Christ Himself Is the Treasure Which He Laid Hold of Us to Give to Us [Family Worship lesson in Philippians 3:7–4:1]

What is the most valuable treasure?Philippians 3:7–4:1 looks forward to the public reading of Scripture in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the most valuable treasure is that for which Christ has laid hold of us: that we would be His own and have Him as our own. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2023.06.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ Philippians 3:7–4:1

Philippians 3:7–4:1

Questions from the Scripture text: What has the apostle counted as loss (Philippians 3:7)? For Whom? What else does He count as loss (Philippians 3:8)? For what? Who is Christ Jesus to Him? What has the apostle suffered for his Lord? As what does he count them? In order to gain what (Whom)? What else does the apostle want to do with Christ (Philippians 3:9a)? Of what does the apostle have none of his own? What is the only righteousness that he can have? From Whom is this righteousness? By what is this righteousness? What three things does the apostle come to know/have through the knowledge of Christ (Philippians 3:10)? Of what is the knowledge of Christ the only means to the attaining (Philippians 3:11)? What hasn’t the apostle already done (Philippians 3:12)? What hasn’t already been done to him? So what does he do? In order to lay hold of what? What doesn’t he count himself to have done (Philippians 3:13)? Upon how many things does he focus? What does he forget? In order to reach for what? Toward what does he press (Philippians 3:14)? What is the prize? Whom does the apostle now address (Philippians 3:15)? Whom does he include in this group? What are they to have? Who will do what if they think otherwise? What are they to do with whatever they have already attained (Philippians 3:16)? By what should they walk? What should they be? Now whom does the apostle address in Philippians 3:17? What does he tell them to do? And at whom else to look? For what purpose has God given the apostle and such other men? Who walk (Philippians 3:18)? When has the apostle told them? What is he doing as he writes this now? As what do they walk? What is their end (Philippians 3:19)? What is their god? What is the true nature of that in which they glory? Upon what do they set their mind? Where is our citizenship (Philippians 3:20)? What else is in heaven? For what are we eagerly waiting? Who is that Savior? What will He do to what (Philippians 3:21)? What will He make our body like? What is He using the same power to do? How many things is He subduing to Himself? What four things does the apostle call them in Philippians 4:1? What does he command them to do?

What is the most valuable treasure? Philippians 3:7–4:1 looks forward to the public reading of Scripture in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the most valuable treasure is that for which Christ has laid hold of us: that we would be His own and have Him as our own. 

The things that “were gain” in Philippians 3:7 and the “all things” that are loss but counted as rubbish in Philippians 3:8 are the religious things of Philippians 3:5-6. Some of them were gifts/commands of God, but there is just no spiritual value apart from Christ Jesus. Whatever we must lose in order to gain Him is worth it. And only those things which God commands, by which to look to Christ for life, are worth doing.

The greatest spiritual treasure is knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8), because it is through faith in Him that we get righteousness from God (Philippians 3:9). Whatever superficial spirituality or religiosity is lost in order to gain this is worth it in order to have Him. Even with respect to physical/material blessing, Christ is all. 

Christ is the greatest thing that we can have even in a physical sense because we will be conformed to His resurrection and enjoy the new heavens and new earth—emphasis here on “earthy”—in resurrected bodies that are glorious like unto His (Philippians 3:10-11). Certainly, an eternity of that enjoyment is an almost infinite physical/material treasure compared to whatever we might lose, or whatever we might suffer, in this world. Christ prevailed by suffering and prevailed by dying. The believer should be glad to do the same.

The apostle is determined to lay hold of that all that is in Christ (Philippians 3:12-14). Why so urgent? Certainly not for the possibility of failing to obtain it. This is what Christ has laid hold of him for (end of Philippians 3:12). Who can take him out of Christ's hand? Was it not Jesus himself Who said that no one could take us out of His Father's hand or His own hand (cf. John 10:28–29)? No, he is not “pressing on to lay hold” because the outcome is in doubt.

Instead, the greatness of the urgency is because of the incalculably glorious value of this outcome that has been assured by Christ. If it is what Christ wants for him, then it is something that he wants for himself, and he is eager to give himself entirely to the process of coming into possession of it.

Not just the apostle, but all mature believers, have this mindset (Philippians 3:15). And all genuine believers, even if they are immature, God will reveal to them whether they are valuing what he values (end of verse 15). What a great encouragement to us who know that we are not going after it as much as we should or valuing it as much as we should! And how humble the mature ought to be, since it is God Who gives maturity. But this determination should be the mindset of all believers (Philippians 3:16). 

