Hello Friends!
During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”
The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 4: Verses 9-14)
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction – Philippians 4:9-14
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Previously, the “Apostle Paul” had firmly FOCUSED on many godly characteristics to thoroughly “think” upon the “things” that are totally “true,” wholly “honest,“ joyously “just,” perfectly “pure,” legitimately “lovely,” of “good report,” vindicated “virtue” and purposed “praise” provided. Thus, “we” are to aptly allow our meandering “minds” to deeply DWELL on absolutely all of “those things” consistently for spiritual STABILITY striving for godly attitudes and thoughts perceived – Mind RENEWAL!
Godly EXAMPLE!
Now here “Paul” provides an excellent EXAMPLE of an exemplary “life” longingly LIVED out to according to our great “God of peace” pronounced:
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you – Philippians 4:9
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: Our particular THOUGHTS cannot be abstracted from our ACTIONS acted upon. And before the composition of the New Testament in full, the STANDARD of all “Christian” solemn standards and bold behavior was entirely EMBODIED in the Divine “doctrine” dictated by the “Apostles” themselves. WHY? Because they “continued” with the apt AUTHORITY received directly from “Jesus Christ” Himself…
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers – Acts 2:42
But the Lord said unto him [Ananias], Go thy way: for he [Paul} is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him [Paul} how great things he must suffer for my name's sake – Acts 8:15-16
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God – Acts 20:17-24
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you – 1 Corinthians 11:1-2
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also – 2 Timothy 2:2
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience – 2 Timothy 3:10
Therefore, the “Apostle Paul” is intentionally instructing the pious “Philippians” to diligently “do” every one of “those things” of which they have “learned, and received, and heard, and seen” in him as an everyday PRACTICE as a purposed pattern of life – Godly EXAMPLE!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Such godly attitudes produced by the “Spirit of God” and godly THOUGHTS produced by the “Word of God” will lead to practical practices procuring the “Peace of God” through godly DEEDS deployed…
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places – Isaiah 32:17-18
Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled – 2 Corinthians 10:1-6
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace – James 3:17-18
Therefore, spiritual STABILITY finally foments “with you” through LIVING a luminous “life” of decided discipline to overt – OBEDIENCE unto God!
Christian CARE!
The “Philippian” beloved “believers” had surely SENT the aged “Apostle” a guarded “gift” given “again” as an outward “opportunity” to soundly SERVE him with great “care” and thus he readily “rejoiced in the Lord greatly” via this thoughtful thank-you note in kind:
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity – Philippians 4:10
HISTORICAL HINTS: By this trying “time” in his “life” lamented, “Paul” has lost the full FREEDOM to willfully “work” and mindfully “minister” in the caring capacity that he once had. He is therefore in much “need” and is audaciously “afflicted” with the dire DIFFICULTY of being a captive prisoner. And in the midst of this nigh “need” of the aged “Apostle” these pure “Philippian” brethren having heard of it, surely “sent” such shared “supply” to meet his necessities negated. No doubt this is the SADDEST season in the “life” of the prudent “Paul” up to this point. Being chained to a garrison “soldier” and able to touch only a FEW faithful “friends” of whom could FIND him along with anticipating a twisted TRAIL set before the neurotic Nero of which could result in his execution, made it a very DIFFICULT demise indeed. Therefore, this obvious “opportunity” to practically provide for the personal “needs” of another is at the very HEART of lavished “love” of our “Lord” in action – Christian CARE!
Christian CONTENTMENT!
And “Paul” had eventually “learned” to keenly KNOW how to be “content” completely regardless of the “respect of want” concerning his certain CIRCUMSTANCES curtailed:
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content – Philippians 4:11
“Christians” are confidently called to be constantly “content” and soundly saved to be surely SATISFIED in saying “we” have ENOUGH for this life. Sadly, MANY of “us” defiantly do NOT actually experience this solemn “state” of the soul…
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content – 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee – Hebrews 13:5
However, the pundit “Paul” indeed DID as such. In fact, he was quite “confident” in his CONSTANT consented “contentment” as such – Christian CONTENTMENT!
