WEBVTT 00:00:02.532 --> 00:00:13.965 Well, here we are wrapping up the book of Philippians today, the week before we head into Christmas, and I want to thank all of you for braving the frigid temperatures. 00:00:14.432 --> 00:00:19.966 It is shocking to the system, but thank you for still making it a priority to to come today. 00:00:19.966 --> 00:00:21.565 So we've been working through Philippians. 00:00:21.565 --> 00:00:27.100 In fact, when you came in, you should have received a card that has just a summary of the book. 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:31.466 We did this with First Peter and you get some of the key verses. 00:00:31.466 --> 00:00:36.000 These are just ones I personally have found beneficial. 00:00:36.265 --> 00:00:39.133 Some of the verses I meditate on a lot. 00:00:39.133 --> 00:00:44.899 It's no official list or anything, it's just ones I think often come up in conversations from the book of Philippians. 00:00:44.899 --> 00:00:50.799 And then on the back are some of the key lessons learned, some of the key themes we emphasized all throughout. 00:00:50.799 --> 00:01:03.832 And this could be helpful to just take a window here and there and just pick 1 or 2 of these lessons learned and just chew on them a little bit and see and remind yourself, what was God teaching me as we worked through the book of Philippians? 00:01:04.965 --> 00:01:11.832 Today, we wrap the book up by just talking about what I think is probably the big idea of the book of Philippians. 00:01:11.832 --> 00:01:28.365 And it comes all together here at the very end, and it's rooted in this experience, I think many of us have had at times where you are wanting to make the most of a situation, you're wanting to squeeze every drop out of it to get every moment of enjoyment from it. 00:01:29.766 --> 00:01:31.400 I think a good example of this for me. 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:37.433 I remember back to the handful of times we ended up at the beach as a family, took a family vacation to the beach. 00:01:37.433 --> 00:01:46.000 It wasn't often, but the few times we went, especially when I was very little, I wanted to get in that water and stay in that water as much as possible. 00:01:46.965 --> 00:01:55.865 Nothing was going to take me out of that water. They could put up Hey, we've seen a shark, give out shark, shark warnings. 00:01:55.865 --> 00:01:57.299 I will not be moved. 00:01:57.299 --> 00:01:58.700 It doesn't matter. 00:01:58.700 --> 00:02:03.266 Hey! The jellyfish! Dangerous stinging jellyfish are coming in. 00:02:03.266 --> 00:02:08.000 I'm still not going anywhere. John, it's gotten dark out. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:11.900 In fact, the Coast Guard is patrolling for cartel drug boats. 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:17.366 No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I am not going anywhere. 00:02:17.366 --> 00:02:25.099 Finally, you get drug out of the water, and then the enjoyment of it all is when you're laying in bed and your body is still kind of rocking with the waves. 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:28.566 And now, you know, you made the most of that moment. 00:02:28.566 --> 00:02:31.699 You maximized your joy and you have your experiences. 00:02:31.699 --> 00:02:37.300 You have your situations, you where you wanted to make sure I'm getting every ounce of joy out of this that I can. 00:02:39.099 --> 00:02:42.000 A big theme in the book of Philippians has been joy. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:43.699 How do we walk in joy? 00:02:43.699 --> 00:02:46.400 So much of our life we let steal our joy. 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:49.099 We let our circumstances dictate how we feel. 00:02:49.099 --> 00:02:53.932 And Paul is saying over and over again, pursue joy, find joy. 00:02:53.932 --> 00:02:56.199 He's in prison. He's been beaten. 00:02:56.199 --> 00:02:57.500 People are trying to kill him. 00:02:57.500 --> 00:03:02.233 We saw the list of the shipwrecks and on and on and he still rejoices. 00:03:02.733 --> 00:03:06.900 How do we maximize our joy as a Christian? 00:03:06.900 --> 00:03:09.366 How do you maximize your joy in Christ? 00:03:09.366 --> 00:03:14.500 We're going to see here as we wrap up the book in chapter four, starting at verse 14. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:21.765 I think in here, Paul is going to bring to a close four ways that we maximize our joy in Christ. 00:03:21.765 --> 00:03:25.300 And if you don't have a church Bible, we’ll be in the book of Philippians. 00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:27.099 We have copies of the Bible out in the lobby. 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:28.199 You can grab those any time. 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:33.532 You can keep those so you can follow along as we read, and so that you can continue to read the Bible on your own. 00:03:33.532 --> 00:03:39.000 But we'll be in Philippians chapter four, and I'm going to read verses 14 through 20. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:44.566 And then we'll unpack the first of those four ways to maximize our joy in Christ. 00:03:44.566 --> 00:03:45.300 Verse 14. 00:03:47.032 --> 00:03:50.165 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 00:03:50.165 --> 00:04:05.099 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I -- this is Paul speaking -- when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving except you only. 00:04:05.366 --> 00:04:09.699 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 00:04:09.699 --> 00:04:16.033 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 00:04:16.033 --> 00:04:19.033 I have received full payment and more. 00:04:19.665 --> 00:04:30.565 I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent; a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 00:04:30.565 --> 00:04:36.365 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 00:04:36.365 --> 00:04:40.966 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 00:04:42.565 --> 00:04:46.300 So here we have Paul coming towards the end of the book of Philippians. 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:47.632 We have a few more verses to read. 00:04:47.632 --> 00:04:50.466 We'll get to those. Don't worry. 00:04:50.466 --> 00:04:54.800 And I think in here we see some ways to maximize our joy in Christ. 00:04:54.800 --> 00:05:09.300 And the first here in this list coming at us starting in verse 14 and 15, is to make sure too that you are sharing in the work of the gospel, share in the work of the gospel. 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:15.800 Paul already has thanked them for their gifts in other places of the book, and he's saying that again here as well. 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:20.432 But he makes sure they know that they were a part of the work he was doing. 00:05:20.432 --> 00:05:28.466 Looking back at verse 14, you shared in my trouble and all that he endured as he was seeking to spread the gospel. 00:05:28.466 --> 00:05:30.365 They shared in a part of that. 00:05:30.365 --> 00:05:31.766 And he's real specific. 00:05:31.766 --> 00:05:36.233 You yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel and what he means. 00:05:36.233 --> 00:05:58.300 In fact, he talked about this in chapter one, verse five, when the gospel first came to you in the beginning, when you first heard of the gospel from the very start of the gospel coming to them, you've shared in the work, he says, when I left Macedonia, which is the region Philippi was in, when I left your region, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 00:06:00.132 --> 00:06:05.733 From the very beginning, they were excited about the work that Paul was doing. 00:06:05.733 --> 00:06:07.665 They were excited to partner with him. 00:06:07.665 --> 00:06:10.665 They were excited to be a part of it. 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:26.033 In fact, many of your Bibles will have maps in the back from and you'll see in those old Testament times, the world in that age, but also you'll see Paul's missionary trips is a common map in there. 00:06:26.300 --> 00:06:28.132 And this goes back to Acts. 00:06:28.132 --> 00:06:31.565 Before we put up the map, we're going to look at Acts chapter 16. 00:06:31.565 --> 00:06:35.699 You might remember that we started there when we started the book of Philippians. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:38.699 Acts comes right after the four Gospels. 00:06:39.833 --> 00:06:45.932 Acts 16 is where we first learn about the Gospels coming to Philippi. 00:06:45.932 --> 00:06:51.100 It's where we hear the stories all throughout there, where they show up in Philippi. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:53.233 In fact, first they weren't sure where to go. 00:06:53.233 --> 00:06:56.665 Paul gets a vision and he's told to go to Macedonia. 00:06:56.665 --> 00:06:57.800 They end up there. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:03.033 They go first to a place where women were gathering outside the city to pray. Lydia is converted. 00:07:03.033 --> 00:07:04.865 Paul and Silas get put in prison. 00:07:04.865 --> 00:07:05.500 In prison. 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:10.632 You remember this famous story of the earthquake, and the jailer thought they all had escaped and was about to kill himself. 00:07:10.632 --> 00:07:15.565 And Paul and Silas, who had been singing hymns of joy all throughout their imprisonment, said, no, no, no, we're still here. 00:07:15.565 --> 00:07:16.932 Don't kill yourself. 00:07:16.932 --> 00:07:18.100 He gives his life to Christ. 00:07:18.100 --> 00:07:21.100 He believes the gospel. 00:07:21.165 --> 00:07:23.466 But then from there they go on. 00:07:23.466 --> 00:07:25.300 Look at chapter 16, verse 40. 00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:29.233 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. 