Not everyone in the church who thinks that he is mature is actually mature. Some, like in Philippians 3:17, are given to us as examples like the apostle; they do not think that they have attained to anything yet. 

Ironically, the self-satisfaction of those whom he describes in Philippians 3:18-19 itself exposes that they are not mature in Christ. For they are satisfied enough, though they are not yet resurrected (“their god is their belly”), and they are proud enough, though they are not yet sinless (“they glory in their shame”). This is all the satisfaction and glory they will have. “Their end is destruction.” Not only do they show that they are too easily satisfied with their fools’ gold in spiritual things, but also that they have an inordinate love for the things of this world. Rather than receiving them as good gifts from God, Who will give them so much better, these enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18) too happily settle for less than Christ earned on that cross.

Those who are mature in Christ identify not with earth, but with heaven (Philippians 3:20). In heaven, saints are already sinless and enjoy the immediate presence of the Redeemer. And they are no more satisfied with physical imperfection than they are with spiritual perfection. They are eager not just to be sinless but for Christ’s return (verse 20b), and for the physical perfection that comes on that day (Philippians 3:21).

And what treasures will we then be able to take from this life, besides our sanctification? Besides Christ Whom we have by His spirit? We will take with us only other believers, and the fruit which God gave them through our edification and fellowship in the Lord… not carnal fellowship, but gracious fellowship that is actually aimed at edification. This is why the apostle calls them his “joy and crown,” and this is why in this life, our greatest investment ought to be in serving God in the gathering and building up of His saints.

Upon what do you spend discretionary time? Upon what do you spend discretionary funds? At what do you aim in fellowship? What is the Lord showing you about your mindset by comparison to His?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for being puffed up about ourselves or satisfied with this world. And forgive us for when our effect upon others is to bring them down to such things. Make us to press toward the goal for the prize of Your upward call, and to be examples and helpers to others, that they may be our joy and crown with You in glory, which we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH446 “Be Thou My Vision”

Following Christ in Serving One Another [Biblical Theology of the Diaconate #37, 2023.06.04 Sabbath School]

Just as Christ humbled Himself and gave Himself for us, so we respond to Him by humbling ourselves and serving others—in dependence upon His grace and demonstration of His grace—even (and in some cases, especially) in material things.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Laying Hold of Christ by Christ, for Which Christ Has Laid Hold of Us [Family Worship lesson in Philippians 3:7–4:1]

Forgetting all else, by which we cannot lay hold of anything, it is by Christ that we are to lay hold of the greatest possible spiritual and material blessing—knowing Christ! We must aim at nothing less, for it is this for which Christ Himself has laid hold of us!(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2022.09.12 Hopewell @Home ▫ Philippians 3:7–4:1

Read Philippians 3:7–4:1

Questions from the Scripture text: What has the apostle counted as loss (Philippians 3:7)? For Whom? What else does He count as loss (Philippians 3:8)? For what? Who is Christ Jesus to Him? What has the apostle suffered for his Lord? As what does he count them? In order to gain what (Whom)? What else does the apostle want to do with Christ (Philippians 3:9a)? Of what does the apostle have none of his own? What is the only righteousness that he can have? From Whom is this righteousness? By what is this righteousness? What three things does the apostle come to know/have through the knowledge of Christ (Philippians 3:10)? Of what is the knowledge of Christ the only means to the attaining (Philippians 3:11)? What hasn’t the apostle already done (Philippians 3:12)? What hasn’t already been done to him? So what does he do? In order to lay hold of what? What doesn’t he count himself to have done (Philippians 3:13)? Upon how many things does he focus? What does he forget? In order to reach for what? Toward what does he press (Philippians 3:14)? What is the prize? Whom does the apostle now address (Philippians 3:15)? Whom does he include in this group? What are they to have? Who will do what if they think otherwise? What are they to do with whatever they have already attained (Philippians 3:16)? By what should they walk? What should they be? Now whom does the apostle address in Philippians 3:17? What does he tell them to do? And at whom else to look? For what purpose has God given the apostle and such other men? Who walk (Philippians 3:18)? When has the apostle told them? What is he doing as he writes this now? As what do they walk? What is their end (Philippians 3:19)? What is their god? What is the true nature of that in which they glory? Upon what do they set their mind? Where is our citizenship (Philippians 3:20)? What else is in heaven? For what are we eagerly waiting? Who is that Savior? What will He do to what (Philippians 3:21)? What will He make our body like? What is He using the same power to do? How many things is He subduing to Himself? What four things does the apostle call them in Philippians 4:1? What does he command them to do? 

