Scripture referenced 14 passages
The passage this message was preached from, in full, with every other passage it reached for.
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Philippians 4:8 Paul's list of whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy, meditate on these things
8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, 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 any praise, think about these things.
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Keep this verse
Philippians 4:9
the things learned, received, heard and seen in Paul, do them, and the God of peace will be with you
9 The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
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Philippians 4:10
Paul rejoices that the Philippians' care for him has flourished again
10 But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.
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Philippians 4:11
Paul has learned in whatever state he is to be content
11 Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.
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Philippians 4:12
Paul knows how to be abased and how to abound, to be full and to be hungry
12 I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.
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Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
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Philippians 4:14
the Philippians have done well that they shared in Paul's distress
14 However you did well that you shared in my affliction.
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Philippians 4:15
no church shared with Paul concerning giving and receiving when he departed from Macedonia, but the Philippians only
15 You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.
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Philippians 4:16
even in Thessalonica they sent aid once and again for Paul's necessities
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.
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Philippians 4:17
Paul seeks not the gift but the fruit that abounds to their account
17 Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.
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Philippians 4:18
Paul has all and abounds, having received from Epaphroditus a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice well pleasing to God
18 But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.
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Philippians 4:19
my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus
19 My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
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Philippians 4:20
to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever
20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
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John 13:35
your love for one another will prove to the world that you were my disciples, quoted during the membership covenant ceremony
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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Recap
The message in order, in a few minutes of reading.
Pastor Ray preached through Philippians 4:10-20, picking up where he had left off the previous week. The passage is Paul's personal note of thanks to the church at Philippi for the support they sent him through Epaphroditus, and it carries his well-known statement about contentment and strength in Christ.
What was said
Pastor Ray opened by revisiting the end of last week's text, where Paul lists whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, and tells his readers to meditate on those things. He pointed out that Paul is using a deliberate rhetorical buildup of "whatever things, whatever things, whatever things" and that the cumulative point is simple: dwell on what is good, in whatever form that takes for you personally. The promise attached to that practice is that the God of peace will be with you.
Moving into verse 10, Paul expresses genuine joy that the Philippians' care for him has "flourished again" after a period when they lacked the opportunity to send support. Pastor Ray noted that Paul is careful to say he is not fishing for more help. The thank-you is real, but he does not want them to misread it as a complaint or a request.
That leads into Paul's statement about contentment. Pastor Ray read from Young's Literal Translation to show that Paul's phrase "in everything and in all things" directly mirrors the "whatever things" language from earlier in the chapter. Paul is writing from prison, having been beaten, shipwrecked, and snake-bitten, and he says he has learned, in every one of those circumstances, to be content, because the Lord is at hand and the peace of God guards his heart and mind.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" came next, and Pastor Ray pushed back gently on the way the verse gets used on bumper stickers and in locker rooms. In context, Paul is saying that because Christ is always present and always working to bring peace, he can endure being abased or abounding, full or hungry. The strength is not for athletic achievement but for contentment in whatever condition God allows.
Pastor Ray then followed Paul's argument about the Philippians sharing in his distress. When the church at Philippi sent money and provisions, they became partners in the work of the gospel even if they were not physically going where Paul went. He connected this directly to the morning's announcements about the Guatemala trip and Turning Point, acknowledging his own discomfort with asking for money while also being honest that Paul's point is real: there is fruit that abounds to the account of those who give toward work God has raised up.
Paul's statement that the gifts were "a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice well pleasing to God" gave Pastor Ray the opportunity to talk about the difficulty of moving from earning your own income to living on support. He described his own experience when he and his family moved to Mexico, calling it the hardest two weeks of his life, because it forced him to reckon with the fact that even his prior earnings had always been a blessing from God rather than something he had produced on his own.
The passage closes with Paul's declaration that "my God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Pastor Ray was explicit that this is not prosperity gospel. The riches are in Christ, and they flow through His people to one another, the abounding helping the abased, so that the gospel keeps moving forward. That mutual supply is where Paul's vision of Christian unity landed for the morning: not just unity that avoids conflict, but unity of purpose in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Doing a Bible study?
Here is a guide we have prepared for you: the passages in order, questions for the group, and room to write.
