians 8, 1 through 5.

00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:44.200
 I'm gonna read a part of that

00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:45.660
 just to give you a sense of what,

00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:48.180
 how Paul saw their partnership

00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:49.420
 and their giving to him.

00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.200
 He describes them,

00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.779
 in a test of severe,

00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:54.879
 in a severe test of affliction,

00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:57.299
 their abundance of joy

00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.700
 and their extreme poverty

00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.980
 have overflowed

00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:02.579
 in a wealth of generosity on their part.

00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:04.759
 For they gave according to their means,

00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.819
 as I can testify,

00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:08.379
 and beyond their means of their own accord,

00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:10.259
 begging us earnestly

00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:13.039
 for the favor of taking part

00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.879
 in the relief of the saints.

00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:17.359
 And this, not as we expected,

00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:20.240
 but they gave themselves first to the Lord

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:23.440
 and then by the will of God to us.

00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:26.000
 This was in the context of Paul

00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:29.019
 gathering a collection

00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:31.079
 to go back to the saints in Jerusalem

00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:33.379
 who were suffering persecution at the time.

00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:34.260
 He says,

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:37.520
 the church in Macedonia did this.

00:19:38.400 --> 00:19:41.360
 They gave abundantly beyond what they could

00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:43.920
 and they gave themselves first to the Lord

00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:45.660
 and then to us.

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:47.420
 What a beautiful picture.

00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:50.540
 And yet Paul's focus here in Philippians

00:19:50.540 --> 00:19:52.080
 in 4 through 17

00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:54.100
 is not specifically on the gift,

00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.260
 though he's thankful for it.

00:19:55.580 --> 00:19:56.460
 He goes on, he says,

00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:59.560
 not that I'm focused on what you did for me,

00:19:59.559 --> 00:20:02.039
 but what I'm really focused on is you

00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:04.059
 and the blessings that you have.

00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:09.179
 That your gift would be credited to your account.

00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:12.399
 That your gift would be seen in the courtroom,

00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:14.419
 in the accounting room of heaven.

00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:16.539
 And that God would look on this

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.919
 and be pleased.

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:20.619
 And that you would know God's pleasure.

00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:24.779
 You see, Paul's relationship with the Philippians

00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:26.359
 was not a transactional one.

00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:28.039
 I come preach the gospel,

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.279
 you support me,

00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:30.500
 and then we're all doing.

00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:34.079
 His eyes have always had a triangular relationship.

00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:36.500
 I'm here because of Christ for you.

00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:39.740
 My desire is for you to mostly know Christ

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:41.759
 through me if at all possible.

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.279
 And as you support me,

00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.740
 what I really want is for you

00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:46.159
 to know Christ more.

00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:50.399
 I want you to be pleased with this.

00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:55.059
 Friends, I wonder how often

00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:57.740
 we allow our relationships

00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:59.200
 to become transactional.

00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:02.179
 Whether it's literal, physical,

00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.879
 or material help.

00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:06.139
 Whether it's the kind of friendship

00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:09.039
 that makes us happy or laugh

00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:11.179
 or it's easy to do.

00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.500
 I wonder how easily

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:15.960
 we view our relationships

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:18.039
 as what can I get out of this?

00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:20.679
 And even when we're thankful for people,

00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:23.779
 it's because they have given us things.

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:26.960
 The fruit of contentment,

00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:29.220
 the fruit of a contented spirit

00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:31.920
 is that we are freed from grasping

00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:34.359
 to take from others.

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:36.799
 And we are free from complaining

00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.639
 when they don't give it to us.

00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:41.500
 And we are able to focus instead on them.

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.319
 To celebrate them,

00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:44.240
 to rejoice in them,

00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.680
 to invest in them,

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:48.500
 to have this deep sense of partnership

00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:50.139
 as gospel citizens.

00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:52.960
 This is what the community

00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:55.080
 of the gospel content in Christ

00:21:55.080 --> 00:21:56.680
 can be.

00:21:57.780 --> 00:21:58.680
 And friends, I hope

00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:00.420
 and I pray regularly

00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.720
 that this would be true

00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:03.300
 at Trinity.

00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:05.900
 And as we have an opportunity

00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:07.700
 to celebrate Thanksgiving this week,

00:22:07.780 --> 00:22:09.860
 I pray that we would consider

00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:11.900
 how we are practicing

00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:13.200
 a kind of thankfulness

00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:15.020
 that is not self-centered,

00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.740
 but ultimately is God-centered.

