Sunday, 4/19/2020 pm – ONLINE Lesson
Studies In Philippians
(29)
Sharing With Paul
Philippians 4:14-23
Tonight, I would like to resume an ongoing study we
have been engaged in on a monthly basis at Rose Avenue.
We have been systematically going through the book of
Philippians, a letter which theme is to rejoice even in troubling times.
Paul, writing from prison, encourages these brethren to endure
even as they faced threats and perhaps even persecutions.
He has humbly appealed to his own example of how one can endure.
And so we must also do.
In chapter 4:10-13, our last lesson, we noted Paul’s contentment,
regardless of whatever state he found himself in.
This is found with gratitude as he acknowledges their supporting
him.
He then commends them for their financial
fellowship with him in the gospel.
Our focus this evening will be on the final verses of this
chapter – Philippian 4:14-23
a.
Vs. 14 – You have done well in that
you shared in my distress.
Recall that prior to this, he is grateful for their gift to him,
but he wants them to understand that he is satisfied no matter what
state he finds himself in (content).
i.
BUT, he wants them to understand he IS
grateful and acknowledges what they did for him as a blessing.
Do we recognize the good done by others?
I think of Jesus noting the widow with 2 mites – Luke 21:1-4
Barnabas – translated, son of encouragement – he was know for his good
deeds – whether it was selling land to help needy brethren (Acts
4:36-37), or standing up for Paul when he sought to join the brethren in
Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-27), or defending John Mark (Acts 15:36-37), etc.
We need to take the time to recognize those who have done good, whatever
that might be.
ii.
They had done well – it was a good
thing they had done. Some
are worthy of praise for their good works.
iii.
The word for sharing here
(and in vs. 15) is a compound worth that includes the Greek word for
fellowship. In whatever
ways they had helped Paul, he saw it as fellowship with them.
We will address this again in a few moments.
b.
Vs. 15-16 we find the nature of their
help. They had
supported Paul in some way, and they had done so more than once,
including in Thessalonica.
We find here part of the pattern for churches supporting preachers in
other places, AND how preachers are to receive support.
i.
First, we must not forget that in the
New Testament, each congregation is independent and autonomous
(self-governing).
Whatever work is to be done by a local church must maintain that
autonomy and respect the autonomy of any other congregation.
That is why we cannot create any
organizational structure larger than a congregation, nor can we
surrender our work to another congregation (e.g. a sponsoring church).
ii.
Their support was sent directly to
Paul. There was no
centralized organization, nor was it sent to a congregation where he was
working. It was sent to Paul
as the preacher – this showed confidence in him as he worked for the
cause of Christ, REGARDLESS of state of the congregation.
IOW, wherever Paul was working had no oversight or control over
the funds Paul received.
CONSIDER how this enables a preacher to preach the truth even to a
hostile group – they had no power to withhold his support from other
places that showed confidence in him.
iii.
The word “shared” indicates there is a
relationship with the supporting church and the one they are
supporting. It is a form of
the Greek word for our English “fellowship”.
Paul was appealing to a spiritual bond that they shared together
– namely their relationship with Christ Jesus.
Their fellowship was in Christ (1 John 1:3, 6-7) – it bound them
together.
As such, there needs to be confidence in the one being supported.
A preacher being supported, and a church privileged to support
other preachers, BOTH ought to take seriously this fellowship.
In it, ensure that what is being supported is truth and not error
(cf. Ephesians 5:11).
c.
Vs. 17-18 - Not that I seek the
gift, but the fruit that abounds to your account.
i.
Paul again expresses his contentment
– “I have all and abound.
I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you.”
He is thankful for what he has received.
Recall that in the previous verses Paul mentions their supporting him on
several occasions. First
there was at least twice in Thessalonica, and possibly other times as he
left Macedonia (Thessalonica is in Macedonia), and then you have Paul
NOW in Prison in Rome and Epaphroditus has again come to him from
Philippi – so we see multiple occasions when they had helped Paul.
He is so grateful for what they have done for him over and over.
ii.
BUT there was something more important
than the physical gift – the “fruit” that abounded to their account.
