Philippians 4:18-23

Encouragement, Prayer Requests, and the Goal of Speaking the Truth in Love

Hey, good evening, this is truth in love. Thank you for joining me. Thank you for watching the video. Thank you for your support. I hope that this time together is an encouragement to you. Anybody that was looking for the video Saturday, I apologize for not being there and not doing the video.

Just wasn't able to do it Saturday. Not gonna be able to do The video tomorrow night. Hopefully I'll be able to make it up sometime this week. But I wanted to do once a night since the schedule is really off track.

And it wasn't scheduled for tonight, but I wanted to get one in. Since we missed Saturday and we're gonna miss tomorrow night. And hopefully like I said, we'll make it up sometime this week. And get back on track Saturday, but if I can pray for you, let me know that I can do it do that.

I'd love to be able to do that pray. We'll have a prayer at the end. All you have to do is type me. And if you watch the video later and you would still like for someone to pray for you. All you have to do is type me.

And I'll see the notification and I'll pray for you then this is truth and love and I was reading Ephesians and and saw the the verse in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 15 and You know, it just rang a bell to me.

What we are to be doing what I'm to be doing. Ephesians 4 15 says speak but speaking the truth in love. We are to grow up in all aspects into him who was the head even Christ and you know. That's been my desire is to grow up in in all aspects into Christ and and to share that information with as many people everyone that the Lord allows me to share it with and.

And we are to do that in love. So I hope that's been conveyed in in how I communicate. On the videos and in person with everybody that I come in contact with. I hope that that I am a sharing truth in love and I'm also a Good listener as well as we have discussions and dialogue and that that reminds me.

If you would like to talk about anything if you have any questions. Anything in scripture that you want to talk about? Anything about the church you want to talk about anything from the videos past that you would like to talk about floor is always yours.

I'd love to be able to Discuss anything that you have on your mind. So I'll stop whatever I'm doing and and talk to you guys. Whatever you would like to talk about any questions that you have I'd love to try to answer those questions and have a good discussion.

We haven't had a good discussion. I'd love to love to have that to happen. I'll be really good and I understand a lot of people don't like to participate in live videos and that's cool as well. But what we want to do tonight is finish up Philippians chapter 4 and so without any further ado.

We're just going to jump right in and finish Philippians. Philippians chapter 4 we're in verses 18 through 23. So as I'm going just remember anytime that you want to interject you want to make a comment you want to ask you a question.

That's totally fine. And we'll stop what we're doing and we'll we'll have a discussion. Well, let me read Philippians chapter 4 verses 18 through 23. And Paul says to the Philippian church, but I have received everything in full and have abundance.

I am Amply supplied having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent a fragrant aroma and acceptable sacrifice well-pleasing to God and My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you all the saints greet you. Especially those of Caesars household the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with be with your spirit all right, so I Find it interesting.

Looking back especially starting in verse 10 to the end of the chapter here. How Paul is interacting with? His his beloved Brothers and sisters there at the Philippian Church. They're they've been so kind and so generous to send His gift to him or gifts or Meeting Paul's needs and they they sent this through a Epaphroditus.

And it's interesting how he communicates with them here at the end of the book. In verse 10 he is he's explaining to them. He knows that they've had a desire to meet his needs and to send gifts to him.

But they lacked opportunity, but now that they've had opportunity He rejoices that they've been able to send These gifts these these things that meet the Paul's needs materially or physically and so he rejoices but then but then he says That he doesn't speak for Maude and he's learned to be content in all the circumstances.

But he he doesn't want them to Misunderstand what he's what he's saying. He's rejoicing in their gift. Then he he speaks of being content in in whatever circumstances. He's in so they may be thinking.

Well, maybe he doesn't appreciate these gifts that we've sent him because. Whether we've sent them or not, he he's saying that he's going to be content and in whatever circumstance he's in but Paul is Paul is one to Maybe hear the response that they may be thinking or that they may give.