00:22:17.300 --> 00:22:19.160
 Can we be thankful for God's work

00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:19.920
 in other people?

00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:21.240
 Can we be thankful

00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.700
 for the way we've seen God

00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:24.100
 provide for one another

00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.740
 in beautiful ways?

00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.860
 Can we have a radically

00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:29.279
 Christ-focused approach

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.740
 to our own needs

00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.960
 even in this season?

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.300
 And this brings us

00:22:35.300 --> 00:22:36.860
 to the last part of our passage.

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.960
 For Paul has shown us

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.340
 the secret of contentment,

00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.660
 being in Christ,

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:43.100
 the fruit of contentment,

00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.940
 a love for one another.

00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:46.759
 Then finally,

00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:48.500
 in verses 18 through 20,

00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:52.019
 Paul exhibits

00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:53.339
 a confidence

00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:54.960
 of contentment

00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:56.740
 that is truly striking.

00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.640
 Let's look at it.

00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.920
 Let's read these verses again.

00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.299
 It's been a few minutes

00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:01.119
 since we looked at it.

00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:01.839
 Verse 18.

00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:03.660
 I have received

00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:04.940
 full payment

00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:06.460
 and more.

00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.319
 I am well supplied.

00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.400
 Having received

00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:10.379
 from Epaphroditus

00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:11.460
 the gifts you sent,

00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.960
 a fragrant offering,

00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:15.000
 a sacrifice acceptable

00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.599
 and pleasing to God.

00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.000
 And my God

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.680
 will supply

00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.859
 every need of yours

00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:21.140
 according to his riches

00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:21.819
 and glory

00:23:21.819 --> 00:23:23.359
 in Christ Jesus.

00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:25.420
 To our God and Father

00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:27.019
 be glory forever

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.220
 and ever.

00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.279
 Amen.

00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:32.180
 See, friends,

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.319
 it is Paul's confidence

00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.559
 in God's capacity

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.400
 and his character

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.859
 that give him contentment.

00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:37.960
 So he makes

00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:39.140
 this striking statement

00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:39.980
 in verse 18.

00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.799
 I have received

00:23:40.799 --> 00:23:41.460
 full payment

00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.019
 and more.

00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:43.259
 I am well supplied.

00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.000
 Again, remember,

00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:45.759
 he's in prison

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:47.539
 and yet he's saying,

00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.079
 you know what?

00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:49.220
 I have all I need.

00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:51.379
 Your gift

00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:52.779
 has blessed me

00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.779
 and I have

00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:55.259
 all that I need.

00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.339
 And he sees

00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:57.900
 the gifts

00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:59.319
 as being

00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.700
 not just

00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.799
 given to him

00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:03.240
 but he sees them

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.440
 as they truly are

00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:05.599
 as actually

00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.579
 offerings to God.

00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.559
 He uses language

00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.440
 here of the temple.

00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.059
 Do you see that

00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.539
 in verse 18?

00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:12.339
 He uses language

00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:14.000
 of a fragrant offering,

00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.379
 a sacrifice

00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.059
 acceptable

00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:17.259
 and pleasing to God.

00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:18.659
 These would be words

00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:20.139
 that would resound

00:24:20.139 --> 00:24:21.639
 in a New Testament believer

00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:23.139
 of the Old Testament

00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.859
 translation

00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:26.119
 in Greek

00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:27.420
 that would describe

00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.859
 how people

00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:30.039
 would bring offerings

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:31.039
 to the temple.

00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:33.059
 An offering

00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.940
 that would be burned

00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.500
 and provide

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.680
 a fragrant offering

00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.899
 to the Lord.

00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:39.460
 An acceptable sacrifice

00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.400
 is one that would be

00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.400
 without blemishes.

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.460
 They're bringing

00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.720
 atoning sacrifices

00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:47.019
 and sin sacrifices

00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.360
 for all sorts

00:24:48.360 --> 00:24:49.480
 of different things.

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.500
 And Paul says,

00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.579
 I have seen

00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.519
 what you have done.

00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:55.340
 I've been fully supplied

00:24:55.340 --> 00:24:56.620
 and what you've been doing

00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.920
 is worshiping God.

00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:00.559
 And then he turns

00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:02.799
 from his own confidence.

00:25:03.039 --> 00:25:03.700
 God has provided

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.720
 everything I need

00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.259
 to try to pass

00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.880
 this confidence

00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:08.220
 along to them as well.