The things that “were gain” in Philippians 3:7 and the “all things” that are loss but counted as rubbish in Philippians 3:8 are the religious things of Philippians 3:5-6. Some of them were gifts/commands of God, but there is just no spiritual value apart from Christ Jesus. Whatever we must lose in order to gain Him is worth it. And only those things which God commands, by which to look to Christ for life, are worth doing.

The greatest spiritual treasure is knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8), because it is through faith in Him that we get righteousness from God (Philippians 3:9). Whatever superficial spirituality or religiosity is lost in order to gain this is worth it in order to have Him. Even with respect to physical/material blessing, Christ is all. Christ is the greatest thing that we can have even in a physical sense because we will be conformed to His resurrection and enjoy the new heavens and new earth—emphasis here on “earthy”—in resurrected bodies that are glorious like unto His. Certainly, an eternity of that enjoyment is an almost infinite physical/material treasure compared to whatever we might lose, or whatever we might suffer, in this world. Christ prevailed by suffering and prevailed by dying. The believer should be glad to do the same (Philippians 3:10-11). 

The apostle is determined to lay hold of that all that is in Christ (Philippians 3:12-14). Why so urgent? Certainly not for the possibility of failing to obtain it. This is what Christ has laid hold of him for (end of Philippians 3:12). Who can take him out of Christ's hand? Was it not Jesus himself Who said that no one could take us out of His Father's hand or His own hand (cf. John 10:28–29)? Instead, the greatness of the urgency is because of how gloriously valuable it is. If it what Christ wants for him, then it is something that he wants for himself.

Not just the apostle, but all mature believers, have this mindset (Philippians 3:15). And all genuine believers, even if they are immature, God will reveal to them whether they are valuing what he values (end of verse 15). What a great encouragement to us who know that we are not going after it or valuing it like we should! And how humble the mature ought to be, since it is God Who gives maturity. But this determination should be the mindset of all believers (Philippians 3:16). 

Not everyone in the church who thinks that he is mature is actually mature. Some, like in Philippians 3:17, are given to us as examples like the apostle; they do not think that they have attained to anything yet. Ironically, the self-satisfaction of those whom he describes in Philippians 3:18-19 itself exposes that they are not mature in Christ. For they are satisfied enough, though they are not yet resurrected (“their god is their belly”), and they are proud enough, though they are not yet sinless (“they glory in their shame”). This is all the satisfaction and glory they will have. “Their end is destruction.” Not only do they show that they are too easily satisfied with their fools’ gold in spiritual things, but also that they have an inordinate love for the things of this world. Rather than receiving them as good gifts from God, Who will give them so much better, these enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18) too happily settle for less than Christ earned on that cross.

Those who are mature in Christ identify not with earth, but with heaven (Philippians 3:20). In heaven, saints are already sinless and enjoy the immediate presence of the Redeemer. And they are no more satisfied with physical imperfection than they are with spiritual perfection. They are eager not just to be sinless but for Christ’s return (verse 20b), and for the physical perfection that comes on that day (Philippians 3:21).

And what treasures will we then be able to take from this life, besides our sanctification? Besides Christ Whom we have by His spirit? We will take with us only other believers, and the fruit which God gave them through our edification and fellowship in the Lord… not carnal fellowship, but gracious fellowship that is actually aimed at edification. This is why the apostle calls them his “joy and crown,” and this is why in this life, our greatest investment ought to be in serving God in the gathering and building up of His saints.

Upon what do you spend discretionary time? Upon what do you spend discretionary funds? At what do you aim in fellowship? What is the Lord showing you about your mindset by comparison to His?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for being puffed up about ourselves or satisfied with this world. And forgive us for when our effect upon others is to bring them down to such things. Make us to press toward the goal for the prize of Your upward call, and to be examples and helpers to others, that they may be our joy and crown with You in glory, which we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH446 “Be Thou My Vision”

Acknowledging Grace Produces Interest in Others' Progress in It [2022.09.09 Pastoral Letter]

Dear Congregation,

 

Philippians 2:12–24 says:

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

¹⁷ Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

¹⁹ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. ²⁰ For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. ²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. ²² But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. ²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

 

The salvation that God is working in us to will and to work (v12–13) makes us marvelously humble and contented children of God (v14–15), refracting the light of Christ. The apostle wants to know that this is what his labors (v16) have been used to produce in them. Sonship in Christ is proven out by likeness to Him (cf. vv5–11).

