WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.040 The following sermon is made available by Lakeside Bible Church in Cornelius, North Carolina. 00:00:15.040 --> 00:00:19.160 For more information about our church or to find more recorded sermons, 00:00:19.719 --> 00:00:22.740 please visit us online at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:25.719 We'd also love to connect with you on social media. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:30.679 You can find us by searching Lakeside Bible NC on Facebook and Instagram. 00:00:31.399 --> 00:00:37.859 For specific questions about the Bible or our church, please email us at info at lakesidebible.church. 00:00:39.739 --> 00:00:47.219 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again, 00:00:48.460 --> 00:00:52.439 wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 00:00:52.439 --> 00:01:00.099 Not that I speak in respect of one, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 00:01:01.159 --> 00:01:05.879 I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound. 00:01:06.780 --> 00:01:14.519 Everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:19.000 I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:26.180 Notwithstanding, you have well done that you did communicate with my affliction. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:35.060 But we have now reached the last major transition of Paul's letter to this church in Philippi. 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:44.039 And while the overarching purpose and theme of verses 2 through 9 in this chapter is seen to be Christian peace, 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:50.520 the theme of this final section of Philippians is focused in on Christian benevolence. 00:01:51.260 --> 00:02:01.219 And together, these two sections make up what is by far the most practical portion of the entire letter that Paul has written to this church. 00:02:01.880 --> 00:02:07.360 For instance, Paul didn't write theoretically about peace to the church. 00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:16.879 Rather, in those verses that we've studied the last three Sundays, he wrote about the means by which they could actually obtain true and lasting peace. 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:25.960 And so this theological thought of the peace that comes from God is actually delivered in this letter in a very practical way of not something that we can think on, 00:02:26.039 --> 00:02:28.259 but something we can actually pursue in our lives. 00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:32.300 And he lays out all the ways that God has made that possible. 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:37.660 Well, these final two paragraphs of the letter are no less practical than that, 00:02:37.960 --> 00:02:45.060 even though they're set within the framework of personal correspondence as opposed to instruction. 00:02:45.860 --> 00:02:50.660 In verses 15 through 20, where Lord willing, we'll come to next Sunday, 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:57.140 we see that Paul deals with Christian benevolence from the perspective of the church's giving. 00:02:57.139 --> 00:03:00.959 But in these verses that we just read, 10 through 14, 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:08.659 we actually learn about contentment, specifically from the example that Paul gives of his own life. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:15.319 And so contentment then becomes the primary focus of our study of this passage today. 00:03:16.679 --> 00:03:22.219 Contentment is actually a somewhat foreign concept in the culture in which we live, isn't it? 00:03:22.219 --> 00:03:29.699 The essence of it actually goes against everything that we're taught to pursue and to admire 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:34.560 and what has become known as the great American dream, right? 00:03:35.460 --> 00:03:40.599 In a sense, contentment is not only disregarded in our culture, 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:46.659 it's actually considered in many ways to be complacent or lazy 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:50.860 or even to an extent cowardly by some people. 00:03:50.860 --> 00:03:56.820 We're conditioned to always be in pursuit of the next big thing, 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:02.100 the next big promotion or the next big house or the next big milestone 00:04:02.100 --> 00:04:04.560 or the next big toy and so on and so forth. 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:09.560 It's a constant desire that we achieve more and that we gain more 00:04:09.560 --> 00:04:12.560 and that we add to what we have been given. 00:04:13.440 --> 00:04:17.060 But whenever we reach that thing for which we so feverishly labor, 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:22.819 we quickly and almost immediately turn our eyes to the next thing. 00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:28.180 Without giving almost any time to actually enjoy the blessing of the Lord, 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:32.240 we almost immediately turn our eyes to what we desire to achieve next 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:35.240 or what we desire to receive next. 00:04:35.379 --> 00:04:39.279 And so contentment then as a culture, as a nation especially, 00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:43.259 is something that is quite foreign to our understanding, 00:04:43.339 --> 00:04:45.979 at least in the way that we practically live our lives. 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:52.339 Add to that the insatiable desire that many of us have for material gain 00:04:52.339 --> 00:04:57.939 and the endless search that we have for the next buzz of some sort, 00:04:58.019 --> 00:05:01.519 whether it be in gain or whether it just be in entertainment value 00:05:01.519 --> 00:05:03.719 or whatever it may be in our lives, 00:05:04.359 --> 00:05:08.120 the amount of time and money that we spend on things 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:10.479 is actually sometimes outrageous. 00:05:11.939 --> 00:05:14.339 Businesses even capitalize on this, right? 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:19.740 They know that we're willing almost to pay anything to get the newest car 00:05:19.740 --> 00:05:25.519 or the most recent smartphone or the most luxurious vacation. 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:29.740 And our lives end up becoming a constant struggle 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:33.339 to keep up with the Joneses, as they say. 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:36.639 And I'm as guilty as anybody. 00:05:37.219 --> 00:05:41.740 I told Julie this week as I was studying through this passage 00:05:41.740 --> 00:05:45.599 and then writing the sermon of how hypocritical I'm going to be 00:05:45.599 --> 00:05:46.779 as I preach it on Sunday. 00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:50.519 For the last two weeks, I've talked about nothing but how I wanted to save up 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:53.120 to buy one of the new Broncos that are coming out next year. 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:57.199 And Julie, wouldn't you just love for me to go and trade in your car, 00:05:57.300 --> 00:05:59.660 your Highlander, so that I can get a car for me 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:02.780 that's newer and nicer and better than what you have, right? 00:06:02.819 --> 00:06:06.540 And it's a constant struggle for me, a constant desire for more, 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:10.899 a constant clamoring for something more than what I already have 00:06:10.899 --> 00:06:14.800 rather than being content with what God has actually blessed us with. 00:06:15.860 --> 00:06:18.379 It's not that a desire for progress is bad. 00:06:18.800 --> 00:06:21.620 It's not that it's a bad thing to want something 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:25.899 or it even pursue a particular aspiration or goal. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:34.319 But for many people, the pursuit of more is a sinful, lust-filled obsession. 00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:37.500 MacArthur is helpful for us here. 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:40.480 He said in a practical way, adding to the discontent 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:44.699 is the blurring of the distinction between needs and wants. 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:50.360 In actual practice, virtually everything has become a, quote, need. 00:06:51.159 --> 00:06:56.120 Thus, men need better jobs, fancier cars, and bigger homes. 00:06:56.800 --> 00:07:02.339 Young people need unending sexual encounters to liberate their repressed egos. 00:07:03.219 --> 00:07:07.539 Children need the freedom to express themselves outside of the, quote, 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:09.599 bondage of parental control. 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:16.180 And then he says, people always chase the contentment that is tantalizingly just out of reach. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:23.840 And even the church has begun to build its ministry around people's, quote, felt needs. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:26.320 What it is that they desire. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:29.320 What it is that they just want to receive in and of themselves. 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:35.379 Even the church has begun to capitulate to this culture of discontentment. 00:07:35.379 --> 00:07:39.079 But discontentment is not just about material things. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:40.600 It's not just about money. 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:41.980 It's not just about cars. 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:46.120 There's lots of ways that we express this discontent. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.420 It could be in relation to a job. 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:54.600 Unhappy with the job that you have and just wishing that you could do what this person does. 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:58.779 Just wishing that you could have this position at your company. 00:07:58.779 --> 00:08:01.560 Never satisfied with what you've already been given. 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:05.600 And others are discontent with their relationship status. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:08.019 Single people just want to be married. 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:10.180 Married people just want to be single. 00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:11.780 And so on and so forth. 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:17.199 Or those that are married are so displeased with what they're receiving from their spouse 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.300 that they just desire to have someone else's spouse. 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:23.480 And they look at other relationships and they see, if my wife could just be like that later. 00:08:23.540 --> 00:08:26.139 If my husband could just be like that guy. 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:30.860 And instead of being content with the lot that God has given, they're constantly discontent. 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:33.879 And it leads to unrest in their lives. 