And he wants to he wants to hit off that that type of thinking so that they don't think that he doesn't appreciate What they've done for him, so he rejoices in their gift. Then he says that you know, I've learned to be content though in whatever circumstance I'm in.

But so that they don't get the wrong impression. He says in verse 14, but this this thing that you've you've shared you've done well, or it's a beautiful thing the The sharing with me this this giving to me.

It's a beautiful thing what you've done. So he doesn't want them to to Misunderstand what he's saying, but then he goes on to to talk about how You know they were. They've always been giving to him. They've always been willing to give to him.

And and even when he was in at the church in Thessalonica They they sent a gift to him while he was yet at an at a church another church. But then he says Not that I seek the gift itself. So he it's like he's he's going back and forth.

He he wants them to have a proper perspective, but then he doesn't want them to think that he doesn't appreciate the gift. I rejoice, but I'm content. But this this thing that you've done. It's a beautiful thing and and you you you do it continuously no matter where I'm at but um.

But it's it's not the gift itself that I seek. So he's he's kind of going back to where he was in 11 12 and 13 I can do all things through through him who strengthens me. I can be content in any circumstance so it's not the gift itself that I see but it's it's I seek.

I seek for the profit which increases to your account. So it's not necessarily the the physical material gift that he's looking for. Hey Emily he uh he's looking for that spiritual growth that this giving of the gift is is just like the the fruit or the evidence of What's of the growth or the the profit the increase.

That's happening on the inside.

But.

So that they don't misunderstand that they know he appreciates the gift. He swings back on the other side where we're starting tonight. In verse 18 He says. But I have received everything in full. He's continuing with that accountant or business type language that he's he's been using.

He's he's used quite frequently this business or Accounting type language and here in verse 18. He uses that again. It's almost like a rubber stamp.

He.

That says received or received in full and that's the type of language that he's using with them this business. Or accounting type language and he's saying to them Appreciate the gift. But it's not necessarily the gift that I was looking for.

I was looking for that that fruit that growth on the inside spiritual growth.

But.

What you did sin the physical things the gifts that you did sin. I have I've received in full and Have an abundance. I am amply supplied. And then he goes on I have received. Yeah, I have an abundance.

I am amply supplied and and there he's. That Greek is is in the present tense to where it's. What a papyrus brought that those things that the Philippian church sent with a papyrus? It was everything that he needed so all his needs needs were met and they it was enough to continue to be met as he as time went on so.

The amount that a papyrus was was bringing with him must have been quite a load that he was bringing from the Philippian church to Paul because Paul is is just explaining how great as. As far as the amount that they have seen I've received it I've received it in full and it's an abundance.

It's an overabundance and it's continuing to meet my needs and so you can see why he would be rejoicing why he would be so thankful. To the Philippian church for this gift that they have sent to him through a papyrus.

At the end of chapter 18 or verse 18. It's it's very interesting. Where he takes us. He says having received from Epaphroditus the the messenger the gift giver from the Philippian church what you have sent and then he He describes to them.

He takes it back to the the spiritual realm. You know in in verse 17 where he says that it's not it's not that physical gift necessarily that that I was seeking. But it was the it was the spiritual fruit.

Produced because of the spiritual growth on the inside and so Paul is taking us back to that spiritual realm. Yes, I appreciate the gift and it was it was so much and it was it it was. It met all my needs and it continues to meet my needs, but let me take you back to the spiritual realm.

Excuse me to where. This is the most important aspect of these gifts.

He says.

He says this this gift this the sacrifice what you have sent is a fragrant aroma an acceptable sacrifice sacrifice. Well pleasing to God. And I wanted to kind of divide it into two parts. He says it's it's an acceptable sacrifice that that fragrant aroma language.

Which.

Causes us to think of God in other parts of scripture describing how the the aroma of sacrifices Rises up to heaven and he and he enjoys the the fragrance that the aroma that that comes from those acceptable sacrifices, but the the acceptable part Takes me back to Ephesians.

Ephesians 5 to as a reference Looking at verse 1 and 2. It says therefore be imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love Just as Christ also loved so we're being he wants them to be imitators of God and Be and walk in love just as Christ walked and walked in love.