 

One hallmark of those who know that all the goodness in believers comes by the grace of Christ is that they are sincerely interested in how it goes with one another’s souls. For, it is the outworking of Christ's work in them over which they rejoice.

 

A Pharisaical spirit is demonstrated, among other things, by being uninterested in how things are going with others’ souls. Pharisees “seek their own” (v21a). But if one truly believes that Christ is at work in others by His grace, then one is eager to hear about that work and praise that grace! Such people seek the “the things which are of Christ Jesus” (v21b).

 

This was what was in Paul (v19) and what was in Timothy (v20) and Paul knew to be in the Philippians (v23)—so that they were interested in how it went with him, and he is interested in how it went with them, and he is sending Timothy because he is of a similar mind.

 

Let us not be discouraged if the church in our day seems full of those who do not seem to know that all true goodness is of Christ. Paul himself acknowledges here that there are very few like him or Timothy or the Philippians (cf. v20).

 

If the Lord's work in our day looks similar to how it did the age of Paul and Timothy and the church that received this letter, then we may be encouraged that it is the same Christ working by the same Spirit and so cling to Him, rather than wallow and discouragement over the current state of the church.

 

Eager to see you and “know your state,”

 

Pastor

WCF 16.2.7–9, Glorious, Heavenly Fruit of Good Works (2021.11.28 Sabbath School in John 15:5–8, Philippians 1:3–11, 1Peter 2:11–12, Ephesians 2:4–10, Romans 6:15–23)

Good works glorify God and fit us for glory.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2021.11.16 Hopewell @Home ▫ Philippians 4:6–7

Read Philippians 4:6–7

Questions from the Scripture text: For what may we be anxious (Philippians 4:6)? In how many things are we to make our requests known? By what two actions? With what attitude? With what from Himself will God respond (Philippians 4:7)? What does it surpass? What two things will it guard? Through whom?

Next week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, and Song of Adoration come from Philippians 4:6–7, so that we may see that we are singing God’s thoughts after Him with What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Believers have peace with God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7), but we often fail to rejoice in Him (cf. Philippians 4:4). The path to obeying the “always” rejoicing of verse 4 is a “never-fretting” and “always-praying” in Philippians 4:6. Thankfully, believers have the divine assurance of Philippians 1:6 and Philippians 2:13 of God’s working in us. The peace of God does not depend upon our performance of what Philippians 4:6 commands. But, the God upon Whom we depend has appointed what verse 6 commands as the means by which His peace will guard our hearts.

What are the means by which His peace takes up a fortified position around our heart and refuses to allow in anxiety so that we can always rejoice?

Prayer. Orienting oneself to God. Coming before His presence and directing our hearts and mouths toward Him. Bowing down in posture and spirit to lay our souls before Him as an act of worship. Something that sinners may only do through the blood of Christ.

Supplication. A specific part of praying that comes from personal neediness and knowing God as gloriously abundant to supply all our needs. Also called petition, this aspect of prayer is a glorifying and enjoying of God’s sufficiency, as the purpose of our neediness. It is an eager looking forward to how He will be praised in meeting those needs. His grace is sufficient for us, and in this part of prayer is our rejoicing in weakness, because His strength is made perfect in it.

Thanksgiving. Equal parts gratitude and submission, this part of submission looks backward at how perfectly God has always answered the prayers of His people generally and our own particular prayers specifically. And thanksgiving looks forward, knowing that where God’s grace has enabled us to ask well, we shall have it; but, wherever we have asked poorly or insufficiently, His mercy will give us according to His wisdom instead. How can anxiety survive, when it is being suffocated by thankfulness for what God is going to do, without even the need of knowing what that will be?

Requests. This is asking for specific action by God to intervene, perhaps for ourselves but especially on behalf of others. We tell Him exactly what it is we hope He will do. What a liberating truth! When made with the gratitude and submission of thanksgiving, we are free to offer our actual desires unto God. 

You don’t have to figure out the right thing to ask for. As His Word shapes and corrects our thoughts, our requests will be more and more in line with what we can know from His Word that He will do. But, wherever we are at in our Christian growth, we don’t have to shrink from expressing our desires to Him. He has specifically commanded us to do so!

