Introduction
My Favorite Illustrations (Lacking a Grateful Spirit)
A man prayed that God would send him one hundred dollars. A Baptist deacon heard about the man’s need. At the next meeting of the deacons he related his concern and the man’s prayer. He suggested that they honor the man’s expression of faith by taking up an offering for him. They received seventy-five dollars and delivered it to the man. Later the man prayed again for God to send him one hundred dollars. Then he added to his prayer, “Lord, if you don’t mind, this time please send it through the Methodists. Last times those Baptist deacons kept twenty-five percent.”
This is how people are isn’t it? Too often we become like this and are not thankful like we should be. This is not what we see in Phil. 4:10-20.
In each section we will look at in this text we see Paul thanking the Philippians in three different ways. In each thank you there is an Acknowledgement, and explanation, and a qualifier for Paul.
But we see that Paul had Peace in Concern, Thankful for the Blessing the giver will receive more than what they gave him, and that he praises God for what God does how he supplies every need for His people. That is why this sermon is titled No Need Left Behind.
Let us read the text and then look at what Paul says about being thankful. At how he was thankful in all things.
Let us read Phil. 4:10-20.
In this reading we see that Paul had:
Peace Even in Concern(10-13)
Paul had a peace even in concern. He did because he knew where peace comes from.
He knows that his joy is not wrapped up in earthly material.
He makes his thank you as I mentioned above in the threefold method of Acknowledgement, explanation, and a qualifier.
This threefold system is molded from the qualifier.
Paul knew where he could get strength from. This strength is found in one of the most pulled from context Scriptures there is in the whole Bible: verse 13.
In Phil.4:13 we see Paul say, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
What are the things that Paul is speaking of here?
They are found in the previous three verses. Namely in 11 and 12.
Paul had found out how to be content in all things. There is nothing that could happen to him that he would not have joy in.
Being in need does not phase him. He knows that self-sufficiency is not what drives him. This makes him know that material items are not what brings joy.
In this time frame there were the Stoic philosophers who pushed a self-sufficiency of getting by. They believed that contentment was by an act of the human will human achievement. They believed that they did not need any outside help.
Paul disproves this by being thankful and acknowledging the concern the Philippians had for him. But he acknowledges that they had concern for him but did not have the opportunity to help.
It is here where Paul makes it clear that he knows the secret to contentment and it is not from his human achievement. It is from Christ. He knows that Christ will not allow any need to be left behind, but what he does not have is not necessary. He is content in all situations.
We can only have that kind of peace even in concern if we are resting in the glorious grace of Jesus Christ.
If we are resting in Him strengthening us to make it through all situations.
You see, this verse is about making it through difficulties and struggles in life and making it through without becoming bitter. It is about Christ helping us through everything because it is His strength we are resting on.
Much like 2 Cor. 12:7-10 “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
We rest in Christ to give us what we need and to help us through the difficulties. And we rest in Him if we are brought low or abounding, facing plenty or hunger, or in abundance or need. It is Christ who gives us strength not ourselves or even the gift from others.
We are thankful for the help of others, unlike the Stoics who were doing it on their own, like many try to do today.
We all too often will turn down help because we are self-sufficient and then we will turn around and gripe and complain because of the situation we are in.
We will reject any help from another because we can do it ourselves.
Paul is saying here that we cannot do it ourselves that it is Christ in us and what He does for us.
Much like the joke I have heard about the man who said God would provide him a way out of the flood.
A fellow was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help. Soon a man in a rowboat came by and the fellow shouted to the man on the roof, “Jump in, I can save you.” The stranded fellow shouted back, “No, it’s OK, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me.” So the rowboat went on. Then a motorboat came by. “The fellow in the motorboat shouted, “Jump in, I can save you.” To this the stranded man said, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the motorboat went on. Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, “Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety.” To this the stranded man again replied, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the helicopter reluctantly flew away. Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, “I had faith in you but you didn’t save me, you let me drown. I don’t understand why!” To this God replied, “I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?”
