Philippians 4 vs 8-23
Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 8 – 9
· This is truly so helpful. In whatever situation, person, relationship, in whatever whatever, it helps a ton to just stop for a moment and consider the good. We, (maybe this is just me), have a tendency to really focus on the issue, the problem, the negative and it leads me into the flesh, every time!
· Paul’s dealing with a specific problem there in the church of Philippi, but this instruction is universal. What about the thing, the situation, the job, the spouse, the person, what about them is true in the eyes of God? They are beloved. God has a plan for them. There is a purpose there. God will bless if I honor Him in it… All of these things are true. Not personal truth. Personal truth is fickle and false. What is true that cannot ever be untrue. Meditate for a moment on that statement and meditate on that sort of truth!
· And by meditate Paul doesn’t mean light the incense, dim the lamp and levitate! HA! The word actually means weigh these things, let these things have the weight. It’s an accounting term…
· What about the thing, the situation, the job, the spouse, the person, what about them is noble? Might be hard to think of something about some folks but this is supposed to be hard. If it were easy, well, we’d just see the problem! That’s easy! But most times hard and narrow is the path that leads to life! A good friend of mine once told me that 90% of life is effort and the rest is ability. And it’s definitely true that hard work beats talent all day and twice on Sunday!!! “There’s nothing noble about it or them!” Not true. I’m just being a baby about it…
· Choosing the easy path of how I naturally look out for myself, serve myself, convince myself I am good and others aren’t as good, that is what leads me into all of the situations and mental moments that honestly do me no good!
· What about it or them is just? We give ourselves such grace and we deal with our own ridiculousness with such patience, how unjust it is to exact a supremely higher standard on others?! Oh, and the grace and mercy we are given brand new each day from the Lord, how unjust it is to take that happily from the Lord and then refuse to give it out ourselves!?
· What about it or them is pure, lovely, goodly reportable, if there is any virtue, (and there always is), if there is anything able to be encouraged or praised (and there always is), commit, practice, perform and do that and now you’re voluntarily and loyally hanging out with God! Because when Paul says God will be with you what He means is you will be with Him. He doesn’t move. He doesn’t change. He doesn’t change direction or position…, we do!
· And this is truly helpful! Let’s get physical for a moment. Talk about what the world says about these things which is dangerous, let me tell you, the wisdom of the world is suspect always! I saw a Smart Car the other day with a tow hitch! SUSPECT! What are you towing? A powerwheel!? HA!!!
· Folks that are able to do these things, according to the Mayo Clinic have increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress, greater resistance to illnesses, better psychological well-being and better bodies! Hey! Wanna be buff, be beneficial to the thing, the situation, the job, the spouse, the person, the relationship! Thanks GOD!
· And let me tell you, let’s flip the coin here, Christians, those of us that are citizens of Heaven and filled with the Holy Spirit of God, these things should just be how we are! These things should be what we leave on the hearts of the thing, the situation, the job, the spouse, the person, the relationship! These things should follow us around, be the aftertaste of us being there and the legacy once we are long gone. That dude, that gal was true. She is noble. He is just. Lovely, praiseworthy, he is just a, she is just a good person. Made me feel good…
· Part of my job and part of your job as a Christian is to make it easy on other Christians to be Christian. So, Paul says, do this because God does this for you and if you do, you will be near to God and being near to God benefits you in multiplied millions of ways!!!
Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 10 – 13
· Interesting, Paul would take collections for the churches but it would appear that he did not take collections for himself (as this church was the only church that markedly supported him). Paul worked as a tent maker to support himself in ministry. And this statement in verse 10 is quite convicting for the modern church because we now have plenty of opportunity but lack care…
· Paul said, “I have learned to be content.” Being content is not natural to mankind. It’s interesting, I’ve never heard of a class, seminar or need to teach people how to complain! HA! But contentment, that’s a whole different equation. Paul sits in some sort of Roman imprisonment, under the heavy hand of an egomaniac emperor, and he writes a letter to encourage others, a letter to help and serve others, a thank you letter, a letter on joy…
· Being content and being happy are not necessarily the same things. Many secular experts have even concluded that humans are horrible at being happy! HA! We always find ways to interrupt our own gladness and mess things up… But being content is something different, and there is a work of grace and sanctification that is part of the Christian life that automatically, if God is trusted, will teach contentment… Let me explain…
· Being content with your life means that you’re satisfied with what you have and who you are. Instead of comparing yourself to others or wishing you had what they have or a different life, you are living a life yourself that you can stand behind. You have learned what is right and what is good and committed to that code and over time, whether prosperity or problems arise, this is the way it should and must be because you have trusted the Lord, you have taken the path the Lord has led, you have made decisions based on the Word of God and not the world of man…
· And even though (fill in the blank), who else could I be? Who else would I want to be? What else could or should I have done…? And a peace enters.
· And Paul shatters the mold of suppressed capability that complaining sets every human being in with this revelation that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. That doesn’t mean he can fly or he can breathe under water, that’s not the all things… It means that whatever he faces next, he does so with poise, purpose, confidence and strength… Because he is who he is not by any other means but by the grace of God!
Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 14 – 17
· That’s an interesting statement and not one that is explained well in scripture, perhaps, but not too well, that as we serve and give and minister, these things are credited to our account. I have my own ideas and I’m fully aware of the rewards of crowns spoken of in the scriptures once we are with the King, but those that are ministering gracious giving Christians in this life are richly rewarded…, and there yet remains a reward for you also in heaven…
Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 18 – 19
· There is it…, there’s the earthly accounting if you will….
Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 20 – 23
· Our new brethren, the Romans guards that are assigned to me, those that are with me here in chains, the other inmates, they greet you, church. Such a cool statement. And he wraps up this book with the best way to wrap up a teaching, an interaction, a day, a life…, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all…! All problems fixed, all hope restored, all strength renewed…, anything sidelined by the flesh or the enemy’s strategies, back on the field. Go forward in the grace of Jesus Christ!