So we were to imitate Christ Who Christ says he he only does What he sees the father do and he only Says what he hears the father say so Christ is is in Instant with God and we would be we're to be imitators of Christ and and walk in love and that's what he's teaching the the Ephesians here and he says and gave himself up for us and offering a sacrifice to God as a Fragrant aroma and there's that language again of that's that type of sacrifice Being a fragrant aroma.

What was that type of sacrifice? He says Christ gave himself up as an offering and That's the that's similar language that we find in in Philippians. Philippians chapter 2 at the beginning where we are not to look after our own interest.

But but towards the interest of others Having this attitude in yourselves. Again, being imitators of Christ having this attitude in yourself, which was also in Christ Jesus. Who else although he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself.

Doesn't that sound familiar? Sounds similar to Ephesians 5 to where Christ gave him himself up. Here in verse 7 It says but emptied himself Taking the form of a bondservant and being made in the likeness of men and being found in appearance as a man.

He humbled himself by being obedient to the point of death even death on the cross. So in Ephesians 5 in Philippians chapter 2 Christ Emptied himself gave himself up as an offering as a sacrifice To the point of death even death on the cross and we're to to walk in love Just as Christ walked in love and be imitators of him and in the fleet in Ephesians and Philippians What did Christ do he he emptied himself?

Not thinking about his own interest, but the the interest of others and Emptied himself gave him some gave himself up as Ephesians says.

Um.

For the benefit of Others. And so that's similar to to what we see here. Why I'd say an Acceptable sacrifice. Why it produces an aroma that is pleasing to the Lord. Because it's an acceptable sacrifice.

What makes it acceptable here? You know. For if we're following Ephesians and we're following Philippians and imitating Christ He Christ emptied himself gave himself up and.

So.

What what are the the Saints with the the folks at the Philippian Church? What are they doing? There are. They are emptying themselves. Making a sacrifice as a sacrifice. Giving up what they had. Sharing what they had.

Emptying themselves and and not thinking of their own interest but thinking of the interest of Paul and meeting his needs and. And as we've read it the the Philippians probably felt as if they they had this indebtedness in their heart because of the message that Paul brought to them the message of Christ the the saving gospel the.

The.

Ability to to draw near to God and be saved and be a part of the kingdom be a part of His family. And so, you know, there was this indebtedness that that they felt and so Their love for Paul, you know walking in that love.

They they emptied themselves gave themselves up and and sacrificed what they had to give to Paul and to meet his needs. And so that's that's how. You know, if we follow Ephesians 5 and Philippians chapter 2, that's how this type of sacrifice was acceptable to God.

And and produce this fragrant aroma that was pleasing to him. Because they they gave Sacrificially what they had to meet the needs of Paul. And now the second part. The the sacrifice was acceptable. And now and then it says it was well pleasing to God.

How was it? Well pleasing to God? Well, I thought about Matthew chapter 25. Let me flip over there real quick. Matthew chapter 25. There it is verses 39 and 40 listen to these two verses and This is Jesus speaking.

And he says and when did. When did we see you sick or in prison and you and come to you. Let me try to read it without stumbling. And when did we see you sick or in prison and come to you the verse 40.

And the king will answer and say to them truly I say to you to the extent that you did it to one of the these brothers of mine. Even the least of them you did it to me.

So.

One of the key words there that we don't want to miss out on is The the king or Jesus is saying that when when you've done this to one of these brothers of mine those that are in the family of God a Saved person a saint a member of the church, you know, whatever label whatever you want to call who we are Jesus says one of these Brothers of mine even the least of these.

So we need we want to remember that type of language. Especially when we read Paul writing to These different churches. What's so unique about Paul writing to these? Different churches in Ephesians Philippians Colossians.

Is that Paul is a Jew and he's writing to Gentile churches and why wouldn't he he was he was called to preach to the Gentiles, right? So that's that's his mission. That's his calling to preach to these Gentile churches.