00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.180
 In verse 19,

00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:11.180
 my God will supply

00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:12.759
 all your needs.

00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.440
 Paul personalizes God

00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.039
 at this point.

00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:17.600
 My God.

00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.600
 He's not doing that

00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.839
 to relativize it like,

00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:21.500
 well, my God provides for me.

00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.319
 How about your God?

00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.680
 Does your God provide for you?

00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.600
 That's not ways.

00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.600
 He's doing that

00:25:25.600 --> 00:25:26.279
 to personalize.

00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:27.339
 I have seen it

00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.240
 and experienced it

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.299
 in my own life.

00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.640
 I have been

00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.700
 in plenty and want.

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.900
 As you look through

00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:34.019
 the rest of the New Testament,

00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:35.620
 you see what Paul suffered.

00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:36.500
 persecution,

00:25:36.719 --> 00:25:37.159
 hardships,

00:25:37.679 --> 00:25:38.259
 shipwrecks,

00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:38.719
 hunger,

00:25:38.899 --> 00:25:39.159
 want,

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.479
 all sorts of things.

00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:41.759
 And yet he says,

00:25:41.939 --> 00:25:42.919
 God has met me

00:25:42.919 --> 00:25:44.479
 in all of those circumstances.

00:25:44.679 --> 00:25:45.459
 God has provided

00:25:45.459 --> 00:25:47.139
 exactly what is needed.

00:25:47.699 --> 00:25:48.899
 And even as he talked about

00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:49.719
 in chapter one,

00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:51.659
 he's now probably facing trial

00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.079
 and he's like,

00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:53.059
 and I might die.

00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.439
 I might be killed.

00:25:55.879 --> 00:25:57.139
 But my God

00:25:57.139 --> 00:26:00.079
 is able to be with me

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.159
 and provide for me

00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:02.580
 all that he needs

00:26:02.580 --> 00:26:04.100
 to give me,

00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.220
 all that I need

00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:06.360
 from him.

00:26:06.580 --> 00:26:07.320
 So he says,

00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:09.380
 this is what I've experienced.

00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.420
 He says,

00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.380
 my God is able

00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:13.700
 to provide for you

00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:15.220
 and provide for you

00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.320
 all that you need,

00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.500
 supply all your needs

00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.960
 according to what?

00:26:21.100 --> 00:26:22.340
 According to all

00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:24.220
 the riches of Christ.

00:26:24.540 --> 00:26:25.519
 This word,

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.640
 riches of crisis,

00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:28.380
 would be the typical

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.960
 Roman word for wealth.

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:31.120
 And that would be

00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:32.819
 measured by slaves

00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:34.380
 and property

00:26:34.380 --> 00:26:35.500
 and money

00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.640
 and influence

00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.319
 and power.

00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.420
 Paul says,

00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.480
 we know the one

00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.680
 who has all

00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:43.759
 the riches.

00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:46.880
 More than anything.

00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:49.180
 God has so much

00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.700
 more than the riches

00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.420
 of the world.

00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.680
 And his riches

00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:54.140
 are both spiritual

00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:55.160
 and practical.

00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.500
 He's not lacking

00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.620
 on any front

00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:58.940
 in his ability

00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.840
 to give.

00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.600
 Gordon Fee

00:27:01.600 --> 00:27:02.319
 in his commentary

00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:03.819
 on Philippians

00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:05.220
 has a great list.

00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.720
 And I'm just going

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.819
 to read through this

00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.480
 so that you can see

00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.539
 how even in the book

00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.319
 of Philippians,

00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.660
 we've seen God

00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:13.220
 providing what is needed.

00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.740
 So in the midst

00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.539
 of their poverty,

00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.819
 he supplied

00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:18.200
 material needs.

00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.980
 In the midst

00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:21.299
 of their present suffering

00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:21.819
 in the face

00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:22.620
 of opposition,

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:24.240
 he supplied

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.039
 what is needed

00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.920
 to endure it.

00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.400
 That is,

00:27:26.840 --> 00:27:27.700
 steadfastness,

00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.299
 joy,

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.200
 and encouragement.

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.579
 In their need

00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.659
 to advance the faith

00:27:31.659 --> 00:27:32.680
 with one mindset,

00:27:33.159 --> 00:27:34.579
 he supplied the grace

00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.299
 and humility

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.220
 of Christ

00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:38.039
 for them to live in.

