The Secret of Contentment Philippians 4:10-13

The Necessity of Sharing in the Distress of Gospel-Work Philippians 4:10-19

seeking the fruit of labour “it was good of you to share in my troubles” (14) “I am looking for what may be credited to your account” (17)

seeking the fruit of labour “not that I am looking for a gift” (4:17) Hoping he did not labour in vain (2:16) One reason he’s prepared to remain in the body (1:23-25)

Background Refresher Acts 16, Macedonian call Beginning of the church Persecution, Jail Release, Paul moves on… Letter written from prison in Rome Epaphroditus arrives with a gift from Philippi Ph Co I

Why should we be supporting those who labour for the gospel?

1. Contentment Calls for Giving “I have learned the secret of being content” (4:12) “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (4:13) CONTENTMENT SHARING

1. Contentment Calls for Giving (1 Corinthians 9:12) “If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ” CONTENTMENT SHARING

1. Contentment Calls for Giving Paul is seeing this in the Philippians “we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4)

2. Love Demands Giving “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it” (4:10)

2. Love Demands Giving Love doesn’t seek its own (1 Corinthians 13:5)

2. Love Demands Giving John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”

2. Love Demands Giving They gave themselves “And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us” (2 Corinthians 8:5)

3. Fellowship Implies Giving “Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.” (v14) Good: Right, Precious, Excellent… Share: To have fellowship

3. Fellowship Implies Giving “members of one another” Ephesians 4:25b “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism” Ephesians 4:4-5 1 John 1:3

3. Fellowship Implies Giving Their Giving = Fellowship “you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel.” (1:7)

3. Fellowship Implies Giving “…I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed” 2 Corinthians 11:9

3. Fellowship Implies Giving Giving is not sending money (only). It is the fruit of deep fellowship we have with one another.

Supporting those who labour for the Gospel

The Beauty of Sharing in the Distress of Gospel-Work …they are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God (4:18b)

The Beauty of Sharing in the Distress of Gospel-Work Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God Ephesians 5:1-2