00:07:29.233 --> 00:07:32.300 And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:40.165 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Polyana, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 00:07:40.165 --> 00:07:42.399 And Paul went in, as was his custom. 00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:54.033 And on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying this Jesus, whom I proclaim to you is the Christ. 00:07:54.033 --> 00:08:04.399 So if you would put up that map of the region, because I want you to see this, how how much this highlights how excited the Philippians were about the gospel. 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:05.766 Hopefully this works. 00:08:05.766 --> 00:08:15.165 This is kind of hard to read, and my red pointer is not working like Isaac promised it would. 00:08:17.733 --> 00:08:20.399 It works right here. 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:24.600 Okay, there's a map up there that probably none of you can read. 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:31.466 Now that we see it, you can see the word Philippi and big block in the middle below that is Troas. That's where they started. 00:08:31.466 --> 00:08:33.000 They went up to Philippi. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:34.066 That gets blown out. 00:08:34.066 --> 00:08:41.765 And in the top box you can see from Philippi, you see those two cities we just read about Amphipolis, Apollonia, and then Thessalonica. 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:44.566 Basically, they leave Philippi. 00:08:44.566 --> 00:08:51.533 Paul leaves Philippi and right away, by the time he gets to Thessalonica, they're already sending more gifts. 00:08:52.666 --> 00:08:55.566 They are so excited about what he's doing from the get go. 00:08:55.566 --> 00:08:58.600 They said, we want to be a part of what you're doing. 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:15.600 Now when we served with college students in campus ministry, one of our the key things we strove for is that when someone came to Christ, when a college student came to know Christ right away, we tried to get them to go share their faith with someone right away. 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:17.832 Don't wait. 00:09:17.832 --> 00:09:27.399 That is the time when you are most excited about what Christ has done in your life, when the enthusiasm is bubbling over and some would say, but look, I don't know anything. It's okay. 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:29.600 You know what he did in your life? 00:09:29.600 --> 00:09:30.500 Did he change you? 00:09:31.966 --> 00:09:34.732 How many people here have been changed by Christ? 00:09:34.732 --> 00:09:36.000 Yeah. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:38.633 Listen, you've got something to say. 00:09:38.633 --> 00:09:39.865 Here's how he changed me. 00:09:39.865 --> 00:09:42.232 Yeah, but what about the historicity of the scriptures? 00:09:42.232 --> 00:09:45.232 I don't know, all I know is he changed me. 00:09:45.232 --> 00:09:46.600 Well, we'll figure that out. 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:48.100 I'll bring you someone who can answer that. 00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:50.265 But listen, you gotta know what he did in my life. 00:09:50.265 --> 00:09:53.000 The hope that I have now, the peace that I have. 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:55.200 And this was happening in Philippi. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:58.399 Whatever you're doing, Paul, we want to be a part of it. 00:09:58.399 --> 00:09:59.600 We can't wait. 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:02.399 Just tell us what you need. 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:08.932 Listen, we all should have that kind of excitement about supporting the Lord's work across the world. 00:10:08.932 --> 00:10:16.700 Of course, that should happen when we're new believers, but it should continue, and it should actually grow. 00:10:18.232 --> 00:10:25.533 In fact, just this week, one night this week, I met with our more experienced, more seasoned life group. 00:10:25.533 --> 00:10:31.765 In fact, it's our biggest life group here at the church and they met for their annual fundraising. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.832 I don't know what do you call it? 00:10:33.832 --> 00:10:35.700 Auction. Yeah. 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:38.033 You didn't even know what you were getting. 00:10:38.033 --> 00:10:39.533 Like, you just. 00:10:39.533 --> 00:10:42.432 We're supposed to auction on stuff, put a bid on stuff. 00:10:42.432 --> 00:10:46.033 And of course, I ended up with something like a birdhouse. 00:10:46.033 --> 00:10:48.500 Very expensive birdhouse. 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:49.299 It didn't matter. 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:50.133 Nobody cares. 00:10:50.133 --> 00:10:52.066 We're not there for the stuff. 00:10:52.066 --> 00:10:55.732 It was just a made up reason to give to missions. 