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:37.840 For some people, it's in regard to a discontent with church. 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:44.639 Not because of a theological difference or a sinful practice that the church has. 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:47.779 But it's just their children's program isn't what I want it to be. 00:08:47.819 --> 00:08:49.819 Or their music isn't exactly what I like. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:50.639 Or this or that. 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:53.840 And constantly struggling to find another place to belong. 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:57.439 Constantly looking for that contentment, even in a church setting. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:00.159 That is tantalizingly out of reach. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:04.360 No matter where they are, they continue to be discontent. 00:09:05.259 --> 00:09:07.639 Others we've seen are discontent with their gender. 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:10.740 What God has created them to be. 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:14.460 Others discontent with their body image. 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:16.600 And how God created them. 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:21.980 And constantly looking for another way to change who it is that God has made them to be. 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:26.259 Constantly looking for a way to be different than what they are. 00:09:27.300 --> 00:09:30.920 Others are discontent with their abilities and natural skills. 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:35.240 Some discontent with the amount of recognition that they receive. 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.759 Only wishing that they could get more. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:39.740 Others discontent with their nationality. 00:09:39.800 --> 00:09:42.000 And the place that God has chosen for them to live. 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:43.680 And to glorify him most. 00:09:43.680 --> 00:09:46.240 Just wishing that they could be here. 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:49.700 Others with their health or level of fitness. 00:09:49.820 --> 00:09:50.600 So on and so forth. 00:09:50.680 --> 00:09:55.460 We could provide a huge list of ways that we express discontentment in our lives. 00:09:56.420 --> 00:09:58.500 And the Bible has a lot to say about contentment. 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:03.519 God actually calls us to demonstrate a humble, thankful contentment. 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:07.680 And he goes to great lengths to instruct us in how to accomplish this purpose. 00:10:07.800 --> 00:10:09.320 Let me give you just a few examples. 00:10:09.320 --> 00:10:11.220 Think about the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:17.180 Which is essentially the memoirs of a man who spent his entire life discontent. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:20.660 He was discontent with the life of his youth. 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:22.379 And so he got a thousand of them. 00:10:23.040 --> 00:10:25.420 He was discontent with what he had materially. 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:28.560 So he gained all of this financial provision. 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:30.620 He had everything that the world had to offer. 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:32.140 Yet he chased contentment. 00:10:32.220 --> 00:10:34.360 And he never quite achieved it in his life. 00:10:34.360 --> 00:10:37.399 And in the end of it, he basically says, the end of the matter is this. 00:10:37.680 --> 00:10:39.159 If you will honor God. 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:42.960 And if you will thoroughly enjoy the lot that he has given you. 00:10:43.180 --> 00:10:47.779 You will experience the blessing of life the way that God has designed for you to experience it. 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:49.500 You will achieve the contentment. 00:10:49.580 --> 00:10:50.940 Not for looking at more. 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:52.580 But seeking to honor God. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:54.180 And what it is that he has given you. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:56.080 And in the way that he has blessed you. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:58.340 And in the place that he has put you. 00:10:58.340 --> 00:11:02.639 The wisest man in all the world made that statement. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:06.960 On the basis of his own mistakes and lifelong pursuit for fulfillment. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:11.019 And then he writes to us in the book of Proverbs over and over. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:16.280 About the dangers of pursuing material wealth as the primary goal of our life. 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:20.240 That it always ends in sinful devastation. 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:24.279 It produces in our hearts greed. 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:25.659 And envy. 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:27.460 Covetousness. 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:28.680 Hate. 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:30.180 Slander. 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:31.320 Murder. 00:11:32.180 --> 00:11:32.860 Adultery. 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:34.159 Fornication. 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:35.360 So on and so forth. 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:38.620 Often is born out of this selfishness that we have. 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:40.039 That is discontent. 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.299 Only wanting more. 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:43.279 Only want a different experience. 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:45.899 Only wanting something more than what we already have. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:48.820 To where it leads to all kinds of sin in our life. 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:50.980 We move to the New Testament. 00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:53.760 In Luke chapter 3 and verse 14. 00:11:54.260 --> 00:11:59.000 Some Roman soldiers impacted by the preaching of John the Baptist. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:01.980 Came to him after a sermon and said what should we do? 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:08.680 And he said that they were to repent of the extortion that they were involved with. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.980 That was born out of their greed. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:15.380 And instead he says be content with the wages that you have. 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:27.279 And any discussion of contentment would be missing and lacking if we didn't at least reference Paul's teaching on money in 1 Timothy 6. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.399 Remember what he wrote to Timothy. 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:33.279 Godliness with contentment is great gain Paul said. 00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:35.779 For we brought nothing into the world. 00:12:36.199 --> 00:12:38.720 And we can take nothing out of the world. 00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:41.079 But if we have food and clothing. 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:43.179 With these we will be content. 00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:47.039 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation. 00:12:47.439 --> 00:12:48.419 Into a snare. 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:51.659 Into many senseless and harmful desires. 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:54.039 That plunge people into ruin and destruction. 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:57.679 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. 00:12:57.679 --> 00:13:02.459 It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith even. 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:05.139 And pierced themselves with many sorrows Paul says. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:10.919 Paul says the root of all evil in life basically comes down to discontentment. 00:13:11.339 --> 00:13:12.319 Love for money. 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:17.779 Selfishness and pride that leads to sinfulness that you would have never dreamed you would have been involved with. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:22.479 And it can be traced back to this idea of not being content. 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:25.299 Just wanting more. 00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:32.699 Remember the earlier discussion of peace in chapter 4 came primarily in the form of instruction. 00:13:33.459 --> 00:13:37.179 Paul said I beg Iodias and Syntyche to get along. 00:13:37.579 --> 00:13:38.539 Rejoice in the Lord. 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:39.399 Action verbs. 00:13:39.979 --> 00:13:45.359 In this part of the chapter the discussion of contentment comes in the form of example. 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:54.100 The letter to the Philippian church was actually initiated first by a financial gift that they had sent to Paul. 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:56.519 Remember he's in his fourth year of imprisonment. 00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:57.560 He's in Rome. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:06.480 And from what I understand Roman prisoners were reliant upon the generosity of others in order to just survive. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:09.120 And so they send this gift to Paul. 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:14.740 And so this section of Philippians is essentially Paul's thank you note. 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:18.299 He's writing a thank you note to the church for what they had sent. 00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:23.580 And in it we find a wonderful example of godly contentment. 00:14:23.580 --> 00:14:31.180 He exemplifies what the Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs so profoundly described as. 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:47.940 That sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:57.240 That no matter where we are in life we freely submit to and delight in what God is doing with our lives. 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:59.800 Well how was Paul able to do this? 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:05.920 How was he able to actually live with such contentment in such devastating circumstances? 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:13.260 In verse 12 he uses this phrase that we read as I am instructed which literally means I have learned the secret. 00:15:13.800 --> 00:15:16.780 He says I have learned the secret of contentment. 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:22.779 And in these verses we find four qualities that make contentment possible. 