Sovereign SUFFERING!
And now “Paul” is surely STATING that his “hungry” heart in its confident “contentment” was entirely independent of the countless CIRCUMSTANCES clamoring constantly:
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need – Philippians 4:12
Here “Paul” is rightly referring to the “all things” as to his food, clothing and daily necessities whether he be “abased” in little or found to “abound” in much PROVISION provided by “God” Himself. Thus, these are the basic “needs” of life as the earthly goods supplied. “Paul” pioneered practically through the GAMUT of life’s daily fare and was ALWAYS captively “content” when things went well and when they went wrong as such. It was ACCEPTED if he was kissed, wholly hugged and eagerly extolled entirely. And it was ACCEPTED when he was brutally beaten, bruised and battered in kind. Whether as a WEALTHY practicing pois “Pharisee” or as a POOR chided “Christian” fugitive, “Paul” keenly “knew how” to be intently “instructed” insightfully in “both” scenarios. Therefore, the particular point powerfully PROCLAIMED is that he is “content” completely through – Sovereign SUFFERING!
STRENGTH of Jesus Christ!
This matter of “contentment” deeply demands not only a CONFIDENCE in the perfect Providence of our great “God” granted, a sound SATISFACTION with very “little” available and an innate INDEPENDENCE of absolutely “all things” allotted, “Paul” was surely SUSTAINED by deployed Divine power to supernaturally “strengthen” him from on High:
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me – Philippians 4:13
The Greek verb for “strengtheneth” used here is “endunamo” and means to “put power in” as such. “Paul” could devoutly “do all things” as was necessary for his confident “Christian” calling. WHY? Because he had “learned” that no matter how DIFFICULT it was to “live” in the material “world” waning, there was a SPIRITUAL undergirding reality that perfectly “put power in” him. And like-wise, “our” abundant adequacy and surmised sufficiency comes from being aptly ATTACHED to the adequate and the sufficient saving “Son of God” alone! Thus, “we” are NOT at all self-sufficient saviors. Rather, “we” are confident Christ-sufficient servants…
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me – Galatians 2:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us – Ephesians 3:20
Therefore, “we” are linked with HIS loving “life” and with HIS perfect “power” to Providentially prevail and thus “according to the power” found within HIM have the sufficient – STRENGTH of Jesus Christ!
AFFLICTION Affirmed!
But “Notwithstanding” the avid “affliction” set forth upon “Paul” to its FULL extent, the “Philippian” flock sought “well” to aptly “communicate” caringly abroad as such:
Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction – Philippians 4:14
This was a very difficult situation. “Paul” had readily “received” this gracious “gift” from “Epaphroditus” as he STAYED and mindfully “ministered” to him. Now, “Epaphroditus” is boldly going BACK to the “Philippian” fellowship with this “letter” of lavished love in hand – AFFLICTION Affirmed!
In closing:
LOVE for Paul!
TEN years have passed since the pervious “Philippian” granted “gift” was sent unto “Paul” having ARRIVED there in “Philippi” to powerfully “preach the gospel” there…
And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us – Acts 16:12-15
TEN years have passed since he was thrown in “jail” along with “Silas” when the “earthquake” had really RELEASED all of the “prisoners” resulting in the “Philippian” presiding “jailer” and “all his house” to be chiefly converted unto “Jesus Christ“ in full…
And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house – Acts 16:22-34
TEN years have passed since “Paul” had moved on to “Thessalonica” when the “Philippians” provided him with much needed SUPPORT during the tumultuous “time” he had left “Macedonia for Achaia” and the “cities” of “Athens and Corinth” as they sent him yet another garnered “gift” granted. The “Apostle Paul” was the FOUNDER of the “Philippian” faithful “fellowship” and they had a BOND of lavish – LOVE for Paul!
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Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
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