00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:38.919
 In the place

00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.480
 of grumbling

00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.379
 and anxiety,

00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.799
 God surprised

00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:43.240
 the reality

00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:44.339
 of his own presence

00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:45.139
 with them

00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:46.379
 as the God

00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:47.039
 of peace.

00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:51.019
 And of course,

00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:52.639
 above all those things,

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.859
 God has provided

00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:55.579
 Christ.

00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.579
 And I don't know

00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.539
 if you have seen it,

00:27:58.639 --> 00:28:00.039
 but as we've walked

00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:00.619
 through the book

00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:01.399
 of Philippians,

00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:02.959
 more and more and more,

00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:04.079
 Nick and I have talked

00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:04.939
 every week

00:28:04.939 --> 00:28:05.659
 as we've prepared

00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:06.279
 for sermons

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:08.179
 on how Philippians 2,

00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:09.159
 6 through 11,

00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:10.879
 is the centerpiece

00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.619
 of this book.

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.240
 It is the theological

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.139
 high point.

00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:14.899
 And I want you

00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.379
 to go back

00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.119
 and look at it

00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:17.799
 to see what it is

00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:19.039
 that God has given us

00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.939
 in Christ.

00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:22.380
 Philippians 2,

00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.160
 verse 6,

00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:24.960
 Christ Jesus,

00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:25.420
 who,

00:28:25.580 --> 00:28:26.140
 though he was

00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:27.340
 in the form of God,

00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.700
 did not count

00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.940
 equality with God

00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:31.180
 a thing to be grasped,

00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.840
 but made himself

00:28:32.840 --> 00:28:33.400
 nothing.

00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.059
 Taking the form

00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:35.720
 of a servant,

00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.140
 being born

00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:37.940
 in the likeness

00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.640
 of man,

00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.920
 and being found

00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:40.820
 in human form,

00:28:40.880 --> 00:28:41.940
 he humbled himself

00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:43.660
 by becoming obedient

00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.860
 to the point of death,

00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:46.240
 even death

00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:47.320
 on a cross.

00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.779
 Therefore,

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.000
 God has highly

00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.879
 exalted him

00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:52.680
 and bestowed on him

00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:53.220
 the name

00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.920
 that is above

00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.899
 every name,

00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:56.259
 so that at the name

00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.799
 of Jesus

00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:58.160
 every knee should bow

00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:59.200
 in heaven

00:28:59.200 --> 00:28:59.980
 and on earth

00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.839
 and under the earth,

00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.180
 and every tongue

00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:03.819
 confess that Jesus Christ

00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.460
 is Lord

00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.940
 to the glory

00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.139
 of God

00:29:07.139 --> 00:29:08.440
 the Father.

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:11.559
 God has given us

00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.139
 a Savior

00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:13.740
 who humbled himself,

00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:16.059
 took on servants,

00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:18.039
 a form of a servant,

00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.319
 suffered,

00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.680
 and died

00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.859
 for us.

00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.000
 This is

00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.420
 the love

00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.039
 of a Savior

00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:25.740
 for us.

00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:27.000
 This is the power

00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:29.139
 not of a triumphalistic

00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.579
 Savior,

00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.519
 but of one

00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.059
 who is willing

00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.759
 to lay down

00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.319
 his life

00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.279
 in order to be

00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.119
 our Redeemer.

00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.799
 And this is the Savior

00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:37.079
 who is vindicated

00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:38.440
 in all that he did

00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.899
 by being raised

00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:40.700
 to new life

00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.859
 and being exalted

00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:42.579
 by God

00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:44.099
 to his right hand

00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:45.139
 with the knowledge

00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:45.960
 that one day

00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.020
 the work

00:29:47.020 --> 00:29:48.040
 of redemption

00:29:48.040 --> 00:29:49.600
 that he has begun

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.780
 through his life

00:29:50.780 --> 00:29:51.140
 and death

00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.720
 and resurrection

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:53.440
 will finally be applied

00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:55.000
 in its fullness

00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:56.180
 in the day

00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:57.320
 that is yet to come.

00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.360
 And Paul says,

00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:00.940
 my God

00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:02.259
 is that God

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:04.000
 and he has done

00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.900
 everything

00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:06.600
 that you need

00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:07.699
 and he is able

00:30:07.699 --> 00:30:08.480
 to supply

00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:10.159
 all of your needs

00:30:10.159 --> 00:30:11.679
 according to the riches

00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:13.279
 that he has

00:30:13.279 --> 00:30:15.500
 in Christ Jesus.

