Continue to Be Like Christ | Philippians 4:10-23
- Find contentment in Jesus Christ.
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how-to live-in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.”
--Philippians 4:10-14
Notice here Paul says: “But I have rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me…” Paul is no longer giving the command to rejoice as he did in Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4
And he ended the last section by saying: “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” -- Philippians 4:9
Paul is reminding this church to follow his example because Paul has submitted his entire life to Christ—do you want a Christly example to follow as you deal with conflict? Follow my example! This is what a healthy church does—this is what a healthy church community looks like. It produces healthy leaders whom the congregation can follow.
“I am glad that we do not know what the quarrel was about; I am usually thankful for ignorance on such subjects; – but as a cure for disagreements, the apostle says, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’ People who are very happy, especially those who are very happy in the Lord, are not apt either to give offense or to take offense. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are. Joy in the Lord is the cure for all discord.”
--Charles Spurgeon
The point of this section of Paul’s letter shows us the reader of how a church community to build each other up; they can spur each other on in their faith. The church plays a vital role in a healthy Christian’s lifestyle.
Paul is content in Christ Jesus and the ministry that comes in a life of worship to Christ.
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
--Philippians 4:11-14
Greek for “Content”: αὐτάρκης autárkēs sufficient for one's self, strong enough or possessing enough to need no aid or support. independent of external circumstances.
Paul appreciates the Philippian’s church’s concerns, but he demonstrates to them that he is not worried. How can he live a unworried life? Because his full attention, his full devotion and worship is set on his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose… I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.”
--Philippians 1:21-26
The church finds confidence in God by serving God and serving each other. We are to be faithful to God and to our fellow church members/ believers. How are we to endure hard times? How are we to preach the gospel in the face of persecution and trial? Through our confidence in Jesus Christ; the example of our church leaders and each other pointing each other back to Christ. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.”
--Philippians 4:13-14
“Either sin is laying on your shoulders, or it is laying on Christ, the Lamb of God, and if it is resting on Christ, you are free.”
--Martin Luther
“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
--1 John 5:5-9
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
--Philippians 4:6-7
- A healthy church will obey and serve God by edifying and building each other up to imitate Jesus Christ.
“Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.”
--Philippians 4:14-18
Edifying: Likely to improve your mind or character – Oxford Learner’s Dictionary
The churches in Macedonia were generous and gave well because of their faith in Jesus Christ; but in Philippi, this church was the only church that supported Paul with their generosity. (remember Philippi was ONE city in the region of Philippi).
“Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
--2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Paul is celebrating this church. He is thankful for them. They have done much work and service to keep in touch with Paul—they care for Paul. Paul is caring for them by helping them through this conflict. There is much love, much endearing pull off this page in Paul’s final goodbyes to this church.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”
--Ephesians 5:1-4
“‘But if his offering is from the flock, of the sheep or of the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer it a male without defect. He shall slay it on the side of the altar northward before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar... The entrails, however, and the legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall offer all of it and offer it up in smoke on the altar; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the Lord.”
--Leviticus 1:10-11,13
Paul is celebrating the good gift this church has sent him with and in Epaphroditus. He is comparing it to the good sacrifice of Christ, the good sacrifice found in Leviticus that is pleasing to God. When we serve each other, when we offer thanksgiving, humility and even gifts because of our love for one another it is pleasing to God.
The Context of 1 Timothy:
“What a Jesus community believes will directly shape how that community lives and behaves. Allowing the Scriptures and good news about Jesus to form you will lead to a life of integrity and good works.”
--Thebibleproject.com
“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer…Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
--1 Timothy 4:1-5, 13-14
Church is not a one man show. It is about the community. There are elders, deacons, plurality of leadership occurs, men are called to step up in certain capacities of leadership and women in other capacities and we are called to serve each other.
“Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
--Philippians 4:20-23