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:27.059 That reveal exactly what this secret is. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:31.100 Let's look firstly in verse number 10 at Paul's satisfaction. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:33.779 We see his satisfaction. 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:37.600 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, he says, 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:47.620 That now at the last your care of me hath flourished again wherein you were also careful but you lacked opportunity. 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:52.320 Paul says I rejoiced in the Lord greatly. 00:15:53.420 --> 00:16:00.019 You can almost picture this expression of joy as Epaphroditus who was the messenger of the Philippian church 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:05.980 walks into Paul's tiny little Roman prison apartment in Rome. 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:11.340 Not expecting, he didn't have cell phones in those days where Epaphroditus could give him a call and say, 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:13.620 Hey, I just want you to know I'm coming. 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.799 I've got a gift with me. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:18.220 And Paul could have prepared himself and anticipated that arrival. 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:20.920 This would have been Epaphroditus walks through the door. 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:22.519 Paul has no idea. 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:24.940 And you can imagine the expression of joy. 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:27.700 Great joy as he sees an old friend. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:33.480 And not only because he sees an old friend, but because that old friend has brought with him a gift of provision. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:35.680 That would have meant so much to the apostle. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:43.219 Like I said, Roman prisoners from what I understand were reliant on the generosity of others in order to actually exist 00:16:43.219 --> 00:16:49.139 and have even what little of an existence they had as far as substantial needs were met. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:17:00.399 With this gift, Paul would be able to eat more substantial meals and receive basic goods that most people take for granted. 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:05.059 And yet once again, Paul's joy was not in the gift. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:09.140 His joy, he says, was in the Lord. 00:17:09.580 --> 00:17:11.880 I rejoiced not in the gift. 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:14.440 I rejoiced not in Epaphroditus. 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:18.420 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly. 00:17:19.080 --> 00:17:22.560 And therein lies the first secret to Christian contentment. 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:29.720 His satisfaction was found in Christ rather than gain. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:34.640 The thing that satisfied Paul's heart, the thing that satisfied his soul, 00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:38.900 the thing that got the focus of his desires and his attention in his life, 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:41.600 was not the experience of more material wealth. 00:17:41.780 --> 00:17:45.400 It was not in the gifts that would be brought from churches around Europe. 00:17:45.600 --> 00:17:48.520 It was in Christ and the work of Christ. 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.000 It was in the gospel. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:53.340 That's what his satisfaction was truly found in. 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:55.539 It's clear throughout this letter. 00:17:55.899 --> 00:17:59.879 Paul would have rejoiced in the Lord no matter what, whether there was a gift or not. 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:08.659 But the gift from Philippi gave him a reason to express this great joy that had so pervaded his heart. 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:13.579 Well, there's a couple of ways that I think that he expressed his joy in the Lord here. 00:18:13.699 --> 00:18:16.279 First, he rejoiced in the provision of God. 00:18:16.939 --> 00:18:18.299 He rejoiced in the provision of God. 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.399 Look at the second phrase. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:26.119 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:28.399 Flourished there is a horticultural term. 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.399 It means blossomed. 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:35.940 That once again your care, your concern for me has blossomed again. 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:44.259 Significant to this rejoicing was his recognition that this gift was ultimately from the hand of God. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:52.819 And it's a reminder to us that God uses ordinary means to accomplish his extraordinary purposes. 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:57.000 And in this case, the ordinary means was a simple collection. 00:18:57.319 --> 00:19:05.279 It was an offering just like we took a few minutes ago from a church in Philippi hundreds of miles away that he did not anticipate and that he did not expect. 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:12.400 Yet on this day he was filled with great joy because God had provided for him in such a wonderful way. 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:17.980 An ordinary way, but an extraordinary way in the sense of God's hand of provision. 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:26.340 Even though he recognized the gift as being from the Philippians, it was still the Lord that got the focus of his rejoicing. 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:34.680 He rightly understood that this gift was from God and he rejoiced in God's providential care. 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:43.720 It's also worth noting here that this wasn't only the provision of money, but it was the provision of a caring friendship that encouraged Paul. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:45.480 Look again at this verse. 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:52.000 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care, your concern for me. 00:19:52.060 --> 00:19:53.400 This is more than an offering. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:57.840 This was not a vain, well, Pastor Epaphroditus is passing the plate again. 00:19:57.900 --> 00:20:00.620 I might as well throw a couple of dollars in to go help Paul. 00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:04.839 This was born out of a desire and love for the apostle himself. 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:08.699 He says, I'm rejoicing that you care for me. 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:11.799 This was a friendship, a partnership in the gospel. 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:17.739 The Macedonian churches were known throughout the New Testament for their giving spirit, 00:20:17.879 --> 00:20:21.039 but it was still God that received the credit from Paul. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:23.559 So Paul rejoiced in the provision of God. 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.859 He was meeting his needs. 00:20:25.219 --> 00:20:27.659 Secondly, he rejoiced in the work of God. 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:29.459 He rejoiced in the work of God. 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.920 Look at the last part of the verse. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:35.840 Wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:38.360 Or you have always been concerned. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:42.360 You just couldn't give before now is basically what he's saying. 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:49.940 It appears that it had been some time since Paul had last heard or received something from this church. 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:57.720 And in case they misunderstood his previous statement and felt some kind of guilt for taking so long, 00:20:58.340 --> 00:21:02.440 he stated and reminded them, I know that you've always cared about me. 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:05.700 You just were unable to help me until now. 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:14.080 And Paul's rejoicing then was in part due to the fact that God was still at work in the hearts of these people, 00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:16.299 these Christians, these new converts in Philippi. 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:17.339 Think about it. 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:21.119 It had been a long time since he had heard anything about them. 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:24.759 It wasn't exactly easy to communicate in those days. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:28.740 He probably prayed for them every day as is indicated throughout his letter. 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:32.079 He had a great love for this church and a great passion for these people, 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:34.119 but he hadn't heard anything from them in a long time. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:37.700 To see Epaphroditus walk through that door and not only come through the door, 00:21:37.899 --> 00:21:38.980 but come bearing a gift. 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.859 His rejoicing wasn't about the gift. 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:44.119 It was praise the Lord that God is still working in Philippi. 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:45.919 He's still using these people. 00:21:46.159 --> 00:21:47.899 He's still working in their hearts. 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:49.639 Yes, I've always known that you've cared. 00:21:49.719 --> 00:21:51.519 You just lacked opportunity up to this point. 00:21:51.579 --> 00:21:54.979 In other words, I'm rejoicing that God is still at work in your life. 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:58.059 Paul's satisfaction was found in Christ. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:02.939 It was found in God's provision, and it was found in God's work. 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:08.139 And that immediately leaves us with the question to ask ourselves in self-examination. 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:12.020 What is it that satisfies us the most? 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:20.400 At least, what does the pursuit of our life indicate is the thing that we think will satisfy us the most? 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:26.840 The example of Paul is that what satisfied his desires, what he wanted more than anything else in life, 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:29.300 was for God to continue this work of the gospel. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:34.759 That God, no matter what it cost him, that God would still allow the gospel to go forth across the world. 