But what's so significant about that and about the language that he uses? Paul uses that similar language that Jesus uses.

If.

Everything that you've done you you've done these things to these my brothers. You've done it to me. So he he's calling, you know, all those within the family all all those who are in the church in the kingdom of God.

They're they're his brothers.

Right.

Paul uses that.

That.

Family type language. That that relationship type language when he when he writes Ephesians when he writes Philippians. Just as an example We'll go right back to Ephesians and and it begins right at the beginning Ephesians chapter 1.

Listen to this relationship type language. Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God to the saints who are at Ephesus and Who are faithful in Christ Jesus?

He says.

Grace to you and peace from God our.

Our.

Father and the Lord Jesus Christ blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be Holy and blameless before him.

And he continues on and on as he's writing these books. He's he's using this Family type language this inclusive type language that you the recipient of this letter and I we we belong together we have.

We have the same father. We have the same God. We have the same Holy Spirit. We have the same Savior. So he's he's drawing this relationship. Unquestionable Relationship that they now have with one another when he uses that our father us we.

What's so significant about that. That's it's it's so important that we understand the context which these books were written in and I'm sure if you're if you've been in church at all or.

Or.

You've studied any amount of Scripture that you know that the relationship between the Jew and the Gentile at that time Was was a horrible one they they saw each other as as dogs they hated each other.

They they would walk around Certain cities so they didn't have to pass through and and be close to those who they felt were unclean their attitude and and Thoughts toward one another were.

Simply.

Horrific.

They they did not like one another and yet What God has done through Christ has brought the the two peoples together the the Jew and the Gentile those who were at enmity with one another and. And we can't emphasize that enough and I can't describe that enough that the enmity that was there between the two peoples.

That they disliked each other so much and that's why it's so significant to to hear those.

Inclusive.

Relationship.

Equality type Language that Paul uses when he when he says our father. He chose us we that there's an equality there between him and these Gentile believers. And just as the Jews, you know had that that mindset toward the Gentiles The Gentiles had that mindset toward the Jews as well.

So Here you have a Gentile Church here in Philippians who was Not just meeting the needs of this Jew Paul But it went above and beyond meeting his needs. Paul saying that what you sent Fulfilled Everything that I needed Completely satisfied and it continues to satisfy all the needs that I have.

And he rejoices in that gift over and over. He's thankful and he's he's complimentary of of this gift of these these blessings that they sent through Epaphroditus and what's so Significant is that Christ has changed these believers.

That's this the fruit. The fruit You know is the gift that they sent the the evidence of the change that's happened in their heart but the the healing and the change and the growth that's happened spiritually in their heart is that It's not just that they see a need and they meet it.

But they see a need in their enemy and meet it. That's the significance.

Of.

Seeing this passage in context and and therefore God says or Paul is is Explaining to them that this this sacrifice this gift That you sent through Epaphroditus a fragrant aroma an acceptable sacrifice.

Well.

Pleasing to God. It's well pleasing because they are not just the people now that see a need and meet that need but they are people.

Who.

See a need of someone who was once their enemy, but is now their friend and That is just a reflection of the gospel and the work that God has done within us. We were once his enemy, but we're now his friends and.

And even while we were yet sinning Christ died for us so that we could be brought to him and brought to the Father. And That's how this is a well pleasing an acceptable sacrifice before the Lord before the before God before the Lord Making its its aroma its fragrant aroma pleasing acceptable to him.

That.

They.

That they're following Christ. They're imitating Christ. They're Sacrificially giving and that they have they have grown To love that person that was once their enemy verse 19 in response and and in like manner just that just as they have sacrificially given just as they have Met the needs of Paul in like manner Paul is going to explain now to them that he says and my God shall supply all your needs According to the riches of riches in glory in Christ Jesus, so Just as just as they supplied and met his needs That was acceptable and well-pleasing to God God God is going to in like manner meet their needs and supply their needs according to their his riches in glory in Christ Jesus, so what what.