- Pastor Ray described Paul's list of 'whatever things' as being different for each person, things like music, fishing, or backcountry skiing, not just Bible study. What are the 'whatever things' in your own life that you find yourself dwelling on, and how do those shape your sense of peace?
- Paul says in verse 11 that he 'learned' to be content in every state. Pastor Ray emphasized the word 'learned,' suggesting contentment is not automatic even for a mature believer. What has taught you the most about contentment, and what is still hard to be content in?
and 3 more questions in the guide
Read the full transcript 7,059 words
0:00
Will you please stand up and let's worship God this morning? Let's worship God in such a way that we can feel his presence in this place. Amen? Amen. Yesterday, I took a hike and snocking.
0:12
Oh, it was so good. Beautiful. Beautiful time spending with God. And of course, we're gonna sing the splendor of a king clothed in majesty. That's my savior.
0:21
Amen? How great is our God? Let's sing with all our hearts. Amen.
2:02
He stands, and time is in his hands, beginning and the end, beginning and the end. Even the goddess in one.
4:08
Is our God and all we'll see
4:12
how great how great is our
4:17
God he's still good let's sing one more time
4:45
Amen. Amen. Y'all can have a seat Oh, it is good to be back in the land of living. I feel so much better than I did last week when I was standing up here. Thank you for praying.
4:56
A lot of you have contacted me and let me know that you were and then others of us, Carl's out this morning. He has it now. So, we're going to kind of taking turns but we've great to have, it's great to have the band here kind of filling in in different places. I've got a few announcements this morning. Monday nights at First B is on.
5:13
It's happening tomorrow night. Mike D. Mike Demetrius, our youth director will be speaking. He's going to bring a message from the book of James for the message part of meal music and a message. We've got Awana happening at the same time and this room starting off right here.
5:29
Plenty of volunteers, plenty of kids here having fun on Monday nights, getting scripture input into their minds so that it can reach their hearts and that's a good time for all on Awana's on Monday nights at 06:00. We have a team that is going to Guatemala. If you have not heard, you see that this place is looking mighty festive these days. There's crepe paper hanging around. That actually is a photo wall back there.
5:55
So take the time. There's a little frame. You can go take a picture of yourself before you head down the hall this morning to go down the hall to a Guatemalan style breakfast. It is this week, not next week. It's this week, February 4 between services as a traditional Latin American breakfast down there.
6:11
Burritos and tamales and who knows what else might show up too. Down the hall, Felix and Guadalupe have prepared that for us this morning and then the team from Guatemala has brought in the side dishes and so if you would, please head down the hall afterwards. We prepared for double as many as usually come to the connect hour. So, please feel free to come down. There's a little box on the left when you go through the door for donations to help the team that's getting there to raise the funds to get to Guatemala to help out at Hope of Life International.
6:45
And speaking of that, we're doing a lot of different fundraisers over the next month, especially. We're leaving the trip starts on April 1 and so by March 1, we need to have these funds raised so we can send them in but February 14 we're having a babysitting night here at the church So any of you who would like to go out on a date and have kids, if you'd bring those kids here and have us watch them and team from Guatemala is gonna be watching, playing games, having fun, doing crafts, and that sort of thing on Valentine's night. I'm gonna invite Carolyn Marzyniak, there you are, back there, forward. Carolyn is the director, she's gonna tell you that I'm sure, of the Turning Point Pregnancy Resource Center. There you go.
7:34
It is.
7:35
It is live. Guess what this is? A baby bottle. Yes. Today, we're kicking off our annual baby bottle campaign.
7:45
But first, I'd just like to thank all of you here at First Bee. First Bee as a church donates regularly to Turning Point. So many of your your families, individuals donate all through the year. We just appreciate it so so very much. We appreciate your prayers.
8:04
Alyssa sends out a prayer letter each month which so many of you comment on that's encouraging and we appreciate Alyssa doing that. So pastor Ray is our former chairman. Judy Basie is also our former director and now on our board. Nancy Tolleson is a former director and two of her girls came in last year and helped us with our baby boutique. We appreciate that.