00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:36.240 That people would be saved. 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:41.599 That churches and believers would be sanctified and walk in holiness and righteousness before the Lord. 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:43.480 That they would be unified before the Lord. 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:47.160 And every time he saw an example of that, he rejoiced greatly in the Lord. 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:47.519 Why? 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:51.539 Because his satisfaction was in Christ and in the work of Christ. 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:55.500 Yet many of us give no regard at all for the actual work of Christ. 00:22:55.500 --> 00:23:02.319 When's the last time we heard a report of someone even being willing to give the gospel, 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:05.599 as Caitlin has done this week, and what we felt inside was a great joy. 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.339 Praise the Lord. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.980 The gospel's still going out. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:14.400 We desire to know Christ, but we desire to see his work accomplished, 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:19.779 rather than just focusing all of our satisfaction on what we can get. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:25.579 If your satisfaction is found in material gain and comfortable circumstances, 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:29.379 you'll always feel a measure of discontentment. 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.279 But not Paul. 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:35.579 His satisfaction was found in the Lord. 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:38.379 And I'm reminded of that Getty song, 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:40.099 My worth is not in what I own, 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:42.980 not in the strength of flesh and bone, 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:47.019 but in the costly wounds of love at the cross. 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:49.599 And then it goes on in the chorus to say, 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:51.460 I rejoice in my Redeemer, 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:53.319 greatest pleasure, 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.799 wellspring of my soul. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:58.240 I will trust in him, no other. 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:02.500 My soul is satisfied in him alone. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:05.180 Can you say that is true in your life? 00:24:05.379 --> 00:24:07.819 Could you sing that song with honesty? 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:11.639 That Christ is my greatest pleasure. 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:14.240 He's my greatest treasure. 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:18.799 That he satisfies my soul more than anything else in this life. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.759 I don't know that every day I could say that, 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.140 at least not in the way that I live. 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.299 The spirit is willing. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.440 The flesh is often weak. 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:29.480 Well, we see his rejoicing, his satisfaction. 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:33.880 The second secret that we see here in his example is his sufficiency. 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.420 His sufficiency. 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:37.319 Look with me at verses 11 and 12. 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:40.099 Not that I speak in respect of want, 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:43.179 for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:44.460 therewith to be content. 00:24:45.439 --> 00:24:47.220 I know both how to be abased, 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:49.179 and I know how to abound. 00:24:50.019 --> 00:24:53.399 Everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:54.939 and to be hungry, 00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:59.619 both to abound and to suffer need. 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:02.899 This opening phrase, Paul says, 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:06.139 not that I speak in respect of want. 00:25:07.159 --> 00:25:09.619 Immediately following this expression of joy 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:12.419 comes this paradoxical statement 00:25:12.419 --> 00:25:17.059 where he says that he's not actually talking about wanting 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.759 or needing anything. 00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:19.939 Is it interesting? 00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:23.359 He didn't want the Philippians, I think, 00:25:23.459 --> 00:25:27.779 to mistake his joy as being an indication of discontentment 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.460 up to that point. 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:31.379 I think he didn't want them to think 00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:32.920 that he spent every waking moment 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:34.920 obsessed with what he didn't have. 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:36.579 Was Paul in need? 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.879 Of course he was in need. 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.879 He was in great need. 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:41.779 But he didn't find his sufficiency 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:45.319 to be dependent upon material gain or earthly comforts. 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:48.139 Neither did he find it to be 00:25:48.139 --> 00:25:50.740 within his own ability to withstand hardship. 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:54.500 Paul had found a greater sufficiency. 00:25:54.500 --> 00:26:00.019 The sufficiency that comes through a dependence on God. 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:03.240 Let's look at this first phrase, to be content. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:06.160 He says, I have learned in whatsoever state I am 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:08.539 therewith to be content. 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:12.859 This is the same Greek word that's used for sufficient 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:14.380 in extra biblical text. 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.619 It was a term that was borrowed 00:26:16.619 --> 00:26:19.619 from ancient pagan Stoic philosophy. 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:22.599 And it was probably used by Paul here 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:25.699 with the intention of grabbing the attention 00:26:25.699 --> 00:26:26.980 of these Philippian believers. 00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:28.819 It was, as one writer put it, 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:31.519 like a Stoic meteor landing itself 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:33.279 in this Philippian letter. 00:26:33.419 --> 00:26:35.439 It wasn't a Christian term that he was using. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.599 This was a pagan term. 00:26:37.439 --> 00:26:40.000 And came directly from Stoic philosophy. 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:41.759 Well, the Stoic idea of contentment 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:44.639 was an extreme version of what we would call 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:47.659 modern, in modern day, minimalist. 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:50.620 They believed that the greatest virtue 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:53.700 was to be totally independent of all things 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.940 and all people. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:57.880 And according to one author, the Stoic line was, 00:26:58.500 --> 00:27:02.060 man should be sufficient unto himself of all things 00:27:02.060 --> 00:27:04.860 and able by the power of his will 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:07.900 to resist the force of circumstances. 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:11.180 Another person wrote that the Stoic ideal 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:14.100 was kind of a self-contained Superman 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:16.319 who could rise above it all 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:20.000 in independent self-sufficiency and serenity. 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:23.659 So the Stoics had learned a form of contentment 00:27:23.659 --> 00:27:25.419 that was ultimately futile 00:27:25.419 --> 00:27:28.079 because it found sufficiency in self 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:30.419 and man's ability to withstand hardship 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:32.039 and to make it through life 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:34.679 apart from any person or anything. 00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:37.959 It's futile because it found itself in man 00:27:37.959 --> 00:27:39.240 instead of God. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.399 Kent Hughes is helpful here. 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:44.420 He says, but Paul transformed the term 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:48.040 with a powerfully Christ-centered redefinition 00:27:48.040 --> 00:27:48.840 of contentment. 00:27:49.820 --> 00:27:51.640 Paul and all who were in Christ 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:54.840 are God-sufficient as opposed to self-sufficient. 00:27:55.620 --> 00:27:57.680 Contentment is rooted in the eternal God 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:59.220 rather than the temporal self. 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:02.380 Thus, while Paul and the Stoics may appear to be close, 00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.940 they are a universe apart. 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:06.700 Paul is sufficient and content 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:08.780 not because he is independent, 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:13.039 but because he is totally dependent on Christ. 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.740 So when Paul writes here, 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:16.500 I have learned in whatsoever state I am, 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.579 therewith to be content, 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:19.519 he's saying I have learned the secret 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:21.039 of true sufficiency. 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:23.519 Sufficiency is not in my ability 00:28:23.519 --> 00:28:26.160 to irk out an existence here in this prison. 