00:10:55.732 --> 00:10:58.066 And everyone was so excited. 00:10:58.066 --> 00:11:03.066 Thrilled to be giving to missions among our most senior group here. 00:11:03.066 --> 00:11:07.033 The enthusiasm is growing and growing and growing. 00:11:08.966 --> 00:11:10.600 This is what was happening in Philippi. 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:14.399 They were so excited to be about joining in the work of the gospel. 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:15.700 Now here's the cool part. 00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:22.265 Paul was able to share with other churches the fact that Philippi had been generous so that he could come to them. 00:11:22.265 --> 00:11:25.865 If you flip over to Second Corinthians, that's just a few pages past Acts. 00:11:25.865 --> 00:11:31.365 If you were already over there, Second Corinthians 11, he says to those in Corinth. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:36.033 Look at him, what he says to him in chapter 11, verse seven. 00:11:38.166 --> 00:11:39.466 Make sure you are in Second Corinthians. 00:11:39.466 --> 00:11:41.432 I did this last week. 00:11:41.432 --> 00:11:43.200 Not first. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:47.932 I'll get a very different teaching in First Corinthians 11, Second Corinthians 11. 00:11:47.932 --> 00:11:49.899 Look at verse seven. 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:56.966 Did I commit a sin and humbling myself so that you might be exalted because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? 00:11:57.932 --> 00:12:04.232 So he's saying to the Corinthians, I came to you, I preach the gospel, and I didn't ask for anything in return. 00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:07.232 But notice how he describes why that was. 00:12:07.232 --> 00:12:12.865 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 00:12:13.133 --> 00:12:14.666 Now, there's a lot of different things. 00:12:14.666 --> 00:12:15.765 I'm not going to unpack this fully. 00:12:15.765 --> 00:12:17.966 There's a lot of different things that could be going on there. 00:12:17.966 --> 00:12:30.600 But the point he's making to them, in fact, he says right after that, the churches he robbed when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone for the brothers who came from Macedonia, the region that Philippi is in, supplied my need. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:33.865 So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 00:12:35.033 --> 00:12:36.200 Now, of course it's not. 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:41.600 It wouldn't be wrong for Paul to ask them to support the work of the gospel, because obviously others are doing that. 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:49.033 Maybe it's the fact that they weren't mature enough to be able to handle that and process that they may have misread his motives, I don't know. 00:12:49.033 --> 00:12:55.966 But the point being, he was able to say to them, I am here bringing the gospel to you because of the generosity of others who have been touched. 00:12:55.966 --> 00:12:57.033 Amen. 00:12:57.033 --> 00:12:57.500 Yeah. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:13:09.299 And so, look, part of our growth in Christ and where you're going to maximize your joy in life is joining in investing in the work of Christ, reaching the world. 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:10.865 And that could be far overseas. 00:13:10.865 --> 00:13:12.966 That could be right down the street. 00:13:12.966 --> 00:13:19.865 But when you are focused on spreading the gospel, focused on reaching others, that's going to maximize joy in your own life as well. 00:13:21.432 --> 00:13:29.666 In fact, I was pretty humbled when when I came here and we were preparing for the 85th anniversary, and I started to read on the history of the church. 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:39.566 And our church was planted by two other churches in the area, South Jefferson Baptist Church and Beechmont, Over in Beechmont. 00:13:39.566 --> 00:13:42.566 Two churches said, we want to invest in the work that are here. 00:13:42.566 --> 00:13:43.666 Others came alongside. 00:13:43.666 --> 00:13:45.000 We'll send ministers to help. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.332 We'll send money to help. 00:13:46.332 --> 00:13:49.332 We'll send people to plant the church. 00:13:50.533 --> 00:13:55.100 Others gave so that we can gather here today. 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:59.899 We can walk in the humility of that, but also in the joy and the inspiration and the excitement of that. 00:13:59.899 --> 00:14:01.365 That's going to maximize joy in our life. 00:14:01.365 --> 00:14:02.600 So that's the first way. 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:04.500 Let's look at the second way here. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:08.500 First way, be motivated by the growth of I'm sorry I be sharing the work of the gospel. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:11.399 Second, be motivated by the growth of others. 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:14.600 Be motivated by the growth of others. 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:17.600 Look back at verse 17. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:24.500 Paul says after thanking them for their gift, after praising them for being involved in the work. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:30.200 He says, not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases. 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:32.899 To your credit. 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:38.765 So some think that Paul likely here is probably maybe trying to head off any misunderstandings. 00:14:38.865 --> 00:14:42.332 He talked we talked about this last week where he said, look, I didn't I didn't really need it. 00:14:42.332 --> 00:14:44.600 And maybe we thought, did that seem ungrateful or not? 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:47.533 But his point was being I'm content. 00:14:47.533 --> 00:14:49.200 My needs are met. 00:14:49.200 --> 00:14:57.200 Many think that maybe here he's once again saying, look, this isn't some angling, some backhanded way for me to ask for another gift. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:59.299 I'm not here seeking the gift. 00:14:59.299 --> 00:15:02.200 I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:07.066 Instead of me finding joy in the gift I received. 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:11.066 Paul's greatest joy is in what God is doing in their lives from the gifts they gave. 00:15:12.666 --> 00:15:23.265 This is there's a really important spiritual principle underneath of this that I think we all can recognize, but maybe we don't always live out. 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:32.799 And it's that the call and the important thing in our spiritual life is to seek the giver, not the gift. 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:37.700 Any relationship really is governed. 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:41.265 Any good relationship is governed by this principle. 00:15:41.265 --> 00:15:53.566 If I'm only in a relationship because of the gifts I get from that person, whether it's romantic or a business relationship or a friendship, if it's only because of what you give me that I'm staying in this relationship. 00:15:53.566 --> 00:15:55.700 That's a shallow relationship. 00:15:55.700 --> 00:16:03.200 If it's only based on the the gifts and the trinkets and what you do for me only that's that's a shallow relationship. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:05.600 And the same is true of our relationship with God. 00:16:07.365 --> 00:16:12.799 If he's only great when he's blessed me richly. 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:18.265 Then all I really want are the things, not him. 00:16:18.865 --> 00:16:21.666 You see, we love him for who he is, for his character. 00:16:21.666 --> 00:16:25.066 That's why when we pray, we start with praise and how great he is. 00:16:25.066 --> 00:16:26.966 And we focused on not just we. 00:16:26.966 --> 00:16:31.432 We are deeply grateful for the things he has given us and done for us. 00:16:31.432 --> 00:16:39.365 But first and foremost, we're grateful for who he is and for his character and the joy of the relationship and of course, yes, we want him to bless us. 00:16:39.365 --> 00:16:44.299 We want him to shower blessings on us so that then we can bless others. 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:45.265 But you see the difference. 00:16:45.265 --> 00:16:46.700 We don't seek the gift first. 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:48.566 We seek the giver first. 00:16:49.600 --> 00:16:51.700 We delight in him first. 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:58.066 And so here Paul is saying, and it applies the same in our relationship to ministry. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:17:00.533 Paul is saying, I'm grateful for the gift. 00:17:00.533 --> 00:17:06.799 What I'm more excited about, though, is what God is doing in your life because of your generous heart. 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:14.665 We don't talk a ton here at Valley View about giving, but I usually just kind of wait for it to show up in the text and talk about it there. 00:17:14.665 --> 00:17:19.465 There are times, though, that we make sure to present the needs to the church, and most people say, we appreciate that. 00:17:19.465 --> 00:17:22.465 We want to know the state of the church. 00:17:22.865 --> 00:17:26.299 And I am deeply grateful for the generosity of this church. 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:29.232 I don't shy away from asking because I think it's important. 