8:34
And Tanya has been a long time volunteer for us. Doctor Mary Girling is our medical services director. I see Colleen in the back, Colleen and her nursing staff at doctor Girling's office are a great help to us. Lisette Molina here serves as our volunteer with our Spanish parenting program and her son who's seven comes in after school when we have mailings and Emiliano serves to help put on stamps and labels for us and we appreciate his enthusiasm. Katina Craniac, one of ours here, is one of our nurses.
9:21
Again, Alyssa Massey is our Client Services Director. These ladies have great hearts and hands for Turning Point. Helen Courtney is also one of our volunteers and translates for us. Liz Jacobson, Laura Seaton, Blake Morley, we have so many here who serve at Turning Point. But we are a resource center.
9:45
We serve to assist men and women in unplanned pregnancies and planned pregnancies. So we raise awareness through our baby bottle campaign to help everyone learn about turning point, get engaged as families and individuals to contribute toward turning point so we can continue to offer pregnancy test, ultrasounds, our parenting curriculum which is in English and Spanish, and our post abortion Bible studies, our post loss, pregnancy Bible studies, and our healthy relationship curriculums. Next week, we'll be meeting with doctor Chapman who is the superintendent of our public schools and her staff of nurses to update them on all the resources that we offer. So to best tell the story, let me just give you a couple client quotes. This one is from an expecting mom.
10:49
She said, I enjoy talking to an advocate because I have a baby inside and I know what to do. The classes are amazing and it gives me peace of mind. I feel every mom should be here listening to experts on the videos plus it's free. This is a quote from a married client. She said, I attend church in Jackson Hole and remember learning about Turning Point during one of the baby bottle campaigns.
11:21
Since then, I married and months later when I thought I was pregnant, I remembered Turning Point. At first, I felt rather silly going there for a pregnancy test when I could do one at home. But from the minute I walked in the door of Turning Point, I felt welcomed and loved. When my pregnancy was confirmed by the nurse, it was wonderful to share the excitement with the staff. I've learned so much meeting with the nurse, not only about the resources Turning Point offers, but all the resources in our community.
11:58
The nurse prayed for me and my baby and I left there excited for my next appointment. And this last quote is from a mother with a six month old now. She said, Turning Point helped a new and single mom go from freaking out about how to care for my baby to learning what to expect and how to respond at each stage. I gained so much confidence through the Earn While You Learn program and also earned really cute clothes and necessary items for my little girl. So those are just a few of the stories that we experience every week.
12:36
So we have a bassinet in the back full of baby bottles. If you all will just take one and over the next month, fill it with your cash, your checks. My husband said, well, just tell him you'll take antique cars and jewelry and stocks and everything else because winter's a light a light time for us financially. So we really appreciate your donations. So thank you all so much for joining with us at Turning Point.
13:03
Thank you. Thank you, Carolyn. That's a great organization. Next week next week, February 11, we're at a congregational meeting after the service, and it'll be a combined service. So both the 09:00 and 11:00 will be combined.
13:21
We'll meet at ten instead. Alright? Tell your friends. 10:00 next week, and then we'll have this congregational meeting at 11:30 or so afterwards. There is, first time ever I think, a Super Bowl party here tonight.
13:34
We figured out how to make that happen, and so I heard locally it's kinda blacked out, but there is a way to see it here, I have been told. Pray for your enemies. Alright. And for any other announcements, check me right now. If I forgotten anything, anybody?
13:49
Tanya. Thank you very much. That's another one of those. Thank you very much. Alright, and right now we have a covenant ceremony.
14:15
So I'm gonna invite up the Sandrettos and the Irwins and Mark Hull, one of our elders. Y'all would come forward right now, please. I could probably put this base down. Y'all can relax a second.
14:33
Good morning. I have a strong fear of being in front of people, so bear with me. But I do enjoy welcoming new members. By becoming a member and I read this so I don't faint. By becoming members, you show your commitment to the body of believers.
14:58
We know as believers, we are all parts of the body of Christ. And by becoming a member of the local church, we show our commitment to the local body. Our motto here at First Bee is with all we are, loving God and loving people through Christ. John thirteen thirty five, your love for one another will will prove sorry. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you were my disciples.
15:38
So it's with this love that we'd like to welcome you as new members. So can you introduce yourself and say, maybe why you were wanna be a member?