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:29.099 My sufficiency is found in the power 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:30.160 and in the work of God. 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.859 I am totally dependent on him. 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:33.839 There is nothing in me that is capable 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:35.480 of dealing with this circumstance 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.599 in and of myself. 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:38.539 Anything that I am able to gain now 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:40.160 comes directly from the sufficiency 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:43.180 that comes from the power of God. 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:46.400 So sufficiency or contentment there is defined 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:48.980 and then we see contentment is learned. 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:52.960 He says, for I have learned in verse 11. 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:54.200 And in verse 12, he says, 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:57.640 I am instructed or I have learned the secret of. 00:28:58.960 --> 00:29:01.519 Incredible amount of Paul's life 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:03.139 is documented in the New Testament 00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:07.559 so that we can verify this claim that he says, 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:09.079 which was a great claim. 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:12.480 He's saying I have learned to be hungry and full. 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:15.539 I've learned to be abased and to live in abundance. 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:17.180 I've learned to have it all 00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:18.660 and I've learned to have nothing. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.900 Well, is that really true? 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:21.180 That sounds a little bit like 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:24.519 a hyperbolic statement on Paul's point. 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.119 Well, we can look to the word of God 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:28.079 to see that it wasn't an exaggeration at all, 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:30.579 that this was very true of Paul's life. 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:32.939 Consider some of the things that we study 00:29:32.939 --> 00:29:34.279 about his life in the New Testament. 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:37.139 Think about the start of the church of Philippi 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:37.939 in Acts 16. 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:39.919 We've mentioned that a lot throughout this letter. 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:42.480 Remember when he first arrived in Philippi 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:44.899 and the ladies on the side of the riverbank were saved? 00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:47.099 He was invited, he and his team, 00:29:47.179 --> 00:29:49.259 to live in the house of a wealthy businesswoman 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:49.879 named Lydia. 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.599 She was from Thyatira 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:54.740 and had a very profitable business 00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:57.619 that was great enough to at least have a large house 00:29:57.619 --> 00:29:59.720 that could house this church and their gatherings. 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.819 It could house this missionary team. 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:03.319 She had plenty of servants 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:04.819 that were serving underneath her. 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:07.059 So even as he comes into town, 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:09.240 the Lord blesses him in that moment 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.799 to experience abundance 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:12.039 where he would have lived in a house 00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.860 that was comfortable. 00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:16.079 He would have had people tending to his needs, 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:19.059 showing love and eating well. 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:21.799 But then just a few weeks into it, 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.819 he and Silas are preaching 00:30:23.819 --> 00:30:25.259 when they are arrested, 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.599 beaten, 00:30:27.599 --> 00:30:28.660 stripped of their clothing 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:30.359 and cast into prison, 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:32.079 surely awaiting what they thought 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:34.140 might would be their demise 00:30:34.140 --> 00:30:35.460 and their death in that night. 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:37.000 Even in the narrative 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:38.460 of the beginnings of this church, 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:40.859 we see Paul did indeed know what it was like 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:42.480 to live in both abundance 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:46.019 and in poverty and in devastation. 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:49.039 Think about what he wrote in 2 Corinthians 11. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:52.619 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:54.940 40 lashes less one. 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:57.759 Three times I was beaten with rods. 00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:59.599 Once I was stoned. 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:01.799 Three times I was shipwrecked. 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:02.740 A night and a day, 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.980 I was adrift at sea 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:06.740 on frequent journeys 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:09.119 in dangers from rivers, 00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:10.899 dangers from robbers, 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.819 dangers from my own people, 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.480 danger from Gentiles, 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.480 danger in the city, 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:16.519 danger in the wilderness, 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.480 danger at sea, 00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:19.200 danger from false brothers, 00:31:19.639 --> 00:31:21.000 in toil and hardship 00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:22.559 through many a sleepless night, 00:31:22.900 --> 00:31:23.879 in hunger and thirst, 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.259 often without food, 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:27.299 in cold and exposure. 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.720 And then just a few verses later, 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:32.279 he writes that he would boast in those things 00:31:32.279 --> 00:31:33.420 because they demonstrated 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:35.960 the great work of God in his life. 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:39.139 He had learned in every situation 00:31:39.139 --> 00:31:41.480 to recognize and trust 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:43.519 God's sovereign hand 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:45.740 and providential care, 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:47.759 even when that sovereign hand 00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:50.500 meant that he was gonna suffer greatly. 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:52.680 He rejoiced in the work of God 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:56.460 and he trusted in the sovereign sufficiency of God. 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:59.120 He found God's divine purposes 00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:01.460 to be sufficient for his life. 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:04.420 And then we ask, 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:07.099 are we willing to live according 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:09.200 to God's divine purposes for our lives? 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:12.880 Do we find sufficiency in comfort? 00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:16.580 Or do we find sufficiency in the power of God 00:32:16.580 --> 00:32:20.299 when he determines in his will to bring discomfort 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:25.279 and disease and poverty? 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:28.220 We see the secret to his contentment 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:29.319 was his satisfaction, 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.559 was his sufficiency. 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:33.339 Thirdly, it was his strength, 00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:34.879 Paul's strength. 00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:37.480 Not the strength that was in and of himself, 00:32:38.099 --> 00:32:40.220 but the strength that came from Christ. 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.579 Look at verse 13. 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.960 We love this verse. 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:45.960 I can do all things through Christ, 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:48.600 which strengthens me. 00:32:49.120 --> 00:32:51.940 I can do all things through Christ, 00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.799 which strengthens me. 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:56.059 This verse is without a doubt 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:57.700 one of the most well-known 00:32:57.700 --> 00:33:00.380 and frequently quoted verses in all of the Bible. 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:03.259 Only God knows how many gyms and lockers 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:06.120 and mirrors have had this verse taped up 00:33:06.120 --> 00:33:08.799 as a form of self-motivation day in and day out 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:11.220 that we can truly achieve whatever it is 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.319 that we're trying to achieve. 