Download The Power of the Were

Steve Viars
Finding Grace
Partakers of Grace through Joyful Thanksgiving
Strengthening Others – We believe that God is pleased as we seek to strengthen other pastors, missionaries, and
key lay leaders.
Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
3 reasons for joy as we seek to accomplish things together in Christ’s church
I. The Joy of Sharing
Philippians 4:10 - But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly…
Greek “megalos”
Philippians 4:14 - …you have done well to share with me…
Philippians 4:15 - …no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone…
A. The beauty of concern
4:10 - …you have revived your concern for me…
Greek – phronein – think, have in mind, think the thoughts of, have one’s mind controlled by
2:2 - …make my joy complete by being of the same mind…
Philippians 2:5 - Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…
B. The importance of opportunity
4:10 - But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you
were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
C. Especially in addressing affliction
4:14 - Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
D. Believing there are eternal consequences
4:17 - Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
Matthew 6:19-20 - Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and
where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal…
E. Believing God is well pleased
Philippians 4:18 - But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having
received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to
God.
F. Believing God will supply
Philippians 4:19 - And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
II. The Joy of Contentment
A. A definition from the Puritans
“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit which freely submits to and
delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.” (The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment,
Jeremiah Burroughs, p. 19)
B. Emphasized throughout Scripture
Luke 3:14 - Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he
said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your
wages.”
1 Timothy 6:8 - If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
Hebrews 13:5 - Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you
have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”
2 Corinthians 12:10 - Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with
persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
C. Has to be learned
Philippians 4:11–12 - Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever
circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity;
in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having
abundance and suffering need.
D. Is only achievable through Christ
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
“Stoic doctrine was that man should be sufficient unto himself for all things, and able, by the power of his
own will, to resist the force of circumstances.”
III. The Joy of Serving Together
A. For the glory of God
Philippians 4:20 - Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
B. With other brothers and sisters
Philippians 4:21 - Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.
C. Enjoying spiritual fruit
Philippians 4:22 - All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
“The significance of this greeting could hardly be lost on the Philippian believers, opposition to whom in
part at least stems from the fact that Philippi is a Roman colony, where devotion to Caesar had a long
history. Besides having the gospel in common, and now suffering for Christ in common, Paul and the
Philippians also have a common source of opposition. While the Philippians suffer at the hands of Roman
citizens loyal to Caesar, Paul is an actual prisoner of Caesar. But in making him a prisoner at the heart of
the empire, Rome has brought in a member of the ‘opposition’ who is in the process of creating a ‘fifth
column’ within the very walls of the emperor’s domicile. Paul either has found or has made disciples of the
‘Lord’ Jesus among members of the imperial household, who are thus on the Philippians’ side in the
struggle against those who proclaim Caesar as Lord!”
“Paul is an indomitable apostle of Christ Jesus. Let him loose and he will be among those ‘who turn the
world upside down’ (Acts 17:6; a charge of sedition!) for his Christ; incarcerate him too close to home and
he will ‘turn Caesar’s household upside down’ as well. Thus, here is a word of encouragement to the
Philippians in the midst of their present struggle. The ‘word of life’ to which they hold firm in the midst of
their ‘crooked and perverse generation’ (2:15–16) has already penetrated the heart of the empire. They
have brothers and sisters in Caesar’s own household, who are on their side and now send them greetings;
and therefore the Savior whom they await (3:20) in the midst of their present struggle will gather some
from Caesar’s household as well as from Caesar’s Philippi when he comes.” (Gordon Fee, Paul’s Letter to
the Philippians, p. 459-60)
D. Beginning and ending at the throne of grace
Philippians 1:2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:23 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.