15:50
I'm Paul Sandretto, and, this is my wife, Julie, and son Preston. And, we were blessed enough to, buy the Tolson's house when we moved to Jackson. So that's really what led us to first be. Todd Lampa and Dan get credit for cornering me in the driveway and say, where are you going to church? And we do consider this our church family, and we do consider that we're very blessed to be here.
16:18
Love love pastor Ray, his family, and it's just an awesome church to be involved with. A lot smaller church than where we came from, And, you know, there's a lot of pluses to a smaller church. You know, everybody knows everybody, and it's nice.
16:39
She's she's really shy. Now church has always been very important to us and a big part of our lives. Anywhere we've ever gone, it's been either the school system and church. Those have been the two main priorities and that have kinda plugged us into the community. So we've been here three and a half years.
16:59
We've moved here from Alabama, Birmingham. We love it here and call this home now, and, we've called this church home since, the day we drove in. So it's been very important. The last two years, we've been in Star Valley Ranch, so we've been driving about an hour and fifteen minutes to get up here. This morning, we drove about twelve minutes because we just moved back.
17:23
So And were their new neighbors?
17:25
And and these are these are our neighbors. They're across the street. Gosh, how special is that? But, we're very, very pleased to be a part of this church. It's, it's huge to us.
17:37
And now that we're back closer, we, intend to be that much more involved. And, we consider you all family. We know so many of you and look forward to meeting many more.
17:52
Thank you. I got a couple questions for you. You can answer by I do. K. First one.
18:00
Have you personally trusted in Jesus Christ as your savior and that he died for your sin and rose from the the dead? And the second one, do you believe that God has led you to join First Baptist Church as evidence of your desire to grow in the grace of Christ and in your love and service for his glory? And then to the body. We can all answer by we do. As members together in the body of Christ, will we endeavor to open our hearts in the ministry of both serving and also being served by each other and our new members?
18:50
And as a tradition at First B, we've I forgot this last time. Join hands. So if we could all join hands in the can I ask, pastor Ray to pray for the body again?
19:13
Can you hear me? God almighty, maker of heaven and earth. Lord, I think of the book of Acts and I think that daily and in every house that did not cease teaching and preaching, Jesus as the Christ. And the Lord added daily to their numbers those who are being saved, or he brought in those who are being made a part of the family of God. Lord, would you bless each of these new members that really have been here for quite some time?
19:39
And would you bless each of those people who are coming in, who are attending and sitting on the periphery, Lord. I pray that you draw them in more and more into the core of what you're doing here in this community and throughout this world. In Jesus name, Lord, we ask your blessing humbly before you. Use us, Lord, to do your will. Amen.
20:02
Amen. Amen.
20:10
Yeah. Alright. Y'all don't get to greet each other today. Stand up and sing with us. Okay?
20:19
You already held hands.
20:24
Give thanks to the Lord. Amen? Amen. Oh, it's so good to be here. Amen?
23:52
Heavenly father, thank you so much for giving us the privilege to be here. It's so good to gather together as a family, as a church where we can praise your name. Thank you. Thank you for saving us. Thank you for our because our names are written in book of life and we have the hope of eternal life in your name.
24:09
Please bless us and help us that this hour to be a special hour where we can feel your presence. Speak to us. Change us. Bold us. Takes us, God.
24:19
Do anything you can, but help us to to love you more, to feel your presence in our life. Not only in this place right here, but as soon as we go out so we can light, so we can shine your name. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. Amen. Oh, this is my favorite.
24:38
If Florin leads music, he has to play this one. Yes. But as you know, it's my style, so please follow me. I do a lot of, weird stuff. Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
24:49
Amen? Amen. If you don't wanna sing, just close your eyes and feel the presence of the Lord. Amen? Amen.
27:46
Amen. Praise God. I just wanna say thank you so much for praying for me. I know I mean, I think I I I can look at your face and I know. I ask you.
27:54
I ask you. I wanna tell you something. I think God did something in my heart. God I felt like God changed me. So, I think I'm in a very good direction with him by his grace, not because what I do.
28:05
No. I'm I'm nothing. But thank you so much for your prayers.
28:22
Amazed
31:26
Let's sing the chorus one more Amen. Amen. Thank you.