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.779 One of the things that we often regard 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:16.279 Steph Curry for, 00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:19.480 who was a former Davidson basketball star, 00:33:20.100 --> 00:33:21.720 is the videos that we see of him 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:23.079 sitting before a game begins 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:24.799 and taking his basketball sneakers 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:26.000 and writing this verse, 00:33:26.140 --> 00:33:28.960 one half on one shoe and one half on the other shoe. 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:30.539 And we regard him for that 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:32.019 and we rejoice that somebody 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:34.259 was actually willing to write scripture 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:36.640 and somebody that's such a superstar. 00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:39.319 But I think my favorite all-time use 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:42.059 of Philippians 4.13 was on a coffee mug. 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.099 It said, 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.899 I can do all things through a verse 00:33:44.899 --> 00:33:46.000 taken out of context. 00:33:46.639 --> 00:33:48.679 And that's exactly what a lot of people do 00:33:48.679 --> 00:33:49.319 with this verse. 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.039 Unfortunately, 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:53.679 they take it out of context 00:33:53.679 --> 00:33:57.720 and thereby distort its meaning. 00:33:58.919 --> 00:34:00.960 Certainly, more focus is often given 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:02.240 to the first phrase, 00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:03.879 that I can do all things, 00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:05.659 than to the last phrase, 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:07.639 through Christ which strengthens me. 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:10.240 And so that its use 00:34:10.240 --> 00:34:11.960 really demonstrates an ego 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:14.599 that only pretends to be spiritual. 00:34:16.160 --> 00:34:17.460 Many have misunderstood it 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:19.280 to mean I can do anything 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:21.340 or I can do everything 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:23.240 which puts the focus completely 00:34:23.240 --> 00:34:24.780 on man's will 00:34:24.780 --> 00:34:26.460 and assumes that God 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.680 will just go along with it. 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:29.079 At times, 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:30.800 we use a passage like this 00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:31.500 to treat God 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:33.599 as somewhat of a spiritual bellhop 00:34:33.599 --> 00:34:34.660 that empowers us 00:34:34.660 --> 00:34:35.480 to do whatever it is 00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:36.860 that we set our minds to. 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:38.240 That if we really dream it, 00:34:38.300 --> 00:34:38.900 we can do it 00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:40.120 as Walt Disney said, right? 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.220 That's not true. 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.579 That's not what this verse 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:44.240 is saying at all. 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.000 It's not at all 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:46.599 what Paul meant by this. 00:34:47.160 --> 00:34:49.019 Set within this proper context 00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:50.740 as we have already come to see, 00:34:51.340 --> 00:34:52.200 he's actually saying 00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:53.260 the opposite of that. 00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:55.320 Paul understood 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:57.059 every circumstance of his life 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:59.400 to be under the guiding hand of God 00:34:59.400 --> 00:35:01.340 and he knew that Christ 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:02.400 would empower him 00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.440 each step of the way. 00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:05.200 Whether it was in a basement 00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:06.480 or in abundance, 00:35:06.780 --> 00:35:07.740 whether it was in fullness 00:35:07.740 --> 00:35:08.760 or hungry, 00:35:08.960 --> 00:35:10.240 need or blessing, 00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:12.059 Paul found his strength 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:13.539 to be in Christ. 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:15.440 Paul is confident 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:17.340 that he will be divinely strengthened 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:18.519 to do anything 00:35:18.519 --> 00:35:19.280 and everything 00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:22.139 that God calls him to do. 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:24.339 It's not that we can take 00:35:24.339 --> 00:35:25.519 Philippians 4.13 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.059 and say, 00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:27.059 I can do all things 00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:28.159 so I'm going to set my mind 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:29.079 toward achieving 00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:30.500 this particular position 00:35:30.500 --> 00:35:31.159 at my job 00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:31.579 or I'm going to be 00:35:31.579 --> 00:35:32.539 this great of an athlete 00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:33.859 in the thing that I've chosen 00:35:33.859 --> 00:35:34.519 or whatever it is 00:35:34.519 --> 00:35:35.699 in the frame of life 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:36.799 that we have chosen to pursue. 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:37.879 It's not that we sit here 00:35:37.879 --> 00:35:38.059 and say, 00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:38.279 okay, 00:35:38.379 --> 00:35:39.139 I can do this, 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:39.699 I can do this, 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:40.239 I can do this, 00:35:40.299 --> 00:35:40.779 God's going to give me 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:41.460 the strength to do it. 00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:41.779 No, 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.679 God's going to give you 00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:43.599 the strength 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.359 to accomplish 00:35:44.359 --> 00:35:44.960 whatever it is 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.980 he's called you to do, 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:46.859 not whatever you 00:35:46.859 --> 00:35:47.940 called yourself to do. 00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:50.579 And so when God calls us 00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:51.780 to suffer in abasement, 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:52.920 Christ will give us 00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:53.500 the strength 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:55.500 to endure the abasement. 00:35:55.679 --> 00:35:56.820 When God calls us 00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:57.940 to enjoy blessing, 00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:59.099 Christ will give us 00:35:59.099 --> 00:35:59.740 the strength 00:35:59.740 --> 00:36:00.860 to keep our heads 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.820 from getting too big 00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:02.920 and to keep our pride 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:04.320 from swelling too large 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:06.059 so that we can give him glory 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.760 in those moments. 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:08.039 Our strength is not 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:08.860 in and of ourselves 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:10.179 and God doesn't empower us 00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:11.720 to do what we want to do. 00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:13.000 He empowers us to do 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:14.880 what he wants us to do, 00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:16.300 which is exactly 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:17.260 what Paul's saying. 00:36:17.400 --> 00:36:17.720 He's saying, 00:36:17.719 --> 00:36:18.599 I've learned not 00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:20.219 how I can just muster up 00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:21.119 and pull myself up 00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:21.939 by my bootstraps 00:36:21.939 --> 00:36:22.859 to do whatever it is. 00:36:22.959 --> 00:36:23.399 He says, 00:36:23.459 --> 00:36:23.539 no, 00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:24.339 I've learned the secret 00:36:24.339 --> 00:36:25.019 to contentment. 00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:26.239 The secret to contentment 00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:27.439 is that God is sovereign 00:36:27.439 --> 00:36:28.359 and he calls me 00:36:28.359 --> 00:36:29.519 into all different frames 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:29.980 of life 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:30.939 and no matter where 00:36:30.939 --> 00:36:31.579 he calls me, 00:36:31.659 --> 00:36:32.839 he will strengthen me 00:36:32.839 --> 00:36:33.599 in those moments. 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:35.699 This is the realigning 00:36:35.699 --> 00:36:37.139 of our will 00:36:37.139 --> 00:36:38.579 to the will of God. 00:36:39.319 --> 00:36:40.259 And so long as 00:36:40.259 --> 00:36:41.480 we are resisting 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:43.519 what God is calling us to 00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:44.879 in discontentment, 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:46.739 so long as we are resisting 00:36:46.739 --> 00:36:49.779 the purposes of God 00:36:49.779 --> 00:36:50.399 in our life, 00:36:50.519 --> 00:36:51.699 we will never feel 00:36:51.699 --> 00:36:52.399 this contentment 00:36:52.399 --> 00:36:53.500 and we won't experience 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.259 God's strength. 00:36:55.159 --> 00:36:56.419 We receive his divine 00:36:56.419 --> 00:36:57.099 empowerment 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:58.739 as we submit 00:36:58.739 --> 00:36:59.839 to his divine 00:36:59.839 --> 00:37:01.139 will. 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:05.379 2 Corinthians chapter 12, 00:37:07.099 --> 00:37:07.659 Paul said, 00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:09.699 that God said unto him 00:37:09.699 --> 00:37:10.559 that my grace 00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:12.159 is sufficient for you 00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:14.759 for my power 00:37:14.759 --> 00:37:15.759 is made perfect 00:37:15.759 --> 00:37:16.480 in weakness. 