00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:19.000
 Christ who is our pattern

00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:19.959
 for humble living

00:30:19.959 --> 00:30:20.539
 and serving.

00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.539
 Christ

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.939
 in whom we find

00:30:22.939 --> 00:30:23.539
 the power

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.899
 for steadfastness

00:30:24.899 --> 00:30:26.079
 in the face

00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.779
 of trials.

00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.139
 Christ

00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:29.539
 who's coming again

00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.879
 is our hope

00:30:30.879 --> 00:30:31.819
 and our promise.

00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:35.299
 and because of Christ

00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.659
 we can be content.

00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.740
 Not because

00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.419
 our circumstances

00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:40.159
 are good

00:30:40.159 --> 00:30:41.679
 or not because

00:30:41.679 --> 00:30:42.419
 our circumstances

00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:43.279
 are not good

00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:44.419
 but because

00:30:44.419 --> 00:30:45.859
 in every circumstance

00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:47.200
 we are able

00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.779
 to say

00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:48.960
 our contentment

00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.639
 is fixed

00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.460
 on him.

00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:53.579
 And so Paul

00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:55.220
 ends this book

00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:57.179
 verse 20

00:30:57.179 --> 00:30:58.679
 with a note

00:30:58.679 --> 00:30:59.359
 of praise

00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:00.779
 a note of doxology

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.799
 a note of thanksgiving

00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:03.039
 to our God

00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.599
 and Father

00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.440
 be glory

00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.779
 forever and ever

00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.259
 amen.

00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.559
 Do you notice

00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.460
 how my God

00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:09.379
 in verse 19

00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:10.700
 became our God

00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.680
 in verse 20?

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.159
 If we know

00:31:14.159 --> 00:31:15.079
 this God

00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:16.539
 the contentment

00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:17.339
 that we have

00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.200
 overflows

00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.619
 with praise

00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.259
 and worship

00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:23.200
 and this is

00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.579
 what God

00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.339
 calls us to

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.039
 this is what

00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.299
 Paul exhorts us to

00:31:26.299 --> 00:31:27.180
 that

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:28.779
 we would learn

00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.279
 the secret

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.119
 of contentment

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:32.199
 by knowing God

00:31:32.199 --> 00:31:33.399
 as fully

00:31:33.399 --> 00:31:34.119
 as he did

00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:36.099
 and by applying

00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:36.599
 it to the

00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:37.199
 circumstances

00:31:37.199 --> 00:31:38.099
 of our lives

00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:39.179
 so that we

00:31:39.179 --> 00:31:39.819
 might live

00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.659
 with this

00:31:40.659 --> 00:31:41.679
 kind of contentment.

00:31:42.479 --> 00:31:43.279
 Let's pray.

00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:48.980
 Lord we thank you

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:51.480
 for this word

00:31:51.480 --> 00:31:54.259
 Lord we thank you

00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:56.339
 for the encouragement

00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:57.500
 and the challenge

00:31:57.500 --> 00:31:58.019
 that it is

00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.740
 to our hearts.

00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.899
 We do confess

00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:01.619
 how often

00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.819
 we are discontent

00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:04.859
 with our world

00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:06.099
 with ourselves

00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:07.940
 those around us

00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:10.500
 O God

00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.080
 we pray

00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:12.420
 teach us

00:32:12.420 --> 00:32:12.920
 the secret

00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:13.799
 of contentment

00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:15.360
 teach us

00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:16.019
 to know

00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.700
 the riches

00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.519
 that we have

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:17.980
 in you

00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:19.440
 teach us

00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:19.880
 to know

00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:20.680
 your empowering

00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.120
 presence

00:32:21.120 --> 00:32:21.940
 with us

00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:23.200
 teach us

00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.920
 to know

00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:25.820
 Lord

00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:26.320
 so that we

00:32:26.320 --> 00:32:26.980
 might learn

00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.880
 to be content

00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:29.080
 in all circumstances

00:32:29.080 --> 00:32:30.039
 with love

00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.820
 for others

00:32:30.820 --> 00:32:32.080
 and confidence

00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:33.000
 in you

00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:34.660
 and Lord

00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.140
 we pray

00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:35.779
 that this

00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:37.099
 contentment

00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.379
 Lord

00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:38.200
 would overflow

00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:39.319
 in thanksgiving

00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:40.279
 and praise

00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:41.440
 that we would

00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:42.359
 glorify you

00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:45.559
 we pray

00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.099
 these things

00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:46.920
 in Jesus name

00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:48.099
 Amen