This man would not take help and he drowned.This is far too often us. We will reject help and then complain to God for not helping us when we needed it. God will sometimes humble us by having someone else help us rather than allowing us to help ourselves.
We need to be thankful for the help another gives because it may very well be God working for us. But we need to be just as thankful and joy-filled if we do not receive anything.
Just like Paul who gladly accepted the help from the Philippians but wanted them to know that he was not only out for their help.
He let them know even if they had not helped him he would not complain because his joy and peace is found in Christ. He is thankful in all situations because he rests in Christ and what He will do for him regardless what the world throws at him.
This is why Paul was able to rejoice in the help the Philippians gave him and be:
Thankful for the Blessing the Giver Will Receive (14-17)
Paul again gives them a thank you for their help.
He is over joyed that they would help him when no one else would. He is thankful because this help helped him spread the gospel to more and more people.
Even in Thessalonica they helped him. This is important because in Thessalonica he was accused of starting riots and causing grief. We see this story in Acts 17:1-10.
Paul went to Thessalonica and preached in the synagogue for three sabbaths. He had some who were loving it and but others were not happy.
He was sought out and they wanted to take care of him. They took the man they were staying with before the council and accused them of speaking against the decrees of Caesar Acts 17:6-7 “And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
This was very disturbing and could possibly end in death for those who were speaking thus and for any who supported them.
Yet, the Philippians kept supporting Paul anyway. It also shows that they kept an interest in Paul and his work in the ministry.
He was not in Thessalonica for long, possibly a month, and the Philippians sent funds and resources anyway. They wanted to continue to bless the man who blessed them with the gospel.
But Paul rejoices in the work that this gift will do for them more than himself.
He says that he rejoices in the fruit that increases to their credit. Not what the fruit did for him but what it does for them.
This is like this story I have heard of this neighbor who was destitute and did not have much at all. They would come over and borrow the simple necessities from a very loving and generous neighbor.
This neighbor never turned them away nor did they ever ridicule the poor neighbor who needed something. What the neighbor did do though was to have her son go to the poor neighbor and borrow a small bit of salt.
When the son asked the mother why do this because they are poor, the mother responded “We are going to do this so they do not become down and think they have no value. They are always borrowing from us and this is perfectly fine but for them to feel useful we the ones who have plenty will go and ask them for a small bit of something so they will feel needed.”
That is the fruit that Paul is speaking of. He did not need what they did but because they did it out of compassion they will receive credit and blessings from the Lord.
Just like the neighbor who had plenty borrowed from the neighbor who had little. That made them feel needed and not useless, the gift given by the Philippians was the same.
Paul tells them that the gift is such a blessing because they receive the blessing of giving it to him. Just like the poor neighbor received a blessing of being needed.
The giving is the blessing more than Paul receiving the gift.
Remember he was content in any situation, but he was not like the man on the roof either, he took the gifts and used them as needed. He was blessed by the Philippians but found their giving to be a bigger blessing and joy over the receiving.
He was this way because he was resting in the joy of Christ. He was not caught up in material wealth or want, but in Christ and Him alone.
This is why we see in the thank you this qualifier at the end.
Paul let the Philippians know he was okay in Christ but was thankful for the gift. But he let them know that his joy is for them more than him.
Are you that way? Are you thankful for what you do have because of Christ? Or are you looking for more and letting it get you down? Are you caught up in the material desires, or something else rather than being thankful in Christ alone?
When we are trusting in Christ alone to give us strength We can be thankful because in Christ there is no need left behind.
He will do for us above what we can ever imagine. Eph. 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”
He is able to do so much for us and in us. That is why it is in Him we can do all things we can be content in all situations. Trust in Him and you will be found:
Praising God for what He Does (18-20)
This is what we see in this next section.
Paul was rejoicing that he had received the full gift from them. Again this is the third thank you from Paul to them. He was extremely thankful for the Philippians and has made that abundantly clear in these verses.