00:17:29.232 --> 00:17:36.766 I think Scripture makes it clear we should ask for people, and I hope that you do give to the ministries of Valley View. 00:17:36.766 --> 00:17:38.732 All the staff's salaries depend on it. 00:17:38.732 --> 00:17:40.700 The ministries of the church depend on it. 00:17:42.232 --> 00:17:46.732 However, and you can choose to believe this or not. 00:17:46.732 --> 00:18:14.633 As as excited as I am to receive your gifts into the church, I am more excited about what God does in your life when you get to the place where you can let go of some of your money and give, and I know we could go around the room person after person who can say man, because I started to express generosity and again let go of some of that death grip of a little bit of our money and give up control and walk by faith. 00:18:14.633 --> 00:18:18.566 I saw God do this amazing thing in my life. 00:18:18.566 --> 00:18:20.599 We could go around the room in person after person. 00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.900 I'm seeing head after head nod. 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:24.500 This is I saw God show up and provide in this way. 00:18:26.432 --> 00:18:27.865 Just this week. 00:18:27.865 --> 00:18:32.299 I had someone come to me a couple of weeks ago and say, hey, I've got this need. 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:35.232 I've got this specific need. 00:18:35.232 --> 00:18:36.400 I said, let's pray. 00:18:36.400 --> 00:18:41.400 Let's start praying that God would meet that and let's start praying for that specific amount. 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:46.532 God, would you have someone show up with this specific amount. 00:18:46.532 --> 00:18:53.299 The next Sunday a person comes with a check for that exact amount and says, this needs to go to this need. 00:18:53.465 --> 00:18:55.633 They didn't know. 00:18:55.633 --> 00:19:02.566 And I was able to say, we have been praying for that exact amount and God is using you to provide it. 00:19:02.566 --> 00:19:04.500 The person who received it rejoiced. 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:06.333 The person who gave it rejoiced. 00:19:06.333 --> 00:19:10.599 Both knew they were a part of what God was doing. 00:19:11.965 --> 00:19:13.000 Take delight. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:14.232 Take great joy. 00:19:16.133 --> 00:19:25.700 When you get to share in the part of the work that God is doing that will maximize your joy tremendously. 00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:27.799 When you can be generous and see him work. 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:31.700 And as you pray specifically, pray specifically and watch him work. 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.633 So that's the second way. 00:19:32.633 --> 00:19:34.365 Be motivated by the growth of others. 00:19:34.365 --> 00:19:43.400 And then the third way, I think we maximize our joy, as we see in the book of Philippians, is to trust the true source of your needs. 00:19:43.633 --> 00:19:48.732 Trust the true source of your needs, the true source of your needs. 00:19:48.732 --> 00:19:52.299 We could emphasize each word in this sentence and we will as we unpack it. 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:58.932 But look back at verse 18, because Paul is going to remind them that he's in good shape. 00:19:58.932 --> 00:20:02.032 I have received full payment and more. 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:17.566 I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God and my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 00:20:17.566 --> 00:20:21.165 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 00:20:21.165 --> 00:20:29.500 The reason why we've spent a fair amount of time building up to verse 19. 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:32.299 Here in verse 19 is a well known verse. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:43.633 I think it's often misused and misquoted to say that God will give you everything you want, but understanding the context of verse 19, that God will supply all your needs according to the riches of Jesus. 00:20:43.633 --> 00:20:46.900 He's got all kinds of riches in the glory of God in Christ Jesus. 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:50.900 To understand that verse rightly, we got to understand it in context. 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:53.599 So everything we're reading is leading up to this. 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:58.633 Paul is thanking those who have been generous to support his work in missions. 00:20:58.633 --> 00:21:03.133 In fact, he said, I've received full payment and more. 00:21:03.133 --> 00:21:07.599 That phrase was often used that receive full payment phrase was often use the same way. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:11.900 Paul uses the word contentment in stoic philosophy to say, I'm good. 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.766 My needs are met. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:18.066 I'm not walking around in anxiety wondering if I'll be okay. 00:21:18.066 --> 00:21:19.099 But Paul adds to it. 