When we consider the four words for prayer from Philippians 4:6, we see how well-suited are God’s means to God’s ends when it comes to His making His peace to guard our hearts. Wonderfully, He promises that this peace of God will far outpace the extent to which we can understand how this would work. But, we can see that these particular aspects of prayer are specially designed anxiety-killers.

And, if we find that our use of the means is lacking, we may present ourselves to Him, lifting up our insufficiency to pray well, gratefully submitting to His wisdom in His ongoing work in our lives, and asking specifically that through His granting us to grow in praying the way that is directed here, He would remove our anxiety.

What part of the praying described above seems most alien to you? Whom can you ask for help to conform your praying more to this? In what manner should you be asking for that help? Since Philippians 4:6 is a command from God, what else should you be doing besides praying?

Sample prayer:  Our gracious God, we praise and thank You for giving us peace with Yourself in Christ Jesus. Forgive us for when we are anxious and prayerless, and grant Your Spirit’s help in prayer, so that the peace that You have given us will also guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP55C “But as for Me, I’ll Call on God” or TPH520 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Greetings in Christ and from Christ (2021.08.29 Evening Sermon in Philippians 4:21–23)

Greetings for all. Greetings for saints in Christ. Greetings from brethren in the ministry. Greetings from all saints. Greetings from kindred. Greetings from Christ.(click title within audio player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

2021.08.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Philippians 4:21–23

Read Philippians 4:21–23

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Paul say to do with the believers (Philippians 4:21)? How many of them? What does he call them? In Whom? What does he call his coworkers? What do they do? Who else greets them from Rome (Philippians 4:22)? How many of them? Especially whom? What blessing does he give them in Philippians 4:23? Whose grace (cf. Philippians 1:2)? With how many of them? How does he conclude the letter? 

Greetings for all. The letter had been sent “to all the saints” but particularly “with the bishops and deacons” (cf. Philippians 1:1). Probably, it had been delivered to the officers, but the apostle there and now here wants to make sure that the letter is not just received to the church generally but that each one receives the letter personally. 

Each of us would do well to receive Scripture this way. It is breathed out by God—like having a living, breathing conversation with Him. And it is useful to prepare the man (singular!) of God for every good work. 

Greetings for saints. The man who has written how obsessed he is with Christ reminds them that they are set apart as holy precisely by their being joined to the One with Whom the apostle is obsessed. They are “every saint in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:21). How treasured they must know themselves to be, when his love for them is identified with his love for Christ!

Greetings from brethren. The brethren who have been with Paul in Rome have heard his prayers for the Philippians, and his dictation of the letter to them. They share his treasuring of Christ. They have been learning from the letter as it was written, and from the ministry of the man who wrote it. So of course, they too love the Philippians in Christ, and greet them.

Greetings especially from among Caesar’s household. These particular greetings would give the Philippians great joy. Not only has the gospel penetrated Caesar’s household so that there are brother-saints among them now, but these perhaps would know some of the retired centurions among the Philippian church. 

Greetings and Grace from Christ Himself. Ultimately, Paul’s love for them and the brethren’s love for them come from the Lord Jesus Christ. But Paul isn’t writing as his own man. He’s writing as a slave of Christ (Philippians 1:1), an apostle of the Lord Himself. And the Lord Jesus Christ gives more than just greetings; He gives all that He is for all that we need. Blessing for those who deserve only curse. Power for those who have only weakness. Goodness for those who have only wickedness. 

Sometimes, the grace is said to come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is itself proof enough of Christ’s divinity: grace originates in Him as much as in the Father. But here it is Christ alone Who gives all the grace they need. He is the God of grace!

What believers do you know, treasure, and greet? How does it appear in your heart and behavior that you do so with the affection that you have for Christ? Who greets and treasures you with this affection? With what does Christ greet you, if you are His by faith?

Sample prayer:  Lord Jesus, our God, we praise You for Your mercy, joining Yourself to us and setting us apart as holy in Yourself. Forgive us for when we have not loved those who are Yours with the love that we have for You. By Your grace, make us to love them with Your love. For in You is everything that we need, and we look to You for this grace in Your Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP197 “Christian Unity” or TPH405 “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”

The Glorious, Gracious Fruit of Christian Generosity (2021.08.22 Evening Sermon in Philippians 4:18–20)

True Christian generosity bears the fruit of plenty for God's saints, praise unto God, pleasing God, provision from God for the giver, and parental and perpetual glory unto God.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

