Philippians 4 – Three great truths to keep us on track. (day 21 of our 21 days of prayer and fasting)

Jon Beck

Philippians 4

Now what?  Trusting in what is next.

3 Key verses to keep us on the right track.

Moving forward from our 21 days.

 

Paul is a man that we can trust.  A man that was speaking from experience.  He started his Christian life well and he finished well. He had lived and trusted in the Lord and had witnessed firsthand God’s peace, power, and provision throughout his Christian life.

 

Dividing this chapter into the following 3 verses we see Paul’s Christian character on display.   These verses should be familiar to us, but are we really living them out.  As we finish our 21 days and look to FINISHING what we started… let’s make these familiar verses truths that we not only can rattle off with our mouth, but also key truths we embrace and live out with our life.

 

4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.

 

4:13 – I can do all things through Him who strengthens me

 

4:19 – My God will supply your every needs of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

 

Rejoice in the Lord always. (vv. 1 -9)

Peace

 

Rejoicing and Peace (Our joy in Him.  His peace in us)

 

Let YOUR reasonableness be known to everyone

  • How we treat others.
  • How we respond to others.
  • Our actions and attitude.

 

WHY…because the Lord is at hand (near.  In our presence)

  • Psalm 16:11

[11] You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (ESV)

 

Be anxious for nothing

  • Worried or concerned.
  • For nothing
  • We either have big God or a little God. Which one do we see from the pages of His Word.

 

But in everything, prayer, supplication, thanksgiving

  • Because we can lift our needs and thanksgiving to Him in prayer.
  • He hears and answers. Prayerful in all things

 

Peace that passes all understanding.  Beyond our understanding.

 

Whatever is… honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise

  • Think about these things

 

Whatever you…learned, received, heard, seen.

  • Practice these things

 

AND the peace of God will be with you

  • God’s Peace

 

I can do all things THROUGH Christ (vv. 10-13)

Power

This is about living out the Christian life not obtaining a goal, prize, or victory.  It is the daily Christian life on display. (Athletes)

 

Being in need…   I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

  • Satisfied
  • Opposite is never being satisfied. Who are we complaining to?

 

I know how

  • Brought low
  • Abound
  • Secret of facing plenty
  • Hunger, abundance, need.

 

2 Corinthians 11:21–29

[21] To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!  But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. [22] Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. [23] Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. [24] Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. [25] Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; [26] on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; [27] in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. [28] And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. [29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? (ESV)

 

2 Corinthians 12:7–10

[7] So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)

 

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

  • God’s Power

 

 

My God will supply all your needs (vv. 14 – 23)

Provision

 

When Paul began his missionary journeys, it was the church at Philippi that supported his work.

 

Fruit that increases to your credit v. 17.

  • We cannot out give God
  • To reach out world for Christ it will and does take sacrifice

 

A call to following Jesus takes a willingness to deny self and take up  the cross and follow Him.

 

Luke 9:23–26

[23] And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. [25] For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? [26] For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (ESV)

 

A fragrant offering that is pleasing to God.

  • Our giving and service is between me and God.
  • He knows… that is why the Spirit continues to convict and stir us in areas we need to be more obedient in.
  • God calls each one of us differently and uniquely with our serving and our giving.
  • What we give is a direct reflection of our faith and trust in Him

 

Needs verse Wants.

 

MY GOD WILL SUPPLY EVERY NEED OF YOURS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS.

  • God’s Provision

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