What bank rolls or what. What. The the Treasury or the or the bank that supports this this blessing this supplying the needs of The the Philippian church that the Saints at Philippi.

He is.

Paul is Not just reassuring them, but he is He's explaining to them that The one who is going to be meeting their needs the one who's going to be taking care of them has sufficient supply. Not just sufficient supply but an eternal Never-ending forever supply that that they don't have to worry That their their needs will be met and supplied.

That is that's coming from from God because it's it's Bankroll the the Treasury in which it's it's backed up by is is from glory. It's from heaven and it's in Christ Jesus who.

Who.

Purchased Purchased us and And his kingdom is forever and his reign is forever and his supply is eternal. So they can they can rejoice that The things that they need the place in which it's coming from will will never end and it's going and it's It's coming from such greatness That they there there's no need to worry There's no need to to be anxious Because it's it's coming from this This place of never-ending Glorious supply and it speaks to the not just the amount but but the quality as well because of where it comes from and because of of whom it comes from it speaks of the quality and the quantity of the the the way in which God will meet their needs and Paul comforts them with that language.

In verse 20 and he's he begins his his benediction his his clothes now and It's also the the benediction here is also part of Part of a teaching moment It's it's learning from this benediction. It's more than just comforting We can also learn From Paul because of how he writes and the order in which he writes he begins at the The preeminent point when he he begins his benediction With God the Father he says now to our God and Father and there's that language again Our God and Father that inclusive language Where two enemies God has brought together and now now they are family.

They are one in Christ. This is such a Understanding that context is paint such a beautiful picture of what's going on. And and as we've seen in Philippians the the type and amount of love that The Philippians had for Paul and Paul had for the Philippians and the Philippians had for Epaphroditus and Paul had for Epaphroditus the love.

The quality and the the amount of love that they had for one another speaks to the miraculous work of the gospel through Jesus Christ because of their relationship with each other Prior to Christ and so when we see that language our We should see the beauty of the gospel, but he says beginning with with that, which is first and.

And.

To our God. To our God and Father. Be glory, not just forever, but forever and ever. So so Paul is about God receiving the glory in All that is said all that is done all that is taught the fruit that is produced in them spiritually.

After he teaches the fruit of the gospel the fruit of his teaching everything that happens it Brings glory to God it points to Christ it points to the gospel and it gives glory to the Father. So everything Everything is to give glory to God Point to God and It's to do that forever and ever and that's the length of his kingdom.

That's the length of his reign. Our God is an eternal God Who always was and always will be. And Christ? Is an everlasting King and his reign will never end. And so first and foremost Paul gives glory to God where it belongs.

And then he says in verse 21. Greet every saint. So. When you read this letter.

With.

Amongst yourselves and and to one another greet each other give a greeting a Hug a handshake a kiss a holy kiss. I Greet one another on my behalf greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you so there again that that love he's he's extending that love and and showing that love between Everyone who is in Christ Jesus.

And.

This also speaks to When Paul says greet every saint in Christ Jesus, you know sometimes Sometimes in our churches There's we often experience favoritism sometimes we experience cliques. Some people feel left out.

I don't know that that if you've ever experienced that or I don't know if you've ever been a part of Those who exclude others or if you've been a part of a clique and and excluded others sometimes that happens in our churches and this is an example not just of Paul as a leader or Paul as a pastor which this is an example of you know The attitude of the leaders in our churches that there should be no favoritism among the brethren.

On behalf of the pastor the pastor You know should show any quality within his his genuine concern for every believer in his congregation. But as I as I reflected on that, you know, I begin to begin to sympathize With with the leaders with the elders and pastors of the church because even even if you have a small congregation as a as a pastor You you are unable to a lot the amount of time Everyone thinks you should or you feel like you should so that everyone Everyone has an equal amount of time with you.

So don't equate The the amount of time the pastor is able to spend with each individual person as as a favorite as favoritism or a shunning or You know not paying you as much attention as as someone else.

We should trust the heart of our pastor because as A pastor this is where his his heart is at that he has compassion and care and love equally for every member of his church but how he How he is able to divide his time among.