Fruit That Abounds to the Account of Generous Saints (Family Worship lesson in Philippians 4:18–20)

What was that fruit that the apostle was so happy to know that it abounded to the “account” of the Philippians? Pastor leads his family in today’s “Hopewell @Home” passage. Philippians 4:18–20 prepares us for the evening exhortation on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us that true Christian generosity bears the fruit of plenty for God’s saints, praise unto God, pleasing God, provision from God for the giver, and parental and perpetual glory unto God.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2021.08.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Philippians 4:18–20

Read Philippians 4:18–20

Questions from the Scripture text: What does the apostle have (Philippians 4:18)? What is his condition? What has he received from whom? What does he call those things? About Whom does the apostle speak in Philippians 4:19? What will He do? According to what? In what? By Whom? What does the apostle call God in Philippians 4:20? What doxology does he pronounce? For how long? With what affirmation?

The apostle has just stated that his desire is for fruit to abound to the Philippians’ account. What does that fruit look like?

First, it is the praising of God, Philippians 4:18. For Paul, the Philippians' gift was some provision that could be carried in the hand of Epaphroditus. But the language he uses reminds us of other sacrifices, like that of Noah in Genesis 8:21. In both cases, the one who has already received God’s salvation offers up a sweet-smelling sacrifice. But ultimately, all sacrificial giving looks toward and comes from Christ’s own giving “Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2). 

It is therefore, secondly, the pleasing of God, Philippians 4:18. We needn’t wonder why God is so pleased, if in our sacrificial giving He sees His beloved Son, with Whom He is everlastingly and infinitely well-pleased (cf. Ephesians 5:2). The Philippians have been imitators of God as dear adopted children (cf. Ephesians 5:1) in whom He sees the character of His only-begotten Son.

This is exactly why, thirdly, it is the provision of God, Philippians 4:19. God has given them sacrificial hearts “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” He Who provides spiritually will provide materially as well. They may be entering into some distress of their own in Paul’s behalf (Philippians 4:14b), but they have not ultimately put themselves at risk. They are displaying God’s rich provision in both things spiritual and things material.

Finally, it is the parental and perpetual glory of God, Philippians 4:20. To God belongs the glory forever and ever. And one of the ways that He is magnifying that glory is by making believers like the Philippians to reflect that glory. So the apostle adds “and Father” in verse 20 to this statement of His perpetual glory. Like a good son—indeed like the original and eternal Good Son—it is a greater delight to them that their Father be glorified in and by whatever they receive from Him.

When we see what the apostle sees in the Philippians’ gift to him, we’re not at all surprised that he treasures these things far above whatever material gain he got from their giving to him.

Through whose kindness do you have opportunity to praise God’s grace and glory in them? Through what opportunities for generosity might you have the honor of bringing praise to God’s grace and glory?

Sample prayer:  Father, we praise You for the indescribable gift of Your Son, and for His own giving Himself as an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Forgive us for when we have been so focused on material things that we haven’t seen the spiritual glories of others’ Christian generosity or displayed them in our own generosity. Glorify Christ in us by providing us all that we need according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus, so that in His glory You also will be glorified, our God and Father, forever and ever, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP23 “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH538 “Take My Life and Let it Be”

How Treasuring Christ Increases Thankfulness for and to One Another (2021.08.15 Evening Sermon in Philippians 4:14–17)

The fact that the apostle would have been content without the Philppians’ gift didn’t make him less thankful for the gift or for them, but on the contrary much more thankful! This is because his contentment comes from treasuring Christ above all, and the gift was evidence of the work of Christ in them, a reminder of the fellowship in Christ that they shared, and a means by which the gospel of Christ would advance and the glory of Christ in them would be displayed.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

How to Multiply Your Thankfulness by Infinity (Family Worship lesson in Philippians 4:14–17)

Is a thank-you still a thank-you if you were content without the gift? Pastor leads his family in today's "Hopewell @Home" passage. Philippians 4:14–17 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these four verses, the Holy Spirit teaches us how the contentment that comes from treasuring Christ above all makes our thankfulness for Christians' generosity not less but infinitely greater.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2021.08.13 Hopewell @Home ▫ Philippians 4:14–17

Read Philippians 4:14–17

Questions from the Scripture text: How have the Philippians done (Philippians 4:14)? By doing what? To what time does the apostle refer in Philippians 4:15? What had he done then? What were the Philippians the only ones to do at that time? To where else had they done this (Philippians 4:16)? How often? What doesn’t the apostle seek (Philippians 4:17)? What does the apostle seek?

