Philippians Chapter 4

PAUL'S FINAL, SELFLESS REQUESTS

(Philippians 4:1 [KJV])
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, [my] dearly beloved.

• Brethren, Paul's dearly beloved, missed, the captured prize and Paul's dearly beloved again-won souls for Christ
• Plant those feet in Christ and dop ot be moved by this world one bit!

(Philippians 4:2 [KJV])
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

• Begging, leading, imploring for unity among perhaps two divisive people

(Philippians 4:3 [KJV])
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and [with] other my fellowlabourers, whose names [are] in the book of life.

• It is not known who the true yokefellow was Paul was referring to, but no matter, the exhortation is the same
• Ministry is for those doing the work of the LORD, who need it, recognizing and remembering their work alongside him
• Paul himself needed and received assistance, but was concerned for them, not himself
• "Whose names are in the book of life". Ones name, once one is saved, remains in it, never to be removed. The same is not said for those who ultimately reject Jesus Christ, whose names are indeed and in fact blotted out from that same book of life

(Revelation 3:5 [KJV])
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

(John 10:28,29 [KJV])
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.

(Philippians 4:4 [KJV])
Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice.

• We must be in the LORD to rejoice in the LORD, because this world brings little joy and, any joy we get can be mixed with evil, sorrow, or worse
• It bears repeating, since it is hard to do and, therefore, often not done.

(Philippians 4:5 [KJV])
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand.

• All of the definitions of the word "moderation" below could, would and should apply here
• The LORD is near to us, to guide, watch over, assist
• To be known unto all men it must be a constant practice, so that, no matter where we go,it is visible. We do not have to proclaim it, it is to be visibly evident

MODERA'TION, n. [L. moderatio.] The state of being moderate, or of keeping a due mean between extremes or excess of violence. The General's moderation after victory was more honorable than the victory itself.
In moderation placing all my glory, While tories call me whig, and whigs a tory.

1. Restraint of violent passions or indulgence of appetite. Eat and drink with moderation; indulge with moderation in pleasures and exercise.
2. Calmness of mind; equanimity; as, to bear prosperity or adversity with moderation.
3. Frugality in expenses.

(Philippians 4:6, 7 [KJV])
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

• The word "careful" here simply means ANXIOUS
• Praying for what we need, asking God for it and being thankful for what we do have will give us peace and comfort to wade through anything, keep us calm (hearts) sane (minds)
• ONLY through Christ Jesus.....and no other way, door, person

(Philippians 4:8 [KJV])
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

• Our prayer life and reading of the Word of God together will determine our thought life
• How we think is how we speak, and how we behave toward others and God Himself
• How we behaver toward others is seen by them and our testimony to the ever watching lost world.

(Philippians 4:9 [KJV])
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

• Paul is saying, "I have left you an example and a testimony by my life lived right in front of your eyes
• If you follow that example, God will guide you and not your mortal, carnal, sinful flesh
• Learned by seeing eyes, as a witness, believed and received by your own believing hearts, heard by hearing ears, by reputation, Paul's words and deeds
• Others may what people to follow them.......down the path of destruction. We must be following God to ask anyone to follow our example

(Philippians 4:10 [KJV])
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

• They seriously wanted (were careful) to help Paul but were unable to. NEvertheless he had joy knowing they wished to offer aid
• This is to be our attitude, even when no one can help, towards those who want to but are unable
• Paul rejoiced in the LORD GREATLY. Without them being able to help him. Let us think on this.

(Philippians 4:11,12 [KJV])
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

• Even in his state, even without their support, Paul knew how to be and was content in the LORD.
• Either way, Paul was, as he instructed, "in moderation", the sme, having or not having. A lot or a little or nothing at all.
• To avoid hypocrisy, we need to be what we ask others to be, as leaders in the church, towards disciples, as examples

(Philippians 4:13 [KJV])
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

• "I can do all things" is a verse often taken out of context to mean we can literally move mountains, heal anyone by faith, simply by decl;aring it so, etc.
• Christ is why we can do anything at all, Who enables us
• This is all rank heresy, since the key is, ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, not "all things", but rather "all things according to His will", because the context is the entiure rest of God's Word
• If a person bel;ieved that, they would run to all hospitals and heal everyone, run the the cemetaries and raise the dead, produce gold from nothng and buy food to feed the world

(Philippians 4:14 [KJV])
Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

• Having an inability to help Paul, he commends them because they cared and wanted to help him.

(Philippians 4:15 [KJV])
Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

• He is further commending them because other churches did not, apparently indifferent to Paul's suffering
• It was "out of sight, out of mind"

(Philippians 4:16 [KJV])
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

• While today that is not a long distance away from Philippi, then it was on foot or horseback, quite the journey to bring relief to someone.
• This is why Paul commends them for their faithfulness, because no matter where they were or he was, they took care of things.
• Appreciating those who bring you to the LORD and disciple you, never forgetting them, is important, even if they never need your help again. You needed it and they reached out.

(Philippians 4:17 [KJV])
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

• Unselfish Paul, looking out for them still, even while they could not help him, wanting to
• He did not WANT assistance/support/aid/help, he needed it is all.
• Their reward was waiting for them on judgment day, in the future, so they were giviung as they could, expecting nothing back.

(Philippians 4:18 [KJV])
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

• All, the things, a sweet odor, acceptable sacrifice, all pleasing to God Himself
• Lacking yet being full, receiving little to nothhing and, yet, abounding
• This is what happens when we expect nothing and accept something sacrificed of others

(Philippians 4:19 [KJV])
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

• Whatever we actually need, God knows and can and will supply
• The phrase "in glory by Christ Jesus" further means according to His will, not all our wants, not according to our wants, wishes, desires and requests
• God owns it all...it is not ours to claim

(Psalms 50:10-12 [KJV])
For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.

(1 Timothy 6:6-12 [KJV])
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

(Philippians 4:20 [KJV])
Now unto God and our Father [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

• We will be shouting this in eternity, the angels and saints.

(Philippians 4:21-23 [KJV])
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

• Saints, brethren.....fellowship
• The Gospel has spread to the rulers, some getting saved.

Colossians Chapter 1