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:21.900 He says, I received full payment and more. 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:30.032 And the word therefore and more is this whole idea of full and overflowing, spilling out over the edges. 00:21:30.766 --> 00:21:38.133 You know, as a kid, it was great when you got your Happy Meal and you ate your fries and there was 1 or 2 down left in the bottom of the bag. 00:21:38.133 --> 00:21:40.700 It was like an extra surprise. 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:48.200 Well, what's way better than that is going to Five Guys where they put your fries down in there and they just keep dumping them on top and like, the bag is just fries everywhere. 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:50.932 You can't even find your sandwich because it's all fries. 00:21:50.932 --> 00:21:54.133 It's full and overflowing, overflowing, abundant. 00:21:54.133 --> 00:22:05.700 Paul's saying, I'm not only good, I got more than I need, and some think he's probably trying to redirect them to give to others. 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:08.599 We went to a church in Phoenix. 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:12.299 The last Sunday I was there when my son was getting ready to graduate. 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:18.700 We went to visit him and we attended the church that we went to all throughout while we were there, attending seminary. 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:23.333 And I heard something I had never in my life heard in church before. 00:22:23.333 --> 00:22:31.833 In a good way, by the way, the pastor got up and said, hey, listen, every week we pray for churches in the area. 00:22:31.833 --> 00:22:32.799 And they do. 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:36.633 They were constantly praying for the other churches around them. 00:22:36.633 --> 00:22:47.200 And I want you guys to know this church, right down the road from us, is starting a new building campaign, and I think our church should come alongside them and help them in that campaign. 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.200 They need more space. 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.599 How can we come alongside them? 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:53.000 I've never heard that before. 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:58.500 I've never heard one church encouraging their people to give to another church's building campaign. 00:22:58.500 --> 00:23:01.500 It was amazing. 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:05.865 We're full, we're overflowing, we're abundant. 00:23:07.365 --> 00:23:12.799 Listen, I know we've had some lean years, but I'm praying we get to that place very soon. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.900 We're pointed the right direction. 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:18.633 How amazing would that be to say, hey, we we've got enough. 00:23:18.633 --> 00:23:19.799 Don't give any more today. 00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:22.066 Instead, give over there. 00:23:22.066 --> 00:23:25.066 They desperately need it. 00:23:25.833 --> 00:23:27.900 Paul says my needs are met. 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:28.766 It's abundant. 00:23:28.766 --> 00:23:31.266 It's overwhelmed. It's full. 00:23:31.266 --> 00:23:34.865 And then he says, your gifts are like a fragrant offering. 00:23:34.865 --> 00:23:45.133 If you look back at verse 18, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice, this is the same language used of Old Testament sacrifices would have described ones that were pleasing to God. 00:23:45.133 --> 00:23:48.165 He smelled the sweet aroma of the fragrant offering. 00:23:48.165 --> 00:23:52.365 Same language used of Jesus, sacrificing himself, offering himself. 00:23:53.732 --> 00:24:04.400 And it also points to the idea in Romans 12 that speaks of us, and our lives are called to be a living sacrifice, pleasing to God. 00:24:04.665 --> 00:24:10.232 And Paul knows that the way they gave, the way they lived was sacrificial. 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:22.032 So all this is leading up to verse 19, because more than likely, if they are giving sacrificially, they're probably wondering, okay, I'm not quite sure how this is all going to work out Paul, we're excited to give to you. 00:24:22.032 --> 00:24:25.032 But also rents coming due. 00:24:26.566 --> 00:24:30.232 So this isn't just a blanket promise for everything you want in life. 00:24:30.232 --> 00:24:34.099 You know that whatever it is, you pick your thing. 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:39.266 That new car that I've always wanted, that new iPad you desperately need. 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:43.165 These are people who have, from the get go, said. 00:24:43.165 --> 00:24:49.266 We are sacrificing to spread the gospel, and we're going to trust that God will meet our needs. 