When Christ means more and more to us, and material things mean less and less to us, we might unintentionally communicate that we are not so grateful for those material things that we do receive from others. The apostle seems aware of this, when he begins Philippians 4:14, “Nevertheless.” 

But if material things are less valuable, then Christian generosity is not less but rather all the more valuable; for, Christian generosity is a spiritual thing! “You have done good,” the apostle tells the Philippians (verse 14a). “You had fellowship together” now with my distress (verse 14b) just as you had done in the giving and receiving in my evangelistic mission (Philippians 4:15). And in between that “beginning of the gospel” way back when, and the recent distress, have been other times when they seized the opportunity (Philippians 4:16, cf. Philippians 4:10) to give.

So, they have done well to have fellowship. The apostle doesn’t say anything about what the gift was, or how much, or what it was used for. He stresses their doing good. He stresses their fellowship with him. The importance of the material gift (Philippians 4:17a) pales in comparison to the importance of the spiritual fruit that comes from it, and with which they will be credited (verse 17b).

So the Philippians’ gifts were not made smaller to Paul by his contentment in Christ, but rather greater. Their gifts were gifts from the Christ with Whom he was content. They themselves were gifts from the Christ with Whom he was content. The generosity that they displayed was a work within them of the Christ with Whom he was content. And the measure of these things would increase, as that Christ did more work through them, as a result of the work that He has done in them.

So, let us never allow increasing contentment apart from material things to twist itself into ingratitude for the generosity either of our Lord or of other believers. For, the more that Christ means to us, the more that the generosity itself ought to impress us, regardless of its content or quantity. And that is cause for gratitude to Him, to them, and to Him in their behalf.

How have others been generous with you? How have you had opportunity to be generous to others? How can you foster appreciation for the spiritual nature of that generosity? How can you communicate that appreciation in a way that focuses upon its spiritual character?

Sample prayer:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are a God Who are sufficient and abundant in Yourself. You are the Giver of all good gifts, and Your creatures are all receivers. Forgive us for whenever we are discontented, or when we overlook the displays of Your goodness and grace in others or to ourselves. Thank You for what we have seen of others’ generosity, as You reproduce Your own likeness in them. Increase our own generosity, and our own gratitude, we ask through Him Who is Your greatest gift—Yourself in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32B “Instruction, I Will Give to You” or TPH173 “Almighty God, Your Word”

 

Joy in Christ Powers Contentment and Generosity (2021.08.08 Evening Sermon in Philippians 4:10–13)

As the apostle sets an example for them of having our thought-life shaped by the virtue and praise-worthiness of the Word of God, he moves on to compliment their generosity regardless of his own contentment. Why? Because both come by the same strength from the same Christ in whom both Paul and the Philippians rejoice.(click audio title within player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

2021.08.06 Hopewell @Home ▫ Philippians 4:10–13

Read Philippians 4:10–13

Questions from the Scripture text: What did the apostle do (Philippians 4:10)? In Whom? How much? Why—what has flourished again? What does he acknowledge about their care in the in-between time? But what had they lacked? What is he careful to say that he is not implying about himself (Philippians 4:11a)? What has he learned, and under what conditions (verse 11b)? What two things does he know how (rightly) to do (Philippians 4:12a)? And in what places and circumstances to do what two pairs of things (verse 12b)? How does he summarize these things in Philippians 4:13? Through Whom can he do them? How does being in Christ equip him to be content when suffering/brought low and when abounding?

The Philippians had apparently been champing at the bit to do something for Paul, but they just didn’t have any opportunity (Philippians 4:10c). This was in part because the apostle didn’t ordinarily see himself as needy (cf. Philippians 4:11-12). For the Philippians to be ever-ready to give, what the apostle says of himself would have had to be true of them, too.

I wonder if it is true of you, dear reader? Are you so content with Christ, that you don’t truly need anything but Him? Even if it means being “abased” and “hungry” and “suffering need” (Philippians 4:12)? It’s a tall order, but Christ is taller still. The Christian can quickly discover that compared to Christ, everything else taken together is a comparative pile of refuse (cf. Philippians 3:8). 

O to know that Christ is all! Then, we are enabled by Christ’s strengthening to be content in every situation like the apostle (cf. Philippians 4:13). Or, we are enabled to be generous the first moment that we get, like the Philippians (cf. Philippians 4:10). If we feel no need to cling to the things of this world, then we can take the opportunity for generosity when it arises. Otherwise, we will end up reasoning that we had wanted to be generous, but it didn’t end up being a good time. Indeed, if Christ is everything to us, then He “strengthens” (Philippians 4:13) us to be content and serve the Lord, regardless of the details of our circumstances.

