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Call to worship: Psalm 23

Text: Philippians 4:10-20

Pressing towards the finish, Brian continues at Philippians 4:10-20

Prepare

Questions to Consider:

1. In 4:10-13, having addressed this church's problems, he returns to their peculiar excellency. What was it? See 1:3-7 with 4:14-18. So as not to lead them astray of his closing desire to encourage them, Paul shows a great deal of 'pastoral balance' in these verses. He thanks God for the revival of their concern for him. Knowing how that might land, how does he balance it in 4.10? Knowing also that they might feel bad for under appreciating his 'need,' how does he balance that in 4:11?
2. In 4:11-12, Paul speaks of something he's learned by way of experience. What experiences? What did he learn? As with Christian joy in 4:4, is Christian contentment tied to or above the circumstantial? Practically, do you ever think, 'if I only had that,' or 'if I only didn't have that, then I'd be happy and satisfied'? Is that true according to these verses? Can we find true contentment in the world? If not, why not? And where can we find it? Think on 4:13. Is your contentment rooted in Christ—His goodwill and grace towards you? Are we reliant upon Him to steady and satisfy us in 'whatever situation'?
3. In 4:14-16, Paul balances again. Having said he's not in need, he doesn't want them to think their gift was superfluous. How does he continue then? Is it right to say, 'oh, they're to learn contentment, so I'm not going to try and meet their need'? The Philippians generosity appears to be a peculiar excellency of theirs. Is it ours? Are we dominated by the desire to put our money and/or resources into the advance of the Gospel?
4. In 4:17-18, Paul again balances—he seeks not the gift. What does he seek by way of their generosity? Have we thought on why Jesus says it's more blessed to give than to receive? Have we applied that to, say, an eternal perspective and heavenly reward? What role does Gospel-absorption play in the practice of sacrificial generosity? Is it possible we've grown content with giving comfortably? Is it possible we hesitate to give sacrificially because Christ's sacrifice isn't hitting our souls as it ought? Is giving supposed to be this drab habit we do as Christians, or is it a discipline of worship, a means of grace, overflowing from joy in the Lord? If our giving records went before God, would he be pleased? Would they smell of the cross? Does the amount matter in this? Remember the widow's mite.
5. In 4:19-20, Paul means to encourage their faith and confidence in God's will and ability to supply any need they have on account of their generosity. Can we out-give God? Is God any man's debtor? If God gave His Son, will He not also meet our needs? Why is this not affirming the false prosperity gospel? At the end of the day, who gets all the glory for any gracious thing we've done? Are you content in Christ as Paul? Are you supporting the Gospel as this congregation? This text means to grow us in these two graces.