00:24:51.165 --> 00:24:57.165 Now, the key word there, I think, for us to understand is the difference between needs and desires. 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.965 Right? We all struggle with this. 00:24:58.965 --> 00:24:59.700 What is a need? 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:03.965 And of course, I mean, we live in such a crazy age where, you know, needs. 00:25:03.965 --> 00:25:06.799 I mean, it's really hard to discern things that seem like a need. 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.333 You go. Really? 00:25:07.333 --> 00:25:09.865 Is that a need in this day and age? 00:25:09.865 --> 00:25:17.165 I mean, but sometimes it is to operate to function in this world. 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:28.232 But don't forget, last week we looked in first Timothy where Paul said, if you want to know contentment, remember God will supply your needs food and clothing. 00:25:28.232 --> 00:25:30.200 That's the baseline for contentment. 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:31.299 Do I have food? 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.365 Do I have clothing? 00:25:32.365 --> 00:25:34.766 I should be able to strive for contentment. 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:43.833 God will supply your every need, and we got to make sure to divide the line between needs and desires. 00:25:43.833 --> 00:25:54.133 But then lastly, when it comes to this, I want you to see this Tim Keller quote that I put in the notes because this is important, and I've been praying more lately. 00:25:54.133 --> 00:25:57.200 I've been praying through the Lord's Prayer more often. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:59.865 You know, I've shared with you before that acronym A.C.T.S. 00:25:59.865 --> 00:26:02.732 for praying, adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication. 00:26:02.732 --> 00:26:05.900 Really it's summarized in the Lord's Prayer. 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.000 It starts with adoration. 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:11.232 Our father, who art in heaven, we're going to focus on that hallowed or holy be your name. 00:26:11.232 --> 00:26:12.932 We're going to focus on how holy you are. 00:26:12.932 --> 00:26:17.099 But then it works down eventually to supplication or asking. 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:19.500 But the request there is very humbling. 00:26:21.232 --> 00:26:26.532 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:26:26.566 --> 00:26:32.732 And when I've prayed that in the mornings, I've thought, am I really satisfied just with bread today? 00:26:32.732 --> 00:26:39.599 Now there are other things I need and it's okay to pray for everything, but can I start by being satisfied with bread? 00:26:40.465 --> 00:26:42.232 What do I really need today? 00:26:42.232 --> 00:26:43.032 What? 00:26:43.032 --> 00:26:44.432 What are desires and wants? 00:26:44.432 --> 00:26:47.432 What are needs? 00:26:47.965 --> 00:26:54.200 The other side of that is, as I pray that to not forget that God wants me to be a part sometimes of answering those prayers. 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:56.500 And look at this quote that I put in your notes. 00:26:56.500 --> 00:27:15.432 We must ask ourselves what we ourselves might do to implement answers to our prayers, to be a part of seeing those prayers answered. To some degree answers to many of our prayers or petitions would be facilitated by changes in us. 00:27:17.232 --> 00:27:22.965 Don't forget when you're praying, God is also maybe calling you to take action on that. 00:27:23.032 --> 00:27:24.465 And sometimes we get frustrated. 00:27:24.465 --> 00:27:30.432 My prayer wasn't answered, but we weren't listening what he was calling us to do. 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:38.833 So part of how we maximize our joy here is taking part in what he's doing, and trust the true source of your needs. 00:27:38.833 --> 00:27:43.900 Ultimately, trust that he's the one at work providing your needs. 00:27:44.932 --> 00:28:00.200 Now, number four, the last way that I think shows up in this passage where we see Christ maximize our joy as we walk with him is number four-- remember that you are not alone. 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:03.965 Remember, you are not alone. 00:28:03.965 --> 00:28:06.665 Look at how he wraps up the book and these last couple of verses. 00:28:08.900 --> 00:28:11.000 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:13.099 The brothers who are with me greet you. 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:17.432 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. 00:28:24.865 --> 00:28:29.232 That is the wimpiest fire alarm I've ever heard. 00:28:29.833 --> 00:28:31.099 Let's hang tight just a second. 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:34.099 Jim's going to check it out.