Philippians 4:10-23

Philippians 4:10-23

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Appreciation of Support

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. ¹³ I am able to do all things through Him^[a] who strengthens me. ¹⁴ Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

¹⁵ And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonicayou sent gifts for my need several times. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit^[b] that is increasing to your account. ¹⁸ But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. Those brothers who are with me greet you. ²² All the saints greet you, but especially those from Caesar’s household. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^[c]

Philippians 4:1-9

Philippians 4:1-9

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Practical Counsel

4 So then, my brothers, you are dearly loved and longed for—my joy and crown. In this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. ² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I also ask you, true partner,^[a] to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.⁶ Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. ⁹ Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Questions:

1.       Why should we rejoice in the Lord?

A.      We should rejoice in the Lord because He died for us and because of that we should have no fear of death, He sent His Holy Spirit to live in and through us.  He didn’t just come so we would have life forever, but that we would have life abundantly. 

2.       Why shouldn’t we worry about anything?

A.      Because God is in control and the worst thing that could happen is death.  Death brings forth a new life in Heaven for a believer. 

3.       Why should we let our requests be made known to God?

A.      God knows what we want, but it is good for us to hear what we are asking for so we can see if it is in line with what God what’s for us. 

4.       Dwell on these things? How can we dwell on all these wonderful attributes?

A.       ??????

Philippians 3:12-21

Philippians 3:12-21

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Reaching Forward to God’s Goal

¹² Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers, I do not^[a] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly^[b] call in Christ Jesus.¹⁵ Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. ¹⁶ In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.¹⁷ Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.¹⁸ For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, ²⁰ but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. ²¹ He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.

Questions:

1.      When Paul says we need to forget what is behind and reach forward to what is ahead, what does he mean?

A.     To forget about all the sins of the past and to ask Jesus for a clean heart and start again.  We can’t be depressed about our sins, we need to keep going and repent of our sins. 

2.      What is the stomach of the world?

A.     It’s the desire to consume anything and everything.  We want stuff just like the stomach isn’t satisfied.