We do see a different progression in this section than in the others.
Paul gives the acknowledgement and explanation in verses 18-19 but he gives something different than a qualifier, he gives a doxology-a praise to God.
But before this we see him saying that God through Christ will supply every need to the Philippians .
What this is saying is that when we are serving the Lord and we give to those in need and help them that He will provide what we need. Not only this but we will receive rewards in Heaven for this giving.
Through our loving gifts to those in need God will bless us. In credit as seen in verse 17 or in need here. We are following the law that Christ set forth of loving God and others when we do this.
But we do this because we are like Paul and thankful for what we have and not seeking stuff we do not have. We are joyous with the blessings we have and not desiring things we do not have.
We give great praises to God for His amazing glory and grace.
This is what Paul does here. He praises God and ascribes all glory to Him alone. Not Paul but God. The Philippians gave to Paul but Paul makes sure they realize all glory goes to God not them or him but God alone.
This is what we need to do in all situations.
You receive a lot: praise God.
You are in lack: praise God.
You are treated foul: praise God.
You are struggling: praise God.
You are in need: praise God.
In all things find contentment because this world is not where contentment is found.
If we are seeking joy and peace and happiness in this world: we will be sorely disappointed.
Comfort, contentment, joy, and peace are only found in Christ.
Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
This is where our contentment is found, in Christ because He is the source of our Joy and Peace. Through Him we can be thankful in all situations. It is Christ alone who gives us the most important blessing ever: salvation.
If you are in Christ you have every reason in the world to be thankful. You are saved and will spend eternity with the Lord with tremendous blessings. This world only offers transitory blessings. They never last.
That new pickup will be worn out in a few years. Those new clothes will be worn out in no time or out of style and you will want something different.
Beauty fades no matter how hard you work to keep it, but true beauty is on the inside not outside. Houses wear out and need constant work. Education is great but only gets you so far. I had a man who had a doctorate that was on hospice and he knew nothing of it because he had Alzheimer’s. That fades and goes away.
Anything you can think of wears out, fades away, goes away, or only lasts a few seconds.
Jesus lasts forever and His blessings to you will be forever. This you can bank on and trust in. The world you cannot trust but Jesus you can.
This is why Paul ends this section with Phil. 4:20 “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
It is because all glory and honor is to God alone because He is what is eternal and will not wear out, fade out, dry up, or go away. He is for us not against us if we are one of His.
Find your thankfulness in the Lord and you too can be content as the apostle Paul was. You will also be able to rejoice with those who desire to help you if you are in need. Do not be too proud to accept help because that person may need to feel needed too because they have accepted help before. God provides for us if we are open to receive what He provides.
Trust in Him and you can be thankful because with Him there is No Need Left Behind.
Conclusion
300 Illustrations for Preachers (Thankful for Missing a Field Goal)
Many athletes show gratitude to God when they do something good, like hit a home run, score a touchdown, or win a race. Former Indianapolis Colts kicker Matt Stover has learned to give God the glory even in defeat. During the first quarter of Super Bowl XLIV (44), Stover made a 38-yard field goal and promptly pointed to the heavens, giving God glory for his achievement.
Of course many players do that. However, in the fourth quarter, with the game on the line, Stover missed a 51-yarder. Once again, he pointed to the heavens. That action didn’t escape notice: “CBS announcer Jim Nantz made note of the action, lauding Stover as a ‘spiritual man,’ grateful for divine blessing in success and failure, victory and defeat.”
The Bible teaches us to give glory to God in all we do, not just if it is successful. God receives much glory when we praise him and remain faithful, even when things do not go the way we would like them to.
Is this you, or are you like most people and get frustrated rather than give God glory and be thankful in all things?
Seek to be like Paul and Matt Stover and give God glory in it all and find peace and comfort and joy in Him alone and you too will be able to say Phil. 4:20 “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