32:07
Y'all can have a seat. It's time for children's church I think Did we forget something Oh, it's going to go so well with the sermon of the day to forget the offering We'll do the offering Laure would you play some little gypsy music please? Whoo. Alright. Nice.
32:30
And the frontline team, if y'all could come on down God, I thank you for for this church. I thank you for this little body of believers in this place, this little valley. God, I pray that you'd use us effectively among the other people of this valley to shine your light as Florine prayed earlier and lord to spread your good news and lord, to that end, we we do. We take up this offering to make it possible for all of the different things that this church is involved in here in this local community but also all over the world. So, God, would you move in your people and I pray that you'd give us strength to be obedient and to do as you lead.
33:14
In Jesus name, would you bless the gift and the giver, multiply them to do your kingdom's work. Amen. I kind of I kind of hate the kids miss that. Sorry. Philippians four is where we're up to in our study.
36:19
Philippians four ten through 20. And it's an interesting passage. I'm gonna go back just a little bit. I did a pretty short sermon last week because I couldn't do anymore, being sick as a dog but as we got through it, I went through this passage right here and these are the things that I pulled out of the passage. Finally, brothers and sisters, 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's any virtue, if there's anything praiseworthy, and then, meditate on these things.
37:02
Meditate on these things it says and so we did. We meditated on those things. We actually stopped and went back and went through em one by one and thought about those things that are of good report and then, Paul says in that ninth verse, he said, the things which you learn and you received and you heard and you saw in me, things do. And the God of peace will be with you. Now we know that Paul was at peace and he's going to talk about peace and contentment in this passage today too that we're coming up to.
37:34
But I wanted you to reconsider last week's message because there are a lot of rhetorical devices that we use. You know, when people talk in public and they really plan out their speeches, I plan more on the input side and less on the output side. I don't plan exactly what I'm gonna say. I try to get as much in here and then let it come out on Sunday mornings. But a lot of people plan and they plan.
37:55
Like Winston Churchill's speeches, weren't they great? Just amazing how he had these rhetorical devices. Well, look at this this way instead. Finally, brothers and sisters, 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 anything of virtue, if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. Ain't that effective?
38:29
The point is, whatever it is that's good. Does that make sense? Whatever things and it's it's different for each of us, the things we dwell on. If you would not allow Florine to play music, he would die. Right?
38:44
Yeah. There are some of you that feel that way about fishing or some of you that feel that way about backcountry skiing. There's some of you that feel that way about lots of different things that aren't just studying your Bible. That's good for all of us but there are whatever things he's saying. Whatever things.
39:05
Dwelling on these things and then he goes and he talks a little personal note and actually, I think it's a parenthesis. I think that this is a parenthesis from about right here. He says, meditate on these things. These things which you learn and you receive and you heard and you saw in me these things do These things and these things do and the God of peace will be with you. I think he's saying all of the whatever things are noble true, just pure, lovely of good report.
39:34
Dwell on those things and the God of peace will be with you and he's giving you a personal note saying, these are the things that I do and I know this from experience and so I'm saying it from my own experience and I trust that it's true. Now, we're up to verse 10. Considering whatever things, whatever things, whatever things, whatever whatever whatever things, anything, anything, these things, these things, these things. And then he says, but I rejoice in the Lord greatly, but now at last, your care for me has flourished again. Now, Paul is talking to these Philippians.
40:11
He's known him for about eleven years. He spent some time with him. He left from there and went and ministered to other churches but God raised up a congregation of people that love Jesus and love Paul and wherever he went and they could, they helped and it had been a while since he had received from them any support but he's already mentioned to us that through Epaphroditis who got really sick on the journey and brought the support we've been going over this the past few weeks. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again. And so that they didn't believe that he thought that they had forgotten him.
40:52
He said, though surely you did care. I'm not saying you didn't care. But you lacked opportunity. Either the news, because Rome's a long way from Philippi. The news had not gotten to them or if it had, they had not had the means to get him any support.
41:08
But as soon as they did or as soon as they were able, had heard the news, had collected the support, had sent it with epipheriditis, and he had made it because he got sick on the journey, right? Surely you did care, but you had lacked opportunity. He's saying thank you. And not that I speak in regard to need, for I've learned in whatever state I am to be content. I'm not saying thank you so that you'll send more.
