Words to the mature in Christ is the closing words of Philippians
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things.
A key element of walking in victory all of the time is learning to meditate as the word of God has defined it. God desires to change our mindset. Mindsets are changed by submitting to the word of God, one thought at a time. Remember the theme of Philippians is rejoice. The source of rejoicing is found in the truth of who Jesus Christ is!
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Put a praise in your mouth and thanksgiving in your heart.
Psalm 104:33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.
May my meditation be sweet to God. It comes from renewing our mind with His word. More specifically, it comes from meditation on the new and better covenant found exclusively in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Paul was rejoicing from the jail cell. Rejoicing in the faith of the believers and Christ being formed in them; God working in the body of Christ superseded all the circumstances Paul found himself facing. Paul rejoicing in a jail cell lead to the salvation of the warden of the jail and the warden’s family. Paul rejoicing in a jail cell brought great revelation of the goodness of God to the palace guard of Caesar’s. Follow godly examples that shows the heartbeat of God by the example of their lives.
Philippians 4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
The church of Philippi was truly partners in ministry with Paul. As stated several times in this series, Philippians is for the mature. Walking in selflessness makes way for the joy of the Lord to flow. Where a man’s heart is so will his treasure be; the Philippians showed their heart for the gospel by their giving to the apostle Paul.
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
Contentment with godliness is great gain. Paul's relationship with Jesus was great, his heart could be content in any and in all situations; yes, a word of maturity.
Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Truly the 12th and 13th verse go together. Everyone love the 13th verse by itself. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. However the 12th verse brings clarity to the 13th verse. In the good and in the bad Paul could walk in the contentment found in Jesus Christ alone. In abundance or suffering in need or being full or going hungry; Paul could face it all knowing the spirit of Christ would be there in any and all situations. It speaks of intimacy with God. Paul was not moved by the circumstance because He consider the greatness of His God. Paul counted his gain but loss when compared to the greatness of knowing Jesus in intimacy; I want to know Christ.
Philippians 4:14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia , no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
Paul praised God that the Philippi church sharing in giving into his ministry. I have in the last few weeks warned of men asking for your money and they will pray a blessing that can only be had from their prayer after you give to them. The warning stands, yet there is a giving that God calls His children to! Giving into fruitful ministry is important; that ministry will be marked by men of God serving as bondservants to God.
Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
Do you see the heart of Paul as he taught on giving? He was not seeking the gift, his desire was to see the believer be found in the fruit that abounds to their account. Christ formed in the believer even in the grace of giving.
Philippians 4:18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
Giving with a heart of thanksgiving and rejoicing comes before God as a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Giving with a cheerful heart is more importance than the gift itself.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
This passage is the only right motivation for giving into the work of ministry. Jesus became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. Oh that the love of Christ would be the only compelling factor for our giving into the ministry. It is the heart of God revealed!
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
We need to leave the verse in context that the apostle Paul wrote it in, we must declare that the Philippians were partners into the ministry of Christ Jesus and that is why Paul declared this blessing over them. Put God first with your giving and God will add into your life all that you need according to His riches in glory! That is blessed!
Philippians 4:20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
To God be the glory for every prison epistle Paul wrote. Such beautiful truths declared about the goodness of God. Paul was imprisoned and it bore fruit finding saints of God in the household of Caesar’s household! Paul bearing the fruit of the kingdom in the worst of circumstances of life. Grace (divine influence of God upon the believer’s heart) is the only power that could bear such great fruit. Any wonder Paul closes with “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. AMEN!
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