00:37:17.759 --> 00:37:18.219 Therefore, 00:37:18.399 --> 00:37:19.319 I will boast 00:37:19.319 --> 00:37:20.500 all the more gladly 00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:21.719 of my weaknesses, 00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:22.719 he said, 00:37:23.359 --> 00:37:24.379 so that the power 00:37:24.379 --> 00:37:24.960 of Christ 00:37:24.960 --> 00:37:26.179 may rest upon me. 00:37:26.339 --> 00:37:26.960 For the sake 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:27.819 of Christ then, 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:28.940 I am content 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.119 with weakness, 00:37:30.799 --> 00:37:31.500 insults, 00:37:31.779 --> 00:37:32.199 hardships, 00:37:32.799 --> 00:37:33.519 persecutions, 00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:34.440 and calamities. 00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:36.119 For when I am weak, 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:38.800 then I am strong. 00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:40.240 The greatest display 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:41.139 of God's strength 00:37:41.139 --> 00:37:42.720 is actually through 00:37:42.720 --> 00:37:43.840 our weakness. 00:37:44.420 --> 00:37:45.200 And that's something 00:37:45.200 --> 00:37:46.639 we can actually 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.780 rejoice in. 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:49.019 It's a promise 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:49.820 that helps us 00:37:49.820 --> 00:37:51.500 to more gladly 00:37:51.500 --> 00:37:52.500 cling to 00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:53.360 Philippians 4, 00:37:53.360 --> 00:37:54.099 13. 00:37:55.380 --> 00:37:55.760 Well, 00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:56.079 finally, 00:37:56.240 --> 00:37:57.179 we see his spirit 00:37:57.179 --> 00:37:58.500 in verse 14. 00:37:58.860 --> 00:37:59.440 His spirit. 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.519 Notwithstanding, 00:38:01.700 --> 00:38:02.679 ye have well done 00:38:02.679 --> 00:38:04.359 that ye did communicate 00:38:04.359 --> 00:38:06.339 with my affliction. 00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:09.619 Notwithstanding reminds us 00:38:09.619 --> 00:38:10.759 that contentment 00:38:10.759 --> 00:38:11.980 doesn't mean 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:12.500 that we have 00:38:12.500 --> 00:38:13.259 a complete lack 00:38:13.259 --> 00:38:13.819 of desire 00:38:13.819 --> 00:38:14.559 in our lives. 00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.339 Notwithstanding literally 00:38:16.339 --> 00:38:17.359 means in spite of 00:38:17.359 --> 00:38:19.119 or despite everything 00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:20.119 that I have just said, 00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:21.199 he writes to this church. 00:38:21.779 --> 00:38:22.719 What you have done 00:38:22.719 --> 00:38:23.279 is good 00:38:23.279 --> 00:38:25.659 and I'm grateful for it. 00:38:26.899 --> 00:38:27.980 It didn't mean 00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:29.579 that he was 00:38:29.579 --> 00:38:30.940 callous, 00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:33.099 that he had no desire 00:38:33.099 --> 00:38:33.960 for anything, 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.840 that he had no want 00:38:34.840 --> 00:38:35.179 for anything, 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:37.000 that he didn't desire 00:38:37.000 --> 00:38:38.079 to be in a better 00:38:38.079 --> 00:38:39.340 circumstance in his life. 00:38:39.920 --> 00:38:40.860 There's a balance 00:38:40.860 --> 00:38:41.720 in this text 00:38:41.720 --> 00:38:42.860 of having desire 00:38:42.860 --> 00:38:44.840 without being consumed 00:38:44.840 --> 00:38:46.320 by that desire. 00:38:47.960 --> 00:38:48.480 Paul's point 00:38:48.480 --> 00:38:49.340 wasn't to deny 00:38:49.340 --> 00:38:50.360 that he had wants 00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:51.000 and needs, 00:38:51.099 --> 00:38:51.760 nor did he mean 00:38:51.760 --> 00:38:53.539 to say that it is 00:38:53.539 --> 00:38:54.619 inherently sinful 00:38:54.619 --> 00:38:55.519 to want more, 00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:56.519 to have aspirations. 00:38:56.720 --> 00:38:57.099 Those things 00:38:57.099 --> 00:38:57.960 are good things. 00:38:57.960 --> 00:39:00.679 If that was the case, 00:39:00.740 --> 00:39:01.599 he wouldn't have written 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:02.300 this thank you note 00:39:02.300 --> 00:39:02.619 at all 00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:03.500 because he would have 00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.240 seen nothing 00:39:04.240 --> 00:39:05.000 to be actually 00:39:05.000 --> 00:39:05.740 thankful for. 00:39:06.860 --> 00:39:07.740 His purpose 00:39:07.740 --> 00:39:08.820 was to point out 00:39:08.820 --> 00:39:09.900 that his desire 00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:10.559 to obey 00:39:10.559 --> 00:39:11.780 and please Christ 00:39:11.780 --> 00:39:13.519 was greater 00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:14.980 than his desire 00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:15.840 for increase 00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:16.780 and comfort. 00:39:18.880 --> 00:39:19.699 That he would 00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:20.679 pursue Christ 00:39:20.679 --> 00:39:21.559 before he would 00:39:21.559 --> 00:39:23.240 pursue wealth. 00:39:24.199 --> 00:39:25.099 And if God 00:39:25.099 --> 00:39:25.679 blessed him 00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:26.240 with wealth, 00:39:26.239 --> 00:39:27.959 he would live 00:39:27.959 --> 00:39:28.719 in rejoicing 00:39:28.719 --> 00:39:29.699 and gratefulness 00:39:29.699 --> 00:39:30.099 for that. 00:39:31.199 --> 00:39:32.139 But if Christ, 00:39:32.539 --> 00:39:33.279 as he indeed 00:39:33.279 --> 00:39:34.279 called him to, 00:39:35.079 --> 00:39:36.059 wanted him to suffer, 00:39:37.159 --> 00:39:37.979 well his desire 00:39:37.979 --> 00:39:38.539 was to please 00:39:38.539 --> 00:39:39.279 Christ first, 00:39:39.719 --> 00:39:40.639 not to experience 00:39:40.639 --> 00:39:41.939 his own comfort. 00:39:43.239 --> 00:39:44.000 Some of us 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:44.559 may be called 00:39:44.559 --> 00:39:45.099 to suffer 00:39:45.099 --> 00:39:47.279 while others 00:39:47.279 --> 00:39:48.079 are called 00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:48.839 to live in abundance. 00:39:49.779 --> 00:39:51.219 The first three points 00:39:51.219 --> 00:39:52.179 in 10, 00:39:52.299 --> 00:39:52.599 11, 00:39:52.759 --> 00:39:53.000 12, 00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:53.519 and 13 00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:55.719 are the 00:39:55.719 --> 00:39:56.179 quote, 00:39:56.400 --> 00:39:56.980 secrets 00:39:56.980 --> 00:39:58.539 that produce 00:39:58.539 --> 00:39:59.099 contentment. 00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:01.360 But this last one 00:40:01.360 --> 00:40:02.699 does not produce 00:40:02.699 --> 00:40:03.199 contentment, 00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:03.980 it is rather 00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:04.820 the product 00:40:04.820 --> 00:40:06.219 of contentment. 00:40:07.400 --> 00:40:08.719 Because Paul 00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:09.659 was content, 00:40:10.380 --> 00:40:11.420 he was actually 00:40:11.420 --> 00:40:12.400 filled with gratitude. 00:40:13.800 --> 00:40:14.219 Gratitude 00:40:14.219 --> 00:40:14.880 doesn't produce 00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:15.460 contentment, 00:40:15.860 --> 00:40:16.759 contentment produces 00:40:16.759 --> 00:40:17.940 gratitude. 00:40:18.519 --> 00:40:19.059 There's a couple 00:40:19.059 --> 00:40:19.759 of things I think 00:40:19.759 --> 00:40:20.259 he was grateful 00:40:20.259 --> 00:40:21.179 for as we close. 00:40:21.179 --> 00:40:22.980 he was grateful 00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:23.779 for their gift, 00:40:24.619 --> 00:40:25.699 the actual gift 00:40:25.699 --> 00:40:26.159 itself. 00:40:27.460 --> 00:40:27.940 He said, 00:40:28.059 --> 00:40:28.679 notwithstanding, 00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:30.199 you have done well. 00:40:30.519 --> 00:40:31.239 In other words, 00:40:32.019 --> 00:40:32.679 thank you. 00:40:33.599 --> 00:40:34.819 Thank you for this. 00:40:36.339 --> 00:40:38.179 This is gonna help me, 00:40:38.859 --> 00:40:39.299 Paul says. 00:40:39.379 --> 00:40:40.000 Thank you. 00:40:41.819 --> 00:40:42.739 The thing about 00:40:42.739 --> 00:40:43.559 this gift is 00:40:43.559 --> 00:40:44.179 we don't actually 00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:45.559 know what they gave. 00:40:46.759 --> 00:40:47.819 There was a time 00:40:47.819 --> 00:40:48.859 when this church 00:40:48.859 --> 00:40:49.460 was filled 00:40:49.460 --> 00:40:50.960 with wealthy people. 00:40:51.779 --> 00:40:52.480 We know that people 00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:52.960 like Lydia 00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:53.519 and others 00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:54.500 had lots of money. 00:40:54.579 --> 00:40:55.039 The church was 00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:55.759 constantly giving, 00:40:56.059 --> 00:40:56.719 but we also know 00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:57.359 that this season 00:40:57.359 --> 00:40:57.699 went, 00:40:57.839 --> 00:40:58.500 this church went 00:40:58.500 --> 00:40:58.960 through seasons 00:40:58.960 --> 00:40:59.960 of great poverty too. 00:41:00.879 --> 00:41:01.319 Paul wrote 00:41:01.319 --> 00:41:01.919 to the Corinthians 00:41:01.919 --> 00:41:02.480 that it was 00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:03.099 the Philippians 00:41:03.099 --> 00:41:03.559 and the other 00:41:03.559 --> 00:41:04.619 churches in Macedonia 00:41:04.619 --> 00:41:05.419 that had given 00:41:05.419 --> 00:41:06.159 a great gift 00:41:06.159 --> 00:41:06.659 out of their 00:41:06.659 --> 00:41:07.480 deep poverty. 00:41:08.559 --> 00:41:08.960 They didn't really 00:41:08.960 --> 00:41:09.599 have it to give, 00:41:09.659 --> 00:41:10.039 but they gave 00:41:10.039 --> 00:41:10.719 what they had 00:41:10.719 --> 00:41:12.079 in order for 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:12.879 the gospel 00:41:12.879 --> 00:41:14.299 to be proclaimed 00:41:14.299 --> 00:41:14.899 and the ministry 00:41:14.899 --> 00:41:15.619 to advance. 00:41:16.219 --> 00:41:16.579 So we know 00:41:16.579 --> 00:41:17.059 they just had 00:41:17.059 --> 00:41:17.619 a giving spirit. 00:41:17.779 --> 00:41:18.659 We have no idea 00:41:18.659 --> 00:41:19.199 what this gift 00:41:19.199 --> 00:41:19.839 actually was. 00:41:19.840 --> 00:41:20.900 It could have 00:41:20.900 --> 00:41:21.220 been a very 00:41:21.220 --> 00:41:21.820 small gift 00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:22.220 actually. 00:41:23.260 --> 00:41:23.920 The amount 00:41:23.920 --> 00:41:24.600 was irrelevant. 