41:32
Okay? Does that make sense? Do you ever feel like people say thank you so that you'll send more? Yes. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I've learned in whatever state I am to be content.
41:48
I know how to be abased, says the man who's riding from prison, who's been beaten, who spent the night out, a night and a half, day and a half in the ocean, Snake bit everything else. I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. There were times when people really did lift Paul up. There were times where they lifted him up way beyond what he deserved. They thought he was a god in a couple of places and he tore his clothes in those places.
42:17
I know how to be abased and I know how to abound Everywhere and in all things. It's interesting. I'm I mentioned things, whatever things, whatever things, whatever things, anything Well, everywhere and in all things. If this was a literal translation, and this is Young's literal translation of that verse right here. Young's literal is a good one if you wanna go back and get exactly what it says literally.
42:40
Although all of our translations probably have a better sense of the meaning in most cases. I wanted you to see this because he's using this rhetorical device of whatever things, whatever things, whatever things. Then he says, thank you. I've known both to be abased. I have known to abound in everything and in all things.
43:02
So he's saying in everything. Now that keys us back to the beginning of this chapter where it started about the peace of God and how the peace of God descends on our lives is recognition and realization that the Lord is at hand, Christian. If you are a believer in Jesus, he will never leave you nor forsake you. He's endowed you with his Holy Spirit and he is with you. The Lord is at hand.
43:27
Be anxious then for nothing but in everything and when he says in everything, he means in everything by prayer, talking to God, and supplication, letting your real requests be made known. The ones that are heart level and with Thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. It will guard your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus. Is Paul speaking from a place of experience He is. He knows that in everything and that's what he says.
44:01
In everything and in all things. Actually, I heard a guy praying this morning. It was Eugene during our prayer and sometimes in prayer, this prayer sound redundant to you. It happens a whole lot. Lead, guide, and direct us.
44:12
What's the difference? Lead, guide, and direct us? Really? Lead? Isn't that the same thing as God and isn't that the same thing as direct?
44:21
I think it is. To me, that's always sounded redundant. This morning, unprompted by me, I don't know that if you read this passage, I'm almost certainly didn't read Young's literal translation of the passage. He says, in everything and in anything, show your love through us. Just as he was praying this morning, I thought in in everything and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need.
44:51
He's not saying that it's not suffering when you're suffering need but he can be content in it because the Lord is at hand and through Christ, peace guards his mind and his heart. I've learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Now, this one we hear a lot of times in the locker room after a game. Sometimes before a game, sometimes on a bumper sticker.
45:20
There's I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, or I can all do all things through Christ. I can do all things. And they say that about mountain climbing or they say that about athletic pursuits. They say it about a a lot of things and all those are things. So, in all things, yes.
45:38
But I think that after we've seen whatever things are good, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are true, if there's anything praiseworthy, anything of virtue, I can do all things through Christ. Knowing, he calls himself the chief of sinners. We recognize our limitations as human beings but knowing that Christ dwells in us and he is always with us. He's always at hand. He always seeks to bring peace through Christ.
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Letting our requests be made known. We want to be used lord to show your love. We can do those things through Christ who strengthens us. Things that would otherwise be impossible. All things are possible with Christ, right?
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I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Verse 13. Nevertheless, he goes back to his subject. Nevertheless, you've done well that you shared in my distress. Now, he's saying that when I'm on mission, Paul says, when I'm on mission somewhere and I'm going to different places all around and you are helping me, you are sharing in my distress.
46:51
I don't feel alone doing what it is that God's called me to do because you're sharing in it. You have done well that you shared in my distress. Now, you, Philippians, a small body of believers, a local church. It's one of the few times that church, the word church is used for a local body rather than for the bigger body. Now, you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when it was just starting to spread, in the beginning, when I departed from Macedonia, that's where Philippi is.
47:24
No church shared with me concerning giving and receiving, but you only. Up until that time, he had been earning his keep everywhere that he had been. Given an example, he had been a bivocational minister. He had been earning a living in another way. But when he got to Philippi, they said, you really are good at this.
47:45
And God's called you to it and none of us doubt that that's the truth. We want to help you to be able to do this. And so he says, when I left from y'all, there was not another church that was sharing with me concerning giving and receiving, but you only. For even in Thessalonica, which is 100 miles away from Philippi by the way, city to city, it's a 100 miles. It's like going to Idaho Falls.