If we have a hard time giving generously to others, or if we feel embittered that others are not giving generously to us, that is a good indicator that we have not learned the secret of contentment: to be so satisfied with Christ that any other neediness or hardship is not just tolerable, but even welcome, if we could only have Him!

What do you worry most about needing? What effect would increased contentment in Christ have upon this? How can you go about seeking that contentment?

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am With You” or TPH73C “In Sweet Communion, Lord, with Thee”

2021.08.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Philippians 4:8–9

Read Luke 21:20–36

Questions from the Scripture text: What will apostles see where (Luke 21:20)? What will they know? Where will some of them be at the time (Luke 21:21a)? What should they do? And where will others be (verse 21b)? What should they do? What shouldn’t those who are out in the country do (verse 21c)? What days will those be (Luke 21:22)? As part of fulfilling what? What will make it much harder (Luke 21:23a)? Upon what people will there be great wrath (verse 23b)? What will happen to that people (Luke 21:24a)? And what will happen to what city (verse 24b)? Until what time? What happens at the fulfillment (Luke 21:25)? And how will men respond (Luke 21:26)? What will they see in this fear (Luke 21:27)? But how will believers respond (Luke 21:28)? Then what does He start speaking to them in Luke 21:29? With what command does He begin this parable? What are they able to tell from all the trees (Luke 21:30)? What primary thing that He told them that they would see (Luke 21:31a, cf. Luke 21:20a), and what would this mean is near (Luke 21:31b, cf. end of Luke 21:24)? By when should they expect all things they are told to see to take place (Luke 21:32)? What will pass away (Luke 21:33)? What won’t? In light of all this information, to what must they take heed (Luke 21:34)? To avoid being weighed down with which three things? If they are weighed down by those things, what would come upon them suddenly? Who will not be able to escape that moment (Luke 21:35)? What two things must they do (Luke 21:36)? At what times? By what does escape come? For what else would they be “counted worthy” (cf. Luke 20:35)?

The day is coming when the snare will be triggered, and all who dwell on the face of the whole earth will be caught in it (Luke 21:35). But Christ is unto us a Prophet by Whose instruction the apostles were sustained in their testimony, even unto death (Luke 21:12-19). And Christ is unto us a Prophet by Whose instruction believers in Judea and Jerusalem survived the Roman annihilation of that city and all who were in it (Luke 21:20-24). 

That which would be otherwise dreadful, He illustrates with spring and summer tree blossoms (Luke 21:29-30), teaching us to look with hope (Luke 21:31) upon that which others meet with dread: it is the advance of His kingdom. The things that He said would come to pass in that generation did indeed come to pass in that generation (Luke 21:32), so that we might be all the more encouraged about the absolute reliability of His Words (Luke 21:33).

So, when Christ tells us that all of the signs that come throughout the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24-26) will be eclipsed by the arrival of the Son Himself (Luke 21:27), we pay attention to what He tells us to do. For, we know that He is instructing us unto our preservation and salvation. He is teaching us how to live in such a way that what makes other men’s hearts fail them (Luke 21:26) are the very things that fortify our own hearts so that with uplifted heads we can receive Christ as One Who arrives with our redemption (Luke 21:28).

And upon what does He tell us to focus? Taking heed to ourselves, and especially our hearts (Luke 21:34a). Living not for earthly pleasures or cares, but for the Lord before Whom we hope to stand. Just as the apostles and others in the apostolic church were “counted worthy to escape all these things” that came to pass, those who rest upon Christ, and hold to His Words, and live for Him will find that in Christ they are counted worthy “to stand before the Son of Man.” Hallelujah!

What cares threaten to weigh you down? What pleasures tempt you to seek after them instead of pleasing Christ? How much do you think about living before Him now, and what does this say about your being able to stand before Him then?

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song ” or TPH446 “Be Thou My Vision”

Meditation upon and Application of the Word of the God of the Peace (2021.08.01 Evening Sermon in Philippians 4:8–9)

The Lord's glorious Word is to be material for controlling the internal conversation of our hearts and minds, so that we may be transformed by it to offer our bodies as living sacrifices.(click audio title in player for a page where you can download mp3/pdf files of this lesson)