The the members may be different and may look different so we want to sympathize and and be loving toward our pastor because he he only has a certain amount of time he has to. He has to visit and and meet the needs of certain individuals.

His family has to take priority in his life. He has to study the word. So, you know our pastors only have a certain amount of time. So we want to sympathize and and not, you know begrudge them. When when they are unable to give Equally the time that we we think they should they're doing the best that they can but the heart of the pastor is going to be That he he loves and and has compassion and concern equally for Every member of his congregation and so this this verse 21 speaks to the What a leader what our pastors and elders should look like but it also speaks to Everyone else every member of the church.

That we should have a heart of equal love equal compassion Towards all of the members of the church and that there should be no no clicks within the church No favoritism within the church. Nobody being left out in the church that there should be an equal love and they're an equal Compassion and concern for for all the members of our church.

And so that goes for that goes for our pastors and elders and it goes for and deacons and it goes for every member of the church that where our heart is is An equality of compassion and love for every single member even though that that may Look different with the amount of time we're able to spend.

There shouldn't be clicks and there shouldn't be favoritism and people shouldn't be shunned within the church. And so he says greet every saint in Christ Jesus and the brethren who are with me.

Greet you.

So there's there's this love between brethren here that we see from Paul. And then in verse 22 He says all the saints greet you.

Especially.

Those from Caesar's household, so we see here that there's a.

You.

We've looked and examined the fact that God has has brought two people groups together that were that were enemies. But it's not just a racial thing. It's a class thing as well. So you have you have members of Caesar's household who were well-off.

You have Paul at one time in his life he came from a well-off a well-to-do family. From Tarsus a great a great city and and his family was well-to-do and yet he he's within his life and especially After becoming a Christian and following Christ and and serving him, you know.

Physically, he became poor and was willing to to count everything as loss. Even all that he had in his life the the financial Part of it the spiritual aspect of it being a Pharisee. You know, he's willing to give it all up to follow Christ and and counted it as as nothing Compared to having Christ.

And so you have here those in the household of Caesar greet you so we so we see a Inequality spiritually among the brethren among the believers. That it doesn't matter your your race and it doesn't matter your financial status.

Spiritually we love each other and See each other as equal at the foot of the cross as Sinners who have been saved graciously saved by God mercifully saved by God and Apart from him all this that we have or don't have it is worthless in anything that we would hope to attain is worthless.

So.

We see each other despite our financial status our our status in life. From the from the lowest low up to Caesars household. They have a mutual love one for another and that spiritual equality that they have and they feel for one another being one in Christ as Christ has brought them together and Then in verse 23 as he as he wraps it up and speaks this blessing Upon the church. He says the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ Be with your spirit.

That God's that God's graciousness would be with him and with their spirit. And so we close with that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. May may he be with your spirit as well. I hope that was this time together was encouraging to you.

Hopefully it was helpful. I enjoy spending time With you guys looking at God's Word. If I can pray for you, all you have to do is let me know just type me. Love to be able to pray for you. If there's anything that you would like to discuss.

A.

Subject to discuss on the videos I like to take a look at that. Like to hit the interest of of those who are participating with me. If you if you do not know Christ if you if you haven't experienced this.

There there's so much diversity there's so much hatred as there has always been in the world if you've not experienced this Inclusiveness this Oneness this love compassion grace and mercy. That's not in this world that this world can't provide.

If you've not experienced that they can only be found in Christ. And yet I say don't come to him. Because desire to to have this Need met or that this hole that you may have in your heart of a family of belongingness.

You know a place where you can belong. Don't come to Christ. Based on that those things are just benefits of being in Christ come to Christ because of his kindness because he is God and because he is kind and He is was kind to come and empty himself to down the cross to save sinners like us.

So we must repent of our sins. The command of scripture is to repent to turn apologize turn from our sin and Turn towards Christ in faith trusting him and what he did and his work on the cross. And God's acceptance of his sacrifice by raising him from the dead.