48:11
There's not quite a Teton Pass between the two, but it's a 100 miles on the road to get to Idaho Falls, right? So, for even when I was just next door in Thessalonica, you sent aid once and again for my necessities. You had heard what it was that I needed and you helped me to be able. You shared in my distress and you helped me to be able to do what it is that God's called me to do. And he says again, not that I'm seeking the gift, not that I'm seeking the gift, but I seek, I do seek, I think is the emphasis there.
48:43
I do seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Not every one of you is out here every day doing exactly what it is that I'm doing. You do have a personal responsibility to do as God leads you to do, but not every one of you is called to doing this. And praise God, oh my goodness. I don't want anybody to have to do this.
49:01
That's not called to do this right here. Julie does not like to be in front of people. Excuse me for calling you out. That's the yeah. That's a whole lot better.
49:11
Just mention your name right here. The thing that kept her from coming up here for the covenant ceremony was being in front of people and I told her this morning, I passed out in front of a ninth grade English class. I took out the front row of desks. But because God has called me to do this and I feel the peace that passes understanding, I can do this. Praise God.
49:39
It confuses me, but it confuses me that I'm able to do it. So, praise God. Not that I seek the gift but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Since y'all all want to be involved in what God is doing, you have found a way, Paul is saying, to be involved in what God is doing. Now, this morning, during the announcements, there were a lot of things about Guatemala.
50:00
We're going to Guatemala. Would you give money? Then, there's Turning Point. There's a great pregnancy resource center here in town. Would you give money?
50:07
And it makes me so nervous in my life. I cannot stand that feeling of, oh, let's don't be And everybody that is a giver just says, you have not because you ask not. You have to ask. You have to do it. Well, I feel like my job is to say what's here.
50:25
And so my job is to say what here. Every time that I hit it, I want to say it. I believe that this church is a very generous and giving church. You give to ministries here and you give to ministries far and I'm not saying this to butter you up. Not that I seek the gift but I do seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
50:47
There is a blessing from God in being able to help the work that is happening other than just in your own little bubble, your own little circle. So, Paul says, I seek the fruit that abounds to your account because there is fruit when you give. It's not just coming back to you. There's actual fruit. When you give and money goes out with a pure heart towards a goal that God has ordained and raised up from within, there will be fruit.
51:19
I seek that fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed, I have all. Right now, Paul saying, I have all and I am abounding. I'm full. I having received from Epaphroditus the things, here it is again, the things sent from you.
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Y'all sent things to me and I look back and I think, man, how noble? Man, how just, how true their heart is when they have accepted the gospel, understood it, and they immediately start putting back into the work so that the gospel can go forward That's lovely That's virtuous That's praiseworthy I'm full having received from Epaphroditis the things you that were sent from you and this transition right here for him to know, this was a hard transition for a lot of missionaries and a lot of ministers. When you go from the place of serving where you're have a job and you are also serving, teaching a Bible study or whatever or you have a job and then you step away from your job where you're earning your money, and then you start using support money. It almost turned me inside out. When we originally the hardest two weeks of my life were when we moved to Mexico, hardest two weeks by far.
52:35
And part of that was the transition of I'm earning my way to, oh my gosh, really realizing that no, I never have been really anyway. All of that was a blessing from God and now what was given to me so that I can eat or what was given to me so that I can drive or have insurance or use a phone or whatever. What was given was given as a sweet smelling aroma and acceptable sacrifice to God almighty And now I'm the one that uses that. So Paul has made that transition, and I'm sure it wasn't easy for him at first. I am full.
53:15
I have all and I abound. I'm having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice that's well pleasing to God. And then he ends and says, and my God, I know this. He's a very intimate statement there. He could have said, our God.
53:36
My God shall supply all of your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. In Christ Jesus are all of the riches from which he will supply all of the needs. Now, we often sing or we often pray that lord, would you make us a channel of blessing? In Christ, he is the pool, he's the well, he's the cistern that never runs dry, the well that never runs dry, and we're praying for him to make us a channel of blessing. Paul is affirming that when there are Christians somewhere who are abounding and there are Christians in other places who are abased, who do not have plenty, it is an extreme blessing to be able to share those who have with those who do not have.