00:41:25.980 --> 00:41:26.280 To Paul 00:41:26.280 --> 00:41:26.760 it didn't matter 00:41:26.760 --> 00:41:27.440 how great 00:41:27.440 --> 00:41:28.079 or how small 00:41:28.079 --> 00:41:28.800 the gift was 00:41:28.800 --> 00:41:30.620 where as a 00:41:30.620 --> 00:41:31.420 less contented 00:41:31.420 --> 00:41:31.880 person, 00:41:32.440 --> 00:41:32.920 Mike would see 00:41:32.920 --> 00:41:33.660 a smaller gift 00:41:33.660 --> 00:41:34.140 and think, 00:41:34.660 --> 00:41:35.180 what a waste 00:41:35.180 --> 00:41:36.059 of time this is. 00:41:36.280 --> 00:41:36.720 You walked 00:41:36.720 --> 00:41:37.340 all the way 00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:38.360 from Philippi 00:41:38.360 --> 00:41:39.400 to give me 00:41:39.400 --> 00:41:40.220 just a little bit. 00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:41.500 What good 00:41:41.500 --> 00:41:41.980 is this going 00:41:41.980 --> 00:41:42.240 to do? 00:41:42.400 --> 00:41:42.740 That wasn't 00:41:42.740 --> 00:41:44.200 Paul's attitude 00:41:44.200 --> 00:41:44.600 at all. 00:41:44.599 --> 00:41:45.619 It could have 00:41:45.619 --> 00:41:45.980 been a very 00:41:45.980 --> 00:41:46.480 little bit. 00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:48.460 What did 00:41:48.460 --> 00:41:48.819 he say? 00:41:49.659 --> 00:41:50.339 Thank you. 00:41:51.659 --> 00:41:52.119 He was full 00:41:52.119 --> 00:41:52.739 of gratitude 00:41:52.739 --> 00:41:53.880 for their 00:41:53.880 --> 00:41:54.319 gift. 00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:55.719 He was 00:41:55.719 --> 00:41:56.400 grateful for 00:41:56.400 --> 00:41:56.839 anything 00:41:56.839 --> 00:41:58.079 because he 00:41:58.079 --> 00:41:58.639 was content 00:41:58.639 --> 00:42:00.019 with everything. 00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:01.860 The contentment 00:42:01.860 --> 00:42:02.360 produced the 00:42:02.360 --> 00:42:02.699 gratitude. 00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:03.860 He was 00:42:03.860 --> 00:42:04.279 grateful for 00:42:04.279 --> 00:42:04.579 their gift. 00:42:04.679 --> 00:42:04.880 He was 00:42:04.880 --> 00:42:05.980 finally grateful 00:42:05.980 --> 00:42:06.339 for their 00:42:06.339 --> 00:42:06.860 partnership. 00:42:07.460 --> 00:42:07.659 He was 00:42:07.659 --> 00:42:08.079 grateful for 00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:08.599 their partnership. 00:42:08.980 --> 00:42:09.319 Look at the 00:42:09.319 --> 00:42:09.579 end of the 00:42:09.579 --> 00:42:09.819 verse. 00:42:10.519 --> 00:42:11.079 Notwithstanding 00:42:11.079 --> 00:42:11.519 you have well 00:42:11.519 --> 00:42:12.539 done that you 00:42:12.539 --> 00:42:13.659 did communicate 00:42:13.659 --> 00:42:14.940 with my 00:42:14.940 --> 00:42:15.539 affliction. 00:42:16.259 --> 00:42:16.739 Communicate 00:42:16.739 --> 00:42:17.259 here is the 00:42:17.259 --> 00:42:17.859 same word 00:42:17.859 --> 00:42:19.000 we read in 00:42:19.000 --> 00:42:19.579 chapter 1 00:42:19.579 --> 00:42:20.399 in verse 5, 00:42:20.920 --> 00:42:21.420 chapter 2 00:42:21.420 --> 00:42:22.219 in verse 1, 00:42:22.619 --> 00:42:23.420 and chapter 3 00:42:23.420 --> 00:42:24.139 in verse 10. 00:42:24.559 --> 00:42:25.119 In all three 00:42:25.119 --> 00:42:26.399 of those cases 00:42:26.399 --> 00:42:26.920 in the King 00:42:26.920 --> 00:42:27.519 James it's 00:42:27.519 --> 00:42:28.199 translated as 00:42:28.199 --> 00:42:28.799 fellowship, 00:42:29.980 --> 00:42:30.500 partnership, 00:42:31.980 --> 00:42:33.579 sharing in. 00:42:34.799 --> 00:42:35.440 More than 00:42:35.440 --> 00:42:36.179 any material 00:42:36.179 --> 00:42:37.819 gift he was 00:42:37.819 --> 00:42:38.379 thankful for 00:42:38.379 --> 00:42:39.259 their partnership 00:42:39.259 --> 00:42:40.920 and their 00:42:40.920 --> 00:42:41.500 friendship. 00:42:43.659 --> 00:42:44.279 though they 00:42:44.279 --> 00:42:44.679 were not 00:42:44.679 --> 00:42:45.219 in prison 00:42:45.219 --> 00:42:45.899 with Paul. 00:42:46.839 --> 00:42:47.059 The 00:42:47.059 --> 00:42:47.440 Philippians 00:42:47.440 --> 00:42:47.799 did what 00:42:47.799 --> 00:42:48.239 they could 00:42:48.239 --> 00:42:48.619 to share 00:42:48.619 --> 00:42:48.819 in his 00:42:48.819 --> 00:42:49.239 affliction 00:42:49.239 --> 00:42:49.940 and Paul 00:42:49.940 --> 00:42:50.440 was grateful 00:42:50.440 --> 00:42:50.940 for that. 00:42:52.019 --> 00:42:52.379 What a 00:42:52.379 --> 00:42:53.119 great example. 00:42:54.139 --> 00:42:54.879 Full of 00:42:54.879 --> 00:42:55.440 gratitude 00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:55.920 in that 00:42:55.920 --> 00:42:56.239 moment. 00:42:58.739 --> 00:42:59.399 What does 00:42:59.399 --> 00:42:59.980 your spirit 00:42:59.980 --> 00:43:00.819 reveal about 00:43:00.819 --> 00:43:01.480 your level 00:43:01.480 --> 00:43:02.219 of contentment? 00:43:05.339 --> 00:43:06.019 Do you 00:43:06.019 --> 00:43:06.679 have a 00:43:06.679 --> 00:43:07.420 spirit that 00:43:07.420 --> 00:43:09.039 is mostly 00:43:09.039 --> 00:43:10.879 grateful and 00:43:10.879 --> 00:43:12.579 thankful for 00:43:12.579 --> 00:43:12.899 what you 00:43:12.900 --> 00:43:13.340 have, 00:43:13.700 --> 00:43:14.619 what you've 00:43:14.619 --> 00:43:15.119 been given, 00:43:15.880 --> 00:43:16.940 the lot that 00:43:16.940 --> 00:43:17.460 God has 00:43:17.460 --> 00:43:17.960 blessed you 00:43:17.960 --> 00:43:18.280 with, 00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:19.000 no matter 00:43:19.000 --> 00:43:19.480 how great 00:43:19.480 --> 00:43:19.740 or how 00:43:19.740 --> 00:43:20.119 small that 00:43:20.119 --> 00:43:20.639 may be? 00:43:21.820 --> 00:43:22.400 Or do you 00:43:22.400 --> 00:43:23.000 find yourself 00:43:23.000 --> 00:43:23.639 in a position 00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:24.360 that unless 00:43:24.360 --> 00:43:24.920 that next 00:43:24.920 --> 00:43:25.700 stimulus check 00:43:25.700 --> 00:43:26.700 is at least 00:43:26.700 --> 00:43:27.200 equal to what 00:43:27.200 --> 00:43:27.599 the last 00:43:27.599 --> 00:43:28.220 stimulus check 00:43:28.220 --> 00:43:28.599 was, 00:43:28.960 --> 00:43:29.880 then I don't 00:43:29.880 --> 00:43:30.240 even know 00:43:30.240 --> 00:43:30.599 why I'm 00:43:30.599 --> 00:43:30.960 living in 00:43:30.960 --> 00:43:31.400 this country 00:43:31.400 --> 00:43:31.800 anymore? 00:43:35.639 --> 00:43:36.220 Gratefulness 00:43:36.220 --> 00:43:36.800 doesn't produce 00:43:36.800 --> 00:43:37.320 contentment, 00:43:37.380 --> 00:43:37.820 it reveals 00:43:37.820 --> 00:43:38.380 contentment. 00:43:39.800 --> 00:43:41.019 Sometimes we 00:43:41.019 --> 00:43:41.900 live a life 00:43:41.900 --> 00:43:42.480 that is not 00:43:42.480 --> 00:43:43.000 very grateful 00:43:43.000 --> 00:43:43.519 at all, 00:43:44.239 --> 00:43:44.619 and the 00:43:44.619 --> 00:43:45.179 reason is 00:43:45.179 --> 00:43:45.559 is because 00:43:45.559 --> 00:43:46.079 we're selfish 00:43:46.079 --> 00:43:46.480 people. 00:43:47.239 --> 00:43:47.900 We all 00:43:47.900 --> 00:43:48.139 are. 00:43:49.079 --> 00:43:49.780 It's part 00:43:49.780 --> 00:43:50.179 of our 00:43:50.179 --> 00:43:50.579 edemic 00:43:50.579 --> 00:43:51.019 nature. 00:43:52.500 --> 00:43:53.440 But thankfully, 00:43:54.000 --> 00:43:55.199 God has given 00:43:55.199 --> 00:43:55.860 us a champion 00:43:55.860 --> 00:43:57.940 that has conquered 00:43:57.940 --> 00:43:58.619 through his own 00:43:58.619 --> 00:44:00.340 humility and his 00:44:00.340 --> 00:44:01.320 own selflessness 00:44:01.320 --> 00:44:03.840 death and sin 00:44:03.840 --> 00:44:05.000 and devastation 00:44:05.000 --> 00:44:05.880 on our behalf. 00:44:05.880 --> 00:44:07.200 So despite how 00:44:07.200 --> 00:44:08.140 selfish and how 00:44:08.140 --> 00:44:08.980 reckless and how 00:44:08.980 --> 00:44:10.079 prideful we are, 00:44:10.280 --> 00:44:11.140 we can turn our 00:44:11.140 --> 00:44:12.119 eyes to Christ and 00:44:12.119 --> 00:44:13.260 we can trust in his 00:44:13.260 --> 00:44:13.840 righteousness. 00:44:14.820 --> 00:44:16.380 We can trust in his 00:44:16.380 --> 00:44:17.680 perfection in this 00:44:17.680 --> 00:44:18.900 area, cast ourselves 00:44:18.900 --> 00:44:20.000 on him, and he 00:44:20.000 --> 00:44:20.720 applies that 00:44:20.720 --> 00:44:21.860 righteousness to us. 00:44:22.380 --> 00:44:23.059 What a wonderful 00:44:23.059 --> 00:44:23.900 gift that is. 00:44:25.579 --> 00:44:26.380 The secret to 00:44:26.380 --> 00:44:28.539 contentment is a 00:44:28.539 --> 00:44:29.280 relationship with 00:44:29.280 --> 00:44:29.519 Jesus. 00:44:30.660 --> 00:44:31.760 That's really how we 00:44:31.760 --> 00:44:32.280 could read these 00:44:32.280 --> 00:44:32.559 verses. 00:44:33.900 --> 00:44:34.519 Paul says in 00:44:34.519 --> 00:44:34.920 verse 12, 00:44:34.920 --> 00:44:35.720 I have learned the 00:44:35.720 --> 00:44:36.360 secret no matter 00:44:36.360 --> 00:44:37.800 what situation of 00:44:37.800 --> 00:44:38.400 contentment, and 00:44:38.400 --> 00:44:39.039 here's what it is. 00:44:39.280 --> 00:44:41.440 Verse 13, I can do 00:44:41.440 --> 00:44:42.740 all things through 00:44:42.740 --> 00:44:43.220 Christ. 00:44:43.659 --> 00:44:45.159 All things through 00:44:45.159 --> 00:44:45.599 Christ. 00:44:46.700 --> 00:44:47.599 And I remember 00:44:47.599 --> 00:44:48.300 another song. 00:44:49.720 --> 00:44:50.360 Great is thy 00:44:50.360 --> 00:44:51.159 faithfulness. 00:44:52.099 --> 00:44:52.820 Great is thy 00:44:52.820 --> 00:44:53.240 faithfulness. 00:44:53.559 --> 00:44:54.539 Morning by morning 00:44:54.539 --> 00:44:55.700 new mercies I see. 00:44:56.740 --> 00:44:57.220 And then the 00:44:57.220 --> 00:44:58.940 chorus says, all I 00:44:58.940 --> 00:45:00.960 have needed, your 00:45:00.960 --> 00:45:01.940 hand has provided. 00:45:02.360 --> 00:45:03.360 How could a man like 00:45:03.360 --> 00:45:04.820 Lazarus, who was a 00:45:04.820 --> 00:45:06.180 homeless man eating 00:45:06.180 --> 00:45:07.420 the crumbs off the 00:45:07.420 --> 00:45:08.180 rich man's table, 00:45:08.300 --> 00:45:09.260 saying, all I have 00:45:09.260 --> 00:45:10.260 needed, your hand has 00:45:10.260 --> 00:45:10.700 provided. 00:45:11.700 --> 00:45:12.800 Because Christ is all 00:45:12.800 --> 00:45:13.559 you actually need. 00:45:15.000 --> 00:45:16.059 He's all you actually 00:45:16.059 --> 00:45:16.380 need. 00:45:17.380 --> 00:45:18.039 Great is thy 00:45:18.039 --> 00:45:19.620 faithfulness, Lord, 00:45:19.760 --> 00:45:20.820 unto me. 00:45:21.059 --> 00:45:21.660 Thank you for 00:45:21.660 --> 00:45:22.300 listening to this 00:45:22.300 --> 00:45:23.140 sermon made available 00:45:23.140 --> 00:45:24.180 by Lakeside Bible 00:45:24.180 --> 00:45:24.559 Church. 00:45:24.980 --> 00:45:25.960 Feel free to share it 00:45:25.960 --> 00:45:26.640 wherever you'd like. 00:45:27.180 --> 00:45:28.140 Please do not charge 00:45:28.140 --> 00:45:29.420 for it or alter it in 00:45:29.420 --> 00:45:30.780 any way without express 00:45:30.780 --> 00:45:31.820 written consent from 00:45:31.820 --> 00:45:32.940 Lakeside Bible Church. 00:45:32.940 --> 00:45:34.300 Don't forget to 00:45:34.300 --> 00:45:35.320 visit us online at 00:45:35.320 --> 00:45:37.179 lakesidebible.church or 00:45:37.179 --> 00:45:38.460 find us on Facebook and 00:45:38.460 --> 00:45:39.539 Instagram by searching 00:45:39.539 --> 00:45:41.260 for Lakeside Bible NC. 00:45:41.980 --> 00:45:42.860 If you live in the 00:45:42.860 --> 00:45:43.700 Charlotte or Lake Norman 00:45:43.700 --> 00:45:44.800 area, we'd love for you 00:45:44.800 --> 00:45:45.559 to attend one of our 00:45:45.559 --> 00:45:46.360 worship services. 00:45:46.780 --> 00:45:47.659 We meet every Sunday 00:45:47.659 --> 00:45:48.760 morning at 10 a.m. 00:45:48.760 --> 00:45:50.099 We'd love to meet you. 00:45:50.099 --> 00:45:55.230 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