He would describe this gift as a sweet-smelling aroma, an
acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
1.
In this we find the TRUE motive that
ought to accompany giving.
It is not about self-serving desires or to be seen by men.
It is not a “seed-faith” offering expecting God to give you what
you are selfishly asking for.
God doesn’t want that – Matthew 6:1-4 describes how Jesus wants us to
share. (cf. Matthew 23:5).
This is true, whether we are dealing with helping others (James
1:27, 2:14-17), or in contributing to God (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
2.
It is about bearing fruit
(spiritual fruit) – Paul observes that their gift was fruit abounding to
their account. The idea of
fruit is the produce or product (the result) of something planted.
Jesus often made reference to fruit to describe the types of
works one was doing, whether good or bad – Matthew 7:16-20 – where He
noted you will know them by their fruits
2 Corinthians 9:10 speaks of God increasing the fruits of your
righteousness
Galatians 5:22 describes the “fruit of the Spirit”
Colossians 1:10 speaks of being fruitful in every good work
Hebrews 13:5, let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise, that is
the fruit of our lips, giving thanks…
The wisdom from above is full of good fruits.
The point being, God knows what you are doing for Him and it DOES
produce results!
3.
It is a sacrifice to God – A sweet
smelling aroma to God.
Another concept the Christian must grasp.
Sacrifices have ALWAYS been important to God.
But acceptable sacrifices had certain qualities.
a.
They needed to offered according to
God’s will – that is seen in the very first sacrifice recorded
in Genesis 4:3-5, where both Cain and Abel made offerings to God.
He accepted Abel’s sacrifice and rejected Cain’s.
It is necessarily concluded in this that God had given
instructions. Abel followed
them and Cain did not.
b.
They had to be the best –
from instructions to Israel concerning their offerings (they had to be
without blemish, and often their very best- such as the firstborn, or
first fruits). Malachi
1:6-8 describes defective sacrifices and how God felt about such.
c.
They also needed to be of value to
the one sacrificing – the very definition of a sacrifice is
offering something of VALUE to God, or a cause.
If something is of little or no value to you, it’s not
meaningful. Recall how David said on one occasion when he needed to
offer a sin sacrifice to God said, “Then the king said to Araunah,
“No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer
burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So
David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of
silver. And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt
offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord heeded the prayers for the
land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.
2 Samuel 24:24-25.
And our sacrifices STILL do: Consider
Romans 12:1-2 – present your bodies a living sacrifice
Ephesians 5:2 – walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for
us, as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Hebrews 13:15-16 – the sacrifice of praise to God, doing good and
sharing – with such sacrifices the Lord is well pleased
4.
It is about pleasing God – what
the Philippians did was well-pleasing to God.
May we in all that we
do, strive to please Him .
Colossians 1:10, Paul’s prayer was that they walk worthy of the Lord,
fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work,…
iii.
How does God view OUR fruit to Him?
d.
Vs. 19 - And my God shall supply all your
need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Paul concludes by observing His desire that God supply all that
we need.
So much could be said about this, but I just want to say, we serve a God
who IS ABLE to do all that we need of Him.
Ephesians 3:20, Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
works in us,
NOTE: In this we must ensure that what we desire is according to His
will (cf. 1 John 5:14 – our confidence, if we ask anything according to
His will, He hears us.)
a.
To our God and Father be glory forever
and ever, AMEN. Typical
of Paul’s concluding admonitions – may God be glorified as He deserves.
b.
Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus
– mutual greetings sent both ways.
This shows this letter was not fabricated, but genuine as Paul
addresses real people and sends greetings.
c.
All the saints greet you, especially
those of Caesar’s household – The impact of this is to understand
that even in the palace of Caesar there were Christians.
If this is the Caesar we believe, it was Nero who was hostile to
Christians. But even at this
time, Paul had had success.
Never judge someone unworthy to try!
d.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you all. A typical
benediction for Paul. AMEN.
And thus we conclude our study of Paul’s letter to
the Philippian brethren. It is a
very fitting letter for troubling times such as these.
Within its pages we learn how to be joyful at all times and to
live with a view toward eternity.
Think about it!