Maturely Dependence on God

Kyle Trevor

Sermon • Submitted a year ago

Philippians 4:10–20

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Topic: How does the secrets of contentment Develop our faith

Passage: Philippians 4:10-20

10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,* who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. [1]

2. Helpless bring Humility/become Hopeful

3. Don’t ask yourself could I, Instead ask God should I do it.

4. God takes care of his children

Other info:

(v. 11)For the Stoic, emotional detachment is essential in order to be content.[2]

(v. 11)Friendship based on need is inferior to true friendship between those who are self-sufficient or content, according to the ancient definitions of friendship. Aristotle says that friendships based on utility or pleasures are inferior because in these types of friendship friends are interested only in some benefit or pleasure to be gained through friendship.189 Since needs and pleasures change with time, “Friendships of this kind are easily broken off, in the event of the parties themselves changing, for if no longer pleasant or useful to each other, they cease to love each other.”[3]

(v. 12) “to be humbled; to abound.” “To be humbled” means to lose prestige or status, to be humiliated, and to be subjected to strict discipline[4]

(v. 12)It was also used metaphorically for gaining insider knowledge. This term draws a line between those on the outside who do not know and those on the inside who know. By using this term, Paul claims that he has gained insight by being on the inside. The next verse explains that being on the inside means being in Christ, “in the one who empowers me” (4:13)[5]

Extra verses:

(v. 13)Philippians 4:6-7 – “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.[6]”

(v. 12)Ecclesiastes 5:12 -“Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. [7]” (dependence on God not money is key)

Thoughts:

Verse 12 –

This verse speaks if the lessons that Paul has learned in contentment. He has learned both through the extreme discipline of poverty and the

The Why… As we mature as dependents we gain

Opening:

Our week in transition…

Before I get into my opening story I want to confess something that I would like to not get in trouble for. So you have to extend grace to me… Is there grace in SPA tonight? Good, I as a husband of Jessica enjoy the delivery process. Now let me explain, I don’t mean that the pain my wife faces brings me joy (that is the hard part). Rather, I enjoy the idea of utility and I’m extremely humbled by the woman that Jessica is.

Thoughts on dependence my new child…

- He needs changing

- He is still learning to communicate

- He is completely helpless

- BUT, one day those diapers will end

Transition into the topic. A mature dependence on God

Read Philippians 4:10-20:

12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,* who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

Background:

- Paul is writing to the Philippian people

- Paul was writing form prison

- He is looking to unify

- Jesus emptied himself; therefore they should be servants of in the same way.

Into the verse:

- (v. 10b-11)Friendship based on need is inferior to true friendship between those who are self-sufficient or content, according to the ancient definitions of friendship. Aristotle says that friendships based on utility or pleasures are inferior because in these types of friendship friends are interested only in some benefit or pleasure to be gained through friendship.189 Since needs and pleasures change with time, “Friendships of this kind are easily broken off, in the event of the parties themselves changing, for if no longer pleasant or useful to each other, they cease to love each other.”[8]

I. Dependents turns helpless situations in hopeful children (v. 12a)

a. Explanation:

i. (v. 12) “to be humbled; to abound.” “To be humbled” means to lose prestige or status, to be humiliated, and to be subjected to strict discipline[9]

ii. Peter’s journey from walking on water TO confession of Christ

iii. Peter wanted to keep his stinky feet, but Jesus needed him to lower his guard.

b. Illustration:

ii. Funny: Ozias figured out the plan

c. Issues:

i. We want control

ii. We have depended on something other than God

iii. We are in need of more maturing in faith

d. Application:

i. (v. 13)Philippians 4:6-7 – “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.[10]”

2. God needs to be in the driving seat

3. Peace calms/faces/(brings confidence) storms, wants amplify storms

II. Dependents turns the question “could into should” (v. 12b)

e. Explanation: The comfort of a transaction friendship

i. Surrendering ourselves to God’s plan.

1. Jesus washes Peter’s feet.

f. Illustration:

i. “ the Ipad fiasco”, gain perspectives

g. Issues:

i. The could, outweighs the should

ii. We of little faith

h. Application:

i. (v. 12)Ecclesiastes 5:12 -“Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. [11]” (dependence on God not money is key)

ii. Open your hands, produce don’t protect

III. Dependents Connects the source to the outcome (v. 13)

i. Explanation:

i. (v. 12-13) It was also used metaphorically for gaining insider knowledge. This term draws a line between those on the outside who do not know and those on the inside who know. By using this term, Paul claims that he has gained insight by being on the inside. The next verse explains that being on the inside means being in Christ, “in the one who empowers me” (4:13)[12]

ii. The secret is Christ… Hope guided the demeanor of a chained man

iii.

j. Illustration:

k. Issues:

l. Application:

i. We can walk through all circumstances, strengthened by Christ.

ii. Work, therefore to be able to say to every harsh appearance, ‘You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be.’ And then examine it by those rules which you have, and first, and chiefly, by this: whether it concerns the things which are in our own control, or those which are not; and, if it concerns anything not in our control, be prepared to say that it is nothing to you. ~ Epictetus

Conclusion:

m. Dependence turns…

i. Helpless into hopeful

ii. Question “could into should”

n. Connects…

i. The source to the outcome

Good Quote:

Work, therefore to be able to say to every harsh appearance, ‘You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be.’ And then examine it by those rules which you have, and first, and chiefly, by this: whether it concerns the things which are in our own control, or those which are not; and, if it concerns anything not in our control, be prepared to say that it is nothing to you. ~ Epictetus

[1]Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Php 4:10–20). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers. [2]Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (p. 310). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. [3]Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (p. 311). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. [4]Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (p. 311). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. [5]Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (pp. 312–313). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. [6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Php 4:6–7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. [7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ec 5:12). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. [8]Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (p. 311). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. [9]Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians(p. 311). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. [10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Php 4:6–7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. [11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ec 5:12). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. [12]Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (pp. 312–313). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

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