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Paul says that the peace of God comes with that. And he says that all of your needs will be supplied according to the riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Every time I say it, prosperity gospel is what? Hogwash. But this is true nevertheless.
54:50
Don't distort it to be, if I put in a certain amount, I will reap a certain amount more. All your needs will be met according to the riches in glory by Christ Jesus. What's amazing is that sweet smelling aroma or that sacrifice that you make abounds in fruit elsewhere. So it's not just you that's living in the riches or the glory, but that he shares it. I have one more verse.
55:24
It's the benediction at the very end, but I think there are some of you right now who are abounding and there are some of you right now who are abased. There are some of us who, have signed up to go on a trip to try to help out folks who are in a desperate situation, and there are some who've already expressed their desire to want to help with that. All of us, all of us, all of us are doing what it is we feel like God has called us to do, and there is a communion in that. So usually, when I'm thinking about this, I'm thinking about unity of let's not be upset with each other. If anybody has anything against a brother, go to them and make that right, and then come together realizing that the blood of Jesus is what bonds us together and brings us together, and that's the place where we find our unity.
56:18
I'm looking today at unity of purpose and our purpose in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. It all is in Christ. The by Christ Jesus is a pretty good translation but it's in Christ and our union with Christ is what allows for others to become united to Christ. Does that make sense to you? Am I losing you here?
56:44
Okay. So, body and blood of Jesus. Jesus came and lived a perfect life. He died a perfect sacrificial death that he did not owe. For all who put their trust in his provision of paying the penalty for their sins, this is an open table.
57:09
So I'm going to ask the frontline team or the elders better, the elders to come forward. Would four of you come forward and we'll distribute, and would you pray with me? God, I first of all wanna pray that you'd forgive me personally for my shortcomings, Lord, for the places where I've fallen short and not doing what it is that you've showed me I should do. And Lord for doing the things flat out against you. Having done things that you told me not to do.
57:42
In your word, through your impression. Lord, I I lay those shortfalls at your feet. I pray others would join with me in doing that, recognizing our lack, recognizing our need. And lord, we turn to you where the riches of God abound. Through your blood, we can be forgiven of sin.
58:04
Through your example, Lord, we have seen that if we walk in the spirit, we can walk in victory. So God, right now, would you bless each one that receives this little cracker as a representative little form of your body? As we distribute it, Lord, would you bless each one who takes? And Lord, if there's anyone here who is not a believer in Jesus, who has not put their faith and trust in him, I pray they, as they let this pass, they'd realize that and that holy life, the surrendered life, the forgiven life of their neighbors, the people sitting around them today, would draw them into a relationship with you through your word. In Jesus name, would you bless this?
58:52
On the same night that Jesus was betrayed, he took bread after supper and after he had blessed it and broken and given thanks, he said to his disciples, this is my body which is given for you. Take this and do not eat of it, and do this in remembrance of me. Lord God, as we remember your broken body and your shed blood, we have to come in humility, lord. You have taken that which we deserve. Lord, I pray that from accepting the grace that you've given, we'd be empowered to go and do likewise, to give ourselves for the good of others.
59:42
So Lord, as we distribute this little cup of grape juice that represents your blood, may we consider the new covenant in that blood. It's a covenant of grace, not of works. God, would you would you bless each one that partakes And Lord be a blessing through each one that partakes to each one who may not. In Jesus name, amen. Way that he had taken the bread, he took the cup after supper, and he told his disciples that this was the new covenant in his blood and they should take this and drink and do it as often as they would in remembrance of him.
1:00:35
Thank you, elders. Florian, would you all come back up for a quick closing song? Would you stand with us and we're going to sing? Paul says that we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again. Each time that we do this and his death means heaven for those of us who believe and so we're going to sing a little song about heaven on the way out today.
1:00:58
Sweet by and by.
1:01:00
It's a great song. I love it.
1:03:17
Amen. And now, the last verse of 10 to 20 here is and now, to our God and father be the glory forever and ever. For what he's doing in this world and he's doing it through you. He's doing it through me and that's amazing and humbling but now, to him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1:03:35
Amen.
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